Capacitor Chargeman

CAPACITOR BANK & POWER FACTOR MANAGEMENT
CAPACITOR BANK
&
POWER FACTOR MANAGEMENT
Electrical Chargeman Category B0
ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 1 of 136

Contents
Title Page No.
1.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF BASIC ELECTRICITY 6
1.1 Definition of electrical power 6

1.2 Apparent Power (VA) 6
1.3 Real Power or True Power (Watts) 6
1.4 Reactive Power (Var) 7
1.5 Power Factor 7
1.6 Relationship between Real, Reactive, and 7
Apparent power
1.7 Equipment Causing Poor Power Factor 13
1.8 Calculation for power factor 14
2.0 EFFECT OF LOW POWER FACTOR 20
3.0 POWER FACTOR CORRECTION 21
3.1 Capacitive Power Factor correction 21

3.2 Function of PFC Capacitors 23
3.3 How capacitors work 24
3.4 Categories of Power Factor Correction 25
4.0 CAPACITOR BANK SIZING 30
4.1 Selecting kVAR for 3-Phase Motors 30

4.2 Power Factor Correction Capacitors on Reduced Voltage 33
Motors and Multi-Speed Motors
4.3 Selecting kVAR for Bulk Correction 34
5.0 MV CAPACITOR BANK DESIGN 38
5.1 Function of a capacitor bank 38

5.2 Capacitor unit & Capacitor Bank configuration 38
5.3 Capacitor construction 40
5.4 Basic design of power capacitor 69

6.0 PROTECTION OF Y-Y CAPACITORS 73
6.1 Capacitor fusing 73

6.2 Relaying protection 74
6.3 The concept of unbalance current flow 81
6.4 Basics on relay unbalance & Unbalance CT 82
6.5 Typical settings for a 11 kV 3-5 MVar Y-Y Capacitor Banks 83
6.6 Lightning protection 84
7.0 PROTECTION FOR DELTA CAPACITORS 85
7.1 Fusing arrangement for Delta Capacitors 85

7.2 Comparison between fusing arrangement for Delta 87
& Y capacitors
7.3 Relaying protection 90
8.0 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR A Y-Y CAPACITOR BANK
8.1 Safety Regulations 91

8.2 Maintenance Methodology for Y-Y Capacitor Banks 91
8.3 Maintenance program 95
9.0 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR A DELTA CAPACITOR BANK
9.1 Safety Regulations 108

9.2 Maintenance Methodology for Delta Capacitor Banks 108
9.3 Maintenance program 111
10.0 COMMISSIONING
10.1 Before energizing the bank, check: 121

10.2 Setting for Power Factor Regulator (Controller) 121
10.3 Calculation of resonance frequency 129
10.4 Calculation for the increase in line voltage 132
10.5 Inspection after commissioning 134
Sample for Inspection & Maintenance Forms are attached as Appendix A.
Sample for commissioning forms are attached as Appendix B.



1.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF BASIC ELECTRICITY
1.1 Definition of electrical power
Power is the ability of a system to perform work. Water performs work when it
turns the turbine blades of a hydroelectric plant. Electricity performs work when it
heats up a heating element or turns a motor. It takes power to store energy, like
in capacitive or inductive devices, while these devices then release some energy,
or power, at a later time.
1.2 Apparent Power (VA)
Apparent power is defined as the power that is "apparently" absorbed by a

system. That is, the product of current times voltage tells us a device appears to
be using a certain amount of power.
Generators are rated in volt-amperes (VA), or thousand-volt-amperes (kVA).
1.3 Real Power or True Power (Watts)
The real amount of power a device is using, or results in actual work performed,
is called the "real power". The real power tells us how much actual work can be
performed, or how many horsepower our motor is delivering.
For a resistive and/or DC circuit, the apparent power and the real power are the
same, but for a capacitive or inductive circuit, the real power is heavily dependent
on the amount that the current or voltage is delayed. Real power is presented in
Watts.
There is mathematically no difference between watts and volt-amperes, except

that we use one term for apparent power, and one for real power, but they are
both units of power. We use the power factor to go from apparent power to real
power.
Real power = P=VIR = VI cos θ (1)
IR = I cos θ
cos θ = power factor

1.4 Reactive Power (Var)
The instantaneous power absorbed by the reactive part of the load is given by:
Reactive power =Q=VIX = VI sin θ (2)
Q refers to the maximum value of the instantaneous power absorbed by the

reactive component of the load. The instantaneous reactive power is alternately
positive and negative, and it expresses the reversible flow of energy to and from
the reactive component of the load.
1.5 Power Factor
When we use any capacitive or inductive device on an AC circuit, the current or

voltage flowing through the circuit will be slightly delayed, or out of phase. A
motor is an inductive element, and the current lags behind the voltage. In a
capacitor the voltage lags behind the current.
For an inductive load, the current lags the voltage, and the power factor is said to
be lagging. For capacitive loads, the current leads the voltage, and the power
factor is said to be leading.
For a purely capacitive or inductive circuit with zero resistance, the angle of
lead/lag is 90°. Adding resistance to the circuit will decrease the leading/lagging
angle.
The term "Power factor", is the cosine of the phase angle. For a purely inductive
circuit, the lag angle is 90°, and the power factor is zero [cosine (900)=0]. A
common power factor for electric motors is 0.8, which gives us a lagging angle of
36° (This is because there is some resistance inside the motor windings).
1.6 Relationship between Real, Reactive, and Apparent power
We know that reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero
power, yet the fact that they drop voltage and draw current gives the deceptive
impression that they actually do dissipate power. As mentioned above, this
“phantom power” is called reactive power, and it is measured in a unit called Volt-
Amps-Reactive (VAR), rather than watts. The actual amount of power being
used, or dissipated, in a circuit is called true power, and it is measured in watts
(symbolized by the capital letter P, as always). The combination of reactive
power and true power is called apparent power, and it is the product of a circuit's
voltage and current, without reference to phase angle. Apparent power is
measured in the unit of Volt-Amps (VA) and is symbolized by the capital letter S.

As a rule, true power is a function of a circuit's dissipative elements, usually

resistances (R). Reactive power is a function of a circuit's reactance (X).
Apparent power is a function of a circuit's total impedance (Z). Since we're
dealing with scalar quantities for power calculation, any complex starting
quantities such as voltage, current, and impedance must be represented by their
polar magnitudes, not by real or imaginary rectangular components. For
instance, if I'm calculating true power from current and resistance, I must use the
polar magnitude for current, and not merely the “real” or “imaginary” portion of
the current. If I'm calculating apparent power from voltage and impedance, both
of these formerly complex quantities must be reduced to their polar magnitudes
for the scalar arithmetic.
There are several power equations relating the three types of power to
resistance, reactance, and impedance (all using scalar quantities):
(3)
(4)
(5)

Please note that there are two equations each for the calculation of true and
reactive power. There are three equations available for the calculation of
apparent power, P=IE being useful only for that purpose. (E is equivalent to
Voltage). Examine the following circuits and see how these three types of power
interrelate for: a purely resistive load in Figure below, a purely reactive load in
Figure below and a resistive/reactive load in Figure below.
1.6.1 Resistive load only:
120 Volt
50 Hz
Figure 1: True power, reactive power, and apparent power for a purely
resistive load.

1.6.2 Reactive load only:
120 Volt
50 Hz
Figure 2: True power, reactive power, and apparent power for a purely
reactive load.

1.6.3 Resistive/reactive load:
120 Volt
50 Hz
Figure 3: True power, reactive power, and apparent power for a

resistive/reactive load.
These three types of power -- true, reactive, and apparent -- relate to one
another in trigonometric form. We call this the power triangle:

Figure 4: Power Triangle
Using the laws of trigonometry, we can solve for the length of any side (amount
of any type of power), given the lengths of the other two sides, or the length of
one side and an angle.

REVIEW:
• Power dissipated by a load is referred to as true power. True power is

symbolized by the letter P and is measured in the unit of Watts (W).
• Power merely absorbed and returned in load due to its reactive properties
is referred to as reactive power. Reactive power is symbolized by the letter
Q and is measured in the unit of Volt-Amps-Reactive (VAR).
• Total power in an AC circuit, both dissipated and absorbed/returned is

referred to as apparent power. Apparent power is symbolized by the letter
S and is measured in the unit of Volt-Amps (VA).
• These three types of power are trigonometrically related to one another. In

a right triangle, P = adjacent length, Q = opposite length, and S =
hypotenuse length. The opposite angle is equal to the circuit's impedance
(Z) phase angle.
1.7 Equipment Causing Poor Power Factor
A great deal of equipment utilized by todays modern industry causes poor plant
power factor. One of the worst offenders is the lightly loaded induction motor.
Examples of this type of equipment and their approximate power factors are:
80% power factor or better: Air conditioners, pumps, center less grinders,
cold headers, up setters, fans or blowers.
60% to 80% power factor: Induction furnaces, standard stamping machines

and weaving machines.
60% power factor and below: Single stroke presses, automated machine
tools, finish grinders, welders.
When the above equipment functions within a plant, savings can be achieved by
utilizing industrial capacitors

1.8 Calculation for power factor
Power factor is the ratio between the kW (Kilo-Watts) and the kVA (Kilo-Volt
Amperes) drawn by an electrical load where the kW is the actual (true) load
power and the kVA is the apparent load power.
It is a measure of how effectively the current is being converted into useful work
output and more particularly is a good indicator of the effect of the load current
on the efficiency of the supply system.
All current flow will cause losses in the supply and distribution system. A load
with a power factor of 1.0 results in the most efficient loading of the supply and a
load with a power factor of 0.5 will result in much higher losses in the supply
system.
A poor power factor can be the result of either a significant phase difference
between the voltage and current at the load terminals, or it can be due to a high
harmonic content or distorted/discontinuous current waveform.
Poor load current phase angle is generally the result of an inductive load such as
an induction motor, power transformer, lighting ballasts, welder or induction
furnace.
A distorted current waveform can be the result of a rectifier, variable speed drive,
switched mode power supply, discharge lighting or other electronic load.
Power Factor (PF) = cos φ (6)
Power Factor (PF) = kW = True Power (7)

KVA Apparent Power
|kVA| = √ [(kW)2 + ( kVAr)2] (8)
As was mentioned before, the angle of this “power triangle” graphically indicates
the ratio between the amount of dissipated (or consumed) power and the amount
of absorbed/returned power. It also happens to be the same angle as that of the
circuit's impedance in polar form. When expressed as a fraction, this ratio
between true power and apparent power is called the power factor for this circuit.
Because true power and apparent power form the adjacent and hypotenuse
sides of a right triangle, respectively, the power factor ratio is also equal to the
cosine of that phase angle.

Using values from the last example circuit using Equation (7):
It should be noted that power factor, like all ratio measurements, is a unit less
quantity.
For the purely resistive circuit, the power factor is 1 (perfect), because the
reactive power equals zero. Here, the power triangle would look like a horizontal
line, because the opposite (reactive power) side would have zero length.
For the purely inductive circuit, the power factor is zero, because true power
equals zero. Here, the power triangle would look like a vertical line, because the
adjacent (true power) side would have zero length.
The same could be said for a purely capacitive circuit. If there are no dissipative
(resistive) components in the circuit, then the true power must be equal to zero,
making any power in the circuit purely reactive. The power triangle for a purely
capacitive circuit would again be a vertical line (pointing down instead of up as it
was for the purely inductive circuit).
Power factor can be an important aspect to consider in an AC circuit, because

any power factor less than 1 means that the circuit's wiring has to carry more
current than what would be necessary with zero reactance in the circuit to deliver
the same amount of (true) power to the resistive load. If our last example circuit
had been purely resistive, we would have been able to deliver a full 169.256
watts to the load with the same 1.410 amps of current, rather than the mere
119.365 watts that it is presently dissipating with that same current quantity. The
poor power factor makes for an inefficient power delivery system.

