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    Line Reactor White Paper AN0032 PDF

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    Line Reactor White Paper AN0032 PDF

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    Line Reactor White Paper AN0032.pdf

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    151 views3 pages

    Line Reactor White Paper AN0032 PDF

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    Application Note

    When to Use a Line or Load Reactor


    Protecting the Drive or the Motor

    Input and output reactors serve very different purposes. Simply put, an input reactor protects the drive and an out-
    put reactor protects the motor. However, there are a few more details to determine the correct application.
    Input (Line) Reactors
    An input or line reactor helps protect a variable frequency drive (VFD) from input power line disturbances that could
    cause nuisance tripping or damage to the drive. An input (line) reactor also reduces the harmonics that the VFD
    generates back onto the line. Line reactors are sized based on the HP and voltage ratings of the drive in use. Lenze-
    AC Tech uses 3% or 5% reactors. Input (line) reactors should be used in these circumstances:
    . The input line power is prone to have disturbances such as surges, spikes, transients, etc.
    2. The supply line power is very stiff (greater than 10 times the kVA rating of the connected VFD).
    3. Where harmonic distortion is a concern. (IEEE-519 Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems)
    Line reactors are connected in series between the input source and the VFD Controller. Refer to Figure 1 for proper
    wiring installation. The reactor should be mounted as close to the drive as possible.
    Input Line Reactor

    Input Fuse A1 A2

    Input Fuse Controller Motor


    B1 B2

    Input Fuse C1 C2

    Figure 1: Input (Line) Reactor


    3% Impedance Line Reactors
    3% impedance line reactors should be used to reduce power line transient voltages caused by capacitor switching,
    line notching, DC Bus over-voltage tripping and inverter over-current and over-voltage conditions. They improve
    the true input power factor and reduce cross-talk between drives.
    The input (line) reactor offers some protection to the drive in short-circuit conditions. If the supply transformer kVA
    rating is greater than ten times the drive kVA rating, then a line reactor is recommended to minimize damage to the
    drive in case the supply transformer ever shorts out. This line impedance is dependent on the short-circuit rating for
    the drive and on the supply power distribution transformer. Specifically, the line impedance must be greater than
    or equal to the ratio of the supply source transformers rating to the drives short circuit rating.
    For example, lets say you have a 100kVA, 460V, 120A power transformer for your source and install a 3% line
    reactor in front of an MC series drive*. This means for the simplest calculation, the available short-circuit current
    would be 120A/.03 = 4000Amps. This is less than the MC series 5000A rating so the 3% line reactor would work
    fine. You can make this same calculation by determining the current of the supply transformer and the line reactor
    impedance.
    * The source transformer's impedance is not included because the difference in size makes it negligible.

     AN 0032/A1 July 2008


    Copyright 2008 by AC Technology www.lenze-actech.com 1-508-278-9100
    For general information only. Content subject to change without notice.
    Application Note
    5% Impedance Line Reactors
    5% impedance line reactors have the same benefits as the 3% reactors plus they provide maximum harmonic miti-
    gation without added capacitance. These harmonic signals produce distortion levels that may not be acceptable for
    certain high frequency or noise sensitive equipment. Use of them will help to comply with the IEEE 519 Standard
    and reduce motor operating temperature and motor noise.
    Multiple Input (Line) Reactors
    In applications involving multiple drives in parallel, having more than one VFD connected to a common power line
    requires one line reactor per drive. Individual reactors will provide proper filtering and optimum surge protection for
    each VFD and reduce crosstalk between each unit. A single reactor connected to multiple VFDs does not provide
    adequate protection, filtering or reduce harmonic distortion when the system is partially loaded.
    Each line reactor is connected in series between the input source and the VFD Controller. Refer to Figure 2 for
    proper wiring installation. Each set of input lines to the drive should be in its own separate steel conduit. The reactor
    should be mounted as close to the drive as possible.
    Input Line Reactors

    Input Fuse A1 A2

    Input Fuse Controller Motor


    B1 B2

    Input Fuse C1 C2

    Input Fuse A1 A2

    Input Fuse Controller Motor


    B1 B2

    Input Fuse C1 C2

    Figure 2: Multiple Input (Line) Reactors


    Output (Load) Reactors
    An output (load) reactor, on the other hand, is used to protect the motor if the wiring distance between the VFD and
    motor is very long. The drive generates a high frequency PWM three-phase output and noise spikes are generated
    on the leading edge of these signals. These noise spikes get amplified due to the long cable lengths and the ad-
    ditional capacitance of the cable. The resulting voltage can exceed the motors peak voltage rating where insulation
    breakdown occurs.
    The general rule of thumb is that an output reactor should be used if the motor wiring is over 100 feet, but this value
    varies depending on the motor. If the motor meets the NEMA MG-1 Part 31 standard, it is possible to have as much
    as 300 ft of cabling without a reactor. If it does not meet the standard, the maximum cable length should be 100
    ft. Also, if the distance is between 300 and 500 ft, a load reactor must be installed.

     AN 0032/A1 July 2008


    Copyright 2008 by AC Technology www.lenze-actech.com 1-508-278-9100
    For general information only. Content subject to change without notice.
    Application Note
    If the distance is between 500 and 1000 ft, you would use a special type of filter called a dV/dT filter, as they
    provide better protection at these extreme distances. This also varies depending on output cable specs, shielding,
    power conditions, and noise suppression as well as isolation techniques.
    Load reactors are connected in series between the VFD Controller and the motor. Refer to Figure 3 for proper wiring
    installation. The reactor should be mounted as close to the drive as possible.
    Output Load Reactor

    Input Fuse A1 A2

    Input Fuse Controller Motor


    B1 B2

    Input Fuse C1 C2

    Figure 3: Output Load Reactor


    Multiple Motors
    For an application involving more than one motor being controlled by a single drive, a single reactor can typically
    be used between the VFD and the motors. Note that each motor requires a separate thermal overload for proper
    protection. The reactor should be sized based on the total motor/load horsepower.
    The load reactor is connected in series between the VFD Controller and the motors. Refer to Figure 4 for proper
    wiring installation. Each set of motor cables should be in a separate steel conduit to avoid noise and crosstalk that
    can cause nuisance tripping. The reactor should be mounted as close to the drive as possible.
    Output Load Reactor

    Input Fuse A1 A2

    Input Fuse Controller Motor


    B1 B2

    Input Fuse C1 C2

    Motor

    Figure 4: Output (Load) Reactor & Multiple Motors

     AN 0032/A1 July 2008


    Copyright 2008 by AC Technology www.lenze-actech.com 1-508-278-9100
    For general information only. Content subject to change without notice.

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