PQvar™ Presentation

Static Var Generator (SVG) for higher energy efficiency and load balancing

The EPCOS Static Var Generator PQvar makes energy more efficient by stepless power factor correction.

Overview

PQvar is a new approach to power factor correction and load balancing. The modular design and compact structure make it the ideal solution for active stepless PFC and load balancing in industrial applications and commercial buildings. Compared to conventional PFC systems, PQvar offers a response time of less than 15 ms and a dynamic reaction time of less than 50 µs. It can compensate both inductive and capacitive loads and achieve a power factor of 0.99.

By means of the Advanced Multi Controller (AMC), PQvar can be combined with conventional passive LV-compensation stages. The MV-level is covered by systems for 6 kV, 10 kV and 35 kV, with outputs of between 2000 kvar and 12,000 kvar. All modules are available for 3-phase grids with or without neutral conductors. Depending on customer requirements for output and size, the modules are designed as slide-in units for control cabinets, as wall-mounted units for LV-systems or as control cabinets for MV-systems.

Compensation of reactive power with SVG PQvar Series

SVG PQvar Series load balancing for 3P3W and 3P4W

The 3P3W (three phase three wire) PQvar can balance load currents between phases, the 3P4W (three phase four wire) type may additionally reduce neutral conductor currents. Therefore, PQvar is perfect solution at applications having reactive power requirements along with unbalanced loads, which is the case at e.g electricity distribution lines in rural areas, or different industrial applications.

PQvar at a glance:

Features

Controllable reactive current source
Extremely rapid dynamic compensation reaction time of less than 50 µs and a state response time of less than 15 ms
Active compensation device for usage without capacitors or reactors to avoid resonance conditions
Compensation of both inductive and capacitive reactive power
Provides load balancing
Installation with conventional capacitor banks possible
Available for low-voltage and medium-voltage levels
Wide range of compensation outputs from 30 kvar to 12,000 kvar

Typical applications

Applications with the need for rapid reactive power compensation, e.g.:

Data centers
UPS systems
Renewable power generation (e.g. photovoltaics and wind turbines)
Industrial production machines
Electrical welding systems
Plastic industry machinery (e.g. extruders, injection molders)

Safety features

Highest safety and reliability
Overload protection
Internal short-circuit protection
Overheating protection
Overvoltage and undervoltage protection
Inverter bridge protection
Fan fault alarm

Technical data

Low-voltage SVG PQvar series	400 V		690 V
Rated voltage	400 V; –40 … +20%		690 V; –30 … +15%
Mains frequency	50/60 Hz (range: 45 … 63 Hz)
Parallel operation	Unlimited
Response time	< 15 ms
Overall efficiency	> 97%
Power grid structure	3P3W / 3P4W
Current transformerss	150/5 … 10000/5
Circuit topology	3-level
Single-module compensation capacity	30/50 kvar	100/200kvar	50/75 kvar	95/110 kvar
Module net weight	21/35 kg	48/66 kg	66/66 kg	66/66 kg
Dimensions (W × D × H)	30 kvar: 440 × 445 × 150 mm (module) 50 kvar: 500 × 510 × 190 mm (module)	100 kvar: 500 × 470 × 270 mm (module) 200 kvar: 500 × 650 × 350 mm (module)	50 kvar: 544 × 640 × 250 mm (module) 75 kvar: 544 × 640 × 250 mm (module)	95 kvar: 544 × 640 × 250 mm (module) 110 kvar: 544 × 640 × 250 mm (module)
Cooling mode	Smart air cooling: 220 L/sec	Smart air cooling: 405 L/sec	Smart air cooling: 220 L/sec	Smart air cooling: 405 L/sec
Target power factor	Adjustable from –1 … +1
Cabinet mounting	Floor-mounted, wall-mounted
Communication ports	RS485, CAN, and network port
Communication protocols	Modbus and PMBus
Noise level	< 65 dB (depending on the model)
Protection functions	Overvoltage, undervoltage, short-circuit, inverter bridge inverse, over-compensation
Operating temperature	–10 … +40 °C, other temperature ranges upon request
Relative humidity	5 … 95%, non-condensing
Protection class	IP20 (other IP classes are customizable)
Panel color	RAL7035 light grey
Altitude	1500 m, 1% derating per 100 m plus
General safety requirements for SVG PQvar Series use and operation area	EN 50178:1997/ IEC 50178:1997
EMC requirements	EN 61000_6_2(2005)/ EN55011, GROUP1, CLASS A IEC 61000_6_2(1999)/ CISPR11, GROUP1, CLASS A
Performance requirements	EN 50091-3/ IEC 62040-3/ AS 62040-3(VFI SS 111)