Poor power factor can be corrected, paradoxically, by adding another load to the
circuit drawing an equal and opposite amount of reactive power, to cancel out the
effects of the load's inductive reactance. Inductive reactance can only be
canceled by capacitive reactance, so we have to add a capacitor in parallel to our
example circuit as the additional load. The effect of these two opposing
reactances in parallel is to bring the circuit's total impedance equal to its total
resistance (to make the impedance phase angle equal, or at least closer, to
zero).
Since we know that the (uncorrected) reactive power is 119.998 VAR (inductive),
we need to calculate the correct capacitor size to produce the same quantity of
(capacitive) reactive power. Since this capacitor will be directly in parallel with the
source (of known voltage), we'll use the power formula, which starts from voltage
and reactance:

Let's use a rounded capacitor value of 22 µF and see what happens to our
circuit:
120 Volt
50 Hz
Figure 4: Parallel capacitor corrects lagging power factor of inductive load.

The power factor for the circuit, overall, has been substantially improved. The
main current has been decreased from 1.41 amps to 994.7 milliamps, while the
power dissipated at the load resistor remains unchanged at 119.365 watts. The
power factor is much closer to being 1:
Since the impedance angle is still a positive number, we know that the circuit,
overall, is still more inductive than it is capacitive. If our power factor correction
efforts had been perfectly on-target, we would have arrived at an impedance
angle of exactly zero, or purely resistive. If we had added too large of a capacitor
in parallel, we would have ended up with an impedance angle that was negative,
indicating that the circuit was more capacitive than inductive.
It should be noted that too much capacitance in an AC circuit will result in a low
power factor just as well as too much inductance. You must be careful not to
over-correct when adding capacitance to an AC circuit. You must also be very
careful to use the proper capacitors for the job (rated adequately for power
system voltages and the occasional voltage spike from lightning strikes, for
continuous AC service, and capable of handling the expected levels of current).

If a circuit is predominantly inductive, we say that its power factor is lagging

(because the current wave for the circuit lags behind the applied voltage wave).
Conversely, if a circuit is predominantly capacitive, we say that its power factor is
leading. Thus, our example circuit started out with a power factor of 0.705
lagging, and was corrected to a power factor of 0.999 lagging.
• REVIEW:
• Poor power factor in an AC circuit may be “corrected”, or re-established at
a value close to 1, by adding a parallel reactance opposite the effect of the
load's reactance. If the load's reactance is inductive in nature (which it
almost always will be), parallel capacitance is what is needed to correct
the poor power factor.
Exercise No.1
A transformer delivers maximum loading of 800kW & 700 kVar.
What is the value of the power factor for the transformer?
Exercise No.2
A 1000 kVA transformer has maximum loading of 800kW & power factor of 0.45.
What is the % loading of the transformer?

2.0 EFFECT OF LOW POWER FACTOR
"Power Factor" is an electrical term used to rate the degree of the

synchronization of power supply current with the power supply voltage. It is
important that we clearly understand the meaning of "Power Factor" and its effect
on the electrical supply system for the following reasons:
• a low power factor can increase the cost of power to the user
• a low power factor can increase the cost of power transmission equipment to
the user
• a customer may request assistance in selecting equipment to correct a low
power factor
• over-correction of power factor by the addition of excessive capacitance is
sometimes dangerous to a motor and the driven equipment. (above 95%
power factor)
• a customer may, to some extent, use motor power factor rating as a power
factor rating as a criterion in choosing among competing motors, especially
when a large motor is involved.
The power factors in industrial plants are usually lagging due to the inductive
nature of induction motors, transformers, lighting, induction heating furnaces, etc.
This lagging power factor has two costly disadvantages for the power user.
First, it increases the cost incurred by the power company because more current
must be transmitted than is actually used to perform useful work. This increased
cost is passed on to the industrial customer by means of power factor
adjustments to the rate schedules.
Second, it reduces the load handling capability of the industrial plants electrical
transmission system which means that the industrial power user must spend
more on transmission lines and transformers to get a given amount of useful
power through his plant.

3.0 POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
A poor power factor due to an inductive load can be improved by the addition of
power factor correction (PFC) capacitor, but, a poor power factor due to a
distorted current waveform requires change in equipment design or expensive
harmonic filters to gain an appreciable improvement.
Many inverters are quoted as having a power factor of better than 0.95 when in
reality, the true power factor is between 0.5 and 0.75. The figure of 0.95 is based
on the cosine of the angle between the voltage and current but does not take into
account that the current waveform is discontinuous and therefore contributes to
increased losses on the supply
3.1 Capacitive Power Factor correction
Capacitive Power Factor correction is applied to circuits, which include induction

motors as a means of reducing the inductive component of the current and
thereby reduce the losses in the supply. There should be no effect on the
operation of the motor itself.
An induction motor draws current from the supply that is made up of resistive
components and inductive components. The resistive components are:-
1) Load current.
2) Loss current.
and the inductive components are:

3) Leakage reactance.
4) Magnetizing current.
Figure 5: Magnetizing current

The current due to the leakage reactance is dependant on the total current drawn
by the motor, but the magnetizing current is independent of the load on the
motor. The magnetizing current will typically be between 20% and 60% of the
rated full load current of the motor. The magnetizing current is the current that
establishes the flux in the iron and is very necessary if the motor is going to
operate. The magnetizing current does not actually contribute to the actual work
output of the motor. It is the catalyst that allows the motor to work properly. The
magnetizing current and the leakage reactance can be considered passenger
components of current that will not affect the power drawn by the motor, but will
contribute to the power dissipated in the supply and distribution system.
Take for example a motor with a current draw of 100 Amps and a power factor of
0.75 The resistive component of the current is 75 Amps and this is what the KWh
meter measures.
The higher current will result in an increase in the distribution losses of (100x
100)/(75x75) = 1.777 or a 78% increase in the supply losses.
In the interest of reducing the losses in the distribution system, power factor
correction is added to neutralize a portion of the magnetizing current of the
motor. Typically, the corrected power factor will be 0.92 - 0.95.
There are many ways that this is metered, but the net result is that in order to
reduce wasted energy in the distribution system, the consumer will be
encouraged to apply power factor correction.
Power factor correction is achieved by the addition of capacitors in parallel with

the connected motor circuits and can be applied at the starter, or applied at the
switchboard or distribution panel. The resulting capacitive current is leading
current and is used to cancel the lagging inductive current flowing from the
supply.
Figure 6: Power Factor Correction (1)

3.2 Function of Power Factor Correction (PFC) Capacitors
PFC equipment provides the means of reducing the reactive power being
supplied by the utility. Reducing the reactive power supplied by the utility results
in a cost reduction to electrical bills, since the kVA demand is also reduced.
a. No Power Factor Correction
kVar supplies by
Capacitor Bank
b. With Power Factor Correction
Figure 7: Power Factor Correction (2)

PFC capacitors are the main component in PFC equipment, with their size most
often referred to in kVAr. Figure 8 illustrates how a PFC capacitor works when
installed on the line side of a motor.
Figure 8: Power Factor Correction for Induction motors
3.3 How capacitors work
Induction motors, transformers and many other electrical loads require

magnetizing current (kVAR) as well as actual power (kW). By representing these
components of apparent power (kVA) as the sides of a right triangle, we can
determine the apparent power from the right triangle rule: kVA2 = kW2 + kVAR2.
To reduce the kVA required for any given load, you must shorten the line that
represents the kVAR. This is precisely what capacitors do.
By supplying kVAR right at the load, the capacitors relieve the utility of the
burden of carrying the extra kVAR. This makes the utility transmission/distribution
system more efficient, reducing cost for the utility and their customers. The ratio
of actual power to apparent power is usually expressed in percentage and is
called power factor.

3.4 Categories of Power Factor Correction
Capacitors connected at each starter and controlled by each starter is known as

"Static Power Factor Correction" while capacitors connected at a distribution
board and controlled independently from the individual starters is known as "Bulk
Correction".
3.4.1 Bulk Correction
The Power factor of the total current supplied to the distribution board is
monitored by a controller which then switches capacitor banks In a fashion to
maintain a power factor better than a preset limit. (Typically 0.95)
Ideally, the power factor should be as close to unity (Power factor of "1") as
possible. There is no problem with bulk correction operating at unity.
Figure 9: Bulk correction
3.4.2 Static Correction
As a large proportion of the inductive or lagging current on the supply is due to

the magnetizing current of induction motors, it is easy to correct each individual
motor by connecting the correction capacitors to the motor starters.
With static correction, it is important that the capacitive current is less than the
inductive magnetizing current of the induction motor.

In many installations employing static power factor correction, the correction

capacitors are connected directly in parallel with the motor windings. When the
motor is off-line, the capacitors are also off-line. When the motor is connected to
the supply, the capacitors are also connected providing correction at all times
that the motor is connected to the supply. This removes the requirement for any
expensive power factor monitoring and control equipment.
In this situation, the capacitors remain connected to the motor terminals as the
motor slows down. An induction motor, while connected to the supply, is driven
by a rotating magnetic field in the stator, which induces current into the rotor.
When the motor is disconnected from the supply, there is for a period of time, a
magnetic field associated with the rotor. As the motor decelerates, it generates
voltage out its terminals at a frequency which is related to it's speed.
The capacitors connected across the motor terminals, form a resonant circuit
with the motor inductance. If the motor is critically corrected, (corrected to a
power factor of 1.0) the inductive reactance equals the capacitive reactance at
the line frequency and therefore the resonant frequency is equal to the line
frequency.
If the motor is over corrected, the resonant frequency will be below the line
frequency. If the frequency of the voltage generated by the decelerating motor
passes through the resonant frequency of the corrected motor, there will be high
currents and voltages around the motor/capacitor circuit. This can result in sever
damage to the capacitors and motor. It is imperative that motors are never over
corrected or critically corrected when static correction is employed.
Static power factor correction should provide capacitive current equal to 80% of
the magnetizing current, which is essentially the open shaft current of the motor.
The magnetizing current for induction motors can vary considerably. Typically,
magnetizing currents for large two pole machines can be as low as 20% of the
rated current of the motor while smaller low speed motors can have a
magnetizing current as high as 60% of the rated full load current of the motor. It
is not practical to use a "Standard table" for the correction of induction motors
giving optimum correction on all motors. Tables result in under correction on
most motors but can result in over correction in some cases. Where the open
shaft current cannot be measured, and the magnetizing current is not quoted, an
approximate level for the maximum correction that can be applied can be
calculated from the half load characteristics of the motor.
It is dangerous to base correction on the full load characteristics of the motor as

in some cases, motors can exhibit a high leakage reactance and correction to

0.95 at full load will result in over correction under no load, or disconnected
conditions.
Static correction is commonly applied by using one contactor to control both the
motor and the capacitors. It is better practice to use two contactors, one for the
motor and one for the capacitors. Where one contactor is employed, it should be
up sized for the capacitive load. The use of a second contactor eliminates the
problems of resonance between the motor and the capacitors.
Figure 10: Static correction
3.4.3 Precaution on use of Static Connection
3.4.3.1 Inverter.
Static Power factor correction must not be used when the motor is controlled by a
variable speed drive or inverter. The connection of capacitors to the output of an
inverter can cause serious damage to the inverter and the capacitors due to the
high frequency switched voltage on the output of the inverters.
The current drawn from the inverter has a poor power factor, particularly at low
load, but the motor current is isolated from the supply by the inverter. The phase
angle of the current drawn by the inverter from the supply is close to zero
resulting in very low inductive current irrespective of what the motor is doing. The
inverter does not however, operate with a good power factor.
Many inverter manufacturers quote a cos Ø of better than 0.95 and this is
generally true, however the current is non sinusoidal and the resultant harmonics

