Hammond Line Reactors

Why Choose A Line Reactor?
Utilizing variable speed drives to control motor speed has impacted industry both in energy savings and increased efficiencies. The challenge for today’s designers is dealing with non-linear wave shapes generated by solid state devices.
By choosing a HPS line reactor, many line problems can be eliminated. Additionally, performance, life expectancy and efficiency of both the motor and the drive itself are significantly enhanced.
ELIMINATE NUISANCE TRIPPING
Transients due to switching on the utility line and harmonics from the drive system, can cause intermittent tripping of circuit breakers. Furthermore, modern switchgear, equipped with solid state trip sensing devices is designed to react to peak current rather than RMS current. As switching transients can peak over 1000 volts, the resulting overvoltage will cause undesirable interruptions. A reactor added to your circuit restricts the surge current by utilizing its inductive characteristics, and therefore eliminates nuisance tripping.
EXTEND THE LIFE OF SWITCHING COMPONENTS
Due to the attenuation of line disturbances, the life of your solid state devices are extended when protected
by the use of a HPS line reactor.
SATURATION
Due to the care in the selection of the core material with its optimum flux density, HPS line reactors will not
saturate under the most adverse line conditions. Since the inductance is linear over a broader current range,
equipment is protected even in extreme overcurrent circumstances.
EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR MOTOR
Line reactors, when selected for the output of your drive, will enhance the waveform and virtually eliminate
failures due to output circuit faults. Subsequently, motor operating temperatures are reduced by 10 to 20 degrees
and motor noise is reduced due to the removal of some of the high frequency harmonic currents.
LOW HEAT DISSIPATION
Particular attention has been focused on the design and field testing of this product line. The result is reactors with ideal operating features including low temperature rises and reduced losses. Hammond reactors will operate efficiently and heat dissipation in your equipment will be of minimal concern.
MINIMIZE HARMONIC DISTORTION
Non-linear current waveforms contain harmonic distortion. By using a HPS line reactor you can limit the
inrush current to the rectifier in your drive. The peak current is reduced, the waveform is rounded and harmonic
distortion is minimized. Current distortion typically is reduced to 30%. Severe harmonic current distortion can also cause the system voltage to distort. Often, high peak harmonic current drawn by the drive, causes “flat-topping” of the voltage waveform. Adding a reactor controls the current component, and voltage harmonic distortion is therefore reduced.
SHORT CIRCUIT CAPABILITY
HPS line reactors can withstand current under short circuit conditions, reducing the potential of severe
damage to electronic equipment. In a short circuit, the inductance of the coil is necessary to limit overcurrent
after the core has saturated. HPS has extensive experience in designing and testing dry-type transformers to
withstand short circuits for the most demanding applications, and this experience has been applied to line reactor
design.
REDUCE LINE NOTCHING
Whenever AC power is converted to DC by a rectifier using a non-linear device, such as an SCR, the process
of commutation occurs. The result is a notch in the voltage waveform. The number of notches is a function
of both the number of pulses and the number of SCR’s in the rectifier. Line reactors are used to provide the inductive reactance needed to reduce notching, which can adversely effect equipment operation.

IMPEDANCE RATINGS
Definition:

% Z = (VD x 100) x 3
              VS
Z = IMPEDANCE (three phase)

VD = VOLTAGE DROP ACROSS REACTOR

VS = VOLTAGE SUPPLY FOR RATED CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH REACTOR

SELECTION - 3% OR 5% IMPEDANCE REACTOR
Choose 3% impedance reactors to satisfy most solid state applications in North America. Reactors rated
for 3% impedance are ideal for absorbing normal line spikes and motor current surges, and will prevent most
nuisance line tripping of circuit protection devices or equipment. Where considerably higher line disturbances are present, a 5% impedance reactor may be required. Additionally, if the application is overseas, or when it is necessary to comply to IEEE 519, the higher impedance reactor is recommended. These units may also be selected to further reduce harmonic current and frequencies if desirable or to both extend motor life or diminish motor noise.
LINE REACTORS OR DRIVE ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS ?
When true line isolation is required, such as limiting short circuit current, or where it is necessary to step up
or step down voltage, use a drive isolation transformer. HPS carries an extensive line of drive isolation transformers in stock.

