With more complex loads, such as a mixture of VFD and inductive loads, the beer allegory is not sufficient. In order to evaluate the true reactive power, the distortion power caused by harmonics must be considered.

Looking at the true power factor this is affected by both THDi and cos(ϕ):

Therefore when improving power factor both harmonics and fundamental reactive power should be treated, rather than dealing with these two issues individually.

This leads to some advantages in the solution itself due to the calculation of the RMS current:

Using the equation above, fundamental current and harmonic currents are added as square sum. In a system with 100A of harmonic currents and 150A of reactive current, they would typically require two individual solutions with 100A and 150A. This leads to 250A compensation current in total.

100 A + 150 A = 250 A

RPC-eSVG

RPC – efficient Static VAR Generator.

This product is a SiC based active compensation module, and available from 70kVA to 480kVA in one panel, but can be parallel up to reach higher capacity if required. Unit may at the same time compensate harmonics (5-13th order), up to a maximum of 30% of the nominal capacity. The Harmonic compensation capability can be improved by combining with RHF-Active range. The efficiency of this solution >98.4%, this corresponds to 30% less losses than comparable systems using IGBT Technology.

RPC-Hybrid

The most efficient way to eliminate fundamental reactive power, is a simple detuned capacitor, which on its own has some disadvantages. The RPC-Hybrid is combining this well approved and conventional technology, with active compensation, which results in an extremely efficient solution at lower costs than an active module. At the same time this combination offers most of the advantages from an active solution such as stepless control and low response time.