VOLTAGE REGULATION

5 June 2014
By : Ernst de Villiers

Layout of Presentation

Problem Statement
Construction of the Voltage Regulator
Basic theory of Voltage Regulation
Implementation of Voltage Regulators
Voltage Regulators Vs. Load Tap Changers
Case Study Commissioning

Problem Statement

An ideal electric power system

would supply constant voltage
at rated value for every piece of
equipment.
Power systems cannot deliver a
constant voltage level due to
line losses caused by the line
impedance and an increase in
load density.
When voltage profile limits are
exceeded, either performance
or equipment life is sacrificed.

How Voltage drops are created

MV distribution feeders are designed short enough and/or are loaded

so that the voltage profile is kept within specific limits.

Medium length line model

Properly-designed distribution feeder

Problem Statement

To minimize the time and expense of serving the new load, the length
of the feeder is usually extended. Hence, in most cases, the feeder
develops an unacceptable voltage drop as shown in the figure below.

Increase of load density and feeder length

results in an unacceptable voltage drop.
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Solution The Voltage Regulator

A Voltage Regulator can continuously monitor the output voltage

and automatically adjust itself by changing taps until the desired
voltage is obtained .

Operational Theory

A voltage regulator holds line voltage within predetermined limits and

assures the proper operation of connected loads
To understand how a regulator operates, one must first understand
how a two-winding transformer operates.

Transformer Model

Ideal Transformer

Operation Theory

These two independent windings can then be connected so that their

voltages may aid or oppose one another.
Thus, the output terminal voltage can either be measured as the sum
of the two voltages or the difference between them.
Therefore; transformer becomes a auto transformer with the ability to
raise or lower the primary or system voltage

Step-down Trfr

Step-up Trfr
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How does a Voltage Regulator work?

A single-phase regulator is represented by the autotransformer in
the figure below.
Series Winding Low voltage Winding
Shunt Winding High Voltage Winding

Voltage Regulator Diagram

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How does a Voltage Regulator work?

By reversing the polarity of the series winding, the autotransformer
can boost (increase) or buck (decrease) the output voltage with
respect to the input voltage

Step-down Trfr

Voltage Regulator Diagram

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Step-up Trfr

How does a Voltage Regulator work?

Polarity reversing is achieved via a reversing switch. An on-load
tap-changer connects a variable number of turns of the series
winding into the circuit, thereby allowing small increments of
voltage change.

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Schematic Diagram 32 step Voltage

Regulator

12/12/16

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Non Bridging Equalizing Winding and

Reactor
The preventive autotransformer is required in order to smoothen the
transient encountered when switching taps.
Thus, decreasing the interrupted current as the tap changer taps.
Preventing the regulator from being disconnected from the circuit each
time the tap is changed.

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Voltage Regulator Parts

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Bushing Construction

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Bushings

The preferred bushing terminals are smooth, hot-dip tinned, copper cylindrical
stems provided with bimetallic clamps that are suitable for accepting aluminum
or copper conductors of 6 mm to 15 mm diameter.

BUSHING SPECIFICATION FOR POLEMOUNTED, SINGLE-PHASE, STEP, AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATORS

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MOV Surge Arrester

At normal voltage the MOV disk is an
insulator and will not conduct current.
But at higher voltages caused by surges
(faults/ lightning) , it becomes a conductor.
Thus, the arrester protects the series
winding from surges.

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MOV Surge Arrester

According to Specification 34-2110:
The surge arrester shall comply with the following parameters:
11 kV Application

22 kV Application

MCOV:

> 2.5 kV

>5 kV

Residual voltage: Ures

<10.5 kV

<20 kV

Rated discharge current

10 kA

10 kA

Creepage

31mm/kV

31mm/kV

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Internal Parts QD8 Quick Drive tapchanger

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Reactors

A bridging reactor is required to maintain continuity during a tap

change and to provide impedance for limiting the amount of current to
be interrupted by the tap changer.

Shell Type Reactor

Core Type Reactor

Core type is designed that the two coils are interlaced resulting in minimal
impedance-to-load current flow and therefore minimal voltage drop.
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CL6A Control Board

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CL6A Control Board

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Drag-Hand

The Yellow tap indicating needle drags minimum and maximum needles.

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Type of Regulators
Two types of regulators:
Type A
Type B step-voltage regulators are predominately used for distribution
lines outside of the substation and lateral circuits.
How does a Voltage Regulator work?

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Type A Regulator

The tapped series winding is located on the load side of the shunt
winding, and by adjusting those taps the output load voltage
changes.

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Type B Regulator
The tapped series winding is located on the source side of the
shunt (excitation) winding, and by adjusting those taps the output
load voltage changes.

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Regulator Ratio
Typical maximum boosts and bucks are 10%.
What will aR and nt=N2/N1 be in the maximum boost and buck positions?