The RM Line Reactor

CORE
The quality and performance of a line reactor is fundamentally dependant on its ability to withstand harmonics and transients in what is clearly a difficult environment. The bonding and clamping techniques of the gapped core also significantly impacts its performance characteristics. HPS has paid particular attention to these basics to ensure both reliable and consistent performance. Core materials, manufacturing and assembly processes have been carefully evaluated to produce optimum losses and sound levels necessary for this product.
COILS
Conductors are precision wound for optimum short circuit withstandability and electrical balance are used throughout the RM line. Choice of conductors, winding techniques and cooling ducts are precisely selected to assure the highest continuous, reliable performance.
INSULATION SYSTEM
HPS Line Reactors are designed to meet the most difficult temperature environments. On units up to 160 amps, RM line reactors are 115°C temperature rise, designed for 180°C Insulation Class. This results in a permissible 24 hour maximum ambient of 50°C, or an average of 40°C continuously. On units larger than 160 amps, Insulation ermissible continuous ambient temperature of 60° C. These temperature tests are all measured at 150% rated 60 Hz current.
VPI IMPREGNATION
Every reactor is fully VPI vacuum and pressure processed with VT (vinyl-toluene) Polyester Resin. This modern, vinyl-toluene based resin with its thicker build, offers significant benefits for electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. This impregnation process and material results in a much improved dielectric constant, dissipation
factor, bonding strength and dielectric breakdown (volts per mil) than any other impregnation material including
the more traditional oil modified epoxies and varnishes.
Vacuum impregnation
is considered vital for the integrity of electrical equipment located in such sensitive locations. The core and coil
assembly is finished in black to optimize heat dissipation.
TERMINATIONS
Customer connections are provided for in several ways. Fingerproof-terminal blocks are provided on three model
ranges, and terminal pads are supplied on higher current ratings. All connections are brazed to ensure electrical integrity.

 Features of Construction

ENCLOSURES
Enclosed reactors are standard as either NEMA 2 or 3R. Units in NEMA 3R enclosures are suitable for floor or wall mounting. Wall mounting is available on NEMA 3R units up to 600 lbs. Enclosures are finished with a 7 stage phosphate process with baked enamel ANSI 61 grey. This approval is inclusive to 2000 amps and 8.6 kV
class, and may be of interest for any special applications. Our products are built in accordance with and meet UL 508 and UL 506 standards.
INPUT AND OUTPUT SIDE REACTORS
HPS three phase Line Reactors are designed for both the input and output side of variable speed drives including Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) type inverters.
SPECIALS
For special applications or for any features that you may require beyond the standard line listed, please contact the manufacturer.
QUALITY CONTROL
Every reactor is production line tested in accordance with the requirements for UL, ANSI, NEMA and CSA. This confirms that every unit meets our highest expectations for Quality Assurance. Additionally, line reactors have been short circuit tested at a certified laboratory to confirm the withstandability of our reactors to short circuits that
may be present in a distribution system. Tests were done in accordance with ANSI C57.12.91 at 25 times rated current for 2 seconds. Those test results are available upon request successfully withstanding this test ensured that the RM line reactor will survive power stresses such as short circuits that may be present in a distribution circuit.
UL and CSA CERTIFICATION
A vital assurance for our customers is the approval of this product line to national standards. Our open and enclosed style reactors are recognized by UL and certified by CSA as follows:
UL File No.: E61431
CSA File No.: LR3902

