Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactors as Sources of Current and Voltage Harmonics

The focus of this paper is the operation of magnetically controlled shunt reactors in high-voltage electrical grids and their role as sources of current and voltage harmonics. Power quality measurements on real-life magnetically controlled reactors show that these machines can produce harmonics with voltage total harmonic distortion overshooting permissible limits in the points of coupling to the electrical grid. A simulation model of a magnetically controlled shunt reactor has been developed and verified using field test results. The main factors determining the impact of controlled reactors on voltage waveform distortion are examined, and possible limits of such an impact are estimated.