Lab # 10: Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

COMSATS University Islamabad Campus

Post Lab 10
Course: POWER TRANSMISSION
LAB (EEE-381)
Instructor: M. Ali Khan
Student:
Reg. Number: FA16-EPE-042
Name: HAMZA AMJAD

______________________________________
ASSESSMENT
Pre-lab Task: /
Lab Performance: /
Post-Lab: /
Total: /

Instructor’s remarks:

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Lab # 10: Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

Lab # 10:Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

Objective:
Investigating the effect of series compensation on the voltage stability at the load and the transmission
losses of the line

Pre Lab:
Series compensation is the method of improving the system voltage by connecting a capacitor in
series with the transmission line. In other words, in series compensation, reactive power is
inserted in series with the transmission line for improving the impedance of the system. It
improves the power transfer capability of the line. It is mostly used in extra and ultra high
voltage line.

When the line has the value of high reactance to resistance ratio than the inductive reactance of
the transmission line could be decreased by introducing series capacitors as a results in low
voltage drop. If a load with lagging power factor is connected at the end the voltage drop in
the line is given by

VD = I(Rcosό + XLsinό)

If a capacitance C with reactance Xc is connected in series with the line then the reactance will
reduced to [XLXc] and the voltage drop is reduced. And also the reactive power taken by the
line is reduced. Figure below shows the equivalent circuit of the line with series compensation
and its phasor diagram is presented.

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Lab # 10: Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

From the phasor diagram the line voltage drop is,

VD = I(Rcosό + (XL-XC) sinό)

Hence the series capacitors is used to reduce the voltage drop in the lines with low power factor
and also improves the voltage at the receiving end specifically with low power factor loads. For
variable load conditions the voltage is controlled by switching in suitable series capacitors in
the line.

If a capacitor having capacitance reactance Xc is connected in series with the line, the reactance
of the line is reduced from XL to ( XL– Xc). The power transfer is given by:

where,

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Lab # 10: Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

The factor k is known as a degree of compensation or compensation factor. Thus, per unit
compensation is given by the equation percentage:

compensation is given by the equation:

Where XL = total series inductive reactance of the line per phase

XC = capacitive reactance of the capacitor banck per phase
In practice , k lies between 0.4 and 0.7. For k = 0.5

Thus, the power transfer is doubled by 50 % compensation.

Series compensation has several advantages like it increases transmission capacity, improve
system stability, control voltage regulation and ensure proper load division among parallel
feeders.

In Lab:
In order to demonstrate the significant features of this type of compensation, it is sufficient to
investigate the line without capacitances. This also ensures conformity with the equivalent circuit
diagram and corresponding vector diagram presented in the theoretical section.
Remove all bridging plugs connecting the capacitances CE and CL to the transmission line model,
if you have not already done so. Set the voltage on the three-phase transformer to the value UN +

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Lab # 10: Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

5%.Set a value of 2.4 H at the inductive load. A capacitance of exactly 4.23 µF would be required
to compensate for this inductance completely. Connect a value of 4 µF on the capacitive load and
measure the following quantities for various settings of the load resistance R:
Voltage U1, current I1; active power P1 and reactive power Q1 the beginning of the line, and voltage
U2, current I2 and cos φ2 at the line end.
Enter the measured values in the following table:

Observations and Calculations in LAB:

L (H) R (%) U1 (V) I1 (A) P1 (W) Q1(VAR) U2 (V) I2 (A)

2.4 100 428 0.44 86 65 425 0.44

1.2 80 409 0.86 170 115 412 0.86
1.0 60 405 0.97 175 140 408 0.97

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Lab # 10: Effect of series compensation on voltage stability

Post Lab: Critical Analysis/Conclusion

In this lab we have performed Series Compensation on load side to see its effect on Voltage
Stability. As there are two types of loads in practical situations that are Pure Resistive load or
Resistive and Inductive load. Reactive power (KVAR) required by inductive loads
increases the amount of apparent power (KVA) in distribution system. This increase in
reactive and apparent power results in a larger angle θ (measured between KW and KVA).
Recall that, as θ increases, cosine θ (or power factor) decreases.
A low power factor draws a higher internal current and the excessive heat generated will
damage and/or shorten equipment life. Increased reactive loads can reduce output voltage and
damage equipment sensitive to reduced voltage.
To avoid this, Series compensation is added at the load side which basically improves the
power factor that ultimately results in low current draw and less heated equipment.
Series capacitors are used to reduce the voltage drop in the lines with low power factor and
improves the voltage at the receiving end specifically with low power factor loads.

If we observe the tables given above, we can see that,

At L=2.4mH and R=100%, means at minimum load, U1=428V and U2=425V.
But at L=1.0mH and R=60%, means now a considerable load is added, U1=405V and
U2=408V.
As the load is increasing, reactive power, active power and current are increasing. Along with
that if the series capacitance is kept constant in all the three cases, Voltage is becoming more
stable.
We are getting stable voltage at the receiving end.

We also observed in the Lab that at 30uF series capacitance, Voltage at receiving end increases
amazingly which is also referred as Ferranti Effect.

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