A Three-Phase Active Voltage Conditioner (AVC) is a type of power electronic device used to regulate and stabilize the voltage in a three-phase electrical system. It's designed to mitigate voltage sags, swells, fluctuations, and other disturbances that can affect sensitive equipment connected to the power grid. The AVC operates by dynamically injecting compensating voltages into the power system to correct any voltage deviations and maintain a stable output voltage.
Here's a general description of how a Three-Phase AVC operates:
Sensing: The AVC continuously monitors the incoming three-phase voltage using voltage sensors. These sensors detect any variations in the voltage levels, such as sags or swells.
Comparison and Reference Generation: The sensed voltage is compared to a predefined reference voltage level. This reference voltage represents the desired voltage level that the AVC aims to maintain. Any deviation from this reference voltage is considered an error signal.
Control Algorithm: The error signal is then processed by a control algorithm, which calculates the required compensating voltage based on the magnitude and duration of the deviation. This algorithm determines the appropriate amount of compensation needed to bring the voltage back to the desired level.
Inverter Stage: The calculated compensating voltage is generated by the inverter stage of the AVC. An inverter is a power electronic device that converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) at the required frequency and voltage level. In this case, the inverter generates AC voltages that are in phase with the grid voltages but have the necessary amplitude and phase to counteract the voltage deviation.
Voltage Injection: The compensating voltages generated by the inverter are injected into the power system in real-time. These voltages are carefully synchronized with the grid voltages to ensure that they effectively cancel out the deviations and restore the system's voltage to the reference level.
Feedback Loop: The process is continuous, with the system continuously sensing, comparing, and generating compensating voltages as needed. The feedback loop ensures that the system responds rapidly to voltage disturbances, helping to maintain a stable and consistent output voltage.
Protection: AVCs are equipped with various protection mechanisms to prevent any malfunction or excessive compensation that could lead to undesirable effects on the power system. These protections ensure the safety of the equipment and personnel.
Overall, a Three-Phase Active Voltage Conditioner plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable voltage supply to sensitive equipment, such as industrial machinery, manufacturing processes, data centers, and critical infrastructure. By dynamically injecting compensating voltages, AVCs help prevent disruptions, downtime, and potential damage caused by voltage fluctuations in the power grid.