As core passive protection and power‑optimization components within power systems, reactors deliver functions including current limiting, filtering, voltage stabilization, reactive‑power compensation, harmonic suppression and voltage balancing. They are widely adopted across four major equipment categories: high‑low‑voltage power transmission and distribution, power‑electronic conversion, new‑energy power generation and industrial power drive, covering nearly all AC‑DC power‑operating equipment. They represent key supporting components that guarantee stable operation of power equipment.
First, high‑voltage and low‑voltage power transmission and distribution complete‑set equipment constitutes the most fundamental and core application scenario for reactors, mainly covering high‑voltage switch cabinets, low‑voltage distribution cabinets, ring‑main units, box‑type substations and power transformers. Within power‑distribution systems, series reactors are primarily used alongside power capacitor banks. They suppress inrush current during capacitor switching and prevent burnout of capacitors and switchgear induced by overcurrent. Shunt reactors are deployed on long‑distance transmission lines to compensate line capacitive reactive power, restrain power‑frequency overvoltage and stabilize grid voltage. This avoids voltage surges under no‑load or light‑load conditions for transmission lines and safeguards safe operation of power transmission and distribution equipment.
Second, power‑electronic conversion equipment encompasses frequency converters, rectifiers, inverters, UPS uninterruptible power supplies, high‑frequency switching power supplies and other industrial control devices. Such equipment generates substantial harmonic currents and high‑frequency pulse currents during operation, which readily distort grid waveforms and cause equipment losses. Fitted with reactors, this equipment can effectively filter high‑order harmonics, smooth current waveforms and suppress grid interference. Meanwhile, reactors buffer current surges during equipment startup‑shutdown and load switching, protect power‑electronic modules, capacitors and IGBT core components, and greatly improve the stability and service life of frequency‑conversion and rectifying equipment. They act as essential supporting parts for industrial electric‑control devices.
Third, for industrial power‑drive equipment, reactors are mainly matched with three‑phase asynchronous motors, servo motors, fans, water pumps, air compressors and other high‑power power equipment. Direct startup of high‑power motors produces inrush current 5‑8 times the rated value, which can easily burn motor windings, damage distribution‑cabinet switches and trigger sharp grid‑voltage drops. After installing series input reactors, motor startup inrush current can be effectively limited, voltage fluctuation smoothed, electromagnetic interference during motor operation suppressed, and motor heat generation, noise and vibration reduced. Reactors are suitable for various continuously‑running power equipment in industrial production.
Finally, reactors serve new‑energy and energy‑storage equipment. With the development of the new‑energy industry, reactors have become core accessories for photovoltaic inverters, wind‑power converters, energy‑storage converters and charging piles. Photovoltaic and wind‑power generation feature intermittence and volatility. Harmonics and voltage fluctuations tend to occur during grid‑connection procedures. Reactors realize grid‑connected filtering, reactive‑power regulation and stabilization of grid‑connected current and voltage, ensuring smooth integration of new‑energy power into public grids. Moreover, reactors fitted on DC charging piles and energy‑storage‑station devices restrain current pulsation throughout charging and discharging cycles, protect energy‑storage batteries and charging modules, and improve the grid‑connection safety and power quality of new‑energy equipment.
In addition, reactors are applied to special‑purpose power equipment such as metro rail transit, metallurgical steelmaking and chemical electrolysis. They address equipment‑protection challenges under high‑current and high‑harmonic working conditions, covering civil, industrial and new‑energy power‑equipment scenarios.