cause a power factor (KW/KVA) of closer to 0.7 depending on the input design of
the inverter. Inverters with input reactors and DC bus reactors will exhibit a
higher true power factor than those without.
The connection of capacitors close to the input of the inverter can also result in
damage to the inverter. The capacitors tend to cause transients to be amplified,
resulting in higher voltage impulses applied to the input circuits of the inverter,
and the energy behind the impulses is much greater due to the energy storage of
the capacitors. It is recommended that capacitors should be at least 75 Meters
away from inverter inputs to elevate the impedance between the inverter and
capacitors and reduce the potential damage caused.
Switching capacitors, Automatic bank correction etc, will cause voltage transients
and these transients can damage the input circuits of inverters. The energy is
proportional to the amount of capacitance being switched. It is better to switch
lots of small amounts of capacitance than few large amounts.
3.4.3.2 Solid State Soft Starter
Static Power Factor correction capacitors must not be connected to the output of
a solid state soft starter. When a solid state soft starter is used, the capacitors
must be controlled by a separate contactor, and switched in when the soft starter
output voltage has reached line voltage. Many soft starters provide a "top of
ramp" or "bypass contactor control" which can be used to control the power
factor correction capacitors.
The connection of capacitors close to the input of the soft starter can also result
in damage to the soft starter if an isolation contactor is not used. The capacitors
tend to cause transients to be amplified, resulting in higher voltage impulses
applied to the SCRs of the Soft Starter, and the energy behind the impulses is
much greater due to the energy storage of the capacitors. It is recommended that
capacitors should be at least 50 Meters away from Soft starters to elevate the
impedance between the inverter and capacitors and reduce the potential damage
caused.
Switching capacitors, Automatic bank correction etc, will cause voltage transients
and these transients can damage the SCRs of Soft Starters if they are in the Off
state without an input contactor. The energy is proportional to the amount of
capacitance being switched. It is better to switch lots of small amounts of
capacitance than few large amounts.

Figure 11: Static correction for soft starter schemes

4.0 CAPACITOR BANK SIZING
The most common method for improving power factor is to add capacitors banks
to the system. Capacitors are attractive because they're economical and easy to
maintain. Not only that, they have no moving parts, unlike some other devices
used for the same purpose.
When you add a capacitor bank to your system, the capacitor supplies the
reactive power needed by the load. If you size and select the capacitor bank to
compensate to a unity power factor, it can supply all the reactive power needed
by the load, and no reactive power is demanded from the utility. If you design the
capacitor bank to improve the power factor to a quantity less than 1.0, the
reactive power supplied by the bank will be its rated kVARs (or MVARs), while
the rest of the reactive power needed by the load will be supplied by the utility.
4.1 Selecting kVAR for 3-Phase Motors
To properly select the amount of kVAR required to correct the lagging power
factor of a 3-phase motor you must have three pieces of information:
• kW (kilowatts)
• Existing Power Factor in percent
• Desired Power Factor in percent
The formula to calculate the required kVAR is:
Factor from Table 1 x kW = kVAR of capacitors required. (9)

Table 1 Power Factor Improvement Table

Desired Pow er Factor in %
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
50 0.982 1.008 1.034 1.06 1.086 1.112 1.139 1.165 1.192 1.22 1.248 1.276 1.306 1.337 1.369 1.403 1.442 1.481 1.529 1.59 1.732
51 0.937 0.962 0.989 1.015 1.041 1.067 1.094 1.12 1.147 1.175 1.23 1.231 1.261 1.292 1.324 1.358 1.395 1.436 1.484 1.544 1.687
52 0.893 0.919 0.945 0.971 0.997 1.023 1.05 1.076 1.103 1.131 1.159 1.187 1.217 1.248 1.28 1.314 1.351 1.392 1.44 1.5 1.643
53 0.85 0.876 0.902 0.928 0.954 0.98 1.007 1.033 1.06 1.088 1.116 1.144 1.174 1.295 1.237 1.271 1.308 1.349 1.397 1.457 1.6
54 0.809 0.835 0.861 0.887 0.913 0.939 0.966 0.992 1.019 1.047 1.075 1.103 1.133 1.164 1.196 1.23 1.267 1.308 1.356 1.416 1.559
55 0.769 0.795 0.821 0.847 0.873 0.899 0.926 0.952 0.979 1.007 1.033 1.063 1.09 1.124 1.156 1.19 1.228 1.268 1.316 1.377 1.519
56 0.73 0.756 0.782 0.808 0.834 0.86 0.887 0.913 0.94 0.968 0.996 1.024 1.051 1.085 1.117 1.151 1.189 1.229 1.277 1.338 1.48
57 0.692 0.718 0.744 0.77 0.796 0.822 0.849 0.875 0.902 0.93 0.958 0.986 1.013 1.047 1.079 1.113 1.151 1.191 1.239 1.3 1.442
58 0.655 0.681 0.707 0.733 0.759 0.785 0.812 0.838 0.865 0.893 0.921 0.949 0.976 1.01 1.042 1.076 1.114 1.154 1.202 1.263 1.405
59 0.618 0.644 0.67 0.696 0.722 0.748 0.775 0.801 0.828 0.856 0.884 0.912 0.939 0.973 1.005 1.039 1.077 1.117 1.165 1.226 1.368
60 0.584 0.61 0.636 0.662 0.688 0.714 0.741 0.767 0.794 0.822 0.85 0.878 0.905 0.939 0.971 1.005 1.043 1.083 1.131 1.192 1.334
61 0.549 0.575 0.601 0.627 0.653 0.679 0.706 0.732 0.759 0.787 0.815 0.843 0.87 0.904 0.936 0.97 1.008 1.014 1.096 1.157 1.299
O
62 0.515 0.541 0.567 0.593 0.619 0.645 0.672 0.698 0.725 0.753 0.781 0.809 0.836 0.87 0.902 0.936 0.974 0.982 1.062 1.123 1.265
r
63 0.483 0.509 0.535 0.561 0.587 0.613 0.66 0.666 0.693 0.721 0.749 0.777 0.804 0.838 0.87 0.904 0.942 0.949 1.03 1.091 1.233
i
64 0.45 0.476 0.502 0.528 0.554 0.58 0.607 0.633 0.66 0.688 0.716 0.744 0.771 0.805 0.837 0.871 0.909 0.918 0.997 1.058 1.2
g
65 0.419 0.445 0.471 0.497 0.523 0.549 0.576 0.602 0.629 0.657 0.685 0.713 0.74 0.774 0.806 0.84 0.878 0.887 0.966 1.027 1.169
i
66 0.388 0.414 0.44 0.466 0.492 0.518 0.545 0.571 0.598 0.626 0.554 0.682 0.709 0.743 0.775 0.809 0.847 0.857 0.935 0.996 1.138
n
67 0.358 0.384 0.41 0.436 0.462 0.488 0.515 0.541 0.568 0.596 0.624 0.652 0.679 0.713 0.746 0.779 0.817 0.828 0.905 0.966 1.108
a
68 0.329 0.355 0.381 0.407 0.433 0.459 0.486 0.512 0.539 0.567 0.595 0.623 0.65 0.684 0.716 0.75 0.788 0.798 0.876 0.937 1.079
l
69 0.299 0.325 0.351 0.377 0.403 0.429 0.456 0.482 0.509 0.537 0.565 0.593 0.62 0.654 0.686 0.72 0.758 0.769 0.84 0.907 1.049
70 0.27 0.296 0.322 0.348 0.374 0.4 0.427 0.453 0.48 0.508 0.536 0.564 0.591 0.625 0.657 0.691 0.729 0.741 0.811 0.878 1.02
P
71 0.242 0.268 0.294 0.32 0.346 0.372 0.399 0.425 0.452 0.48 0.508 0.536 0.563 0.597 0.629 0.663 0.701 0.712 0.783 0.85 0.992
o
72 0.213 0.239 0.265 0.291 0.317 0.343 0.37 0.396 0.423 0.451 0.479 0.507 0.534 0.568 0.6 0.634 0.672 0.685 0.754 0.821 0.963
w
73 0.186 0.212 0.238 0.264 0.29 0.316 0.343 0.369 0.396 0.424 0.452 0.48 0.507 0.541 0.573 0.607 0.645 0.658 0.727 0.794 0.936
e
74 0.159 0.185 0.211 0.237 0.263 0.289 0.316 0.342 0.369 0.397 0.425 0.453 0.48 0.514 0.546 0.58 0.618 0.631 0.7 0.767 0.909
r
75 0.132 0.158 0.184 0.21 0.236 0.262 0.289 0.315 0.342 0.37 0.398 0.426 0.453 0.487 0.519 0.553 0.591 0.604 0.673 0.74 0.882
76 0.105 0.131 0.157 0.183 0.209 0.235 0.262 0.288 0.315 0.343 0.371 0.399 0.426 0.46 0.492 0.526 0.564 0.578 0.652 0.713 0.855
F
77 0.079 0.105 0.131 0.157 0.183 0.209 0.236 0.262 0.289 0.317 0.345 0.373 0.4 0.434 0.466 0.5 0.538 0.552 0.62 0.687 0.829
a
78 0.053 0.079 0.105 0.131 0.157 0.183 0.21 0.236 0.263 0.291 0.319 0.347 0.374 0.408 0.44 0.474 0.512 0.525 0.594 0.661 0.803
c
79 0.026 0.052 0.078 0.104 0.13 0.156 0.183 0.209 0.236 0.264 0.292 0.32 0.347 0.381 0.413 0.447 0.485 0.499 0.567 0.634 0.776
t
80 0 0.026 0.052 0.078 0.104 0.13 0.157 0.183 0.21 0.238 0.266 0.294 0.321 0.355 0.387 0.421 0.459 0.473 0.541 0.608 0.75
o
81 0 0.026 0.052 0.078 0.104 0.13 0.157 0.184 0.212 0.24 0.268 0.295 0.329 0.361 0.395 0.433 0.447 0.515 0.582 0.724
r
82 0 0.026 0.052 0.078 0.105 0.131 0.158 0.186 0.214 0.242 0.269 0.303 0.335 0.369 0.407 0.421 0.489 0.556 0.698
83 0 0.026 0.052 0.079 0.105 0.132 0.16 0.188 0.216 0.243 0.277 0.309 0.343 0.381 0.395 0.463 0.53 0.672
i
84 0 0.026 0.053 0.079 0.106 0.134 0.162 0.19 0.217 0.251 0.283 0.317 0.355 0.369 0.437 0.504 0.645
n
85 0 0.027 0.053 0.08 0.108 0.136 0.164 0.191 0.225 0.257 0.291 0.329 0.343 0.417 0.478 0.62
86 0 0.026 0.053 0.081 0.109 0.137 0.167 0.198 0.23 0.265 0.301 0.317 0.39 0.451 0.593
%
87 0.027 0.055 0.082 0.111 0.141 0.172 0.204 0.238 0.275 0.29 0.364 0.425 0.567
88 0 0.028 0.056 0.084 0.114 0.145 0.177 0.211 0.248 0.262 0.237 0.398 0.54
89 0.028 0.056 0.086 0.117 0.149 0.183 0.22 0.234 0.309 0.37 0.512
90 0.028 0.058 0.089 0.121 0.155 0.192 0.206 0.281 0.342 0.484
91 0.03 0.061 0.093 0.127 0.164 0.176 0.253 0.314 0.456
92 0.031 0.063 0.097 0.134 0.143 0.223 0.284 0.426
93 0 0.032 0.066 0.103 0.113 0.192 0.253 0.395
94 0.034 0.071 0.079 0.16 0.221 0.363
95 0.037 0.042 0.126 0.187 0.328
96 0 0.089 0.15 0.292
97 0 0.047 0.108 0.251
98 0 0.061 0.203
99 0 0.142

EXAMPLE:
A small machine tool plant used an average of 100 kW with an existing power
factor of 80%. Their desired power factor is 95%. The kVAR of capacitors
necessary to raise the power factor to 95% is found by using Table 1, which in
this case gives 0.421 as the factor needed to complete the formula referenced
above:
0.421 x 100 kW = 42 Kvar
The customer may now choose the capacitor catalog number by kVAR and
voltage from the complete ratings listed in this catalog. If kW or Present Power
Factor are not known you can calculate from the following formulas to get the
three basic pieces of information required to calculate kVAR:
PF = kW / kVA (7)
kVA = 1.732 x I x Volt / 1000 (10)
kW = 1.732 x I x Volt x PF / 1000 (11)
kW = HP x 0.746 / eff (12)
WHERE
I = full load current in amps

Volt = voltage of motor
PF = Present power factor as a decimal (80% = .80)
HP = rated horsepower of motor
eff = rated efficiency of motor as a decimal (83% = .83)
If Desired Power Factor is not provided, 95% is a good economical power factor
for calculation purposes.

