Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactors Overview

Romualds Bogdanovis
Riga Technical University (Latvia)
romualds.b@inbox.lv

AbstractThis paper present brief review about

Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactors (MCSR) structure,
applications, comparison with TCR and field experience of using
it.

I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactors are one
of FACTS family devices. In a line with SVC and
STATCOM, source of reactive power (SRP) based on
Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactor are devices, which
application sphere is splitted from main electrical grid local
grids, like oil companys grids in Siberia or Kazakhstan, long
distance high or extra high voltage transmission lines or
substations with high voltage fluctuation. Also large scale
factories need their own regulated source of reactive power.
In fact, MCSR has been widely used only in Eastern region
countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, in some African
countries and Brazil. The total amount of installed MCSR
equipment today around the world is more than 6 GVAr.

Difference in 110 - 500 kV device, is that the phase of

MCSR is a two or three-winding transformer with a split rod.
Network winding is connected to the power grid, the control
winding is connected to an adjustable source of DC voltage,
and the control of inductance is achieved by regulating DC
voltage on secondary transformers side.
When the terminals of grid windings are connected to the
grid an there is no current flowing in control circuits, UC=0,
alternating fluxes of the same magnitude and direction appear
in the split rod. They do not exceed the saturation value in
any cross section of the magnetic system. As result grid phase
current ICO = 0. This is the idle mode (period I) in Fig.2.
When energy is supplied to control winding, or removed from
it, there is transient increase or decrease of phase current. In
any steady state mode, for example half period or full period
saturation mode, the power consumed by control circuits is

II. WORKING PRINCIPLES

Depending from power ratings MCSR models could be
splitted in two sections: first is single-winding MCSR, for 635 kV applications and transformers type two or threewinding MCSR for 110-500kV applications. Usualy for 6-35
kV applications is used single-winding MCSR described [1]
[2]. Main idea is that, the phase MCSR consists of two
parallel iron core limbs. Each limb has two windings with
taps. The windings of different limb are crossly connected and
then the two branches of the series coils are connected
parallel to the network. Changes of inductance in MCSR are
achieved through controlled changes of magnetic field
strength in the magnetic core. Control is realized only by
changes in the unidirectional component of the magnetic field
strength. This changes is achieved by controlled triggering of
thyristors. Such changes move the magnetic core of the

Fig. 2. Characteristic phase current ICO (I), control current IC (II), phase
voltage UC (III), control voltage UC, magnetic fluxes 1, 2 (IV) curves for
controllable reactor.

very small, since it is only required for compensation of the

ohmic losses in control winding. In transition process, when
transition lasts 2 periods, power, which is required to control
circuit, is no more than 5% of rated controllable controllablereactor power. If transition is slower, power, consumed by
control circuits, are smaller too. [1] [3]

Fig. 1. Single-winding and transformer type MCSR schemes.

MCSR into saturation. The period in which the core is

saturated is finally the principal parameter of the control.

III. APPLICATION
In Russia and Kazakhstan after USSR has collapsed,
electricity demand rapidly has decreased. The prolonged
(1990-1999) shortage of funds for modernisation of electrical
equipment and also specific features of Russia and
Kazakhstan grid system, in particular: the great extent of the
high voltage transmission lines, generating considerable
amount of uncompensated reactive power and sharp
oscillation in the currents in key links are created growing

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demand for voltage regulators which are cheap, simply in use,

