Electromagnetic Noise Emission Measurements

Near the Flexible AC Transmission System

(FACTS) Device at the Sullivan (TVA) Station
David Klinect, Member, IEEE, David Nichols, Member, IEEE, Stephen Sebo, Fellow, IEEE,
Longya Xu, Fellow, IEEE, Xin Liu, Brian Cramer, Senior Member, IEEE,
Michael Silva, Senior Member, IEEE, Robert Olsen, Fellow, IEEE, Jerry Ramie, Member, IEEE
Abstract -- The expanded application of Flexible AC
Transmission System (FACTS) technology to electric
transmission and distribution systems frequently provides
the best means of insuring the needed levels of capacity and
reliability. This paper provides a review of electromagnetic
emissions from a FACTS system tested at the Sullivan
(TVA) Station. Electromagnetic interference (EMI)
emissions from FACTS equipment may vary widely. Some of
the data indicate potentially significant levels of emission,
while data from other locations may be relatively benign.
This variability highlights the need to be aware of the EMI
issues when designing and applying FACTS devices to
ensure that troublesome levels of emissions are avoided.
Index Terms -- EMI emissions, FACTS system.

I. INTRODUCTION
An increasing number of Flexible AC Transmission
System (FACTS) devices are used by electric power
utility companies in order to enhance the controllability
and power transfer capability of ac power systems.
FACTS devices involve fast conversion and switching
power electronics. Typical applications are the Thyristor
Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC), Static Synchronous
Compensators (STATCOM), Static Synchronous Series
Compensators (SSSC), Convertible Static Compensators
(CSC), Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFC) and High
Voltage DC (HVDC) converters.
There are several books covering the subject of
FACTS technology. One of the most comprehensive ones
is [1], authored by N. G. Hingorani and L. Gyugyi.
FACTS devices generate steady state electromagnetic
(EM) high frequency noise due to their power electronic
components, e.g., thyristor valves. This steady state noise
is the result of the continuous stream of turn-on and turnoff transients of each valve of the FACTS device. Due to
1

1
This work was supported by EPRI, American Electric Power
Service Corporation, and New York Power Authority.
D. Klinect and D. Nichols are with American Electric Power
Service Corporation, Dolan Lab, Groveport, Ohio 43125, USA (E-mail:
daklinect@aep.com, dknichols@aep.com)
S. Sebo, L. Xu and X. Liu are with The Ohio State University, Dept.
of ECE, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA (E-mail: sebo.1@osu.edu,
xu.12@osu.edu, liu.525@osu.edu)
B. Cramer and M. Silva are with EPRI, Palo Alto, California 94303,
USA (E-mail: msilve@epri.com, bcramer @epri.com)
R. Olsen is with Washington State University, School of EECS,
Pullman, Washington 99164, USA (E-mail: olsen@eecs.wsu.edu)
J. Ramie is with ARC Technical Resources, San Jose, California
95132, USA (E-mail: jramie@arctechnical.com)

conduction, induction and radiation, this noise may affect

the performance of various power, communication,
control, computer and microelectronic equipment in the
vicinity of the FACTS devices, or of the device itself.
To date, FACTS devices have been applied mostly in
transmission networks and mostly in remote areas. As the
application of FACTS technology spreads, it will be used
more on distribution and in populated areas. The impact
of possible electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues will
increase with this evolution. As FACTS facilities become
more widespread, the interference that can result could
become a major issue.
Quantities measured at specific test locations were:
electric field strength, magnetic flux density, currents, or
voltages. These quantities were evaluated in terms of their
frequency spectra at various operating and load
conditions, and at various test point locations (including
locations in the control room) in the vicinity of FACTS
devices. Ambient levels (radiated and conducted) were
also measured.
The measurements were made using quasi-peak (QP)
detectors observing Comit International Spcial des
Perturbations Radiolectriques (CISPR) rules, as well as
RMS and average detectors.
II. SULLIVAN (TVA) STATION, FACTS DEVICE
The Sullivan FACTS device consists of a single
inverter fed from a two-level dc bus voltage at about 10
kV. The FACTS device is designed to give only parallel
compensation (leading or lagging) to the power grid to
influence power flow, support voltage, and improve
transient stability, etc. Interfacing inductor banks
(interface magnetics) and harmonic blocking
transformers (HBT) are used between the inverter circuit
and a step-up transformer. The major components of the
FACTS device are a dc-ac inverter, interfacing inductor
banks, harmonic blocking transformer, step-up
transformer, and associated control hardware and
software. The FACTS device installed in the TVA
Sullivan station is rated at 100 MVA.
The inverter circuit in the Sullivan station FACTS
device is based on gate turn-off (GTO) thyristors. It has
GTO switches, four branches of sub-switching poles for
overall phase voltage synthesizing, and gating circuitry.
The dc bus voltage system has two levels.
The voltages generated from the inverter circuit in the
Sullivan Station are treated by two-stage synthesis and
filtering: interfacing inductors and harmonic blocking