4.2 Power Factor Correction Capacitors on Reduced Voltage Motors and

Multi-Speed Motors
The following shows capacitor connections for typical starting circuits for reduced
voltage and multi-speed motors. Variations to these circuits do exist. Make sure
that your circuit exactly matches the circuit shown here before applying
capacitors. Failure to do so may result in damage to the motor. The main
contacts, illustrated in the diagrams below as M1, M2, M3, reference the contacts
that must be closed to start or run the motor. Capacitors should be connected on
the motor side of the main contacts.
Figure 12: Capacitor schemes for multi-speed motors

4.3 Selecting kVAR for Bulk Correction
4.3.1 Power Factor Improvement Table
To properly select the amount of kVAR required to correct the lagging power
factor of a total system for Bulk Correction you must have three pieces of
information:
• kW (kilowatts) load profiles (Minimum 1 month)

• Existing Average Power Factor in percent for 1 month
• Desired Power Factor in percent
The formula to calculate the required kVAR is:
Factor from Table 1 x kW = kVAR of capacitors required.
Figure 13: Capacitor schemes for bulk correction

Exercise No.3
One customer has maximum load of 3000 kW & average power factor at 0.74.
Due to having power factor less than 0.85 (Based on Tariff), the customer is
charged power factor penalty.
What is the size of capacitor bank to improve power factor from 0.74 to 0.95?
Exercise No.4

4.3.2 Direct calculation
Capacitor size (kVAr) = kW x (Tangent φ1 – Tangent φ2) (13)
φ1 - Angle for existing power factor
φ2 – Angle for desired power factor
kW – kW Load
EXAMPLE
Calculation
Existing power factor = Cos φ1 = 0.65
Maximum load = 2000 kW
Desired power factor = Cos φ2 = 0.90
Angle for existing power factor = φ1 = Cos-1(0.65) = 49.450
Angle for desired power factor = φ2 = Cos-1(0.90) = 25.840
Capacitor size (kVAr) = kW x (Tangent φ1 – Tangent φ2)
= 2000 x (Tan 49.450 – Tan 25.840)
= 1,369 kVAr

Exercise No.5 (Direct calculation)

5.0 MV CAPACITOR DESIGN
5.1 Function of a capacitor bank
Power capacitors are inexpensive source of reactive power. They provide a value
of Var, which is proportional to the square of the voltage applied. The reactance
of a capacitor bank varies inversely with the frequency:
Var ∝ V2 (14)
Xc = 1/(2πfC) (15)
So for high frequencies, they provide low impedance. The leading current drawn
by the capacitors gives a voltage rise through the inductive reactance of the
power system, which raises the operating voltage level.
A fixed bank of capacitor will furnish a fixed amount of Var at a constant voltage
to the load.
Power Capacitors can be designed to be operational for any voltage range.
5.2 Design of Power Capacitors
Capacitor Banks at 4.16 kV and below are normally connected in delta.
5.2.1 Difference between Delta and Wye Connection
Figure 14 shows the capacitor bank connections that are the topic of this section.
The only other popular connection that is not shown is the grounded-wye and
split wye-connected capacitor bank. The following key points can be made in
regard to bank connection under normal and abnormal system conditions.
Bus Bar Connections: From looking at Figure 14, it should be evident that the
ungrounded-wye connection is much simpler in design than either of the two
delta connected banks. The crossover connection that connects phase "A" to
phase "C" to close the delta is complicated at the medium voltage level due to
clearance requirements.

Figure 14: Connection and fusing arrangements for ungrounded-wye and

delta connected capacitor banks
Fusing: Figure 14 also shows common fusing practices for each of the bank
arrangements. The Figure shows that the delta connected bank can be protected
by placing the fuses inside or outside of the delta. Two fuses per single phase
capacitor are required when fusing inside of the delta, but their rating is
decreased to 57% of the outside fuse rating. The fuses outside of the delta are
sized in the same way as the fuses for the ungrounded-wye connected capacitor
bank.
Capacitor: Except for voltage rating, the capacitors in both ungrounded-wye and
delta-connected banks are the same and will have the same kvar rating. They
consists of a double bushing design, meaning both terminals are fully insulated
from their case (ground). On delta connected banks, the capacitors have a line-
to-line voltage rating, and on a wye-connected banks, they have a line-to-neutral
voltage rating.
Fault Conditions: A capacitor typically fails in two ways: 1) A bushing to case

fault occurs. 2) The internal sections fail (commonly known as a dielectric fault),
which basically shorts the capacitor terminals. Whether the capacitors are delta
or wye-connected, a bushing fault will have the same impact on the power
system.

Internal section faults, or dielectric faults appear differently to a power system.

On a delta connected bank, an internal section fault subjects the power system to
a phase-to-phase bolted fault. This fault will cause a major voltage sag on the
facilities power system (until the capacitor fuse(s) blow) and may cause capacitor
case rupture if not properly protected.
It also subjects the power system to high magnitude fault currents, which can
impose mechanical and thermal stress on components in the fault path. On a
wye-ungrounded capacitor bank, internal section faults subject the power system
to a fault current that is three times the banks rating (until the capacitor fuse
blows). Therefore, the voltage sag, mechanical and thermal stressing associated
with the fault, and case rupture concerns are reduced.
5.3 Design of Power Capacitor Banks > 4.16 kV
5.3.1 Capacitor unit & Capacitor Bank configuration
Capacitor bank Capacitor Unit Capacitor element
Figure 15: Power capacitor bank major components

Figure 16: Components of a capacitor unit
5.3.2 Capacitor construction
Capacitors are manufactured in individual units that are combined in parallel and
series arrangements to give the desired voltage rating and total kVar needed for
the application.

5.3.3 Basic design of power capacitor
5.3.3.1 MV Capacitor banks
There are two principal types of capacitor bank construction in MV range. The
selection will depend on the location in the system where they are connected and
the kVar capability of the bank.
The types of bank most often applied are the outdoor rack and the pole mount
design.
This approach is suitable for large, MV capacitor banks of any designated kVar
rating and voltage.
The voltage range starts from 11 kV and goes up as high as the application
requires. The kVar Capacity stars from 300 kVar and can be designed as large
as required. These designs will include racks for mounting and individual unit
fuses.
The second type of equipment available is the enclosed or house construction.

The housing is built to enclose the capacitor, switching device, and the automatic
sensing and control equipment.
These are used when where a relatively small bank of capacitors is needed to
improve the voltage profile and capacity on a distribution feeder.
The second variety of housed equipment can includes larger rated banks, up to
6,000 kVar or 6 Mvar. The capacitor units are individually fused. Suitable
Vacuum switches or Contactors can be utilized and operated by automatic
sensing and control.
5.3.3.2 Capacitor connection
There are a number of ways in which a capacitor bank may be connected, with
the choice being dependent on:-
1. The voltage level of the system

2. The kVar capacity of the Capacitor Bank
3. The system grounding
4. The desired relay protection
Once individual capacitor units are selected to meet the voltage requirements of
the system, then the number of parallel unit are selected to meet the bank kVar
requirements.

Two criteria are applied to determine the minimum allowable number of

paralleled capacitor units in each phase.
These criteria are as follows:
• The loss of one capacitor unit in a phase should not produce a voltage across
the remaining units in that phase exceeding 110 % of rated voltage.
• In the event of a failure of a unit, sufficient fault current should flow to ensure
clearing in 300s or less. It should be pointed out that the 300s time span is a
maximum and 30 s or less is a more desirable time span.
5.3.3.3 Y-Y Ungrounded Connection
Industrial and commercial capacitor banks are normally connected ungrounded

wye, with paralleled units to make up the total kvar. It is recommended that a
minimum of 4 paralleled units to be applied to limit the over voltage on the
remaining units when one is removed from the circuit. If only one unit is needed
to make the total kVar, the units in the other phases will not be overloaded if it
fails.
In an industrial or commercial power systems the capacitors are not grounded for
a variety of reasons. Industrial systems are often resistance grounded. A
grounded wye connection on the capacitor bank would provide a path for zero
sequence currents and the possibility of a false operation of ground fault relays.
Also, the protective relay scheme would be sensitive to system line-to-ground

voltage unbalance, which could also result in false relay tripping.

