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Function of reactor in power system

Short answer

The main function of a reactor is to limit short-circuit current by adding series inductive reactance, reducing fault current and fault MVA. This localizes the fault, preventing voltage collapse on healthy parts. Shunt reactors also absorb reactive power to control over-voltage on long lightly loaded lines.

What is main function of reactor in power system network?

A reactor is a coil of large inductive reactance and very small resistance. Its main function in a power network is to limit the short-circuit (fault) current to a value that circuit breakers and equipment can safely handle.

  • It raises the reactance between the source and the fault, so If=V/XI_f = V/X falls and the fault MVA falls.
  • It localises the fault so that the voltage on healthy parts of the system does not collapse.
  • Shunt reactors also absorb reactive power on long lightly loaded lines to control over-voltage (Ferranti effect).

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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