Reactive impedance 124 includes a capacitance 306 and an inductance 308. Capacitance 306 and inductance 308 are configured to be coupled to transmission lines 102, 104, and 106 through gas tube switching network 126. Gas tube switching network 126 includes gas tube switches 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332. Gas tube switches 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, and 320 form a network for coupling capacitance 306 to transmission lines 102, 104, and 106. Likewise, gas tube switches 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332 form a network for coupling inductance 308 to transmission lines 102, 104, and 106. Gas tube switches 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, and 332 are arranged in pairs for isolating var compensator 128's respective connections to transmission lines 102, 104, and 106. Such pairs include gas tube switches 310 and 312, 314 and 316, 318 and 320, 322 and 324, 326 and 328, and 330 and 332.