5.3.3.4 Y-Y Capacitor Bank design
Figure 17: Typical Medium Voltage Y-Y Capacitor design

5.3.3.4.1 Y-Y Connection

CT
REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
BUSBAR 11 KV
red 40 uH REACTOR
333 333 333 333 333

kVar kVar kVar kVar kVar
yellow 40 uH REACTOR
333 333 333 333 333

Blue 40 uH REACTOR
333 333 333 333 333

BUSBAR 11 KV
UNBALANCE RELAY
Figure 18: Typical Medium Voltage Y-Y Capacitor single line diagram

CT
REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
2 MVar 3 MVar
BUSBAR 11 KV
Figure 19: Y-Y connection for a 5 Mvar Capacitor Bank 11 kV (1)
Description of a typical 5 MVar 11 kV Capacitor Bank
1. Rating per capacitor unit = 333 kVar, 6.35 kV (VLN)
2. Number of capacitor units for a 5 MVar capacitor bank
= 15 (15 x 333 kVar = 5 MVar)
3. Rated reactive current (Ikvar) = 5 Mvar / (√3 x 11 kV) = 262 Amp
4. Connection of capacitor bank = Ungrounded Y-Y (2Y)
5. Sizing per Y (First Y = 2 Mvar, Second Y = 3 Mvar)

red 40 uH REACTOR
833 833
kVar kVar
yellow 40 uH REACTOR
833 833
kVar kVar
Blue 40 uH REACTOR
833 833
kVar kVar
BUSBAR 11 KV
UNBALANCE RELAY
Description of a typical 5 MVar 11 kV Capacitor Bank
2. Number of capacitor units for a 5 MVar capacitor bank
= 6 (6 x 833 kVar = 5 MVar)
3. Rated reactive current (Ikvar) = 5 Mvar / (√3 x 11 kV) = 262 Amp
4. Connection of capacitor bank = Ungrounded Y-Y (2Y)
5. Sizing per Y (First Y = 2.5 Mvar, Second Y = 2.5 Mvar)

40 uH
REACTOR
225 225 225 225 225 225 225 225

kVar kVar kVar kVar kVar kVar kVar kVar
40 uH
REACTOR
225 225 225 225 225 225 225 225

40 uH
REACTOR
225 225 225 225 225 225 225 225

BUSBAR 11 KV
UNBALANCE RELAY
Description of a typical 5.4 MVar 11 kV Capacitor Bank
2. Number of capacitor units for a 5.4 MVar capacitor bank
= 24 (24 x 225 kVar = 5.4 MVar)
3. Rated reactive current (Ikvar) = 5.4 Mvar / (√3 x 11 kV) = 283 Amp
Connection of capacitor bank = Ungrounded Y-Y (2Y)

5.3.3.4.1.1 Series connection
Basic rating of MV capacitor unit: Q kVar, VLN (Voltage phase-neutral)
Example: 333 kVar, 6.35 kV, 26.3 uF
Configuration of 3-phase MV Capacitor: Ungrounded Star (Y)
Example 1: Configuration of 1.0 MVar, 11 kV Capacitor Bank
333 kVar
11 kV
333 kVar
333 kVar
11 kV
Three phase MVar rating = 0.33 MVar + 0.33 MVar + 0.33 MVar = 1.0 MVar
Phase to phase voltage rating= √3x6.35 kV = 11 kV

Basic rating of MV capacitor unit: Q kVar, VLN (Voltage phase-neutral)
Example: 333 kVar, 6.35 kV, 26.3 uF

Configuration of 3-phase MV Capacitor: Ungrounded Star (Y)
Example 2: Configuration of 0.333 MVar, 33 kV Capacitor Bank
Red Phase
333 kVar
111 kVar
333 kVar
333 kVar
33 kV
Yellow Phase
Blue Phase
Three phase MVar rating = 0.11 MVar + 0.11 MVar + 0.11 MVar = 0.33 MVar
Phase to phase voltage rating= √3x(3x6.35 kV) =33 kV

5.3.3.4.1.2 Parallel connection
C1 C2 C3
a. Equivalent kVar (Q) per phase
Example:
Rating of each capacitor unit (C1, C2, C3): 333 kVar, 6.35 kV, 26.3 uF
Calculation:
The equivalent reactance (XT) = XC1 + XC2 + XC3
Formula: Capacitive reactance (XC) = 1/ ωC, ω = 2x3.14x50
The equivalent reactance (XT) = 1/ ωC1 + 1/ ωC2 +1/ ωC3 = 1/ ωCT
∴ 1/ CT =1/ C1 + 1/ C2 +1/ C3
Equivalent kVar per phase = (VoltageLN)2 x ω x CT
Three phase voltage rating = √3x(3x6.35 kV) = 33 kV
Sample calculation:
1/CT = 1/(26.3uF) + 1/(26.3uF) + 1/(26.3uF) =0.114
CT = 8.77 uF
Total Q per phase = 6.35kV2 x ω x CT = 111 kVar
Three phase Q = 3 x 111 kVar = 333 kVar = 0.333 Mvar

C1 C2 C3
b. Equivalent kVar (Q) per phase
Example:
Rating of each capacitor unit (C1, C2, C3): 333 kVar, 6.35 kV, 26.3 uF
Calculation:
The equivalent reactance (1/XT) = 1/XC1 + 1/XC2 + 1/XC3
Formula: Capacitive reactance (XC) = 1/ ωC, ω = 2x3.14x50
The equivalent reactance (1/XT) = ωC1 + ωC2 +ωC3 = ωCT
∴ CT =C1 + C2 + C3
Equivalent kVar per phase = (VoltageLN)2 x ω x CT
Three phase voltage rating = √3x6.35 kV = 11 kV
Sample calculation:
CT = 26.3uF + 26.3uF+ 26.3uF = 78.9 uF
Total Q per phase = 6.35kV2 x ω x CT = 999 kVar
Or simply adding up all the capacitor values in parallel
= 333 kVar+333kVar+333 kVar = 999 kVar

MEDIUM VOLTAGE CAPACITOR & POWER FACTOR MANAGEMENT
Exercise No.6 Y-Y connection for 5 MVAR 11 kV
NOTA:

Single line diagram for 5 MVAR 11 kV

Exercise No.7 Y-Y connection for 4 MVAR, 11 kV
Capacitor Unit
333 kVar
6.35 kV

Capacitor Unit
333 kVar
6.35 kV

Capacitor Unit
333 kVar
6.35 kV

Exercise No.10 Current for 5 MVAR, 33 kV
Capacitor Unit
333 kVar
6.35 kV

Exercise No.11 Current for 3 MVAR, 11 kV
Capacitor Unit
333 kVar
6.35 kV

5.3.4 Calculation of Capacitive Current (Ikvar)
Power factor = cos φ
Ic = kvar /(√3 x VLL) 3-phase (16)
Ic = kvar /(VLN) 1-phase (17)
From equation (13)
kVar for PF Correction kVar = kW x (tan φ1-tan φ2)
Figure 21: Capacitive current for a 5 Mvar Capacitor Bank 11 kV
ILSAS/MFF/2007
Page 60 of 136
5.3.5 Capacitor current during failure of capacitor cans
Figure 22: Calculation for 1 capacitor can failure
ILSAS/MFF/2007
Page 61 of 136
5.3.5.1 Technical equations
a. Ic = kVar /(√3 x VLL) (18)
2
b. Var = V ωC (19)
c. V=IxZ (20)
d. I = V/Z (21)
e. X= 1/ [ωC] (22)
f. Var= V2ωC (23)
g. V2= Var / ωC (24)
h. (IX)2= Var x X (25)
i. I2= Var/X (26)
j. I= √ (Var/X) (27)
ILSAS/MFF/2007
Page 62 of 136
5.3.6 Relationship between kVar, current & impedance
Example 5 MVar, 11 kV
Figure 23: Single line diagram for 5 MVAR 11 kV

Figure 24 Connection diagram in uF for 5 MVar 11 kV

Figure 25 Connection diagram in ohm for 5 MVar 11 kV

Figure 26 Calculation of Amp based on Total Impedance

Exercise No.12 Calculate the current if one capacitor can is damaged.

5.3.7 Estimation of neutral current
IA = [IR2 + IY2 + IB2] (28)
IB = [ (IR x IY ) + ( IYx IB ) + ( IB x IR) ] (29)
I neutral = √ [IA – IB] (30)

5.4 Design of Power Capacitor Banks < 4.16 kV
5.4.1 Delta connection
VCB
Fuses
Discharge resistors
Figure 30: Delta connection Capacitors
Capacitor: Except for voltage rating, the capacitors in both ungrounded-wye and
delta-connected banks are the same and will have the same kvar rating. They
consists of a double bushing design, meaning both terminals are fully insulated
from their case (ground). On delta connected banks, the capacitors have a line-
to-line voltage rating, and on a wye-connected banks, they have a line-to-neutral
voltage rating.

case rupture if not properly protected. It also subjects the power system to high
magnitude fault currents, which can impose mechanical and thermal stress on
components in the fault path.

On a wye-ungrounded capacitor bank, internal section faults subject the power

system to a fault current that is three times the banks rating (until the capacitor
fuse blows). Therefore, the voltage sag, mechanical and thermal stressing
associated with the fault, and case rupture concerns are reduced.
5.4.2 Calculation of Capacitor value (kVar) for Delta Capacitor
kVar (3-phase)
= 2/3 x (Total 3 phase uF) x ω x Volt2 /1000 (31)
ω = 2xπ x f f = 50 Hz
Volt= Volt rating at Capacitor Can
Example:
Voltage rating per Capacitor 415 Volt
uF
Figure 31: Capacitance measurement for Delta Capacitor using Capacitance

meter
Capacitance values for phase-phase values
R-Y 375 uF
Y-B 375 uF
B-R 375 uF

kVar (3-phase)
= 2/3 x (375uF + 375uF + 375 uF) x ω x Volt2 /1000
= 2/3 x (375uF + 375uF + 375 uF) x 2x3.14x50 x 4152/1000 = 40.6 kVar
Exercise No.13 Calculation of kVar for Delta Capacitor
Voltage rating per Capacitor 3.3 kV
uF

meter
R-Y 146.22 uF
Y-B 146.22 uF
B-R 146.22 uF
kVar (3-phase) =

5.4.3 Calculation of Capacitive Current (Ikvar)
Power factor = cos φ
Ic = kvar /(√3 x VLL) 3-phase (32)
Example:
Capacitor kVar (3-phase delta) = 50 kVar
Voltage rating = 415 Volt
Ic = kvar /(√3 x VLL) = 50 kVar / (√3 x 415 Volt ) = 69.56 Amp
Exercise No.14 Calculation of kVar for Delta Capacitor
Capacitor values (3-phase delta) 1 MVAR

6.0 PROTECTION OF Y-Y CAPACITORS
Complete protection must be provided for a capacitor installation. This will

consist of protecting the individual units as well as the bank. Both fuses and
relays must be employed depending upon the rating of the bank, its location in
the system and other factors.
Fusing is used to remove a failed capacitor unit from the system.
Relays and breakers are applied for overall bank protection and for switching.
6.1 Capacitor fusing
The major purposes of capacitor fusing are:
1. To maintain service continuity

2. To prevent damage to adjacent capacitors and equipment or injury to
personnel
3. To provide visual indication of a failed unit
4. To limit the energy into a faulted unit to help prevent case rupture
The requirements for proper fuse selection are as follows-
a. The rated voltage of the fuse should not be less than rated voltage of the
capacitor with which it is used. Since capacitors are designed to operate
continuously at 110 % rated voltage, the fuse should also have a voltage
rating, which has at least 110 % of the capacitor unit rating.
b. The maximum interrupting rating of the fuse should be greater than the
available short circuit current, which can flow if a capacitor unit is shorted.
This may the application of current limiting fuses in place of explosion fuses
for large bank rating and for banks connected to buses with high short circuit
capacity.
c. The fuse should have a time-current clearing characteristic that lies below the
time-current case rupture probability characteristics of the capacitor units to
be applied.
d. The selected fuse should have sufficient rating to carry 165 % of rated
capacitor currents. This margin allows for temporary over voltage, harmonic
currents, switching surges, and manufacturing tolerance in the capacitor itself.
e. The fuse must clear the minimum over current resulting due to a failed unit
within 300 seconds maximum and as stated earlier 30 seconds or less is
desirable. On grounded wye and delta-connected banks, obtaining this

clearing time is not a problem. For ungrounded wye connected banks, it is

more difficult since a failed unit causes about 3 times normal fault current to
flow through the fuse protecting the faulted phase. In some cases, it becomes
necessary to reduce the rating of the fuse to minimum current of 150 % of
normal. This is permissible because ungrounded banks do not need
allowance for zero sequence currents.
f. The fuse must be capable of withstanding the energy contributed to a unit by

other capacitors in the same group as the faulted unit.
6.2 Relaying protection
In addition to the individual capacitor unit protection through the use of the
individual or group fusing, additional relay protection for the whole bank is
required. The 2 basic type of relay protection used with medium voltage
capacitors are;
1) over-current relaying of major equipment faults and

2) relaying to identify loss of units within a bank.
Over-current relaying is needed for removal of the capacitor bank in the event of
a fault between the switching device and the bank itself.
The relay should be chosen so that the highest magnitude of inrush current
associated with the capacitor switching will not trip the circuit breaker
immediately as the bank is energized. Also, if a capacitor unit fault occurs the
relay should delay operation until the fuse clears.
Relays with an inverse time current characteristics are usually used and settings
are selected to override these 2 conditions. However, the relay may also have a
very inverse or extremely inverse time current characteristics if coordination with
other system protective devices required it.
Instantaneous over current relays are not often utilized since they are likely to trip
unnecessarily when the bank is energized.
Relaying for the detection of the loss of capacitor units and guarding against
excessive operating voltages should be used as protective measure supplement
to the periodic visual inspection of individual unit fuses. This is because there will
be a compromise between a relaying method of adequate sensitivity which is
also immune to undesirable operation due to harmonics, system voltage
unbalances, external faults and unbalance due to the varying capacitance of the
individual capacitor units.

