A Variable Inductor-Capacitor for Reactive Power Compensation

This paper presents an integrated inductive capacitive component wound from aluminum/polyester foils and examines its suitability to provide variable reactive power for compensation in low voltage power systems. A 14 kVAR prototype integrated component is constructed with a winding mechanism specially build for this research task. Measured technical parameters verify via its capacitive and inductive behavior the dual character of the pilot model. Fundamental analysis documents the components ability to perform automatic compensation. The reactive power of a 1.2 kW, 230 V induction motor is compensated by the pilot model the latter being regulated automatically via a control feedback process to provide the necessary capacitive reactive power. Extended preliminary experimentation at this stage indicates reasonable prospects for such an integrated component to compensate both inductive and capacitive reactive power.