Reactors

Reactors

Introduction
With 40 years of successful field
experience, Trench is the
recognized world leader in the
design and manufacture of air core,
dry type, power reactors for all
utility and industrial applications.
The unique, custom design approach, along with fully integrated
engineering and manufacturing
facilities in both North America
and Europe have enabled
Trench to become the technical
leader for high voltage inductors
worldwide.
A deep commitment to the power
industry, along with extensive
investment in engineering,
manufacturing and test capability
give Trench customers the
utmost in high quality, reliable
products which are individually
designed for each application.
Trench reactor applications have
grown from small, distribution
class, current limiting reactors to
complex EHV applied reactors
surpassing 300 MVA per coil.
Trench Management systems is
certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001
and OHSAS18001. Trench's
highly developed research and
development program constantly
addresses new technologies and
their potential application in
reactor products.
Trench welcomes challenges for
new applications for power
reactors.

This brochure outlines the features,

capabilities and applications of
Trench reactors.
Although air-core, dry type reactors

represent the majority of reactor

production volume, Trench
also produces a highly successful
line of iron core/iron shielded and
oil type reactors for specific application (eg. Resonance Grounding/
Petersen Coils). These reactors are
also described in detail in other
sections of the Trench
product catalogue.

Design Features of
Air-Core Dry Type Reactors
Epoxy impregnated, fibreglass
encapsulated construction
Aluminum construction throughout with all current carrying
connections welded
Highest mechanical and short
circuit strength
Essentially zero radial voltage
stress, with uniformly graded
axial voltage distribution
between terminals
Low noise levels are maintained
throughout the life of the
reactor
Weatherproof construction, with
minimum maintenance requirements
Design service life in excess of
30 years
Designs available in compliance
with ANSI/IEEE, IEC and other
major standards.

Fig. 1
Three-phase stacked
current limiting reactor

Reactor Applications

Trench reactors are utilized on transmission and

distribution systems. Although it is not possible to list
all reactor applications, some of the most common are
described below.

Series Reactors
Reactors connected in series with
the line or feeder. Typical uses are
fault current reduction, load
balancing in parallel circuits, limiting inrush currents of capacitor
banks, etc.

Current Limiting Reactors,

reduce the short circuit current to
levels within the rating of the
equipment on the load side of the
reactor.
Applications of current limiting
reactors range from the simple
distribution feeder reactor to large
bus-tie and load balancing reactors
on systems rated up to 765 kV/
2100 kV BIL.

Fig. 2
Schematic diagram

Fig. 3
Single phase series reactors

Capacitor Reactors are designed

to be installed in series with a
shunt connected capacitor bank to
limit inrush currents due to
switching, to limit outrush currents
due to close in faults and to control
the resonant frequency of the
system due to the addition of the
capacitor banks. Reactors can be
installed on system voltages
through 765 kV/2100 kV BIL.
When specifying capacitor reactors,
the requested continuous current
rating should account for harmonic
current content, tolerance on
capacitors and allowable system
overvoltage.

Fig. 4
Current limiting reactor

Buffer Reactors for

Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF).
The most effective use of EAFs is
achieved by operating the furnace
at low electrode current and long
arc length. This requires the use of
a series reactor in the supply system
of the arc furnace transformer for
stabilizing the arc.

Fig. 5
Buffer reactor
for E.A.F.

Duplex Reactors are current

limiting reactors which consist of
two half coils, wound in opposition.
These reactors provide a desirable
low reactance under normal conditions and a high reactance under
fault conditions.

Load Flow Control Reactors are

series connected on transmission
lines up to 800 kV.
The reactors change the line
impedance characteristic such that
load flow can be controlled, thus
ensuring maximum power transfer
over adjacent transmission lines.

Fig. 6
Load flow control reactors

Filter Reactors
Filter Reactors are used in conjuction
with capacitor banks to form
series tuned harmonic filter circuits,
or in conjunction with capacitor
banks and resistors to form broadband harmonic filter circuits.

field of the reactor. This eliminates

the concern of space, connection
and reliability of additional components such as resistors.

The Capacitor/Filter Protection

Relay CPR 04 is a microprocessor
based protection relay specially
designed for optimized protection
of shunt banks and harmonic filter
circuits.

Fig. 7
Schematic diagram

When specifying filter reactors,

the magnitudes of fundamental
and harmonic frequency current
should be indicated. If inductance
adjustment for fine tuning is
required, the required tapping range
and tolerances must be specified.

