S&C Electric Company

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PureWave AVC® Adaptive VAR Compensator

Introduction

PureWave AVC

The PureWave AVC Adaptive VAR Compensator provides real-time voltage support for voltage sags and dips caused by rapidly-changing dynamic loads, as well as flicker mitigation and power-factor correction. By reducing voltage fluctuations and managing reactive power flow, system stability and reliability are enhanced and capacity of the infrastructure is increased.

The microprocessor-controlled Purewave AVC Adaptive VAR Compensator utilizes power-electronic thyristor switches to insert the appropriate number of multi-stage power capacitors into the system. PureWave AVC’s typically respond in ½ cycle (8 ms for 60 Hz systems).

PureWave AVC is particularly suited to wind generation, where utility interconnect standards require that a power factor be adjustable within certain limits (typically .95 lagging to .95 leading)and voltage sag depths be minimized. The PureWave AVC is capable of responding to dynamic conditions as wind velocity varies, allowing wind farms to operate within required parameters.

The PureWave AVC can also be applied to industrial facilities to enable problem loads to coexist on the same feeder with more sensitive loads, obviating the need for separate feeders. The PureWave AVC is ideal for heavy commercial and industrial processes having varying mechanical cycles, corresponding to rapidly varying reactive power demand.

Typical applications for PureWave AVC include:

  • Motor starting — limit voltage drop when starting motors
  • Welding — reduce voltage dips and improve weld quality
  • Mining — improve efficiency of D.C. hoist drives, shovels
  • Automotive manufacturing — reduce voltage sags caused by stamping and shredding operations
  • Wind farms — work with capacitors to provide continuous and rapid power factor and reactive power adjustments
  • Pulp and paper — reduce voltage dips and the effects of locked rotor current at sawmills and wood chippers
  • Steel manufacturing — improve efficiency and power factor of arc furnaces, cranes, rolling operations. View the Case Study.
  • Elevators and conveyors
  • Recreational — compensate large short-term reactive power demands of linear-induction-motor-driven amusement rides, ski lifts. View the Case Study.