Standard Three Phase Line Reactor Specifications
RATINGS:
Nominal Inductance +/- 10% @ rated current. 95% of nominal inductance @ 150% rated current. 50% of nominal inductance @ 350% of rated current. The above performance indicates that even at verysubstantial overload conditions (even beyond what other equipment in the circuit could tolerate), the RM Line Reactor will still provide current limiting performance against total harmonic distortion generated by the drive system.
TEMPERATURE RISE:
115°C on all units; average ambient of 60°C.
INSULATION SYSTEM:
200°C Temperature Class up to 160 amps.
220°C Temperature Class over 160 amps.
FREQUENCY:
60 Hz Fundamental Current Maximum.
COOLING METHOD:
Natural convection
SYSTEM VOLTAGE:
1.2kV Maximum
APPROVALS:
UL File No.: E61431
CSA File No.: LR 3902 CE Mark (IEC 61558-2-20:2000)
SOUND LEVEL:
2 to 18 amps: 58 dBA
130 to 320 amps: 70 dBA
25 to 100 amps: 64 dBA
400 to 1200 amps: 75 dBA
ENCLOSURE: (when specified)
NEMA 2 or NEMA 3R, ANSI 61 Grey, UL50
HARMONIC WITHSTAND:
HPS reactors are designed to withstand typical harmonics associated with both the input and output side of AC variable speed drives including IGBT type inverter drives.

RM Series Line Reactor Selection Tables

240 VOLTS-60 Hz

480 VOLTS-60 Hz

600 VOLTS-60 Hz

525 VOLTS-50 Hz
 

660 VOLTS-50 Hz

 
690 VOLTS-50 Hz
 

o     HAMMOND INDUSTRIAL CONTROL TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND  BUCK BOOST TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND   LINE REACTOR TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND DRIVE ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND MOTOR STARTING AUTO TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND GENERAL PURPOSE DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND K-FACTOR TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND ENCAPSULATED TRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND  AUTOTRANSFORMERS

o     HAMMOND GENERAL PURPOSE MEDIUM VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS

 Power Transformer Information:

 Power Transformer Manufacturer

• ACME Transformers - With Acme Electric being in business over 80 years, they have always believed in offering there customers superior service, quality and technical expertise in the transformer market.
• AMVECO Transformers - AMVECO designs and manufactures toroids transformers, current transformers, and auto transformers. Most AMVECO products are custom designed utilizing their state-of-art proprietary CAD programs.  The AMVECO engineers can quickly generate designs in a matter of hours, if needed.
• Federal Pacific Transformers -  Federal Pacific is a division of Electro- Mechanical Corporation, a privately held, American owned company founded in 1958. Federal pacific offers dry-type transformers from .050 KVA through 10,000 KVA single and three phase, up to 34.5 KV, 150 KV BIL with UL approval through 15 KV.
• Marcus Transformer - Ever since they opened their doors for business a half a century ago, they have been a leader in innovative transformer design. As a family-owned company they are proud of the reputation they have earned for making quality-built transformers that deliver exceptional performance and savings.
• Hammond Transformers -  Hammond Manufacturing was founded in 1917 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. In the last 3 decades it has expanded to the US and the international markets offering many types of power transformers. 
• TEMCo Transformers - TEMCo Transformer, a family-owned business which has been manufacturing and distributing electrical products since 1968. They focus on transformers that significantly reduce power consumption over 30 percent compared to competitive makes.
• GE Transformers - GE has been a key player in the energy industry for more than a century.  Since the installation of their first steam turbine in 1901. They have become number one provider of high-technology power generation and distribution equipment.
• Jefferson Electric Transformers - Jefferson Electric has been a pioneer and innovator of magnetic products since 1915. Jefferson broad line of dry-type transformers are backed by quality assurance systems so stringent that each and every unit gets thoroughly tested before it goes out there door.
• More power transformer brands - Check out more companies by clinking this link.

