Abstract: A polyphase thyristor-switched-capacitor static var compensator (SVC) arrangement employs a transformer circuit connected to the capacitors of the SVC and configured such that when the capacitors are switched out of circuit in sequence, a residual charge on the capacitors is reduced by the transfer of energy between the capacitor and an energy-dissipation circuit by way of the transformer circuit. The primaries of the transformer circuit are connected across respective capacitors, while the secondaries are connected in series in a delta configuration. Damping resistors may be connected in series with the primaries to help dissipate the capacitor energy. The transformer circuit may be saturable and may be constituted by individual transformers or one polyphase transformer.