Power compensation

Air-core neutral
grounding reactors
The optimum solution for ground-fault arc suppression

The case for neutral grounding reactors

A transmission system’s transient stability and
operational availability can be improved by
single-phase auto-reclosing of the lines during
internal ground faults. When the faulted phase
is opened, a secondary arc current within the
line is maintained by the capacitive coupling
between the faulted and unfaulted phases.
In most cases, this current self-extinguishes
after opening the faulted phase; however, the
time to extinguish may not be short enough to
enable line auto-reclosing.
Neutral grounding reactors can be installed in
the neutral of the line shunt reactors to speed
up extinguishing of the secondary arc current
and control transient recovery voltages caused
by switching of the line.

Transient studies using appropriate arc models

should be used to determine the parameters
of the neutral reactors. However, a number
1 of empirical formulas have been applied to
2 provide a rough estimation of the reactor’s
3 ratings [see references].

This approach has demonstrated its feasibility

4
in worldwide applications. Indeed, using an
air-core reactor is an eminently cost-effective
solution providing excellent performance for
high-voltage transmission systems.

Customer Benefits
• Cost-effective solution
• Simple transport
5 and erection
• No leakage
Air-Core Reactor design 6
• Minimum maintenance
1. Lifting lug requirements and
2. Spacers (cooling ducts)
3. Crossarms (spider) environmentally friendly
4. Terminal
5. Insulator
6. Extension brackets (pedestals)

GRID

1
 Air-core neutral grounding reactors ACR

panies. The technical and other data contained in this document are provided for information only. Neither Alstom, its officers nor employees accept responsibility for or should be taken as making any representation or warranty (whether express or implied) as to the
accuracy or completeness of such data or the achievements of any projected performance criteria where these are indicated. No liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon the information contained in this brochure. Alstom reserves the right to revise or change
Grid-ITR-L3-Neutral_grounding_reactors-72254-2011_03-EN © - Alstom, the Alstom logo and any alternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of Alstom. The other names mentioned, registered or not, are the property of their respective com-

The Alstom Grid solution
Air-core reactors (ACR) provide a linear
response of impedance versus current, which
is essential to numerous applications.
The dry-type construction is environmentally
friendly, requires little maintenance and is easy
to install.
The Alstom Grid air-core reactor windings
consist of numerous insulated aluminum
conductors connected in parallel.
These conductors are mechanically
immobilized and encapsulated in epoxy
impregnated fiberglass filaments to form
these data at any time without further notice. Printed on paper made with pure ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) ecological cellulose produced from trees grown in production forests under responsible management, and selected recycled three-layer fibres.
cylinders. Depending on the reactor ratings,
one or more of these cylinders are connected
in parallel between aluminum spiders.
The individual cylinders are separated by
fiberglass spacers to form cooling ducts.

Air-core vs. oil-filled

Air-core reactor Oil-filled reactor

The advantages of an air-core solution

The benefits of the Alstom Grid air-core reactor
solutions can be summarized as follows:

S
 imple and low cost solution

S
 imple transport and erection

N
 o leakage

M
 inimum maintenance requirements
and environmentally friendly

L ow noise level

C
 ustomized space saving solutions for
installations in compact areas

•7  2.5 kV •7  2.5 kV
• 2000 Ω • 2000 Ω
• 541 kg • 7700 kg
• Dimensions • Dimensions
(LxWxH) = 1.3 x 1.3 x 3.6 m (LxWxH) = 3.2 x 2.0 x 3.2 m

“
References
[1] Kimbark, E.W., “Suppression of Ground-
Fault Arcs on Single-Pole Switched EHV Lines
by Shunt Reactors”. IEEE Trans. on Power
Apparatus and Systems, vol. 83, pp. 285-290,
1964.
[2] Nayak, R.N., Sehgal, Y.K., Sen, S.
and Gupta, M., “Optimization of neutral
grounding reactor parameters-an analysis
for a double circuit EHV line”. IEEE Power
India Conference, New Delhi, India, 2006.
[3] Ramold M., Idarraga G. and Jäger J.,
“Transient shunt reactor dimensioning for
bulk power transmission systems during
normal and faulty network conditions”.
International Conference on Power System
Technology, Chongqing, China, 2006.
[4] Tavares M.C. and Portela C.M.,
“Transmission system parameters
optimisation – Sensitivity analysis of
secondary arc current and recovery
voltage”. IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery,
vol. 19, pp. 1464-1470, 2004.

Alstom Grid Worldwide Contact Centre

www.grid.alstom.com/contactcentre
Tel.: +44 (0) 1785 250 070
www.grid.alstom.com
GRID