There are many existing methods to regulate voltage. Pacific Volt’s technology is unique because of their IP which describes an AC to AC converter. Other methods of voltage regulation either lack the equivalent efficiency or they create objectionable non-linear distortions to the electrical system. The closest comparable technology would be an inverter, which is approximately 40% more complex than the AC to AC direct converter. An inverter is more expensive to produce, and it inherently has a shorter mean time to failure due to the higher parts count. Our commercial voltage regulators are typically installed at or near the building’s utility entrance, or at multiple load centers distributed throughout larger buildings. Pacific Volt regulators address consumer and commercial markets for Power Quality improvements (reduction of voltage sags, swells & flicker), energy savings from Voltage Optimization, and the reduction of demand charges.

 

Utility customers use our regulators on their Low Voltage Networks to maintain compliance to the mandated voltage delivery standards. In this market installing a regulator(s) is usually 1/3 to 1/10 the cost of the traditional remedy, which is usually reinforcement of the LV Network and in some cases part of the medium voltage network. In simple terms it offers a way to effectively lower the impedance of a circuit. The regulator is also proving itself to be one of the leading solutions to the voltage rise problems created by too much PV (solar panels) on their system. The regulator can resolve the issue of voltage rise caused by power flowing backwards from the PV into the LV network. Furthermore, it can autonomously change its set point based on the direction and magnitude of the power flow allowing unprecedented control of the LV feeder voltage. It offers a more predictable and stable alternative to VAR controller solutions.

 

In greater detail, all of the above attributes are accomplished by using a series injection transformer topology which has a low insertion impedance. The AC to AC converter controls the voltage and the polarity of voltage applied to the secondary winding of the series injection transformer. In effect we are reducing the magnetic flux density of the series injection transformer to reduce the output voltage, and conversely, we increase the flux density to raise the output voltage. This can be done very rapidly on a sub-cycle basis (once every millisecond) which vastly improves the level of power quality.

 

When the regulator is reducing the voltage, it pushes the unused energy back on to the grid. When the regulator is raising the voltage, it draws a small percentage of extra power (roughly equivalent to the percentage voltage increase) and converts that into higher voltage. In three phase applications it regulates each phase separately which allows for precise balancing of the phase voltages. It creates no harmonic distortion, and when properly sized for the

application, the losses average about 0.7%. Our regulators can operate across a wide range, with rural applications requiring as much as plus or minus 16% voltage correction. In extreme voltage and overload conditions the regulators bypass and then reset after the condition passes. During these events there is no interruption to the customer mains power which is an attractive feature of this topology. It can only fail in the null mode, Vin = Vout. Regulators have an adjustable output voltage set point, can be accessed via various communications networks, and log operational data for up to a year.

 

We have 1800 regulators which have been deployed in the Australian outback for 14 years now with less than a 1% failure rate, and approximately 3000 regulators worldwide. Our oldest regulator has been in constant service at a farm in Northern Vermont for 17 years. Our commercial models comply with worldwide safety standards and are certified by TÜV SÜD America Inc.