transformer. At the Sullivan FACTS device, each inverter

circuit in the four separate switching poles generates part
of the final voltage, with a slight phase shifting from one
another. The fundamental components (60 Hz) of two
partial voltages from the four switching poles are added
together in two groups using the interfacing inductors.
Meanwhile, some low order harmonics from each pole are
cancelled out by the interfacing inductors. The voltages
from the first stage inductor are not the final voltages and
go further to the harmonic blocking transformer. In the
second stage of the harmonic-blocking transformer, the
final form of the three phase voltages is obtained and all
unwanted, low order harmonics are cancelled. However,
neither the first stage inductor bank nor the second stage
harmonic blocking transformer are meant for filtering out
the very high frequency voltage and current ringing due to
the GTO fast switching. The very high frequency
components in the order of several hundred kHz or higher
are eventually attenuated according to the damping factor
along the path of their propagation.
In the Sullivan FACTS device, the inverter circuit,
controls and interfacing inductor bank are housed indoors.
The controller circuit is separated from the inverter circuit
by walls. However, it is observed that at the Sullivan
Station, the high power inverter hall and the low power
control room are quite close.
III. MEASUREMENTS AT THE SULLIVAN STATION
The FACTS facility at Sullivan Station (Tennessee),
owned by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), is a Static
Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), the first such
high-power facility in the United States. It has been in
service since 1995. It is used for voltage control and
power system stabilization purposes. Its rating is +100
MVA. It regulates the voltages of the 161 kV buses, and it
controls a 161 kV, 84 MVAr capacitor bank.
A. Operational Cases
There were four operational cases (a to d) observed at
Sullivan Station. These are:
(a) Normal case, shunt inverter was on, at normal load
and voltage levels, and the Sullivan capacitor bank
was on.
(b) Gating was off, power supply of gating was also off
(off/off case).
(c) Gating was off, but power supply of gating was on
(off/on case).
The worst case in terms of radio frequency (RF) noise
was (d) when the shunt inverter was on, the per unit (p.u.)
voltage was close to normal (e.g., 0.98 p.u.), the capacitor
bank at Sullivan was on, and the inverter absorbed a high
MVAr flow, i.e., it behaved like an inductance.
Several sub-cases were also reviewed, depending on
capacitor bank switching on or off conditions at Sullivan
Station.
B. General Measurement Information
For the selection of so-called hot spots in the control
room and at other locations in the station a portable EMI

instrument (RF Sniffer) was used. Both frequency

ranges (200-450 kHz and 2-11 MHz) were utilized for
such measurements.
The measurement location selected in the control
room was 1.83 m from the wall separating the control
room and the inverter hall, and 0.6 m from an equipment
cabinet.
The frequency spectrum for all electric field strength
(E) and magnetic flux density (B) component
measurements (Ez, Bx, By) was from 9 kHz to 30 MHz.
The subscript z represents the vertical component, and x
and y represent the horizontal components. In all cases
the height of the antenna above ground was 1 meter.
The frequency spectrum for all RF current transformer
(RFCT) measurements was from 9 kHz to 30 MHz. The
three locations selected for these measurements were in
the switchyard; one was the grounding of a bus support at
the harmonic blocker, the second and the third were at the
grounding and at a radiator interconnection bar of the
main transformer of the STATCOM.
The frequency spectrum for all Power Line Carrier
(PLC) measurements was from about 70 kHz to 270 kHz.
For all test points of power line and ambient field
measurements several conditions were recorded: latitude
and longitude information, temperature, barometric
pressure, and relative humidity of the ambient air.
There were three measurement locations along a 161
kV power line (Sullivan - North Bristol). Location #1 was
about 8500 m away from Sullivan, #2: about 14400 m,
and #3: about 19800 m. There was another measurement
location along a 500 kV power line (Sullivan Broadford), at a distance of about 2800 m from Sullivan.
The measurements were always conducted at 15 m lateral
distance from the outermost conductor of the same phase.
The ambient noise levels were measured at a
reasonably remote location when the weather was fair and
there were no storms in the area.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE MEASUREMENT RESULTS

