Series and Shunt Reactor Difference, Applications, Use

In electrical and electronic circuits and systems, different types of protection, suppression, Indication, and Control systems are used. Using Reactors(Series or Shunt Reactors) is also a method of protecting electrical and electronic circuits and systems. Although Reactors are mostly used in large electrical circuits but in electronics circuits also, reactors are used. Of course, there is a huge difference between the reactors used in electrical and electronic circuits. According to the type of connection, there are mainly two types of the reactor - series reactor and shunt reactor. In some applications, the combination of a series reactor and a shunt reactor is also used. The series reactor is also known as a line reactor whereas the Shunt Reactor is also known as Parallel Reactor.

What is an Electrical Reactor? Definition

In simple words, an electrical reactor is nothing but an inductor or inductive or magnetic coil. We know that when an AC supply is applied across an inductive coil, it shows the inductive reactance property. Exactly the same an electrical reactor does. An electrical reactor works with an AC supply only, and it blocks the high-frequency signal and passes the low-frequency signal.

Noise signal contains high frequency so when they are applied to the reactor, the reactor will block the high frequency noise signal and pass normal power or signal.

Electrical reactors are designed in such a way that they have very low internal resistance and high inductance properties. 

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Difference Between Series Reactor and Shunt Reactor

1. When a reactor is connected in series with an electrical system or circuit then it is called a Series Reactor. On the other hand, when a reactor is connected in parallel with an electrical system or circuit then it is called Shunt Reactor.

2. The main function of a Series Reactor is to block the current or limit reactor that's why it is also called the Current limiting Reactor. Generally, the series reactor blocks the high-frequency signals or alternating current. On the other hand, the main function of a Shunt Reactor is to pass the current. Generally, the shunt reactor allows or passes the low-frequency signals or alternating current. A shunt reactor is also known as a current absorber.

3. Series reactors have very low internal resistance which allows them to flow the current in normal conditions and block the current when required. On the other hand, shunt reactors have comparatively high internal resistance which blocks the current in normal conditions and passes the current in an abnormal condition.

4. A series reactor can block the flow of current only it can not make any changes in the power factor but a shunt reactor can improve the power factor by leading to unity. A shunt reactor is just opposite to a Shunt Capacitor that can improve the power factor from lagging to unity.

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Series Reactor Use and Applications

Now let's discuss the most important question which is where series reactors are used and why?

1. Series Reactors are used in electrical power transmission and distribution systems to limit the flow of high current during abnormal conditions.

2. Series Reactors are also used in parallel networks for load-sharing purposes.

3. Series reactors are also used in electrical circuits for impedance balancing purposes.

4. Series Reactors are used for neutral earthing purposes also.

5. Series Reactors are used in some motor starter circuits to limit the high starting current.

6. Series Reactors are used in alternate parallel operations to reduce the risk of high short circuits during abnormal conditions.

7. Series reactors are also used to limit fault current during harmonic and transient conditions.

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Shunt Reactor Use and Applications

1. Shunt Reactors are used to suppress the high capacitance effect in transmission and distribution systems.

2. Shunt reactors are used in transmission and distribution systems, to adjust the high transient voltage.

3. A Shunt Reactor is used as an excessive Reactive Power Absorber or compensator.

4. Just like shunt capacitors, shunt reactors are also used in electrical substations for voltage balancing, power factor maintenance, etc.

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