It is important to note that except for short periods of time, the voltage across the
capacitors should not exceed 110 % of rated voltage. On large banks, it is
recommended that some type of protection be provided which will relay the bank
off if the capacitors in a parallel group are subjected to over voltage, because of
the loss of a portion of the units in the group.
This would also protect the bank when an entire parallel group was shorted by a
foreign object.
6.2.1 Common scheme for ungrounded bank
Figure 33 is an effective arrangement for ungrounded bank. The potential

transformer (PT) will detect a change in voltage across the phase if one or more
units are removed. The secondary windings of the PT are connected in broken
delta and used in series with the coil of a voltage sensitivity relay.
PT Secondary
PT Primary
UnGrounded
Neutral
Voltage Relay
Figure 33 Unbalance Phase Voltage

PT
Voltage
relay
Figure 34: Voltage Imbalance between neutrals
CT
Current
relay
Figure 35: Current Imbalance between neutrals

Potential transformers have an advantage over capacitor potential devices in that

they furnish a discharge path for the capacitors, and will discharge the capacitors
in a much softer time than the discharge resistors built into the capacitors. Use of
the potential transformers as a discharge path will be effective only if the
transformers have the thermal capability to pass the current associated with the
stored energy in the bank. The kVar rating of the bank will determine the energy
storage capability and this should be matched against the energy absorption
capability of as transformer as shown in Figure 33.
The internal resistors built into each individual capacitor unit will also discharge
the bank but this requires about five minutes for high voltage units and one
minute for low voltage units. For automatically controlled banks this may be too
long a time.
If the bank is switched on while still charged from a previous energization higher
than normal transient currents may be experienced. The time delay and normal
operating sequences of any switching controls should be reviewed to insure that
the bank will have a sufficient time to discharge to a safe level before being re
energized.
The schemes shown in Figure 34 & 35 are known as double-wye schemes and
they have considerable merit. They offer protection similar to that of Figure 34
and are less expensive since they require only a single PT or CT. For smaller
banks, it may be expensive to split the banks into 2 wye groups, or it may be
impossible to do so and still keep the voltage on the remaining units below 110 %
of rated in the event of the loss of an individual unit.
On larger banks it may be easier to connect the bank into 2 wye configurations.
In such case, the protection provide by the relays is equivalent and can be
achieved at less cost than Figure 33, making the double wye protection more
attractive, particularly on industrial systems where there is no advantage to
grounding the neutral connection of the bank.

6.2.2 Common scheme for single wye capacitor bank
When conditions are such that single wye banks must be used, the scheme of
Figure 36 & 37 can be used for over voltage protection. This provides a low cost
protective arrangement but it requires that the neutral point be grounded. As
noted earlier, the ground arrangement is not often used by industrials for several
reasons, one of them, being possible interference from ground relaying. Use of a
third harmonic filter would permit setting the relay at a fairly low value of pickup.
Voltage
relay
Voltage
relay
PT
Resistor
Figure 36 Neutral Voltage Figure 37 Neutral Current
No over voltage protection scheme will provide positive protection against over
voltage all cases. The basic theory of all schemes is the detection of current or
voltage unbalance. There is some inherent unbalance in capacitor banks, and
the relaying must be set above the maximum inherent unbalance which can
occur if false trip-outs are to be avoided. The inherent unbalance is due to mainly
to harmonic currents and voltages, and varying capacitance of the capacitors.
The tolerance of a power capacitor is minus zero to + 15 % with the average

being about 4 %. When individual units are placed in racks and stacked for high
voltage banks, the capacitance of the racks in each phase leg may vary. This
causes normal condition unbalance and makes it more difficult to detect small
unbalance due to removal of faulted units if a parallel group. If it is considered
necessary to balance the phases closely, it is possible by special arrangement at
the factory. The problem of phase unbalance tends to diminish as the bank rating
increases.
In cases where a large number of capacitor units, say 20 or more, are used in a
parallel group, it may not be possible to detect the loss of one unit, since the
relays cannot be set to sensitive because of natural unbalances.

This is not too important, since the loss of one unit in such a large group does not
raise the voltage on the remaining units above the allowable 10 % over voltage.
In most cases, the relaying can be set to operate because dangerous conditions
exist, without serious danger of false operation.
On large installation, it is good practice to use 2 relays. One will sound an alarm
when one or more units have failed but dangerous voltages are not yet present.
The second relay will trip if allowable over voltage is exceeded. Such procedure
has the advantage of keeping the bank in service when possible while indicating
that capacitors have failed yet still protect the capacitors from serious over-
voltages.
The summary of the characteristics of the several relay arrangements is shown in

Table 2.
Table 2: Characteristics of Protective Relaying Methods
Type of Figure Sensitive Sensitive Sensitive Number Number

protective to to 3rd to system of CT of PT
relaying Switching harmonic voltage required required
Transient voltage & unbalance
currents
Unbalance 33 Yes No No - 3
phase
voltage
Voltage 34 Yes No No - 1
unbalance
between
neutral
Current 35 Yes No No 1 -
unbalance
between
neutrals
Neutral 36 Yes Yes Yes - 1
voltage
Neutral 37 Yes Yes Yes 1 -
current

REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
11 kV Fuses
Unbalance CT
2 MVar 3 MVar
CT
Description of relays:
A- Overcurrent & earthfault relays
B-Unbalance relay
A B
Relays Ammeter
Figure 38 Relay configurations for a 5 Mvar 11 kV capacitor

6.3 The concept of unbalance current flow
If all the capacitor units in the Y-Y configuration are healthy, the value of the
reactive currents at the phases are equal, thus there will be no current flow in the
neutral conductor.
Once a capacitor unit deteriorates, its capacitance value will be reduced. The
overall capacitance for the particular phase the capacitor unit is connected will no
longer equal to the other two phases.
Different capacitance will give different values of reactive current flows. A neutral
current will then be introduced in the neutral conductor.
If the neutral current exceed the prescribed limits i.e. 6-9 Amp, then the voltage
across the capacitors will exceed 110 % of the rated voltage.
This will lead to the damage of the other capacitor units.
The flow of the neutral current can be detected by installing a CT across the
neutral conductor as shown in the diagram above. The size of the CT is 10/5.
The CT is then connected to a specific relay i.e. to be used to monitor the current
flow and for tripping purposes. The monitoring of the neutral current is done in
two stages.
The first stage, setting of 60 % of the CT rating, is aimed to be as an alarm to

inform the user of the possible deterioration process.
The second stage, setting of 90 % of the CT rating, is aimed for tripping

purposes. If the amount of neutral current is ≥ 90 %, the circuit breaker will trip off
the circuit connected to the capacitor bank.

6.4 Basics on relay unbalance & Unbalance CT
Description: -
• The unbalance CT & relay monitor the neutral current inside the capacitor
bank.
• A healthy Capacitor bank that’s operational will give neutral current = 0.
• When one of the capacitor can fail, the neutral current ≠ 0
6.4.1 Types of protection schemes
a. Stage One
This scheme will be activated when one or more capacitor cans experience
failure. The circuit breaker for the feeder will not be activated if there is no
existence of voltage in the capacitor bank more than 110 % of nominal.
b. Stage Two
This scheme will be activated when the voltage level inside the capacitor bank
exceed 110 %.
6.4.2 Example on settings of unbalance relay & OCEF relay
Relays CT Ratio 1st stage 2nd stage Setting TMS

O/C, E/F 300/5 100% - 5 Amp 0.2
Unbalance 10/5 60% 90% 3 Amp 0.5

6.5 Typical settings for a 11 kV 3-5 MVar Y-Y Capacitor Banks
In this example, the capacitance values of 4 capacitor units in the red phase
have deteriorated from 26.3 uF to 24.0 uF. The overall value of available reactive
power for the red phase is thus reduced from 1.7 Mvar to 1.5 Mvar.
Due to this unbalance between the phases, a neutral current of 7.8 Amp is then
detected at the neutral conductor by the unbalance CT.
The first stage of the unbalance relay will then be activated.
Table 2 Example on relay settings
Capacitor kV Rated CT for O/C E/F TMS Un- 1st 2nd

balance
Bank (MVar) Amp relay CT stage stage
5 11 262 400 /5 75% 20% 0.10 10 / 5 60% 90%
4 11 210 400 /5 75% 20% 0.10 10 / 5 60% 90%
3 11 157 400 /5 50% 20% 0.10 10 / 5 60% 90%
Capacitor kV Rated CT for O/C E/F TMS Un- 1st 2nd

balance
Bank (MVar) Amp relay CT stage stage
5 11 262 300 / 5 100% 20% 0.10 10 / 5 60% 90%
4 11 210 300 / 5 75% 20% 0.10 10 / 5 60% 90%
3 11 157 300 / 5 75% 20% 0.10 10 / 5 60% 90%

6.6 Lightning protection
In common with other apparatus connected to a power system, capacitors should

be protected by surge arresters. Here the primary function is protection of the
capacitor bank and not the system itself. The choice between surge arrester
rated for grounded neutral service or ungrounded neutral service should be in
accordance with established industry practices.
The rating of surge arresters (line-to-ground) is determined by the system

grounding, and is not related to the grounding or lack thereof, of the capacitors
themselves.
Occasionally, the suggestion is made that surge arresters are unnecessary for
capacitor banks which are Y-Connected with grounded neutral. It is true that
capacitors so connected do have some ability to slope off the crest front of an
incoming wave and to reduce its crest value. However, this ability is limited by
the size of the capacitor bank and the amount of energy to be expected in a
given surge or lighting stroke is indeterminate.
In the usual case for an industrial system with an ungrounded capacitor bank,
properly applied surge arresters will help protect the capacitors and other system
components by shunting the surge current to ground.

Three phase capacitors use fuses in the line because they are connected delta
Internally. Normally branch fuses are used for single-phase capacitors connected
delta. However, on the smaller banks mentioned above, the single phase
capacitors could be connected delta and fused outside the delta (In the line.) On
small banks that have only one capacitor per phase, this should be the method of
choice when the neutral of the capacitor bank is not grounded.
When the bank has higher kvar ratings and units are placed in parallel, the in line
fusing becomes large, and may not coordinate with the tank rupture curve of the
capacitor and the upstream co-ordination may not be possible.
For example, consider both fusing methods for a 450 kVAR, 4160 volts delta
connected bank, using 150 kVAR per phase, will require the following fusing:
• "In line fusing" Or, "group fusing"
450 kVAR/(4.16 KV x √3) = 62.45 amps x 1.5 = 93.68 amps
... a 100-amp fuse is required.
• In branch fusing
150 kVAR/4.16 KV = 36 amps x 1.5 = 54 amps
... a 60-amp fuse can be used.
There are other potential problems in fusing a delta-connected bank with "in
branch" fusing. It is a normal practice utilized in metal enclosed banks to install
two bushing capacitors connected phase to phase with the capacitor tank
grounded to the frame. In some cases, the user only applies one fuse per phase.
This could be dangerous. When a capacitor starts to fail and the fuse operates
the capacitor is still in the circuit via the second bushing. The failure within the
capacitor is fed thru this connection and eventually the major insulation of the
can will fail and the capacitor tank will rupture.
The other method is to use two fuses, i.e. one per bushing. This gives the user a
false sense of security. In this case both fuses would have to operate before the
failed capacitor can be effectively removed from the system. Normally only one of
the fuses operates, which will be the one nearest the faulted packs. The other
bushing remains connected to the system via the good fuse. The result is still an
eventual major insulation failure if the bank is not removed from service.

