Bringing the phase difference between current and voltage to the ideal angle and bringing the reactive power that adversely affects the system closer to zero is called compensation. Thanks to compensation, reactive power, which causes unnecessary loading of the network and energy transmission lines, is kept at a minimum level.
Balancing the reactive power and reducing the phase difference between current and voltage to an ideal extent is called reactive power compensation. When reactive power compensation is not performed, losses occur in the network, transmission lines and cables draw more current than necessary and as a result, large voltage drops occur.
Why Compensation is Necessary?
When distributing electrical energy from the power plant to the smallest receiver, transmission between the power plant and the consumer must be with little loss. With the development of technology, heating, ventilation and cooling devices such as washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners in homes today increase the need for electrical energy day by day and can cause energy production to be expensive.
For this reason, this situation necessitates that the electrical energy transported in the network should be of high quality, cheap prices and active energy that actually works. As stated in the definition of compensation, if there is a receiver, an electric motor, a transformer, a fluorescent lamp connected to the network, they draw inductive reactive power from the network they are connected to in order to provide their magnetic fields.
A capacitor is connected to the input part of the inductive system by making a compensation calculation so that the network is not damaged by reactive power and the efficiency does not decrease. The pole is stored in compensation capacitors without giving inductive reactive power to the network.
The compensation system works in the electrodynamic system, such as electric motors and transformers, drawing magnetising current from the network. The magnetisation current is an inductive current and is drawn from the network during the formation of the magnetic field and is re-introduced to the network when the magnetic field disappears. This magnetisation current is called reactive current.
Why should compensation be done?
Compensation is very important for the national economy as it compensates the reactive energy, increases the network carrying capacity and prevents the waste of energy. According to the decision of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority, compensation is mandatory.
Businesses that have the necessary conditions are obliged to install and operate compensation panels. The energy consumed by these enterprises, which are obliged to make and operate compensation panels, can be up to 33% of the active energy and capacitive energy can be up to 20% of the active energy.
Electricity consumers with an installed capacity of 9 KW and above are obliged to install a compensation panel and keep the reactive power values within the specified limits. Otherwise, a reactive penalty fee is added to the electricity bills.
How is Compensation Done?
In enterprises, motors, coil tools, devices and transformers operate with induction system. It draws active and reactive power from the network. Reactive power is needed for the magnetic field to occur in the coils. The resulting reactive power creates additional load on the transformers. This load prevents the transformer from operating at full efficiency and the active power of the transformer decreases.
It is ensured that the selection of materials such as supply cables and breakers used in compensation is large. For this reason, consumers are required to obtain reactive power from reactive power generators such as synchronous motors and capacitors instead of meeting their reactive power requirements from the transformer of their location.
Capacitors are the longest and cheapest reactive power generators. Synchronous motors, which are quite expensive to install and maintain, are not very popular in use.
Compensation capacitors, reactive power control relay is automatically activated.
The reactive power control relay activates the capacitors with quick switching elements and meets the instantaneous reactive power requirement.
In order to meet the reactive power requirement of the system, a capacitor is connected to the input of the main panel to ensure that the circuit remains constant.
Types of compensation;
Dynamic Phase Shifters (Synchronous Motor)
Synchronous Compensator
Static Phase Shifters (Capacitor)
What are the Benefits of Compensation?
Compensation system has been made compulsory by the owner of the enterprise in medium and large enterprises. The advantages obtained in the facility where compensation is made:
In terms of Producer;
Conductors are selected in thin section as they carry less current.
Since more active energy will be transmitted from the same transmission line, the efficiency of production, transmission and distribution facilities increases.
Energy production and sales cost decreases.
The power of alternators and transformers is kept smaller.
Losses and voltage drops are reduced in distribution lines.
From the Consumer Perspective;
Conductors are selected in thin section.
Control, feeding transformer, control and protection elements are selected in smaller values.
The capacity and efficiency of the feeding transformer and the plant increases.
Voltage drop and losses are reduced.
Less reactive energy is drawn from the network.
As the energy consumed decreases, the energy fee also decreases.
What are the Types of Compensation?
The devices used in the enterprises constantly need reactive energy. Each consumer has its own compensation. Therefore, there are types of compensation. Regardless of which type of compensation is selected, the compensation calculation is always made with the same formula.
Compensation types;
One by one compensation,
Group compensation,
Centralised compensation
There are three types.
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