Fig. 10
Capacitor/filter protection relay

Many filter applications require a

Q-factor which is very much lower
than the natural Q of the reactor.
This is often achieved by connecting
a resistor in the circuit.
An economical alternative is the
addition of a de Q'ing ring structure
on a reactor. This can reduce the
Q-factor of the reactor at tuning
frequency up to as much as one
tenth without the necessity of installing additional damping resistors. (see Fig. 9 below)
These rings, mounted on the reactor
are simply coupled to the magnetic

Fig. 8
Filter reactors

Fig. 9
Filter reactors with
de Qing rings

Static VAR Compensators are used on transmission

systems to improve the overall reliability, correct for
voltage fluctuations and power factor as well as
increasing the transmission capability and reducing losses.

Thyristor Controlled
Shunt Reactors are extensively
used in static VAR systems, where
reactive VARs are adjusted by
thyristor circuits. Static VAR
compensator reactor applications
normally include:

Shunt Reactors
Shunt Reactors are used to
compensate for capacitive VARs
generated by lightly loaded transmission lines or underground
cables. They are normally connected
to the transformer tertiary winding
but can also be directly connected
on systems up to 115 kV.

Thyristor controlled shunt reactors

(TCR). The compensating power
is changed by controlling the
current through the reactor by
means of the thyristor valves.
Thyristor switched reactors (TSR)

Fig. 11
Schematic
diagram

Fig. 12
Tertiary connected
shunt reactors

Thyristor switched capacitor

reactors (TSC)
Filter reactors (FR)

Fig. 13
Thyristor controlled shunt reactors and filter
reactors in a Static VAR Compensator

Fig. 14
Thyristor controlled reactor

HVDC-Reactors
HVDC lines are used for long
distance bulk power transmission

a) AC - PLC

as well as back-to-back interconnections between different

transmission networks.
HVDC Reactors normally include

b) AC - FR

Fig. 16
AC-Filters

c) HVDC - SMR

Smooting Reactors, AC and DC

Harmonic Filter Reactors as well
as AC and DC PLC Noise Filter
Reactors.

d) DC - FR

e) DC - PLC

Fig. 15
Schematic
diagram

Fig. 17
HVDC-Smoothing reactor

Smoothing Reactors
Smoothing reactors are used to
reduce the magnitude of the ripple
current in a DC system. They are
used in power electronics
applications such as variable speed
drives and UPS systems. They are
also required on HVDC transmission
lines for system voltages up to
500 kV.
Several design and construction
techniques are offered by Trench.

Fig. 19
Iron core,
forced air cooled reactor

Fig. 18
Schematic diagram

Fig. 20
Air core,
encapsulated winding design

Fig. 21
Iron core,
water cooled reactor

Test Lab Reactors

Test Lab Reactors are installed in
high voltage and high power test
laboratories. Some typical
applications include current limiting,
synthetic testing of circuit breakers,
inductive energy storage, artificial
lines, etc.
Fig. 22
Schematic diagram

Fig. 24
Adjustable
current limiting reactor

Fig. 25
Short circuit
test reactor

Fig. 23
Reactor bank for the
voltage circuit for synthetic testing
of circuit breakers;
32 kA peak to peak,
0,318 mH to 353,6 mH,
up to 1600 kV BIL

Neutral Grounding
Reactors
Neutral Grounding Reactors limit
the line to ground fault current to
specified levels. Specification
should also include unbalanced
condition continuous current and
duration.

Arc Suppression Coils

Single-phase neutral grounding
(earthing) reactors (arc suppression
coils) are intended to compensate
for the capacitive line-to-ground
current during to a single phase
ground-fault.
The arc suppression coil (ASC)
represents the central element of
the Trench earth fault
protection system.

The earth fault detection system

developed by Trench utilizes the
plunger core coil (moveable core
design). Based on extensive experience in design, construction and
application of ASCs, Trench
products can meet the most stringent requirements for earth fault
compensating techniques.

Since the electric system is subject

to changes, the inductance of the
ASC used for neutral earthing
must be variable.