The burning between packs could possibly continue due to the second bushing
still being energized via the second fuse. During this condition a low energy fault
could be developed. The current limiting fuse still in the circuit will be getting
warm while the capacitor could be boiling. Eventually the major insulation will be
breached grounding the faulted capacitor through the tank to frame, and there
will be a race between the capacitor and the fuse to see if the fuse will clear
before the capacitor ruptures.
7.2 Comparison between fusing arrangement for Delta & Y capacitors
Complete protection must be provided for a capacitor installation. This will

consist of protecting the individual units as well as the bank. Both fuses and
relays must be employed depending upon the rating of the bank, its location in
the system and other factors.
Fusing is used to remove a failed capacitor unit from the system.
Relays and breakers are applied for overall bank protection and for switching.
Figure 40: Connection and fusing arrangements for ungrounded-wye and

delta connected capacitor banks

Fusing: Figure 40 also shows common fusing practices for each of the bank
arrangements. The Figure shows that the delta connected bank can be protected
by placing the fuses inside or outside of the delta. Two fuses per single phase
capacitor are required when fusing inside of the delta, but their rating is
decreased to 57% of the outside fuse rating. The fuses outside of the delta are
sized in the same way as the fuses for the ungrounded-wye connected capacitor
bank.
Fault Conditions: A capacitor typically fails in two ways: 1) A bushing to case

fault occurs. 2) The internal sections fail (commonly known as a dielectric fault),
which basically shorts the capacitor terminals. Whether the capacitors are delta
or wye-connected, a bushing fault will have the same impact on the power
system.

case rupture if not properly protected.
It also subjects the power system to high magnitude fault currents, which can
impose mechanical and thermal stress on components in the fault path. On a
wye-ungrounded capacitor bank, internal section faults subject the power system
to a fault current that is three times the banks rating (until the capacitor fuse
blows). Therefore, the voltage sag, mechanical and thermal stressing associated
with the fault, and case rupture concerns are reduced.
7.2.1 Capacitor fusing
The major purposes of capacitor fusing are:
• To maintain service continuity

• To prevent damage to adjacent capacitors and equipment or injury to
personnel
• To provide visual indication of a failed unit
• To limit the energy into a faulted unit to help prevent case rupture
The requirements for proper fuse selection are as follows-
• The rated voltage of the fuse should not be less than rated voltage of the
capacitor with which it is used. Since capacitors are designed to operate
continuously at 110 % rated voltage, the fuse should also have a voltage
rating, which has at least 110 % of the capacitor unit rating.

• The maximum interrupting rating of the fuse should be greater than the
available short circuit current, which can flow if a capacitor unit is shorted.
This may the application of current limiting fuses in place of explosion fuses
for large bank rating and for banks connected to buses with high short circuit
capacity.
• The fuse should have a time-current clearing characteristic that lies below the
time-current case rupture probability characteristics of the capacitor units to
be applied.
• The selected fuse should have sufficient rating to carry 165 % of rated
capacitor currents. This margin allows for temporary over voltage, harmonic
currents, switching surges, and manufacturing tolerance in the capacitor itself.
• The fuse must clear the minimum over current resulting due to a failed unit
within 300 seconds maximum and as stated earlier 30 seconds or less is
desirable. On grounded wye and delta-connected banks, obtaining this
• clearing time is not a problem. For ungrounded wye connected banks, it is

more difficult since a failed unit causes about 3 times normal fault current to
flow through the fuse protecting the faulted phase. In some cases, it becomes
necessary to reduce the rating of the fuse to minimum current of 150 % of
normal. This is permissible because ungrounded banks do not need
allowance for zero sequence currents.
• The fuse must be capable of withstanding the energy contributed to a unit by

other capacitors in the same group as the faulted unit.

7.3 Relaying protection
In addition to the individual capacitor unit protection through the use of the
individual or group fusing, additional relay protection for the whole bank is
required. The type of relay protection used with Delta capacitors are;
• Over-current relaying of major equipment faults and
Over-current relaying is needed for removal of the capacitor bank in the event of
a fault between the switching device and the bank itself.
The relay should be chosen so that the highest magnitude of inrush current
associated with the capacitor switching will not trip the circuit breaker
immediately as the bank is energized. Also, if a capacitor unit fault occurs the
relay should delay operation until the fuse clears.
Relays with an inverse time current characteristics are usually used and settings
are selected to override these 2 conditions. However, the relay may also have a
very inverse or extremely inverse time current characteristics if coordination with
other system protective devices required it.
Instantaneous over current relays are not often utilized since they are likely to trip
unnecessarily when the bank is energized.

8.0 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR A Y-Y CAPACITOR BANK
8.1 Safety Regulations
When working with capacitor banks, the following safety regulations, in particular,
must be observed:
• Do not touch a capacitor bank until it has been completely discharged, short
circuited and grounded. Short circuit the capacitor units individually also, as if
there is an internal fault, such as a damaged discharge resistor, there may
still be a voltage even though the capacitor bank has been discharged.
• Normally capacitors have an internal discharge resistor, which reduces the

voltage of the unit to: 50 V within 5 minutes - AS2897 - 75V within 10 minutes
– IEC 871.
• Avoid skin contact with the impregnation fluid in the event of leakage, and
avoid breathing in fumes or gases from the impregnation fluid. In the event of
skin contact, wash with soap and water. If fluid gets into your eyes, rinse with
lukewarm water.
8.2 Maintenance Methodology for Y-Y Capacitor Banks
During normal operating conditions, capacitor bank needs no maintenance, but it

should be checked regularly as described below to ensure trouble-free operation.
To obtain trouble free operation a routine inspection of the following is

recommended:
a. Regular Inspection
An annual inspection is sufficient unless the capacitor bank is exposed to

abnormal conditions of any kind, such as excessive contamination.
At each inspection, proceed as follows-
• Perform a visual inspection of pollution, damage to the finish, leaking

capacitor units etc. The insulators and bushings should be wiped clean if
necessary. Under heavy pollution condition, cleaning should be carried out
more frequently.
• Check the setting values and operation of the protection relays.
• The unbalance current should be measured before disconnection

b. Check the Unbalance current in the Y-Y capacitor bank
If the unbalance protection has tripped the capacitor bank, all capacitor bank
units should be capacitance measured and fault units replaced. When replacing,
the capacitance difference between the fault and replacement units should not
differ by more than ± 1 character.
The unbalance current is checked after reconnection and should be less than 20
% of the operating value for the protection. And also if the current readings differ
from that obtained at the time of commissioning, there may be breakdown in one
or more of the internal capacitor elements. The change in current due to
breakdown in one element depends on the total number of elements in the
capacitor unit and on the connection arrangement of the capacitor bank.
However, the current deviation is seldom less than 15 % of the tripping value.
When the capacitor bank is made up of capacitors with internal fuses, an

unbalance current of up to 50 % of the tripping value of the protection system is
acceptable. Failures of singled elements do not affect the service ability of the
capacitor bank or significantly reduce its service life.
If the unbalance current exceeds 50 % of the tripping value, a capacitance

measurement of all capacitor units in the bank must be performed and faulty
units replaced.
The overall maintenance flowcharts are shown in Figure 41 & Figure 42

respectively.
If a VCB Trip –When the VCB tripping, it may be due to –
• Unbalance neutral current varies more than 20 %. The action to take is to

measure the capacitor units by Capacitor Bridge and to find out whether the
capacitors are in good working conditions or not.
• Cable Faults
• Test the main supply cable according to the present process for cable
inspection
• Shorting
Phase to phase shorting may be caused by conducting objects or conductors

shorted phase to phase.

FLOWCHART A
ROUTINE
NO
MAINTENANCE
START DONE
RECORD CURRENT (Neutral I) > 20% of
(PHASE+ NEUTRAL) Unbalance CT size?
YES
START
CAPACITOR
BANK HAS DISCONNECT
TRIPPED OFF CAPACITOR
WITHDRAW THE VCB TRUCK AND

LOCK MAIN BUSBAR SHUTTER WITH APPLY CIRCUIT MAIN WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES
A NON STANDARD LOCK AND HANG EARTH AT VCB TO DISCHARGE
SAFETY NOTICE
OPEN CAPACITOR BANK AND

INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
DISCHARGE USING MV
PROGRAM
DISCHARGE ROD
PROTECTION CAPACITOR REACTOR SAFETY REFER TO

11 kV CABLE
SCHEMES TOLERANCE TOLERANCE INTERLOCK FLOWCHART B
CAPACITOR CAN
BE COMMISSIONED
YES
MEET TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENT ?
NO
RECTIFICATION
Figure 41: Work process for maintenance of a Y-Y capacitor bank (1)

FLOWCHART B FROM FLOWCHART A TO FLOWCHART A

(CAPACIT OR (CAPACI TOR CAN
MAINTEN ANCE) BE
COMMIS SIONED)
PROTECTION CAPACITOR REACTOR SAFETY

11 kV CABLE
SCHEMES TOLERANCE TOLERANCE INTERLOCK
CLEANING CLEANING
TERMINATION OCEF RELAY OF OF
CONTACTS CONTACTS
UNBALANCE
INSULATION
RELAY CURRENT
INJECTION
TEST
UNBALANCE CT CAPACITANC E
CABLE ENTRY
RATIO TEST TEST
MEET TECHNICAL RECTIFICAT ION

REQUIREMENT ?
NO
Figure 42: Work process for maintenance of a Y-Y capacitor bank (2)

8.3 Maintenance program
8.3.1 Isolation procedure
• Line voltage with the capacitor bank connected respectively disconnected.

• Disconnect and isolate the Cap-Bank to be checked.
• Wait a minimum of 10 minutes for the capacitor bank to be discharged
• Short Circuit and earth the Capacitor Bank
• Short Circuit the terminals of each capacitor unit parallel group
Figure 43: Discharge capacitor banks using Discharge Rod

8.3.2 Exterior & interior maintenance program
At each inspection, proceed as follows:
1. Inspect the capacitor bank for dirt build up or leaking capacitor units.
2. Clean the insulators and bushings if necessary. Wash down the capacitor
bank if it is dirty.
8.3.2.1 Maintenance for the Enclosure Exterior
• Ensure enclosure is receiving adequate ventilation. Check to see if filters are

clean and airflow is not restricted. Replace filters and remove obstacles as
required.
• Ensure enclosure, enclosure doors, louvers, and rodent guards are adequate
to prevent entry of liquids, insects, and rodents. Clean and correct as
required.
• Inspect operation and adjustment of key interlock systems to determine if
security features are working properly. Correct deficiencies.
• Examine enclosure for corrosion and paint adherence. Repaint scratched or
marred exterior surfaces to closely match original finish, as required.
• Examine warning signs and placards. If not legible, replace.
• Clean all enclosure windows.
8.3.2.2 Maintenance for the Enclosure Interior
• Remove accumulated dust and dirt.