Limits applied related to radiated susceptibility
(magnetic field), conducted susceptibility (structure
currents), electromagnetic noise from ac power systems at
fair weather and foul weather, and limits applied
considering the use of the Nationwide Differential Global
Positioning System (NDGPS) are described in a
companion paper [2].
The main characteristics of the RF noise performance
of the Sullivan Station can be summarized as follows:

A. Radiated Susceptibility Limit, Magnetic Field Limit

Fig. 1 shows that the magnitude of the actual RF noise
in the inverter hall (at about half-way, close to the wall,
normal operating conditions) due to the FACTS device is
close to the RS101 (Navy) susceptibility limit level set by
the appropriate military standard [3] at about 20 kHz.
Both Army and Navy limit lines are legitimate, and both
are shown for comparison.

B. Conducted Susceptibility (Structure Current) Limit

Fig. 2 shows that the three measured structure and
ground lead current magnitudes at normal operating
conditions are close to the CS109 limit set by [3] above a
specific frequency. The limit is reached at the transformer
grounding at about 35 kHz, and exceeded at frequencies
over about 80 to 100 kHz.
C. NDGPS Signal Levels
In Fig. 3, the NDGPS frequency range is represented
by two vertical lines at 283.5 and 325 kHz on the
appropriate power line and switchyard noise spectrum
measurement figures. The equivalent NDGPS signal
levels (min. 58.5 dBV/m, and typical 67 dBV/m)
explained in the companion paper [2] are represented by
two horizontal lines.
Fig. 3 shows the RF noise levels measured at Line
Location 1, about 8450 m from the Sullivan Station, at 15
m lateral distance from the outermost conductor of the
power line, for two operating cases. The loop antenna
readings at the remote ambient location and the NDGPS
signal levels are also shown. It can be seen that the RF
noise level, at normal operating conditions, is close to or
higher than the minimum NDGPS signal level after the
corrections discussed in the companion paper [2].
Calculations have shown how close one can be to a
power line with the FACTS device generated noise on it
and still operate an NDGPS receiver. Assuming the need
for at least 7 dB signal-to-noise ratios for typical and
minimum NDGPS signals, and 1/r2 decay in the noise, an
NDGPS receiver might not work properly if the user is
closer to outermost conductor of the line than 50-85 m
lateral distance.
Fig. 3 shows the ambient noise level as well. It was
measured at a reasonably remote location, during fair
weather conditions. Numerous AM broadcast stations
between 500 and 1600 kHz can be observed, as well as
several short wave stations above about 6 MHz. The short
wave radio broadcast signal band was strong.
D. Canadian Standard for Fair Weather Radio Noise
The appropriate Canadian standard [4] for fair weather
radio noise is applicable to the RF noise originating from
ac power lines and stations, from 150 kHz to 30 MHz,
during normal operating conditions, at 15 m lateral
distance from the outermost conductor of the power line,
and it applies during fair weather conditions.
Fig. 4 shows the RF noise levels measured at Line
Location 1, about 8450 m from the Sullivan Station, at 15
m lateral distance (as above), for two operating cases. The
C108.3.1 limit line is exceeded at about 150-200 kHz at
both operating conditions, due to the FACTS device. The
power line carrier (PLC), and the AM and short wave
radio broadcast frequencies are above the noise levels.
E. Foul Weather Radio Noise Prediction Levels
Fig. 4 shows for comparison purposes that the RF
noise levels measured in fair weather at Line Location 1
(as above), for two operating cases, exceeded the typical
foul weather related prediction level for 500 kV power

lines [5] at about 150-200 kHz, due to the FACTS device.

