wccavans 75 sete ® WHAT IS A VARMETER? One will rarely find this name in a dictionary or in any of the older electrical measure~ ment textbooks. The name “var” was adopted for the unit of reactive power at a meeting of the International Electrotechnical Commission at Stock- holm in 1930. Thus, a varmeter is an instrument for measuring this quantity. While actually an imaginary quan- tity, the var has been defined as the (average) rate of exchange of energy between the associated electromagnetic and/or electrostatic fields and the source of excitation. If one follows the old practice of identifying “leading vars” or “lagging vars” for inductive or capacitive loads respectively, the situa- tion becomes confusing on tie lines where the active power may flow in either direction. Thus, one could not tell whether an instrument indication meant “lagging vars-out™ or “leading vars-in” since the indications would be alike, ‘The present and clearer concept regards all reactive power as inductive or “magnetizing vars,” with the gener- ator supplying these “magnetizing vars” to an inductive load, or a capai tor or over-excited synchronous motor supplying these vars to magnetize the field of the generator. The term "mage netizing” has been dropped from most varmeter scales and they are simply marked “Vars,” “Kilovars,” or “Mega- The most normal condition of *Vars-Out” is now associated with an upscale deflee- tion of the instrument pointer on standard varmeters, VARMETER USE.: A varmeter may be used in conjunction with a watt- meter simply to measure power factor. ‘This combination has several advan- tages over the use of a conventional poweér-factor meter: 1, Varmeters are accurate over the ‘entire current range while the accuracy oF pewerfactor meters is influenced by the magnitude of the current. 2. Polyphase wattmeters and var- meters are usually accurate on unbal- anced loads (especially on the standard VARMETERS: THEIR CONNECTION AND CALIBRATION recommended combinations), whereas the conventional polyphase power- factor meter can be used only on bal- anced circuits. (Special instruments are available for measurement of power factor on unbalanced circuits, but they are complex and expensive.) 3. A slight deviation from unity power factor is more noticeable on @ varmeter than on a power-factor meter. For example, @ power factor of 98 per- cent will give a varmeter reading equal to about 20 percent of the active power. * ‘One of the principal uses of var- meters is to help tontrol the distribu- tion of reactive power between generators in a power plant and also between plants and systems. While a varmeter reading represents an imag- inary quantity, this quantity is still controlled and dispatched in the same ‘manner as active power to make most efficient use of generators, transform- cers, and tie lines by distributing mag- netizing current equitably and keeping down IPR or heating losses. VARMETER CONSTRUCTION. A varmeter is built in exactly the same manner as a conventional wattmeter and its special features, aside from a scale markéd in “Vars" or “Kilovars,” may consist of a built-in phase-shifting network. an éxternal phase-shifting means such as a double auto-trans- former, or simply a different method ‘of connecting in the cireuit than is employed to, measure active power. Since a varmeter must measure El sin 0 (where E is line voltage, I is line current, and 0 is the phase angle between them) instead of El cos @ as in a wattmeter, the potential circuit ‘must have a quadrature relationship with the normal wattmeter potential, obtained by lagging it 90 degrees. ‘Thus a varmeter either single phase or polyphase, must read “zero” at unity power factor. VARMETER CONNECTIONS. Methods of obtaining the quadrature relationship, and the specific connec- tions to achieve this condition, are: ‘A. For single-phase varmeters on single-phase circuits. 