Editing Static VAR compensator (section)

=== Connection ===
Generally, static VAR compensation is not done at line voltage; a bank of [[transformer]]s steps the transmission voltage (for example, 230 kV) down to a much lower level (for example, 9.0 kV).<ref name="Ryan" /> This reduces the size and number of components needed in the SVC, although the conductors must be very large to handle the high currents associated with the lower voltage.   In some static VAR compensators for industrial applications such as [[electric arc furnace]]s, where there may be an existing medium-voltage busbar present (for example at 33 kV or 34.5 kV), the static VAR compensator may be directly connected in order to save the cost of the transformer.

Another common connection point for SVC is on the delta tertiary winding of Y-connected auto-transformers used to connect one transmission voltage to another voltage.

The dynamic nature of the SVC lies in the use of [[thyristor]]s connected in series and inverse-parallel, forming "thyristor valves". The disc-shaped semiconductors, usually several inches in diameter, are usually located indoors in a "valve house".