Compensation

Fast reaction

Extremely rapid reactive power generation, in order to achieve target PF, right at the SVG PQvar Series switch on.

Perfect compensation

SVG PQvar Series identifies the system reactive power requirement and generates a reactive current same in magnitude but opposite in phase to ensure perfect compensation result.

High performance

Reactive power compensation up to cos ϕ = 0.99
Load balancing between phases
Fully inductive and capacitive current

Fast compensation response

Compensation in real-time with steady state response time less than 15 ms
Immediate load change of reaction time less than 50 μs
Accurate power factor correction, no over-compensation and under-compensation, no system harmonic resonance
Capacity will not be affected in case of system voltage drop, output will be equal to rated capacity

Real-time tracking

If system reactive current changes, SVG PQvar Series also can generate dynamic real time compen-sation current to satisfy the changing power system requirement.

Reverse and overlapping

The reversed waveform of reactive current generated by SVG PQvar Series overlaps with the power sys-tem reactive current.

Modular design

The SVG PQvar Series is based on a unit assembly system.

Maximum rated capacity of one single module is 200 kvar
Customizable cabinet and maximum output capacity of a cabinet is 800 kvar
Easily to operate, maintain and transport

Different combinations

SVG PQvar Series
SVG PQvar Series with capacitor banks
SVG PQvar Series with AHF (reactive power and harmonic compensation)

Hybrid PFC

Using the Advanced Multi Controller (AMC), the PQvar system can be combined with conventional passive low-voltage compensation stages.

SVG PQvar Series plus discrete compensation (SVG modules plus LC reactive compensation)

Operating principle of SVG with LC banks and AMC

Performance comparison between SVG with LC banks discrete and traditional reactive compensation

Technical Data

Hybrid PFC-Solution - SVG PQvar and classic PFC by Advanced Multi Controller (AMC)
Operating voltage	24 V DC
Compensation performance
Target PF	–1 … +1
Reactive power compensation rate	> 99% (target PF is 1)
Response time	< 15 ms
Reaction time	< 50 μs
Capacitor switching performance
Compensation method	Three-phase/ split/ mixed compensation
Capacitance coding method	Optional
Capacitor switching method	Stack/ normal/ cycle/ individual
Switching manner	Auto/ manual
External ports
RS485 port 1	Communication with SVG modules
RS485 port 2	External communication port
Network port	External communication port
USB port	Code upgrading port
Temperature detection	Measuring system’s operating temperature or ambient temperature
Fan controlling dry contact	Controlling SVC cooling fan
Alarm indicator dry contact	For reserved external alarm indicator
Control output - contact steps	Control outputs, up to 18 at most Contact support: 120 V AC / 10 A, 220 V AC / 8 A, 400 V AC / 3 A, 110 V DC / 0.2 A, 60 V DC / 0.6 A, 24 V DC / 5 A Level signal: 12 V DC / 30 mA
Reserved dry contact	One input / one output
Communication protocol	Modbus
Protection functions	Undervoltage, overvoltage, underfrequency, overfrequency, phase failure, high harmonic voltage,SVG overload, SVG overtemperature
Display	7” touch screen
Installation requirements
Power consumption	< 25 W
Protection class	IP41 for the front panel, and IP20 for the rear panel
Operating environment
Ambiet temperature	–20 … +60 °C
Altitude	≤ 2500 m
Humidity	≤ 95%
Storage temperature	–40 … +70 °C
CT ratio	150/5 … 10000/5