1, A resistance-inductance phase-shifting network. 2, A resistance-capacitance phase-shifting network. B. For single-phase varmeters on polyphase circuits. 1. Simply cross-phasing watt- meters of standard construc tion. C. For polyphase varmeters. 1, Use of wattmeters with external phase-shifting transformers. 2, Simply cross-phasing watt- meters (as on 4-wire 3-phase circuits). In some instances, such as a 3-wire S-phase wattmeter used with an external phase-shifting transformer, standard wattmeter calibration is used and the instrument may read “watts” by itself or “vars” when switched on to the phase-shifting transformer. In other cases, however, a specially cali- brated instrument must be used to measure vars correctly: Voltage magnitudes are important here and must be taken into considera- tion in computing the calibrating watts for full-scale adjustment. For accurate measurement of vars it is important that varmeter potential bbe lagged 90 degrees from the corre- sponding wattmeter potential, While it is theoretically possible to measure vars by providing a quadrature relation- _ ship between current and potential (at unity power factor) it may introduce @ fictitious voltage and magnify errors due to unbalanced current or potential Single-phase varmeters, using an artifi cial phase-shifting network to obtain the required quadrature relationship, are very sensitive to frequency varia- tions, and, therefore, must be used on circuits whose frequency is held very close to the value used during cali- bration, VARMETER CALIBRATION. Poly- phase varmeters are the simplest to calibrate since they are nearly always wattmeters with external phase-shiftingarrangements. Thus the instrument is adjusted or calibrated alone (i. with: ‘out these external devices) in the same manner as wattmeters. They are, therefore, marked with a value of Cali- brating Watts, the value of single-phase watts to be applied to the instrament with all current coils in series and potential coils in multiple. External phase-shifting transformers are checked separately, by measuring the relative voltages between the various terminals, (or transformer taps). ‘Methods of Connecting Indi Instrument Type ‘Single Element Varmeter(Illus.) Single-phase varmeters must be checked as varmeters since the phase- shifting network comprises a vital part of the instrument circuitry. With voltage and current held exactly in phase (unity power factor) the resis- tance-inductance or resistance-capaci- tance network is adjusted until the instrument reads zero, Then, adjust calibrated using a product of volts times amperes corresponding to the particular value of vars on the scale, or in case itis used with current or poten- tial transformers: Seale in vars Calibrating V-A “Ration P.T. Ratio the power factor to zero (by a rotat- Methods of connecting indicating able phase shifter, for example) so that and recording varmeters are listed in ‘a wattmeter in the circuit will also read the table zero, the instrument is adjusted and Wire Phase Transformers 201 Any 30020 1PTicT Ay ac (us) 33 a 5 a 0 44 a9 e $$ é any 302 42 ie 303 noe aan a 0 3030 2Pr3cT 4300 3Pr3cr 43 oe 430 2PT3cT eter = $3 PTT. 43 3PT3cr 430 2Pr3cr 43 3PT3cr 43> NoPT3CT 6 6 2PT3CT sting and Recording