SUB CODE / SUB NAME: EE3602 / POWER SYSTEM OPERATION AND CONTROL
UNIT – III REACTIVE POWER–VOLTAGE CONTROL
PART-A
1. List any two devices that generate reactive power and two devices that absorbs reactive power.
[NOV/DEC-24]
The two devices that generate reactive powers are
1. Capacitor banks and
2. Synchronous condensers,
while the two devices that absorb reactive powers are
1. Inductors and
2. Transformers.
2. Expand SVC and STATCOM and state their basic functions. [NOV/DEC-24]
SVC – Static Var Compensator.
The basic functions of SVC are
1. Voltage Regulation
2. Power Factor Correction
3. System Stabilization
4. Dynamic Reactive Power Control
STATCOM- Static Synchronous Compensator.
The basic functions of STATCOM are
1. Voltage Regulation
2. Dynamic Response
3. Grid Stability Enhancement
4. Power Quality Improvement
3. Give the different types of reactive power compensation. [APRIL/MAY-24]
The different types of reactive power compensations are
1. Active Compensation
i. Static VAR Compensators (SVCs)
ii. STATCOM (Static Compensator)
2. Passive Compensation:
iii. Capacitor Banks
iv. Synchronous Condensers
4. Differentiate between on-load and off-load tap changing. [APRIL/MAY-24]
On-load tap changing Transformer:
1. On-load tap changing (OLTC) allows adjusting a transformer's voltage ratio while it's energized,
2. OLTCs are preferred for transformers with varying loads and in power systems where dynamic
voltage changes are frequent.
3. Allows for continuous voltage regulation without interrupting the power supply.
4. Better control over voltage fluctuations.
Off-load tap changing Transformer:
1. while off-load tap changing (NLTC) requires de-energizing the transformer to adjust the tap.
2. NLTCs are suitable for transformers with stable load conditions or where temporary disruptions
in.
3. service for tap changes are acceptable.
4. Simpler and less expensive than OLTCS
5. Requires power outages for tap changes.
6. Less flexible for dynamic voltage regulation
5. List the various components in AVR loop
The various components of AVR loops are
a. Magnetic amplifier
b. Rotating amplifier
c. Modern electronic amplifier.
6. Illustrate voltage?
The potential difference between two points in an electric circuit called voltage. The unit of
voltage is volt. It is represented by V.
7. Define power factor.
The ratio of the average power (or) real power to the apparent power is called the power factor.
Average power (¿)Real power (P)
Power factor=
Apparent power (S)
8. What is reactive power?
The power associated with inductance or capacitance is called reactive power. If equals I 2X
where I is rms current and X is reactance.
9. Why do we need Reactive Power?
a. Reactive power (VARS) is required to maintain the voltage to deliver active power (watts)
through transmission lines.
b. Motor loads and other loads require reactive power to convert the flow of electrons into useful
work.
10. List out the effects of reactive power imbalance?
When there is reactive power imbalance, the voltage magnitude is not within the acceptable
limit.
11. List out the limitations of Reactive Power?
a. Reactive power does not travel very far.
b. Usually necessary to produce it close to the location where it is needed.
c. Reactive power supplies are closely tied to the ability to deliver real or active power.
12. Mention the factors influence primarily the voltages in a power system?
The following factors influence primarily the voltages in a power system:
a. Terminal voltages of synchronous machines
b. Impedances of lines
c. Transmitted reactive and active power
d. Turns ratio of transformers
13. What is the exciter? (NOV/DEC 2015)
The exciter is the main component in AVR loop. It delivers the DC power to the generator
field. It must have adequate power capacity and sufficient speed of response (rise time less than 0.1
sec).
14. Mention the different types of excitation system used in Power Systems. (Nov/Dec 2019)
Three main types can be distinguished:
a. DC excitation system.
b. AC excitation system.
c. Static excitation system.
15. What are the functions of Excitation system? (MAY/JUNE 2009), (NOV/DEC 2013)
a. To provide direct current to the synchronous machine field winding.
b. To perform control and protective functions essential to the satisfactory performance of the
power system by controlling the field voltage and thereby the field current.
16. Give some excitation system amplifier.
The excitation system amplifiers are,
a. Magnetic amplifier
b. Rotating amplifier
c. Modern electronic amplifier.
17. Point out the sources of reactive power? (APR/MAY 2019)
The sources of reactive power are
a. Overexcited synchronous machines
b. Capacitor banks
c. The capacitance of overhead lines and cables
d. FACTS devices.