 Power Transformer Types

• Distribution Transformers - Distribution transformers are generally used in electrical power distribution and transmission power. This class of transformer has the highest power, or volt-ampere ratings. and the highest continuous  voltage rating.
• Substation Transformers - Substation Transformers are large devices which usually weigh tens of thousands of pounds.   They are filled with tens of thousands of gallons of heat transfer fluid.  Although they are typically 99.8% efficient in the transforming of electricity from one voltage to another, processing hundreds of Mega Volts-Amps of electricity force the liberation of hundreds of BTUs per second.
• Medical Grade Isolation
   Transformer - Medical Grade Transformers generally refer to the transformers used in medical devices as well as hospital, biomedical and patient care equipment. There are a number of strict safety rules, guidelines and laws governing the design, construction and the test of these transformers.
• Drive Isolation Transformer - They are used to isolate a drive from a main power line to prevent the transmission of harmonics that the drives produce back into the power line.  They stop drive harmonics from disrupting computers and other sensitive equipment.
• Toroidal Transformers - Toroidal Transformers are more efficient than the cheaper laminated EI types of similar power level. Some of the advantages are smaller size, lower weight, less mechanical hum, (making them superior in audio amplifier), low-off-load loss.

 Power Transformer Types

• Step-Up Transformers - A Step-Up Transformer is one whose secondary voltage is greater than its primary voltage.  This kind of transformer "steps up" the voltage applied to it. -
• Step-Down Transformers - A Step-Down Transformer is  designed to reduce voltage from primary to secondary.  They can range from sizes from .05 KVA to 500 KVA
• Isolation Transformers - An Isolation Transformer is a device that transfers energy from the alternating current (AC) supply to an electrical or electronic load.  It isolates the windings to prevent transmitting certain types of harmonics.
• Buck Boost Transformers - Buck Boost Transformers make small adjustments to the incoming voltage. They are often used to change voltage from 208v to 240v for lighting applications.  Major advantages of Buck boost transformers include; low cost, compact size and light weight. 
• High Voltage Transformer - There are many different types of voltage transformers. A High Voltage Transformer operates with high voltages. Typically, these voltage transformers are used in power transmission applications, where voltages are high enough to present a safety hazard.
• Medium Voltage Transformers - A Medium Voltage Transformer can be connected directly to a primary distribution circuit and generally has the most load diversity. These voltage transformers have installation practices that are generally in accordance with application recommendations from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
• Low Voltage Transformers - A Low Voltage Transformer is an electrical device that transforms 120 volts (line voltage) into 12 volts or 24 volts (low voltage). Some uses for low voltage transformer are in landscaping lighting.
• Single Phase Transformers - In electrical engineering, single-phase electric power refers to the distribution of electric power using a system in which all the voltages of the supply vary in unison. Single-phase distribution is used when loads are mostly lighting and heating, with few large electric motors.
• Three Phase Transformers - Three Phase Transformers must have 3 coils or windings connected in the proper sequence in order to match the incoming power and therefore transform the power company voltage to the level of voltage needed while maintaining the proper phasing or polarity.
• Custom Transformers - Custom Transformers are designed for a certain performance specifications and size requirements.  The company works with your engineering specification. 
• Industrial Control Transformers - Industrial Control Transformers are used to convert the available supply voltage to the required voltage to supply industrial control circuits and motor control loads.
• Pad Mounted Transformers - Pad Mounted Transformers are usually single phase, or three phase, and used where safety is a main concern. Typical applications; restaurant, commercial building, shopping mall, institutional. 
• Pole Mounted Transformers - Pole Mounted Transformers are used for distribution in areas with overhead primary lines. Outside a typical house one can see one of these devices mounted on the top of an electrical pole.
• Oil Filled Transformers - Oil Filled Transformers are transformers that use insulating oil as insulating materials.  The oil helps cool the transformer. Because it also provides part of the electrical insulation between internal live parts, transformer oil must remain stable at high temperatures over an extended period.
• Dry Type Transformers - Dry-Type Transformers are available for voltages up through 34.5 kV (although the most common upper limit is 15) and KVA ratings up through 10,000 (with 5000 as the usual limit). Dry-type use air as a coolant, lowering health and environmentally concerns.
• Auto Transformers - An Autotransformer is an electrical transformer with only one winding. The winding has at least three electrical connection points called taps. Autotransformers are frequently used in power applications to interconnect systems operating at different voltage classes, for example 138 kV to 66 kV for transmission. Another application is in industry to adapt machinery built for 480 V supplies to operate on the local 600 V supply.
• More power transformer types - Read further about additional transformer types and their uses.

