Silcovar T — IGBT reactive power compensator for outdoor installation up to 5.4 MVAr

Description

On the manufacturer's page Silcovar T is classed as a static var compensator (SVC). In the Silcovar line it occupies the niche of compact installations and complements the thyristor SVC Silcovar C for large ratings, the medium-voltage STATCOM Silcovar H and the low-voltage STATCOM Silcovar D. The IGBT power section works as a controlled converter and responds dynamically to load changes. Silcovar T is aimed at sites that need a compact outdoor installation and a reactive power demand of no more than a few megavars.

The rated reactive power is up to 5.4 MVAr, with larger values offered by the manufacturer after a separate analysis of the network and the load. The mains frequency is 50 or 60 Hz, so the compensator suits power systems with both frequency standards. The compensator is built in outdoor cabinets with degree of protection IP54, meaning the enclosure is protected against dust and splashing water from any direction. The insulation is designed for pollution degree 3, which allows conductive pollution or dry pollution that becomes conductive through condensation. Cooling is forced air.

The power section is modular, with N-1 power redundancy. If one module fails, the compensator remains operational, and the modular design simplifies maintenance and replacement of units. This matters at generation sites and substations, where a compensator outage immediately affects the voltage at the node.

The compensator functions cover power factor correction, network voltage support, dynamic reactive power compensation and suppression of flicker from rapidly varying loads. The outdoor design allows the unit to be placed directly on the substation or generation site without a separate building. For connection points of wind and solar plants and industrial substations this reduces the amount of construction work. Selection takes into account the required reactive power, the voltage at the connection point, the nature of the load and the climatic conditions of the site.

The manufacturer has worked in the power quality field for more than 40 years and has installed more than 10 GVAr of compensation devices in more than 80 projects. The quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015, and the service network supports customers 24/7. Typical sites include renewable energy, transmission and distribution networks, utilities, rolling mills, metallurgy, mining, and the oil and gas industry.

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