18. Show the sinks of reactive power?
The consumers of reactive power are
a. Induction motors
b. Shunt reactors
c. The inductance of overhead lines and cables
d. Transformer inductances
19. Justify the need for voltage control in a power system.
Electrical appliances are designed to be operated at a particular voltage. Deviation of voltage
beyond the acceptable limit will affect the performance of the appliances greatly.
20. State the acceptable range of voltage fluctuations according to Indian standards.
The permissible range of voltage fluctuation is ±5% of the normal voltage.
21. State the main objectives of Reactive power and Voltage control in power systems. (APR/MAY
2018)
a. To maintain the system stable
b. To reduce the power losses
c. To enhances the power quality
22. Enumerate the methods of voltage control? (NOV/DEC 2011), (NOV/DEC 2010)(Or)What are
the methods to improve the voltage profile in the power system? (MAY/JUNE 2012)
a. Excitation control
b. Static shunt capacitors
c. Static series capacitors
d. Static shunt reactor
e. Synchronous condensers.
23. Define tap changing transformers?
Tap changing transformers are the power transformers with tappings on the secondary winding
side. The tappings are adjusted for voltage control.
24. Give the types of tap changing transformers.
Types of tap changing transformers,
a. Off-load tap changing transformers.
b. On-load tap changing transformers.
25. Enumerate synchronous condenser?
A synchronous motor running at no load feeds positive VARs into the line under over excited
conditions and feeds negative VARs when under excited. A machine thus running is called a
synchronous condenser.
26. Compare shunt and series capacitors.
Sl.
Shunt capacitors Series capacitors
No
The function of shunt capacitor applied as Series capacitors are connected in series
the single unit or in groups of units is towith the line and are used to reduce
1
supply lagging KVAR to the system at the inductive reactance between supply point
point where they are connected. and load.
It is mainly used for power factor correction
It is mainly used to compensate the effect of
2
at the load terminal of low voltage series reactance
If the load VAR requirement is small, shunt If the load VAR requirement is small, shunt
3
capacitors are of high use capacitors are of small use
If the total load reactance is high, series
If the total load reactance is high, shunt
4 capacitors are very effective and stability is
capacitors are not effective.
improved.
27. Where are synchronous condensers (or) synchronous compensator installed?
The synchronous compensator is connected to the tertiary winding of the main transformer for
voltage and reactive power control at both transmission and sub transmission levels. A neutral point is
provided by the earthing transformer.
28. Point out the advantages of synchronous compensator? (NOV/DEC2011), (NOV/DEC2013)
a. Flexibility of operation for all load conditions
b. Improvement in system stability.
c. Supply of heavy amount of reactive power during short period.
d. Reduction of the effect of sudden change in load.
29. List the disadvantages of synchronous compensator? (NOV/DEC2013)
a. High cost of installation.
b. Contribution of more short circuit current in the system.
c. More loss.
d. Higher maintenance.
30. Define regulating transformer?
A transformer which is designed for a small adjustment of voltage instead of changing the
voltage levels is called regulating transformer for the control of voltage magnitude.
31. Mention the parts of a regulating transformer?
A regulating transformer consists of two parts:
a. 3 phase autotransformer called exciting transformer.
b. Series transformers.
32. What is boost transformer? Where is used? (NOV/DEC 2012)
It is a compensating device which gives in-phase boost similar to tap changing transformer. To
increase the voltage at an intermediate point in a line.
33. When is feedback stability compensation used? (NOV/DEC2015)
Feedback stability compensation is used to resolve the effect of high loop gain in AVR. High
loop gain is needed for static accuracy but this causes undesirable dynamic response, possibly
instability.
34. Show the different types of reactive power compensation? (NOV/DEC2012)
a. Active and Passive Var Control When fixed inductors and/ or capacitors are employed to absorb
or generate reactive power, they constitute passive control.
b. An active var control, on the other hand, is produced when its reactive power is changed
irrespective of the terminal voltage to which the var controller is connected.
35. Give the characteristics of line compensators.
The characteristics of line compensators are,
Ferranti effect is minimized.
Under excited operation of synchronous generator is not required.
36. Outline the role of synchronous generators adopted for generation and absorption of reactive
power. (APR/MAY 2018)
The synchronous generator can generate or absorb reactive power depending on the excitation.
When over-excited they supply reactive power. When under excited, it absorbs reactive power from
the line.
37. What is known as bank of capacitors? How it is adjusted?
Bank of capacitors is the arrangement of number of capacitors connected in parallel to get the
desired capacitance. These can be adjusted in steps by switching (mechanical).