Varmeters Remarks Ext, Impedor Std Cross Phased Ext. Impedor (Cross Phased Ph, Shift Transf. Std. (Cross Phased CTs in & Cross Ph. CTs in 6 Cross Ph. (Cts in 6 Ph. Shift Trans Cross phasedStd. (CT in Common) Phase Shift Transf. Cross-Phased Meter Vars on single phase, 2-wire ci Transformers: 1 potential, 1 current Instrument: Single-element varmeter ‘Special Features: External phase-shift impedor Limitations: One frequency only Cal. V-A= Scale in Vars. BT. Ratio X C.T. Ratio Metering: Vars on 2 Ph. 3 W. Transformers: 1PT. 1.7. Instrument: Single-element varmeter jal Features: Limitations: Balanced Louds & Voltages Cal, Watts = in Vars P.T. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 2 me 7 or VECTOR DIAGRAMS PFs Q+€,1Cor 90%0 PFO oer +eL sing VECTOR DIAGRAMS PFELO PFO ‘, Ts mn & 2. VaRS+ S5T4c08 90° zELsino's0 | =2ELsin90" Vans: Epi (X2) FsMetering: Vars on 2 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: 1PT. 1C.T. Calibration only Limitations: Balanced Loads & Voltages in Vars VECTOR DIAGRAMS peso | PFO Ee. | x Th igs 5 VarssEplacos9o" |VaRs>Eply (x2) sELsingO | 2eL sin 90": 2EL Vars on 3 wire, 3 phase ‘Transformer 1 potential, 1 current Instrument: ‘Single-element varmet ‘Special Features: Calibration only Limitations: Bal, currents and voltages Cal. V-A= VECTOR DIAGRAMS Bor Ey ls prio PFO a2T,C0890°+0 | O+E ss], Matnpining Seole by YS WVBET*TSELSN€ Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: PT. 1. Instrument: Single-element varmeter Special Features: Calibration only Limitations: Bal, currents and voltages Cal. Watts = 3} ar VECTOR DIAGRAMS Pao | PRT h es x 2 Vars* E32f,c0s 90" | Vans» Esa, cos 0'C175) + ELsino"*0 YBEI sin 90" = YET Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformers 1PT. CT. Instrument: ‘Single Ph, Varm Special Featu Requires Impedor Bal, Loads & Voltages Controlled Freq. Cal. Watts = Scale in Vars PxT. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 3 VECTOR DIAGRAMS Preto |PF:O i 1 f a tn Terr 2! Vans + end, cos of(«3) >3el sin 90" 2 Ber VARS" €pi3;Cos 90° sel. sin0%: 0Metering: 7 Vars on 6 Ph. 6 W. ‘Transformers 1P.T. 107. Instrument: Single-element varmeter Special Features: Calibration only Limitations: Bal, Loads & Voltages Cal. Watts = Scale in Vars PT. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 23 geaaa VECTOR DIAGRAMS Preto FeO b 1 ‘ 6. 2 |o 2 i) oa in 3 3 4 4 VaRs* E531, C0590" Vans Esa, cos0"(e26) EL sino"*O #213 ET sin 90" 22V3EL orGez Metering: 8 Vars on 2 Ph. 3 W. Transforme 2P.T. 2C.7. Instrument: 2-element varmeter ‘Special Features: None Limitations: Bal, Voltages (Std. Conn.) Cal, Watts = Scale in Vars PT. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 2 Yass Eytacon t's Syipcen te] VaR Ec grand? SELsmo'ersiratso| sELsa%eveLwn se" 4 Metering: 9 Vars on 2 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: 2P.T. 20.7. Instrument element varmeter Special Features: None Limitations: Bal, Voltages (Std. Conn.) Cal. Watts = ? of ans Eyiaces eae exam Prezuna’ | + €Len rE sin a 226 Metering: 10 Vars on 3 Ph. 3 W. Transformers: 2PT. 2C.T. 4 Phase Shift Transf. Instrument: 2-element varmeter Features Limitations: Bal, Voltages (Std. Conn.) ca.waue PER EL, Scale in Vars P.T. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 2 DIAGRAMS e yt « slew ees 3 xs alg VotssEa caste EnTacutd|vanssEass sEToin30-E1sin30" 40 en cis sErsnseTsn ct -GErMetering " Vars on 3 Ph. 3W. Transformers: 2P.T. 20.7. rmeter atures: Calibration only Bal, currents & voltages Cal, Watts = Scale in Vars. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X VECTOR DIAGRAMS ori |erse %,, fx eA 4 ¥ 2 2 ‘Voa3> Esa co: ET cs 90 VARS “Eas C05 O° ‘sEIsn 0" EZsino"s 0 ‘Ent ycos 0") 292, 2V5f (ue ecto sYSEE Metering: 12 Vars on 3 Ph. 3 W. Transformers: 2P.T. 3C.T--Conn, Instrument: element varmeter Special Features: Spec. Calib.8.66A Coils Limitations: Bal. Voltages Cal. Watts = ioe \j cm(acown) pl _.«, vans Ely eran! ates Uy pa8ehGnd EL sin 3" , ane ss andve tone Tem ne ei) sere) Ma Ger ) Metering: 13 Vars on 3 Ph. 4W. Transform: 3P.T. 3C.T-L-Conn, Instrument: Zelement varmeter Special Features: Spec. Calib.8.66A Coils Limitations: Bal. Voltages Cal, Watts = Scale in Vars. Vans Ely Cos 63 cosas tga tae gt) eae ea : rand ° porate peed sere Mer) hye Ger 4 M Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: 3P.. 3.7, (A-Conn.) Transt. 3.66 Amp Cur Coils Limitations: Bal. Voltages Gal, Watts = Scale in PT. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 2 VECTOR DIAGRAMS vans eatacane! tice dust eghyt set n2d-ettsin* hesranes eatin se |sergoserg serMetering: Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: 2P.T. 3.7. (Conn) 8.66 Amp Cur Coils Limitations: Bal, Voltages Cal, Watts = Seal PxT. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 2 5 toy i}, — (ex (a-Comn) f cy vans ty lgatarnegl, dinang Fcos Shee T2136 2 eVSEsinsdexSrsnsl =e1ST sin 0 evST since" ro | els SelB. oer Metering: Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: 3P.T. 30.7. Instrumer 3-Current 2-Pot. Varmeter ‘Special Features: libration only Limitations: Bal. Voltages Cal, Watts = 16 N320 VECTOR DIAGRAMS Preto | PRTO Ven +Esa1y (08 90°F Tacs Ys fh, + Esl C086" ee nee Be ere aagns sersinotersincy? |* H3(EIrELsin 30° EL FELendErunce's0) +Ersin3e!)= VEL Metering: Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformer 3P.T. 2C.T. Instrument: Special Features: Calibration only Limitations: Bal, Voltages, Cal, Watts = Scale in Vars P Ratio X CT. Ratio X 44/3 W7 YECTOR DIAGRAMS pra! ero ‘cauweer C2.C4 2 Ce Tenminacs Tocerwes ‘ans + Ey.T,ce8 99 Ey lgen 94 RS ET “Ely C0860" seater eEphyon w] ERT, stay costo cor | suna(eceeL sneer sexamoteezumce’ so | Fexsing0T} SSE Metering: Vars on 3 Ph. 4W. ‘Transformers: 2P.T. 3C.T. Phase-Shift Trans. Instrument: 3-Current 2-Pot. Varmeter ‘Special Features: ‘Calibration only Limitations: Bal, Voltages Cal. Watts = Scale ir Vrs tatio X 4 VaRS* Cal as neg paOWons" OZ, + Cyl C28 CO" remTyeerWrenkyeonre] Pent, + Only C08 60" etsmco’ | relvetsmao%el ftomce'so | sersn30"s 3eIMetering: 9, Vars on 3 Ph. 4 W. Transformers: 3PT. 3 Phase-Shift Transf. Instrument: 3-Current 2-Pot. Varmeter ‘Special Feature: None (Std. Conn.) Limitations: Bal. Voltages Cal, Watts = Scale in Vars P.T. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 4 segs cot 9" eT 0530" + Lin Oe1sin co? setsind'eeLsines nse eal Ts egghy cas" bored 3el seTsetsu vets Metering: 20 Varson 3 Ph. 4 W. Instrument: 3.Current 2-Pot. Varmeter ‘Special Features: Calibration only Limitations: Bal. Voltages (Std. Conn.) Cal, Watts = X GT. Ratio X 473 Esa con Wl 2830" “Eqeina'eeTsinco® vEEsindErsince'* 0 VECTOR DIAGRAMS Ws E ails cas Wee nTycon30/ nasil * Eyl cos 60" + Eqal, tala Cos pe AT INSEL EL in 3 EX sErsing) 2 YUE or 3eT Metering: 2 Vars on 6 Ph. 6 W. ‘ Transformers 2P.7. 3.7. Instrument: 3-Current 2-Pot Varmeter Special Features: Calibration only Limitations: Bal, Loads & Voltages Cal. Watts = Scale in Vars, T. Ratio X C.T. Ratio X 8/3 Vans Eyl, 8 WHE] 1 eyces 0 Ey 60030" PELsno's EL sin6ot SETSinUCETsinco"# 0 VECTOR vans Eyl Ents cosco® HET Ey h sease) s3AS(EL + EI sin ver sexanse) «2032/05 s2vSerséer