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The Economics of the MCR

Apart from specific technical considerations, you're probably looking at three general issues as you choose reactor equipment for your power system:

• Efficiency
• Total Cost of Ownership
• Mean Time Between Failure

Here are the essential facts regarding MCRs on these three issues:

Efficiency of Application

The design, weight, dimension, and maintenance parameters of the MCR are similar to those of general-purpose, double-winding transformers of the same power and voltage classes.

This provides excellent device effectiveness and reliability.

MCR operation does not require specific training of maintenance personnel.

Time of recovery of outlay averages 1.5 to two years.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

As a percentage of ex-works price TCO is as follows:

Delivery (brokerage, customs, etc.)	5 to 10%
Construction and installation	Average 25% (depending on location)
Operation and maintenance	4% per annum

In other words, the TCO of an MCR is similar to that of a transformer of the same class.

Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)

CERC guarantees its MCR's for a lifetime of not less than 25 years, with first major maintenance guaranteed not to occur within 12 years.

Each phase of the reactor, its grounding filter and current-distortion corrector (an LC filter) are guaranteed for a minimum of 3 years.

The power control system, including the transformer with its built-in thyristor subsystem is guaranteed for one year. The average practical time to failure of smaller MCR's is 5 years.

The bottom line? Whether you're most concerned with cost or with efficiency and reliability, now that this option is available, you can't afford to use anything else!