Again, the PLC, and the AM and short wave radio
broadcast frequencies are above the noise levels.
F. Fair Weather Radio Noise Prediction Level
Fig. 4 also shows that the measured RF noise levels at
Line Location 1 (as above), for two operating cases,
exceeded the typical fair weather related prediction level
for 500 kV power lines [5] between 100 and about 400
kHz.
V. DISCUSSION
There are five environments in a typical FACTS
station. They are the control room, the inverter hall, the
switchyard, the power lines, and the Power Line Carrier
(PLC) system. Discussions related to these environments
are necessary and helpful -- they may help readers to stay
focused on the problems or potential problems related to
FACTS stations.
Manufacturers of control equipment are currently
required to meet the IEC Basic Standard for EMC
Immunity and Emissions for CE marked products sold in
Europe. Additionally, they are faced with placing their
equipment into environments that are described in MILSTD 461E.
During the measurements QP (CISPR) RF noise
detection methods were used. However, after potential
threats were identified, the full report [6] utilized MILSTD formats as well.
Comparison of the RF noise levels originating from
FACTS stations with typical foul weather RF noise levels
shows that the Sullivan RF noise levels measured in fair
weather seemed to exceed the foul weather noise up to
some frequencies. For new installations, there might be a
concern whether there is interference with licensed
services. (Note that differential GPS receivers in the
283.5-325 kHz band are not licensed services.) Although
not found at Sullivan, the high frequency current as well
as the electromagnetic fields generated by FACTS
devices may potentially interfere with the operation of the
station protection. The source of the interferences may be
generated by the inverters and may affect the operation of
the Power Line Carrier (PLC) and the station equipment.
It is important to note that control equipment at the
Sullivan FACTS station where RF noise was measured is
currently being exposed to threats that it was not tested to
withstand.
The noise levels recorded at the closest power line
measurement point are significantly lower than levels
measured inside the switchyard, mostly because of larger
distances between the energized components and the test
point with the loop antenna, i.e., mostly because of the
geometry (conductor or bus elevation) at the test location.
There is a potential for interference with NDGPS
signals that should be investigated further.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support
of EPRI. The active participation of Mr. James B.

Cutshall (TVA) in the preparations of the tests and during

the actual measurements at Sullivan was appreciated very
much. The assistance of Mr. Daniel Widener (TVA)
during the measurements is also acknowledged.
VII. REFERENCES
[1]
[2]

[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

N. G. Hingorani and L. Gyugyi, Understanding FACTS, IEEE

Press, 2000.
R. Olsen et al., Limits Applied to EM Noise Electromagnetic
Measurements Near FACTS Devices, Companion Paper, St.
Petersburg PowerTech, 2005.

Requirements for the Control of EMI Characteristics of Subsytems

and Equipment, MIL-STD-461E, August 1999.
Limits and Measurement Methods of EM Noise from AC Power
Systems, 0.15-30 MHz, National Standard of Canada, CAN3C108.3.1-M84, Canadian Standards Association, May 1984.
Transmission Line Reference Book, 345 kV and Above, Second
Edition, EPRI, Palo Alto, California, 1984.
Electromagnetic Interference Emission Measurements Near
FACTS Devices, Final Report., No. 1007753, EPRI, Palo Alto,
California, 2003.

Sullivan, Inverter Hall Location, Loop Antenna

170
150

dBpT Quasi-Peak - Loop Antenna

130

RS101, Army

110
RS101, Navy

Perpendicular
Parallel

90
70
50
30
10
-10
-30

0.01

0.1

10

Frequency (MHz)

Fig. 1. Inverter hall, loop antenna measurements with RS101 [3] limits.

Sullivan, Outside Area Locations, RFCT

130
RFCT on XFMR #2 Ground Lead
RFCT on Bus Support Ground Lead
RFCT on Radiator Interconnect Bar
CS-109-1 Limit

110

dBuA Quasi-Peak - RFCT

90
70
50
30
10
-10
-30

0.01

0.1

1
Frequency (MHz)

Fig. 2. Switchyard, RFCT measurements with CS109 [3] limits.

10

Sullivan, Line Location #1, 15 meter distance, Loop Antenna

dBuV/meter Quasi-Peak - Loop Antenna

130
Normal
OFF/OFF
Remote Ambient, E/W

110

90

70
Typical NDGPS Signal
Minimum NDGPS Signal

50

30
NDGPS Band

10

0.01

0.1

10

Frequency (MHz)

Fig. 3. Sullivan - North Bristol 161 kV line, about 8450 m from Sullivan, 15 m lateral distance, normal and off/off cases, loop antenna
measurements with NDGPS signal levels corrected for QP 9 kHz BW (CISPR) noise measurements.

Sullivan, Line Location #1, 15 meter distance, Loop Antenna

dBuV/meter Quasi-Peak - Loop Antenna

130
Normal
OFF/OFF
Remote Ambient, E/W
C108.3.1-M84 Limit, Fair Weather
Foul Weather, 500 kV Line
Fair Weather, 500 kV Line

110

90

70

50

30

10

0.01

0.1

10

Frequency (MHz)

Fig. 4. Sullivan - North Bristol 161 kV line, about 8450 m from Sullivan, 15 m lateral distance, normal and "off/off" cases, loop antenna
measurements with radio noise limit lines.