Abstract Nonlinear loads in distribution network have adverse impacts in the form of harmonic distortion. When the harmonic frequency is close to resonance, the harmonic will be amplified and overloading capacitor bank. Here detuned reactor is inserted in series to avoid from that risk. In this study, the impact of detuned reactor on suppressing the harmonics and power factor improvement are investigated, evaluated and analyzed. The Pocut Baren feeder is chosen as the case of the study. It is a radial distribution network with 28 distribution transformers where the starting point is connected to substation transformers and capacitor banks. Simulation is used to verify the efficacy of detuned reactor. The results shown that detuned reactor is able to reduce voltage harmonics and improve power factor across the distribution line. Although the efficacy wane at the distribution end, it can be compensated from adjusting the detuned reactor value to meet the 5% total voltage harmonic distortion (THDv) threshold at the end of the line. Simulation results confirmed that detuned reactor is able to reduce harmonics from 12% to meet the threshold. Power factors have also been improved beyond 0,9 from previously arround 0,8.