A Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is a device used to mitigate voltage sags or momentary voltage drops in alternating current (AC) power systems. Voltage sags can occur due to various reasons such as faults in the power system, sudden load changes, or starting of large motors. These sags can lead to disruptions in sensitive equipment, such as computers, industrial machinery, and other electronic devices.
The primary function of a DVR is to detect voltage sags and quickly inject compensating voltage to restore the affected part of the AC system back to its normal operating voltage level. Here's how a DVR works to compensate for voltage sags:
Detection: The DVR continuously monitors the incoming voltage waveform. When it detects a voltage sag below a certain threshold, it identifies the severity and duration of the sag. This detection is often done using sensors and monitoring devices connected to the power distribution network.
Energy Storage: The DVR incorporates energy storage elements such as capacitors or batteries. These storage elements are charged and maintained at a level slightly higher than the normal operating voltage. This stored energy is ready to be released when a voltage sag occurs.
Voltage Injection: Once a voltage sag is detected, the DVR's control system triggers the release of energy from the stored capacitors or batteries. The released energy is converted into an AC voltage waveform that is in phase with the system voltage and injected into the power system at the point where the sag occurred.
Voltage Restoration: The injected compensating voltage effectively raises the local voltage level at the point of the sag, thus restoring it to the normal operating voltage. This process happens almost instantaneously, typically within a few milliseconds, preventing any disruption to sensitive equipment that's connected to the power system.
Monitoring and Regulation: The DVR continues to monitor the system voltage after injecting the compensating voltage. Once the voltage returns to a stable level, the DVR gradually reduces the injected voltage and transitions back to normal operation. This prevents overcompensation and ensures that the power system doesn't experience voltage overshoots.
In summary, a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) compensates for voltage sags in AC systems by quickly detecting voltage disturbances, utilizing stored energy to inject compensating voltage in-phase with the system voltage, and restoring the affected part of the system to its normal operating voltage level. This rapid response helps protect sensitive equipment from disruptions caused by voltage sags.