STATIC VAR GENERATOR (SVG) - NEXT-GENERATION ELECTRONIC POWER FACTOR CORRECTION

SVGs (Static Var Generator) are advanced low-voltage power factor correction systems designed to compensate for reactive power in a dynamic, continuous, and highly precise way.

Compared with traditional capacitor-bank systems, SVGs use power electronics to track load variations in real time and keep the power factor close to the target value, even in the presence of dynamic and highly variable loads.

SVGs are the ideal choice for systems where traditional power factor correction cannot guarantee compensation that is sufficiently fast, stable, and precise. In these contexts, improving cosφ not only reduces costs related to reactive energy, but also increases efficiency and the overall power quality of the system.

SVG - STATIC VAR GENERATOR

VARYX

Range

30-200kvar

Harmonic compensation

SVG - STATIC VAR GENERATOR

VARYX PLUS

Range

30-200kvar

Harmonic compensation

from the 3rd to the 13th

WHY CHOOSE SVGs INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL CAPACITOR-BANK POWER FACTOR CORRECTION?

Here are the main differences that make SVG the best choice:

Continuous compensation vs. stepped compensation: while traditional banks switch discrete power steps (risking under- or over-correction), SVG supplies exactly the amount of reactive power required.
Response speed: capacitors have several second switching times. SVGs respond in less than 15 ms, making them essential for systems with welders, elevators, robotics, or rapidly changing loads.
Capacitive and inductive compensation: unlike capacitor banks, which can only correct inductive loads, SVG is bidirectional: it can compensate both inductive and capacitive loads (essential when long cable runs or data centers are involved).
Immunity to harmonics: capacitors are affected by harmonic distortion (THDi), which accelerates their aging. SVG is not affected by harmonics and helps mitigate them.

With SVGs, it is therefore possible to:

correct rapidly varying loads;
compensate both inductive and capacitive reactive power;
reduce the risk of over-compensation or under-compensation;
improve system behavior in the presence of phase unbalance;
achieve more precise power factor control than with traditional systems.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE SVG SYSTEM

Static Var Generators stand out for an advanced electronic architecture that makes them much more similar to an inverter than to a conventional power factor correction unit:

DSP digital control: a high-speed processor analyzes the grid thousands of times per second for immediate action.
Integrated harmonic filtering: ability to mitigate current harmonics (typically up to the 13th order) while simultaneously performing power factor correction.
No Resonance: since it is not an LC system (inductance/capacitance), there is no risk of resonance with the transformer impedance.

FAQ

CAN AN SVG COMPLETELY REPLACE A CAPACITOR-BASED POWER FACTOR CORRECTION UNIT?

Yes, SVG can perform the same functions as a traditional power factor correction unit, but with superior performance. It is particularly suitable where capacitor-based systems fail due to excessive load speed or the presence of harmonics.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO COMBINE SVG AND TRADITIONAL POWER FACTOR CORRECTION?

Absolutely. In very large systems, it is common to use a capacitor bank for the “fixed” share of reactive power and an SVG for “dynamic fine-tuning”, thus optimizing the cost-benefit ratio.

WHAT IS THE SERVICE LIFE OF AN SVG SYSTEM?

Thanks to the absence of mechanical wear components and the thermal stability of semiconductors, an SVG has an estimated service life of more than 10 to 15 years with minimal maintenance (cleaning filters and fans).

DOES SVG HELP REDUCE HARMONICS?

Yes, in addition to correcting power factor, SVG can actively compensate the main current harmonics, improving overall energy quality (Power Quality).