Voltage Control

In a modern power system , electrical energy from the generating station is delivered to the
ultimate consumers through a network of transmission and distribution. For satisfactory op
eration of motors, lamps and other loads, it is desirable that consumers are supplied with
substantially constant voltage. Too wide variations of voltage may cause erratic operation or
even mal functioning of consumers’ appliances. To safe guard the interest of the consumers,
the govern ment has enacted a law in this regard. The statu tory limit of voltage variation is ±
6% of declared voltage at consumers’ terminals. The principal cause of voltage variation at
consumer’s premises is the change in load on the supply system. When the load on the
system in creases, the voltage at the consumer’s terminals falls due to the increased voltage
drop in (i) alternator synchronous impedance (ii) transmission line (iii) transformer
impedance (iv) feeders and (v) distributors. The reverse would happen should the load on the
system decrease. These voltage variations are undesirable and must be kept within the
prescribed limits (i.e. ± 6% of the declared voltage). This is achieved by installing voltage
regulating equipment at suitable places in the power system. The purpose of this chapter is to
deal with important voltage control equipment and its increasing utility in this fast-
developing power system.

Importance of Voltage Control

When the load on the supply system changes, the voltage at the consumer’s terminals also
changes. The variations of voltage at the consumer’s terminals are undesirable and must be
kept within pre scribed limits for the following reasons :
(i) In case of lighting load, the lamp characteristics are very sensitive to changes of
voltage. For instance, if the supply voltage to an incandescent lamp decreases by
6% of rated value, then illuminating power may decrease by 20%. On the other
hand, if the supply voltage is 6% above the rated value, the life of the lamp may
be reduced by 50% due to rapid deterio ration of the filament.
(ii) In case of power load consisting of induction motors, the voltage variations may
cause erratic operation. If the supply voltage is above the normal, the motor may
operate with a saturated magnetic circuit, with consequent large magnetising
current, heating and low power factor. On the other hand, if the voltage is too low,
it will reduce the starting torque of the motor considerably. (iii) Too wide
variations of voltage cause excessive heating of distribution transformers. This
 may reduce their ratings to a considerable extent. It is clear from the above
discussion that voltage variations in a power system must be kept to minimum
level in order to deliver good service to the consumers. With the trend towards
larger and larger interconnected system, it has become necessary to employ
appropriate methods of voltage control.

15.3 Methods of Voltage Control

There are several methods of voltage control.
In each method, the system voltage is changed in accordance with the load to
obtain a fairly constant voltage at the consumer’s end of the system. The
following are the methods of voltage control in an *a.c. power system:
(i) By excitation control
(ii) By using tap changing transformers
(iii) Auto-transformer tap changing
(iv) Booster transformers
(v) Induction regulators
(vi) By synchronous condenser
Method (i) is used at the generating station only whereas methods (ii) to (v) can be
used for transmission as well as primary distribution systems. However, methods
(vi) is reserved for the voltage control of a transmission line.

Tap-Changing Transformers The excitation control method is satisfactory only for relatively
short lines. However, it is *not suitable for long lines as the voltage at the alternator terminals
will have to be varied too much in order that the voltage at the far end of the line may be
constant. Under such situations, the problem of voltage control can be solved by employing
other methods.
One important method is to use tap changing transformer and is commonly employed where
main transformer is necessary. In this method, a number of tappings are provided on the
secondary of the transformer. The voltage drop in the line is supplied by changing the
secondary e.m.f. of the transformer through the adjustment of its number of turns.
 (i) Off load tap-changing transformer. Fig. 15.4 shows the arrangement where a
num ber of tappings have been provided on the sec ondary. As the position of the
tap is varied, the effective number of secondary turns is varied and hence the
output voltage of the secondary can be changed. Thus referring to Fig. 15.4, when
the movable arm makes contact with stud 1, the secondary voltage is minimum
and when with stud 5, it is maximum. During the period of light load, the voltage
across the primary is not much below the alternator voltage and the movable arm
is placed on stud 1. When the load increases, the voltage across the primary drops,
but the secondary voltage can be kept at the previous value by placing the
movable arm on to a higher stud. Whenever a tapping is to be changed in this type
of transformer, the load is kept off and hence the name off load tap-changing
transformer.
The principal disadvantage of the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 15.4 is that it cannot be
used for tap-changing on load. Suppose for a moment that tapping is changed from position 1
to position 2 when the transformer is supplying load. If contact with stud 1 is broken before
contact with stud 2 is made, there is break in the circuit and arcing results. On the other hand,
if contact with stud 2 is made before contact with stud 1 is broken, the coils connected
between these two tappings are short circuited and carry damaging heavy currents. For this
reason, the above circuit arrangement cannot be used for tap-changing on load.

(ii) On-load tap-changing transformer.

In supply system, tap-changing has normally to be performed on load so that there is no

interruption to supply. Fig. 15.5 shows diagrammatically one type of on-load tap-changing
transformer.

