Optimal design and modeling of the multi-stage saturable magnetically controlled reactor

Magnetically controlled reactor (MCR) is a variable inductance which can be used to regulate the reactive power in the utility, and exert positive impacts to the power quality. However, MCR also generates great harmonics and noise which sometimes limit its application. This paper proposed an optimal design of the MCR to decrease the harmonics in the output current. Furthermore, a novel modeling method which coupled the magnetic field and the electromagnetic transient simulation is employed to verify the design.