38. State the advantage of switched capacitors in voltage Control. (NOV/DEC 2018)
a. Voltage drop in the line reduces.
b. Prevents voltage collapse.
c. Steady state power transfer increases.
d. Transient stability limit increases.
39. Show the disadvantage of switched capacitors are employed for compensation?
When switched capacitors are employed for compensation, these should be disconnected
immediately under light load conditions to avoid excessive voltage rise and Ferro resonance in
presence of transformers.
40. List the effects of capacitor in series compensation circuit?
The effects of capacitor in series compensation circuit are,
a. Voltage drop in the line reduces.
b. Prevents voltage collapse.
c. Steady state power transfer increases.
d. Transient stability limit increases.
41. Give two kinds of capacitors used in shunt compensator.
The two kinds of capacitors used in shunt compensator are,
a. Static Var Compensator (SVC)
b. Thyristor Switched Capacitor
42. Write about static VAR compensator (SVC).
a. Static VAR Compensator (SVC) comprise capacitor bank fixed or switched or fixed capacitor
bank and switched reactor bank in parallel.
b. These compensators draw reactive power from the line thereby regulating voltage, improve
stability (steady state and dynamic), control overvoltage and reduce voltage and current
unbalances.
c. In HVDC application these compensators provide the required reactive power and damp out sub
harmonic oscillations.
43. What are static VAR switches or systems?
Static VAR switches or systems are Static VAR compensators which use switching for VAR
control. It means that terminology wise SVC=SVS.
44. Give some of the static compensators schemes. (OR)
What are the different types of Static VAR Compensator? (NOV/DEC 2018)
Schemes of static compensators
a. Saturated reactor
b. Thyristor- Controlled Reactor (TCR)
c. Thyristor Switched capacitor (TSC)
d. Combined TCR and TSC compensator.
45. List the use of off-load tap changer and TCUL? (APR/MAY 2019)
The off- load tap changers are used when it is expected that the ratio will need to be changed
only infrequently, because of load growth or some seasonal change.
TCUL is used when changes in ratio may be frequent or when it is undesirably to de-energize
the transformer to change the tap.
46. Enumerate the function of AVR? (MAY/JUNE 2013)
The function of the AVR is to provide constancy of the generator terminal voltage during
normal, small and slow changes in the load.
47. Explain about static AVR loop.
In a static AVR loop, the execution power is obtained directly from the generator terminals or
from the station service bus. The AC power is rectified by thyristor bridges and fed into the main
generator field via slip rings. Static exciters are very fast and contribute to improved transient stability.
48. Write the static performance of AVR loop.
Static performance of AVR loop is to regulate the terminal |V| to within required static
accuracy limit, have sufficient speed of response and be stable.
49. What are the advantages of Shunt reactors?
a. To maintain normal voltage under light load condition.
b. During heavy load conditions, some of the reactors are disconnected by using switching reactors
and circuit breakers.
50. Define surge impedance?
The square root of the ratio of series impedance (Z) to the shunt admittance(Y) is called as
surge impedance of the line
51. How the Ferranti effect occurs?
ZC =
√ L
C
is pure resistance
In long transmission lines and cables, receiving end voltage is greater than sending end voltage
during light- load or no-load operation. This occurs due to high charging current. This effect is known
as Ferranti effect.
52. List the significance of stability compensation in AVR loop?
Stability compensation improves the dynamic response characteristics without affecting the
static loop gain.
53. Comment on the use of series capacitors in transmission lines. (APR/MAY 2017)
Series capacitor reduces the total reactance of the line and thereby enhances the power handing
capacity of the line.
54. What is exciter ceiling voltage? (APR/MAY 2017)
When there is a sudden load throw off, the terminal voltage at the stator will be increased. To
compensate for the sudden increase in voltage level, the DC excitation is reduced drastically. This is
called as 'Negative Ceiling Voltage'.
But when there is a sudden increase in load the terminal stator voltage drops due to external reaction
effect. Hence the drop in terminal voltage is compensated by sudden increase in DC excitation. This is
called as 'Positive Ceiling Voltage'.
55. Point out the advantages and disadvantages of synchronous compensators? (APR/MAY 2017)
(NOV/DEC 2017)
Advantages
a. Better performance
b. Improved transient stability
Disadvantages
a. High cost
b. Indirect voltage control
56. Sketch the V-I characteristics of SVC. (Nov/Dec 2019)