 Power Transformer Term Definitions

• Electrical Transformers - Electrical Transformers are devices used to raise or lower the voltage of alternating current. For instance, power is transported over long distance in high voltage power lines and then transformers lower the voltage so that the power can be used by a business or household.
• Isolating Transformers - An Isolating Transformer is a transformer, often with symmetrical windings, which is used to decouple two circuits.  An Isolation transformer allows an AC signal or power to be taken from one device and fed into another without electrically connecting the two circuits. Isolation transformers block transmission of DC signals from one circuit to the other, but allow AC signals to pass. 
• Transmission Power Lines - A Transmission Line is the material medium or structure that forms all or part of a path from one place to another for directing the transmission of energy, such as electromagnetic or acoustic waves as well as electric power transmission. Components of transmission lines include wires, coaxial cables,  dielectric slabs, option fibers, electric power lines, and waveguides.
• Transformer Voltage - The measure of the amount of force on a unit charge because of the surrounding charge.
• Transformer Phase - Most transformer are either single phase or three phase.
• Transformer Frequency - The transformer cannot change the frequency of the supply. If the supply is 60 hertz, the output will also be 60 hertz.
• Transformer K Factor - Some transformers are now being offered with a k-factor rating. This measure the transformer's ability to withstand the heating effects of non-sinusoidal harmonic currents produced by much of today's electronic equipment and certain electrical equipment.
• Primary Voltage - The coil winding that is directly connected to the input power.
• Secondary Voltage - The coil winding  supplying the output voltage.
• Harmonic Cancellation - Harmonic cancellation is performed with harmonic canceling transformers also known as phase-shifting transformers. A harmonic canceling transformer is a relatively new power quality product for mitigating harmonic problems in electrical distribution systems. This type of transformer has patented built-in electromagnetic technology designed to remove high neutral current and the most harmful harmonics from the 3rd through 21st.
• Weatherproof - Enclosed transformers come with a weatherproof standard set by NEMA.
• Epoxy Encapsulated - A process in which a transformer or one of its components is completely sealed with epoxy or a similar material. This process is normally preferred when a unit might encounter harsh environmental conditions.
• More power transformer terms - Such as inductor, ground fault, core saturation, current transformer, faraday shield, etc.

Related Transformer Products

• Voltage Regulators - A Voltage Regulator is an electrical regulator designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level.  It may use an electromechanical mechanism, or passive or active electronic components. Depending on the design, it may be used to regulate one or more AC or DC voltages.
• AC Line Reactor - AC Line Reactors is a three phase transformer used in conjunction with AC variable frequency and DC motor drive. They are a bi-directional protective filtering device.
• Line Power Conditioners - Power or Line Conditioners regulate, filter, and suppress noise in AC power for sensitive computer and other solid state equipment.
• DC Power Supplies - Conversion of one form of electrical power to another desired form and voltage. This typically involves converting 120 or 240 volt AC supplied by a utility company to a well-regulated lower voltage DC for electronic devices.
• Rotary Phase Converters - Rotary Phase Converters are commonly used in home or small commercial or industrial settings. Rotary phase converters convert single-phase power into three-phase power. This is a very cost-effective way to power three-phase electric motors and other three phase equipment.
• Frequency Converters - A Frequency Changer or Frequency Converter is an electronic device that converts alternating current (AC) of one frequency to alternating current of another frequency.
• Voltage Converters - A Voltage Converter changes the voltage of an electrical power source and is usually combined with other components to create a power supply.
• Magnetic Motor Starters - Magnetic Motor Starters are essentially heavy duty relays mounted in boxes, often equipped with heater/thermal overloads matched to the motor they start.
• Motor Starting Auto Transformers - An Auto Transformer starter uses an auto transformer to reduce the voltage applied to a motor during start. The auto transformer may have a number of output taps and be set-up to provide a single stage starter, or a multistage starter.

For an additional resource the Best of Industry Web Directory : Electrical Power Transformer Directory section is quite useful.