The reliability and power quality of electricity networks are key factors in today’s modern energy systems. One of the most significant challenges, especially in medium-voltage and cable-based networks, is managing ground fault currents. Ground faults not only cause overvoltages but also lead to serious disturbances and outages. Cable networks also generate unwanted reactive power in the system.
A cost-effective and technically advanced solution to these challenges is a shunt reactor with ground fault current compensation—a smart combination device designed to improve both supply reliability and power quality. It compensates for the reactive power generated by underground cables and limits the growth of ground fault currents in both urban and rural medium-voltage distribution networks.
The shunt reactor is connected in parallel to the medium-voltage network and is used to compensate the capacitive ground fault current typically generated in cable-dominated grids. Through compensation, the current magnitude is kept under control, enabling selective protection and preventing damage from overvoltages. Additionally, the reactor continuously compensates reactive power in the network, helping operators improve personnel safety and reduce growing reactive power penalties.
Specifically designed for Finnish conditions, the reactor features a compact structure, low operating noise (<60 dB), and a temperature range that withstands northern climate extremes. This makes it an ideal solution for both urban and rural distribution systems.