The sec ondary consists of two equal parallel windings which have similar tappings 1a ...... 5a
and 1b ......... 5b. In the normal working conditions, switches a, b and tappings with the same
number remain closed and each secondary winding carries one-half of the total current.
Referring to Fig. 15.5, the second ary voltage will be maximum when switches a, b and 5a,
5b are closed. However, the secondary voltage will be minimum when switches a, b and 1a,
1b are closed. Suppose that the transformer is working with tapping position at 4a, 4b and it
is desired to alter its position to 5a, 5b. For this purpose, one of the switches a and b, say a, is
opened. This takes the secondary winding controlled by switch a out of the circuit. Now, the
secondary winding controlled by switch b carries the total current which is twice its rated
capacity. Then the tapping on the discon nected winding is changed to 5a and switch a is
closed. After this, switch b is opened to disconnect its winding, tapping position on this
winding is changed to 5b and then switch b is closed. In this way, tapping position is changed
without interrupting the supply.
This method has the following disadvan tages : (i) During switching, the impedance of
transformer is increased and there will be a voltage surge. (ii) There are twice as many
tappings as the voltage steps.

Auto-Transformer Tap-changing

Fig. 15.6 shows diagrammatically auto-transformer tap changing. Here, a mid-tapped auto-
transformer or reactor is used.
One of the lines is connected to its mid-tapping. One end, say a of this transformer is
connected to a series of switches across the odd tappings and the other end b is connected to
switches across even tappings. A short-circuiting switch S is connected across the auto-
transformer and remains in the closed position under normal operation. In the normal
operation, there is *no inductive voltage drop across the auto-transformer. Referring to Fig.
15.6, it is clear that with switch 5 closed, minimum Auto-Transformer Tap-changing Fig.
15.6 shows diagrammatically auto-transformer tap changing. Here, a mid-tapped auto-
transformer or reactor is used. One of the lines is connected to its mid-tapping. One end, say a
of this transformer is connected to a series of switches across the odd tappings and the other
end b is connected to switches across even tappings. A short-circuiting switch S is connected
across the auto-transformer and remains in the closed position under normal operation. In the
normal operation, there is *no inductive voltage drop across the auto-transformer. Referring
to Fig. 15.6, it is clear that with switch 5 closed, minimum.
secondary turns are in the circuit and hence the output voltage will be the lowest. On the
other hand, the output voltage will be maximum when switch 1 is closed. Suppose now it is
desired to alter the tapping point from position 5 to position 4 in order to raise the output
voltage. For this purpose, short-circuiting switch S is opened, switch 4 is closed, then switch
5 is opened and finally short-circuiting switch is closed. In this way, tapping can be changed
without interrupting the supply. It is worthwhile to describe the electrical phenomenon
occurring during the tap changing. When the short-circuiting switch is opened, the load
current flows through one-half of the reactor coil so that there is a voltage drop across the
reactor. When switch 4 is closed, the turns between points 4 and 5 are connected through the
whole reactor winding. A circulating current flows through this local circuit but it is limited
to a low value due to high reactance of the reactor.

Shunt Compensation and Power Factor Correction

Shunt Compensation
Shunt compensation is the method of connecting compensating devices in parallel (shunt)
with the transmission line or load to improve voltage profile and system performance.
The compensating devices may be:
 shunt capacitors
 shunt reactors
 synchronous condensers
 STATCOM or SVC devices

Principle of Shunt Compensation

Inductive loads consume lagging reactive power, causing:
 low power factor
 voltage drop
 increased line current
Shunt compensators supply or absorb reactive power locally to maintain proper voltage and
improve system stability.

Types of Shunt Compensation

1. Shunt Capacitive Compensation
 Capacitors supply leading reactive power.
  Used during heavy load conditions.
 Improves power factor and voltage.
2. Shunt Reactive Compensation
 Reactors absorb excess reactive power.
 Used during light load conditions to prevent overvoltage.

Power Factor Correction

Power factor correction means improving the power factor of the system by reducing the
phase difference between voltage and current.
The power factor is:
Power Factor = cos ᵠ
where ( ᵠ ) is the phase angle between voltage and current.

Methods of Power Factor Correction

1. Static Capacitors
 Most common method
 Connected across inductive loads
 Supply leading reactive power
2. Synchronous Condensers
 Over-excited synchronous motors
 Provide adjustable reactive power compensation
3. Phase Advancers
 Used with induction motors
 Improve motor power factor

Advantages of Shunt Compensation and Power Factor Correction

1. Reduces line current
2. Reduces (I^2R) losses
3. Improves voltage regulation
4. Increases transmission efficiency
5. Releases capacity of transmission lines and transformers
6. Improves system stability

Applications
Used in:
 transmission systems
 substations
 industries
 distribution networks
 large inductive load systems

Short Note
Shunt compensation improves voltage and reactive power balance by connecting
compensating devices in parallel with the system. Power factor correction reduces lagging
reactive power and improves efficiency by using capacitors, synchronous condensers, or
other reactive power compensation devices.