Design, Construction, and Field Evaluation of an Intelligent Solid-State Voltage Regulator for Voltage Profile Improvement in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks

Design, Construction, and Field Evaluation of an Intelligent Solid-State Voltage Regulator for Voltage Profile Improvement in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Design, Construction, and Field Evaluation of an Intelligent Solid-State Voltage Regulator for Voltage Profile Improvement in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks M. Mikhak-Beyranvand, H. Bastami, A. H. Farhadian This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7919200/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Voltage drop at the end of low-voltage (LV) feeders is one of the major operational challenges in distribution networks, often leading to reduced power quality and malfunction of sensitive loads. Conventional distribution transformers equipped with mechanical tap changers are not suitable for this purpose due to their high cost, slow response, and the need for network de-energization during operation. In this paper, a low-power Solid-State Voltage Regulator (SSVR) with a simple structure and instantaneous voltage compensation capability is designed, implemented, and experimentally validated. The proposed prototype, rated at 15 kVA, can maintain the output voltage within ±3.7% of the nominal value of 220 V, while preserving the power quality. To validate the regulator’s performance, simulations were first carried out on the IEEE Low Voltage (IEEE-LV) Test Feeder. The original IEEE 906-bus LV feeder model was reduced to a 116-bus equivalent network with 55 loads using standard feeder reduction techniques to enhance computational efficiency. Three single-phase SSVRs were optimally located on phases A, B, and C to compensate for the most critical voltage drops. Simulation results showed that the average voltage drop decreased from 0.0506 p.u to 0.0338 p.u, and the total power loss improved by about 2.3%. Subsequently, the fabricated prototype was installed and tested on a rural feeder of the Lorestan Power Distribution Company (Iran). Field measurements confirmed the regulator’s effective operation in stabilizing the output voltage and mitigating voltage fluctuations under real conditions. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed SSVR provides a cost-effective, fast, and reliable solution for voltage profile improvement in low-voltage distribution networks. Physical sciences/Energy science and technology Physical sciences/Engineering Low-voltage distribution network voltage drop solid-state voltage regulator (SSVR) solid-state switching intelligent protection Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 24 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 29 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 31 Oct, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 31 Oct, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 31 Oct, 2025 Editor invited by journal 31 Oct, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 29 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 29 Oct, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7919200","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":542409057,"identity":"3921e3ef-58c1-4be6-90f2-7fde2a0bc7d1","order_by":0,"name":"M. 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Conventional distribution transformers equipped with mechanical tap changers are not suitable for this purpose due to their high cost, slow response, and the need for network de-energization during operation. In this paper, a low-power Solid-State Voltage Regulator (SSVR) with a simple structure and instantaneous voltage compensation capability is designed, implemented, and experimentally validated. The proposed prototype, rated at 15 kVA, can maintain the output voltage within ±3.7% of the nominal value of 220 V, while preserving the power quality. To validate the regulator’s performance, simulations were first carried out on the IEEE Low Voltage (IEEE-LV) Test Feeder. The original IEEE 906-bus LV feeder model was reduced to a 116-bus equivalent network with 55 loads using standard feeder reduction techniques to enhance computational efficiency. Three single-phase SSVRs were optimally located on phases A, B, and C to compensate for the most critical voltage drops. Simulation results showed that the average voltage drop decreased from 0.0506 p.u to 0.0338 p.u, and the total power loss improved by about 2.3%. Subsequently, the fabricated prototype was installed and tested on a rural feeder of the Lorestan Power Distribution Company (Iran). Field measurements confirmed the regulator’s effective operation in stabilizing the output voltage and mitigating voltage fluctuations under real conditions. 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