Why would you put the series reactor on Line 1 in service?

Putting the series reactor on Line 1 in service is primarily designed to increase the impedance of the line. Series reactors are used in power systems to add inductive reactance to a particular section of the grid, which helps control the flow of power and enhances system stability. By increasing the line impedance, the series reactor can reduce fault currents and manage the loading of the line more effectively.

When the impedance increases, it limits the amount of short-circuit current during fault conditions, which is critical for protecting equipment and minimizing the risk of damage to the electrical infrastructure. Additionally, increased impedance can help mitigate issues such as voltage fluctuations and harmonics, thereby improving the overall reliability of the power system.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the purpose of a series reactor. For instance, the goal is not to decrease impedance, as that would actually allow more current to flow, which could lead to higher fault currents rather than improving system stability and safety. Likewise, increasing fault current is counterproductive to using reactors, which aim to control and limit such occurrences. Lastly, while reactors can influence equipment limits indirectly, their primary function is not to bypass limitations but to enhance system performance through impedance adjustment.