Fig. 26
Schematic diagram

10

Fig. 27
Arc suppression coil 110 kV

Fig. 28
Standard arc suppression coil

Construction

A Trench air core dry type reactor

consists of a number of parallel
connected, individually
insulated, aluminum (copper on
request) conductors. These
conductors can be small wire or
proprietary cables custom designed
and manufactured.
The size and type of conductor
used in each reactor is dependant
on the reactor specification. The
various styles and sizes of
conductors available ensure
optimum performance at the most
economical cost. The windings are
mechanically reinforced with
epoxy resin impregnated fibreglass,
which after a carefully defined
oven cure cycle produces an
encapsulated coil. A network of
horizontal and vertical fibreglass
ties coupled with the encapsulation
minimizes vibration in the reactor
and achieves the highest available
mechanical strength.
The windings are terminated at
each end to a set of aluminum bars
called a spider. This construction
results in a very rigid unit capable
of withstanding the stresses
developed under the most severe
short circuit conditions.
Exceptionally high levels of terminal
pull, tensile strength, wind loading
and seismic withstand can be
accommodated with the reactor.
See Fig. 29 for details on
construction.
This unique design can be installed
in all types of climates and
environments and still offer
optimum performance.

Trench air core dry type

reactors are installed in polluted
and corrosive areas supplying
trouble free operation. In addition
to the standard fixed reactance
type of coil, units can be supplied
with taps for variable inductance.
A number of methods are available
to vary inductance for fine tuning
or to provide a range of larger
inductance steps.

Fig. 29
Typical Trench air core dry type
reactor construction

Trench utilizes various other

designs for reactors (eg. iron core,
water cooled, etc.) which are
described in other sections of this
catalogue.
11

Terminals/
Magnetic Clearance

Terminals

Fig. 30
Terminal orientation

Fig. 31
Terminal details

Magnetic Clearence
Minimum clearances to metallic
parts, and between coils, must be
maintained as indicated by Figs. 32
and 33. The values shown are only
guidelines. Each specific reactor
design will specify magnetic
clearance requirements.

It is the customer's responsibility

to consider these minimum
clearances, especially if steel
reinforcing in concrete foundations
or floors, or structural steel is
involved in the building or station
design. It is important, even outside
these minimum magnetic clearances, to avoid closed electrical loops
with metallic parts.

If required, non-magnetic extension

brackets can be supplied by
Trench to maintain the
necessary magnetic clearance
below the reactor. Trench can
provide additional details on space
requirements and
recommended reinforcing steel
(rebar) design, if requested.

12

Fig. 32
Minimum magnetic clearance to other reactors and metallic parts
not forming closed loops (approximate values only)

Installation

Generally, air core, dry type

reactors can be installed in either
side by side or vertically stacked
configurations and are often
added to existing substations or
locations where space limitations
exist. With its highly developed
computer design expertise,
Trench can design reactors with
optimized dimensions, to suit
limited space requirements. The
multi-spider construction allows
flexibility in terminal location,
which minimizes connection
problems (see Fig. 35).
Number of spider arms to be
obtained from the actual quotation
design.
Installation assembly is minimal
and typically requires only that
brackets and insulators be bolted
to the main coil. Installation
instructions are provided with
each reactor order.
Trench takes into
consideration all aspects of the
reactor installation. These include
requirements of ventilation,
reactor supports, connections and
busbar arrangements.
Trench can also provide detailed
information regarding:
magnetic field distribution
analysis for mounting pads and
foundations, grounding grids,
fences and adjacent structures
Force calculations on adjacent
coil installations, bus and cable
connections

Seismic analysis on entire reactor

assemblies, including support
insulators and mounting pedestals,
when furnished.

Fig. 33
Three-phase
stacked arrangement

13

Testing/
Losses

Fig. 34
High voltage test laboratory

Testing

Losses

At Trench each reactor

manufactured is subjected to a
rigorous test and inspection
program. In addition to the routine
testing required by ANSI/IEEE or
IEC a number of in-process tests
are performed on each unit during
production to ensure maximum inservice reliability. Each reactor is
supplied with a certified test report
with the results from all tests
performed.

The custom design approach used

by Trench allows optimum use of
materials to control reactor losses.
If a loss evaluation is not
indicated in the specification, the
reactor will be designed to meet
the applicable standards at a most
economical initial cost.

In addition to routine testing we

have the capability in our High
Voltage and Power labs to perform
most of the design tests described
in the applicable standards. Design
tests can be performed at an
additional cost or test reports on
similar units can be supplied upon
request.
The materials used in the
manufacture of the reactor are
also subject to a strict test program.
Cooling duct spacers and the
fibreglass epoxy resin composite
encapsulation are subject to routine
mechanical strength and tracking
resistance testing. Accelerated
thermal and multifactor aging
studies are carried out which help
to verify performance of the
reactor components over their full
service life.
This testing coupled with our
Quality Assurance program enables
us to ensure the continuous performance of our reactors throughout
the design service life.