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Voltage Regulation Per Step

According to AVR Spec 34-2110 Regulators will provide 10%

regulation with 32 step (16 buck and 16 boost).
Since 16 steps provides 10% boost (or buck), then a single step will
result in a voltage change of 1/16 of 10%, which is:

Since % voltage is Per Unit voltage x 100, the Per Unit voltage
change per step is

So we obtain 0.00625 Per Unit voltage change per step.

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Voltage Regulation Per Step

The ratio (N2/N1)effective is then given by the pu voltage change per step
times the number of steps (Tap):

Note that if Tap is 0, then the effective turns ratio is 0. In this case,
there is no boost, and VL=VS.

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Line Drop Compensation (LDC)

Allows a constant voltage to be maintained at a load centre remote

from the regulator.

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Wiring Diagram CT Circuit Protection

12/12/16

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How is it implemented?

Two or three single-phase regulators banked together make it

possible to regulate the voltage of a three-phase system.
Closed-Delta

Open-Delta

3 Voltage Regulators

2 Voltage Regulators

15% Regulation of Input

Voltage

10% Regulation of Input

Voltage

Mostly used in ECOU

Cost effective

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Connection Configuration

Two or three single-phase regulators banked together make it possible to

regulate the voltage of a three-phase system.

Closed Delta Implementation

Open Delta Implementation

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Configuration

Open-Delta connection

Closed-Delta connection
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How ratings are selected

Two parameters are necessary to elect a voltage regulator:

1) Rated Voltage
2) Rated Current

Rated Voltage: It must be equal to or higher than the system nominal

voltage.
Rated Current: It must be equal to or higher than the maximum load
current at the place that regulator is going to be installed.

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Regulator Tests

The AVR shall have been type tested in accordance with, and found to
comply with, the following requirements of ANSI/IEEE C57.15.
Impulse test;
Temperature rise;
Short-circuit tests KA rating-3 seconds amps;
Insulation testing Megger

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Where to Apply

1) On existing feeders with voltage drop problems

This is a common application of voltage regulators.
They are installed before the point that the voltage drop problem starts
under heavy load conditions.

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Where to Apply

2) Important laterals from a main feeder can be effectively

controlled with regulators.

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Where to Apply

3) To serve a remotely located load

These types of loads can be economically and quickly served by extending

the existing feeder and installing voltage regulators to correct for the voltage
drop in the extension.

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Operating sequence to put a regulator bank

on bypass Spec 34-1436
1.

Apply all regulators on neutral tap

2.

Check regulator incoming and outgoing links to be closed.

3.

Close regulator bypass links.

4.

Open regulator outgoing links.

5.

Open regulator incoming links.

6.

Test regulator to be dead.

7.

Apply relevant earths

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Operating sequence to put a regulator bank

back in service - Spec 34-1436
1.

Remove all earths.

2.

Check regulator bypass links to be closed.

3.

Close regulator incoming links.

4.

Ensure that regulators is on neutral tap.

5.

Close regulator bank outgoing links.

6.

Open regulator bank bypass links.

7.

Put regulator on auto

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Voltage Regulators vs. Load Tap Changers

The basic function of an electrical utility is to supply power to

customers.
With system losses and voltage sags that must be corrected by
regulation in order to stay within the voltage limit.
Even in a real world of ongoing maintenance and occasional
component failure, objectives of minimizing outage time and
limiting failures can be realized.

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Voltage Regulators vs. Load Tap Changers

3 Single phase Regulators

Transformer + LTC

One phase offline- replacement of only

one regulator unit.

Failure of one phase of the TC, entire

unit removed all phase effected.

One spare regulator unit can be utilized on any of the phases if

maintenance is required.
Full maintenance can be completed without diminishing system
service.
Each Single-phase unit has an independent control to react to
the voltage variances of the phase.

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Voltage Regulators vs. Load Tap Changers

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Voltage Regulators vs. Load Tap Changers

Unbalanced phase voltages single phase units can respond

individually to these independent feeder models.
By separating each phase into its own unit, every unit is made smaller
and easier to handle.
Bypass switching provides easy installation and the ability to remove a
regulator without dropping the entire bus or feeder.

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Cost Comparison

There are some choices to be made in how to regulate voltage; some of

these choices can require significant capital expenditures.

Study done by Cooper Power Systems Ref. Number R225-90-21

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Prospect - Kaysers Beach Voltage Regulator

11kV Pine conductor line that interconnects with Prospect - Gately line
via a normally open point situated at structure PRO-KBH-79.
Approximately 2078 number of customers 83km line.
This feeder is at its voltage limit due to the normal growth from supply
upgrades and new developments in the area.
The acceptable voltage limit for this feeder is 95% of nominal.
Currently, the minimum voltage is 95%, hence the initiation of this
project.

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Commissioning Test Sheet

Procedure 34 1218 : Presents the Commissioning Check Sheet

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Regulator Characteristics

Evaluation of losses in step-voltage regulators is increasingly a major

consideration when evaluating competitive alternatives.
. Some of the areas that should be evaluated in addition to the cost :
Maintenance,
Installation and Operation,
Technical support,
Dielectric strength,
Short circuit strength,
Losses

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Thank you
Open for Discussion