Power compensation

Air-core neutral
grounding reactors
The optimum solution for ground-fault arc suppression

The case for neutral grounding reactors

A transmission system’s transient stability and after opening the faulted phase; however, the
operational availability can be improved by time to extinguish may not be short enough to
single-phase auto-reclosing of the lines during enable line auto-reclosing.
internal ground faults. When the faulted phase
Neutral grounding reactors can be installed in
is opened, a secondary arc current within the
the neutral of the line shunt reactors to speed
line is maintained by the capacitive coupling
up extinguishing of the secondary arc current
between the faulted and unfaulted phases.
and control transient recovery voltages caused
In most cases, this current self-extinguishes
by switching of the line.

Transient studies using appropriate arc models

should be used to determine the parameters
of the neutral reactors. However, a number
1 of empirical formulas have been applied to
2 provide a rough estimation of the reactor’s
3 ratings [see references].

This approach has demonstrated its feasibility

4
in worldwide applications. Indeed, using an
air-core reactor is an eminently cost-effective
solution providing excellent performance for
high-voltage transmission systems.

Customer Benefits
• Cost-effective solution
• Simple transport
5 and erection
• No leakage
Air-Core Reactor design 6
• Minimum maintenance
1. Lifting lug requirements and
2. Spacers (cooling ducts)
3. Crossarms (spider) environmentally friendly
4. Terminal
5. Insulator
6. Extension brackets (pedestals)

GRID

1
 Air-core neutral grounding reactors ACR

panies. The technical and other data contained in this document are provided for information only. Neither Alstom, its officers nor employees accept responsibility for or should be taken as making any representation or warranty (whether express or implied) as to the
accuracy or completeness of such data or the achievements of any projected performance criteria where these are indicated. No liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon the information contained in this brochure. Alstom reserves the right to revise or change
Grid-ITR-L3-Neutral_grounding_reactors-72254-2011_03-EN © - Alstom, the Alstom logo and any alternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of Alstom. The other names mentioned, registered or not, are the property of their respective com-

these data at any time without further notice. Printed on paper made with pure ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) ecological cellulose produced from trees grown in production forests under responsible management, and selected recycled three-layer fibres.
The Alstom Grid solution
Air-core reactors (ACR) provide a linear The Alstom Grid air-core reactor windings cylinders. Depending on the reactor ratings,
response of impedance versus current, which consist of numerous insulated aluminum one or more of these cylinders are connected
is essential to numerous applications. conductors connected in parallel. in parallel between aluminum spiders.
The dry-type construction is environmentally The individual cylinders are separated by
These conductors are mechanically
friendly, requires little maintenance and is easy fiberglass spacers to form cooling ducts.
immobilized and encapsulated in epoxy
to install.
impregnated fiberglass filaments to form

Air-core vs. oil-filled

Air-core reactor Oil-filled reactor

The advantages of an air-core solution

The benefits of the Alstom Grid air-core reactor
solutions can be summarized as follows:

S
 imple and low cost solution

S
 imple transport and erection

N
 o leakage

M
 inimum maintenance requirements
and environmentally friendly

L ow noise level

C
 ustomized space saving solutions for
installations in compact areas

•7  2.5 kV •7  2.5 kV
• 2000 Ω • 2000 Ω
• 541 kg • 7700 kg
• Dimensions • Dimensions
(LxWxH) = 1.3 x 1.3 x 3.6 m (LxWxH) = 3.2 x 2.0 x 3.2 m

“
References
[1] Kimbark, E.W., “Suppression of Ground-
Fault Arcs on Single-Pole Switched EHV Lines
[2] Nayak, R.N., Sehgal, Y.K., Sen, S.
and Gupta, M., “Optimization of neutral
[3] Ramold M., Idarraga G. and Jäger J.,
“Transient shunt reactor dimensioning for
[4] Tavares M.C. and Portela C.M.,
“Transmission system parameters
by Shunt Reactors”. IEEE Trans. on Power grounding reactor parameters-an analysis bulk power transmission systems during optimisation – Sensitivity analysis of
Apparatus and Systems, vol. 83, pp. 285-290, for a double circuit EHV line”. IEEE Power normal and faulty network conditions”. secondary arc current and recovery
1964. India Conference, New Delhi, India, 2006. International Conference on Power System voltage”. IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery,
Technology, Chongqing, China, 2006. vol. 19, pp. 1464-1470, 2004.

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GRID