14

All customers are aware of the

advantages in minimizing system
losses and are applying loss
evaluation techniques for reactor
purchases. In the cases where loss
evaluations are included in the
reactor specifications, Trench
optimizes the initial cost of the
reactor plus the cost of
operating losses, to ensure the
most economical balance.
Generally, a loss optimized reactor
will operate at a lower temperature
rise and will thus extend the reactor
overload capability.
Trench's ability to design and
manufacture low loss reactors
allow many electric power utilities
to economically justify the
replacement of older, inefficient
reactor installations. The low loss
reactors can usually be installed on
existing mounting pads.
Losses can also be influenced for
other purposes. In some applications
it is important to control the Q factor
(X/R ratio) of the reactor. This may
be important at the fundamental
frequency or at specific harmonic
frequencies where additional losses
are advantageous, for example
capacitor switching reactors and
certain filter applications.

Enclosures and Pedestals

Trench designs and

manufactures enclosures and
support pedestals specifically for
air core, dry type reactors.
Enclosures, depending on the
requirement, are made of steel or
fibreglass and can be designed for
indoor or outdoor installations.
Trench enclosure design minimizes
circulating current loops and optimizes the size by defining ventilation area and acceptable temperature rise. Enclosures have been
qualified as complete
assemblies by short circuit testing
of the enclosed reactor.

Fig. 35
Filter reactor with sound shield

Fig. 36
Filter reactor with top-hat
and pedestal

Trench can supply support pedestals to elevate reactor live parts to

a height commensurate with personnel safety standards. Pedestals
also provide proper
magnetic clearance below the
reactor.
Various pedestal designs are
available and include fibreglass,
braced aluminum and non-magnetic
steel designs.
Trench can recommend the most
practical pedestal for each reactor
application. Additional information
on enclosures and pedestals is
available on request.
Sound shields can be provided to
reduce the reactor noise level for
special applications (HVDC).

15

Trench Austria GmbH

Paschinger Strae 49
AT-4060 Linz-Leonding/Austria
Phone +43.732.6793-0
Fax
+43.732.6713 41
email [email protected]
Data required with order
Reactor application
Indoor or outdoor installation
System voltage,
impulse insulation level (BIL)
Rated and maximum
continuous current
(fundamental and harmonics)
Short circuit current level
and duration
Rated inductance/impedance
Mounting arrangement
(side by side or vertical stack)
Detailed accessory
requirements (connectors,
buswork, etc.)
Location of installation and
site conditions
Ambient temperature range

Trench Brasil LTDA

Via Expressa de Contagem, 2685
CEP 32370-485
Contagem, Minas Gerais/Brasil
Phone +55.31.391-5959
Fax
+55.31.391-1828
email [email protected]
Trench China Limited
3658 Jiang Cheng Road
Minhang, Shanghai 200245
P.R. China
Phone +86.21.64630088
Fax
+86.21.64637828
email [email protected]
Trench France S.A.
16, rue du Gnral Cassagnou
B.P. 70
FR-68302 St-Louis/France
Phone +33.3.89 70 23 23
Fax
+33.3.89 67 26 63
email [email protected]
Trench Germany GmbH
Nrnberger Strae 199
DE-96050 Bamberg/Germany
Phone +49.951.1803-0
Fax
+49.951.1803-224
email [email protected]
Trench Italia S.r.l.
Strada Curagnata 37
IT-17014 Cairo-Montenotte/Italy
Phone +39.019.5161.111
Fax
+39.019.5161.401
email [email protected]
Trench Limited
Coil Product Division
71 Maybrook Drive, Scarborough
Ontario, Canada M1V 4B6
Phone +1.416.298-8108
Fax
+1.416.298-2209
email [email protected]

www.trenchgroup.com

Trench Limited
Instrument Transformer Division
390 Midwest Road, Scarborough
Ontario, Canada M1P 3B5
Phone +1.416.751-8570
Fax
+1.416.751-6952
email [email protected]
Trench Switzerland AG
Lehenmattstrae 353
CH-4052 Basel/Switzerland
Phone +41.61.315 51 11
Fax
+41.61.315 59 00
email [email protected]

nderungen vorbehalten
04.09
E 600

Trench (UK) Limited

South Drive
Hebburn
Tyne & Wear
NE31 1UW, Great Britain
Phone +44.191.483.4711
Fax
+44.191.430.0633
email [email protected]