What considerations must be taken into account when placing a voltage regulator on a feeder with varying load tap positions?

Placing a voltage regulator on a feeder requires careful consideration, especially when dealing with varying load tap positions, to ensure optimal voltage regulation and prevent adverse effects. The primary consideration is the location of the voltage regulator relative to the load tap changers (LTCs). The voltage regulator should be placed far enough downstream from the substation LTC so that it doesn't interfere with the LTC's operation. If the regulator is too close, it may attempt to correct voltage variations that the LTC is already addressing, leading to hunting or oscillations. The voltage regulator's bandwidth and time delay settings must be coordinated with the LTC to prevent them from fighting each other. A wider bandwidth and longer time delay for the LTC can help to ensure that the regulator responds to faster and more localized voltage variations. The voltage regulator's location should also be chosen to address the voltage drop along the feeder effectively. The regulator should be placed at a point where the voltage starts to drop below the acceptable limit, ensuring that customers further down the feeder receive adequate voltage. The load profile along the feeder must be considered. The regulator should be placed at a point where it can effectively regulate the voltage for the majority of customers, taking into account the load density and the distance from the substation. The impact of the voltage regulator on reverse power flow from distributed generation (DG) must be assessed. The regulator should be able to accommodate the voltage rise caused by DG without causing overvoltages further down the feeder. Finally, coordination with other voltage regulation devices, such as capacitor banks, is important to ensure that they work together effectively to maintain voltage stability and minimize losses.