S&C Electric Company

PureWave AVC® Adaptive VAR Compensator

Introduction

PureWave AVC

S&C’s PureWave AVC Adaptive VAR Compensator provides real-time voltage support for voltage sags and dips caused by rapidly-changing dynamic loads. It also provides power-factor correction. By reducing voltage fluctuations and managing reactive power flow, PureWave AVC enhances system stability and reliability, and increases infrastructure capacity.

The microprocessor-controlled PureWave AVC utilizes power-electronic thyristor switches to insert the appropriate number of multi-stage power capacitors into the system. With its array of sophisticated algorithms, a response time close to ½ cycle (8 milliseconds for a 60-Hz system) is achievable.

PureWave AVC is ideal for application at commercial and industrial facilities having heavy processes with varying mechanical cycles, corresponding to rapidly-varying reactive power demand. This Smart Grid solution enables these problem loads to coexist on the same feeder with more sensitive loads, obviating the need for separate feeders.

Suitable for a Variety of Applications

  • Motor starting — limits voltage drop
  • Metal recycling — reduces voltage sags caused by shredder wheels, conveyors, and car crushers
  • Mining — improves efficiency of direct-current hoist drives and shovels
  • Automotive manufacturing — reduces voltage sags caused by stamping and shredding operations
  • Pulp and paper — reduces voltage dips and effects of locked-rotor current at sawmills and wood chippers
  • Steel manufacturing — improves efficiency and power factor of cranes and rolling operations
  • Elevators and conveyors
  • Recreational — compensates for large, short-term, reactive power demands of linear-induction-motor-driven amusement rides and ski lifts