qualitative and working in wide range of climatic conditions.
For this purpose MCSR are widely used nowadays thanks to
its benefits. Like other FACTS family devices, like SVC or
STATCOM, SRP based on MCSR provides the following
practical applications:
Eliminate the daily and seasonal fluctuations in line
voltage;
Improve the quality of electric power;
Increase the limit of static stability;
To improve the damping in the system;
Increase the stability of the power system;
Reduce electricity losses during transmission and
distribution;
To avoid the effect of "voltage collapse" in case of
emergency in the electrical network;
In dozens of times improve operating conditions of
generating equipment, by reducing number of switching
non-regulating equipment, like induction coils, capacitor
banks;
Improve working conditions of mechanically regulated
voltage regulators or in best cases excludes working of it
at all.
IV. MCSR COMPARISON WITH TCR
Since MSCR and TCR are devices which is similar in
behaviour in network to the extent that the in calculations of
MCSR, TCR models is used. So it is reasonable to compare
this devices from different aspects.
A. Harmonic Analysis
Similarities in influence on network parameters and
difference in working principles were discussed in [2] [4].
From harmonic analysis comparison could be splitted in two
section. Firs is comparison between medium voltage devices
(up to 35kV). In this section research was done for 10 MVA
devices. Result shows, that behaviour in network of MCSR
and TCR are the same. Difference in harmonics do not exceed
0.3%, but mostly are with same values. Second comparison
between high voltage devices (up to 500kV) shows even
better result of MCSR. Research was done for 180 MVA
devices. Harmonic analysis shows, that TCR THD are higher,
than MCR. It follows, that from harmonic analysis MCSR are
better than TCR in different voltage ratings.
B. Economical and Technical Aspects
TCR need step-down transformer and semiconductor
switches which are required at same nominal voltage ratings
as reactor, but MCSR are working on ferromagnetic valve
principle. That means, that its control circuits voltage ratings
are very low, designed without high voltage rating power
switches. There are no needs in step-down transformer for
MCSR. Also advanced cooling system is needed for power
switches for TCR. SVC require larger footprint, than MCR,
while new land may be unavailable or too expensive. Very
limited overload capacity are characteristic for TCR, while
TCR could be overloaded up to 130% for 20 minutes. TCR
produce strong magnetic fields and often require special
electromagnetic shielding. In total, MCSR are almost twice
cheaper in some cases. It has very low servicing costs which
are similar to ordinary power transformer with the same
power ratings as MCSR.

V. SOLUTION ON PRACTICE
A. Ust- Kulom
Until 2014, Trinity- Pechora, and Ust- Kulom Kortkerosski
region in Russia were powered by single-circuit lines. Any
damage in the network led to the brake down electricity
supply to consumers of one or more areas. With the line
"Voivozh - Pomozdino" was created by energy ring ", which
now provides a second power supply to the three
municipalities. To exploit the potential of the line in full there
was a need to transfer the large capacity of power and
automatic voltage regulation. To solve this problem, IDGC
(international distribution grid company) of North -West
decided to install on the substation "Ust- Kulom" reactive
power source SRP ()-110/10/10 consisting of MCR and

Fig. 3. SRP()-110/10/10 substation "Ust-Kulom"

capacitor bank. Daily schedule voltage variation reached 5.5

kV on 110kV busbars, which had a negative impact on the
switching equipment, increased wear of the voltage regulators
and the stability of electric power in general. Also worth
mentioning is that the increased voltage of 110kV busbars
reached 122.5 kV. Fluctuation of the grid voltage before
substation modernization was 5.5 kV, which is almost 4.7%
of grid voltage. After modernization fluctuation of voltage do
not exceed 0.3%.
B. Kudymkar
MCSR is installed in Russia, at Permenergos Kudymkar
substation, which was equipped with capacitor banks. Due to
power fluctuations, it was required over 800 manual
switching events of capacitor bank per year, as a result
serious capital outlay for labour, and rapid depreciation of
attached switching and transformer equipment. MCR at
substation was installed in 1999. The system immediately
stabilized, and only twelve manual switching events have
been necessary per year since then. The substation saved 7.3
GW-hours over the first year, and construction of a new
power line, which had been planned, has become unnecessary
for at least next 10 years. The utility has saved well in excess
of $25M and in just two short years has recovered the cost of
installing the MCR.
REFERENCES
[1] A. Bryantsev, "Magnetically Controlled Electrical Reactors", Moscow,
"", 2012.
[2] R. Bogdanovis, Dual Model of Single-Winding Magnetically Controlled
Shunt Reactor, Riga, 2014, in press
[3] G. A. Evdokunin, Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactors, St. Peterburg:
, 2013, p. 280.
[4] R.R. Karymov, M. Ebadian, "Comparison of magnetically controlled
reactor (MCR) and thyristor controlled reactor (TCR) from harmonics
point of view," ScienceDirect, vol. 29, 2006.

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