• Remove insects, nests, or animal material. Inspect for condensation. Clean
and inspect strip heaters and check thermostats.
• Check proper operation of ventilation equipment (fans) and thermostats.
Correct as required.
8.3.2.3 Bus Bar & Wiring
• Inspect for loose bus bar connections and discoloration. Tighten as required.
• Inspect for proper phase to phase and phase to ground clearance.
• Remove excess surface oxides from aluminum connectors.
• Inspect control wire connections, tighten as required.
• Inspect wire insulation for cuts, breakdown, or burns. Replace as required

8.3.3 Maintenance on the capacitor units
8.3.3.1 To take capacitance measurement
If the capacitor bank is not equipped with unbalance protection, all capacitor units
should be capacitance measured annually. Capacitance measurement of the
units in a capacitor bank with unbalance protection does not have to be included
in the regular inspection.
However, it should always be performed if the protection indicates a fault or

disconnects the capacitor bank. It is advisable to perform an annual inspection
despite of the regular inspection.
Measurement is easily performed using a Capacitance Bridge CB10.The internal

connection in the capacitor bank does not need to be opened to perform the
measurement. If the measured values deviate by more than 10 % from the value
stated in the routine test report, the capacitor unit should be replaced.
Normally, capacitance measurements do not have to a part of the regular

inspection when the bank is equipped with unbalance protection.
Capacitance measurement is only performed at fault indication or when the

unbalance protection has tripped the bank.
By using a capacitance bridge CB-10 the measurement can be performed

without making any disconnection within the capacitor bank.
8.3.3.2 Inspection
A leaking capacitor must be normally replaced. It is advisable to refer to the

Manufacturer of the product.
• Check for physical damage, leaks, bulges, or discoloration. Replace as

required.
• Clean capacitor case, insulation bushings, and any connectors that are dirty
or corroded.
• Check each capacitor for capacitive reactance by applying 120 volts to each
phase and measuring corresponding current. Verify with specification.
• Confirm kVar, voltage, and BIL rating for each capacitor. Verify with
specification.
• Verify internal discharge resistors are working properly. Replace cells as
required.

8.3.3.3 Capacitance Measurement
Acceptable capacitance reading
• -5% to 10 % up to 3 MVAr
• 0 % to 10 % from 3 MVAr to 30 MVAr
• 0% to 5 % for capacitor > 30 MVAr

CT
REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
uF
BUSBAR 11 KV
CAPACITANCE BRIDGE
Figure 44: Capacitance measurement using capacitance bridge CB10 (1)

CT
REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
uF
BUSBAR 11 KV
CAPACITANCE BRIDGE
Figure 45: Capacitance measurement using capacitance bridge CB10 (2)

Calculation of kVar using measurment values of uF
kVAR = kVOLT2 x (2πf) x Capacitance (uF) (33)
333 kVar 6.35 kV 2x3.14x50 26.3 uF
Exercise No.15
Phase Nameplate uF Measured uF % Diff

Red 26.3 26.1
Yellow 27.4 25.8
Blue 26.5 23.0
Please indicate the faulty capacitor can.

8.3.4 Reactor Test
CT
REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
X =VOLT/CURRENT
VOLT CURRENT
L = X / [2x3.14x 50) uH METER
INJECTION
TEST SET
BUSBAR 11 KV
Figure 46: Reactor test

Examples on test result
Description Red Yellow Blue

Volts, mV 63 63 63
Current, Amp 5 5 5
Z(Impedance) 0.0126 0.0126 0.0126
Inductance, uH 40.13 40.13 40.13
Note- This test requires a injection test set.
Z = Voltage/ Current = XL
XL = ω x L
ω = 2 x 3.14 x 50
L = XL / (2x3.14x50)

Exercise No.16

Volts, mV 123 124 126
Current, Amp 10 10 10
Z(Impedance)
Inductance, uH
Please calculate the values of the impedances & inductances

8.3.5 Unbalance CT Ratio Test
This test must be done using a current injection test set.

8.3.6 Insulators
• Check for cracks, chips, and signs of arc tracking. Replace as required.
• Clean insulators and barriers.
• Check all mounting hardware, tighten as required.
8.3.7 Fuses
• Check all capacitor fuses, control fuses, and PT fuses for blown fuses. Replace as required.
• Confirm proper fuse rating. Verify with specification.
• Check functioning of neutral unbalance sensor.
• Clean contact area of fuses and fuse holders.

8.3.8 Relay maintenance – OCEF & Unbalance
Relays CT Ratio 1st stage 2nd stage Setting TMS

O/C, E/F 300/5 100% - 5 Amp 0.2
Unbalance 10/5 60% 90% 3 Amp 0.1
Figure 47: OCEF & Unbalance relays

8.3.9 Trip test for unbalance relay
NOTA:

9.0 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR A DELTA CAPACITOR BANK
9.1 Safety Regulations
When working with capacitor banks, the following safety regulations, in particular,
must be observed:
• Do not touch a capacitor bank until it has been completely discharged, short
circuited and grounded. Short circuit the capacitor units individually also, as if
there is an internal fault, such as a damaged discharge resistor, there may
still be a voltage even though the capacitor bank has been discharged.
• Normally capacitors have an internal discharge resistor, which reduces the

voltage of the unit to: 50 V within 5 minutes - AS2897 - 75V within 10 minutes
– IEC 871.
• Avoid skin contact with the impregnation fluid in the event of leakage, and
avoid breathing in fumes or gases from the impregnation fluid. In the event of
skin contact, wash with soap and water. If fluid gets into your eyes, rinse with
lukewarm water.
9.2 Maintenance Methodology for Delta Capacitor Banks
During normal operating conditions, capacitor bank needs no maintenance, but it

should be checked regularly as described below to ensure trouble-free operation.
To obtain trouble free operation a routine inspection of the following is

recommended:
Regular Inspection
An annual inspection is sufficient unless the capacitor bank is exposed to

abnormal conditions of any kind, such as excessive contamination.
At each inspection, proceed as follows-
• Record the capacitor current
• Perform a visual inspection of pollution, damage to the finish, leaking

capacitor units etc. The insulators and bushings should be wiped clean if
necessary. Under heavy pollution condition, cleaning should be carried out
more frequently.
• Check the setting values and operation of the protection relays.

If a VCB Trip – When the VCB tripping, it may be due to –
• Cable Faults
• Test the main supply cable according to the existing process for cable
inspection
• Shorting
Phase to phase shorting may be caused by conducting objects or conductors

shorted phase to phase.
Maintenance procedure
The overall maintenance flowcharts are shown in Figure 48.

ROUTINE
YES
MAINTENANCE
START DONE
RECORD CURRENT CAPACITOR
(PHASE+ NEUTRAL) CURRENT = RATED
CURRENT ?
NO
START
CAPACITOR
BANK HAS DISCONNECT
TRIPPED OFF CAPACITOR
WITHDRAW THE VCB TRUCK AND

LOCK MAIN BUSBAR SHUTTER WITH APPLY CIRCUIT MAIN WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES
A NON STANDARD LOCK AND HANG EARTH AT VCB TO DISCHARGE
SAFETY NOTICE
OPEN CAPACITOR BANK AND

INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
DISCHARGE USING MV
PROGRAM
DISCHARGE ROD
PROTECTION CAPACITOR REACTOR SAFETY

MV CABLE
SCHEMES TOLERANCE TOLERANCE INTERLOCK
CAPACITOR CAN
BE COMMISSIONED
YES
MEET TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENT ?
NO
RECTIFICATION
Figure 48: Work process for maintenance of a Delta capacitor bank

9.3 Maintenance program
9.3.1 Isolation procedure
• Line voltage with the capacitor bank connected respectively disconnected.

• Disconnect and isolate the Cap-Bank to be checked.
• Wait a minimum of 10 minutes for the capacitor bank to be discharged
• Short Circuit and earth the Capacitor Bank
• Short Circuit the terminals of each capacitor unit parallel group
Figure 49: Discharge capacitor banks using Discharge Rod

9.3.2 Exterior & interior maintenance program
At each inspection, proceed as follows:
• Inspect the capacitor bank for dirt build up or leaking capacitor units.
• Clean the insulators and bushings if necessary. Wash down the capacitor
bank if it is dirty.
9.3.2.1 Maintenance for the Enclosure Exterior
• Ensure enclosure is receiving adequate ventilation. Check to see if filters are

clean and airflow is not restricted. Replace filters and remove obstacles as
required.
• Ensure enclosure, enclosure doors, louvers, and rodent guards are adequate
to prevent entry of liquids, insects, and rodents. Clean and correct as
required.
• Inspect operation and adjustment of key interlock systems to determine if
security features are working properly. Correct deficiencies.
9.3.2.2 Maintenance for the Enclosure Interior
• Remove accumulated dust and dirt.

• Remove insects, nests, or animal material. Inspect for condensation. Clean
and inspect strip heaters and check thermostats.
• Check proper operation of ventilation equipment (fans) and thermostats.
Correct as required.
9.3.2.3 Bus Bar & Wiring
• Inspect for loose bus bar connections and discoloration. Tighten as required.
• Inspect for proper phase to phase and phase to ground clearance.
• Remove excess surface oxides from aluminum connectors.
• Inspect control wire connections, tighten as required.
• Inspect wire insulation for cuts, breakdown, or burns. Replace as required

9.3.4 Maintenance on the capacitor units
9.3.4.1 To take capacitance measurement
If the capacitor bank is not equipped with unbalance protection, all capacitor units
should be capacitance measured annually. Capacitance measurement of the
units in a capacitor bank with unbalance protection does not have to be included
in the regular inspection.
However, it should always be performed if the protection indicates a fault or

disconnects the capacitor bank. It is advisable to perform an annual inspection
despite of the regular inspection.
Measurement is easily performed using a Capacitance meter. The internal

connection in the capacitor bank need to be opened to perform the
measurement. If the measured values deviate by more than 10 % from the value
stated in the routine test report, the capacitor unit should be replaced.
Figure 50: Capacitance measurement for a Delta Capacitor Bank

Capacitance measurement is only performed at fault indication or when the value

of the capacitor current does not equal to the rated capacitor current.
Acceptable capacitance reading
• -5% to 10 % up to 3 MVAr
• 0 % to 10 % from 3 MVAr to 30 MVAr
• 0% to 5 % for capacitor > 30 MVAr
Example:
uF

meter
R-Y 146.22 uF
Y-B 146.22 uF
B-R 146.22 uF
kVar (3-phase)
= 2/3 x (146.22 uF + 146.22 uF + 146.22 uF) x ω x Volt2 /1000 = 999 kVar

Exercise No.17
P.F.C
The capacitor cans are rated at 3.3 kV line to line.
Nameplate uF
Cans R-Y Y-B B-R kVar % Diff
Number 1 146.22 146.22 146.22
Number 2 146.22 146.22 135.60
Number 3 146.22 146.22 146.22
Please indicate the faulty capacitor can.

Calculation for Exercise 16.

9.3.4.2 Inspection on capacitor units
A leaking capacitor must be normally replaced. It is advisable to refer to the

Manufacturer of the product.
• Check for physical damage, leaks, bulges, or discoloration. Replace as

required.
• Clean capacitor case, insulation bushings, and any connectors that are dirty
or corroded.
• Confirm kVar, voltage, and BIL rating for each capacitor. Verify with
specification.
• Verify internal discharge resistors are working properly. Replace cells as
required.
9.3.4.3 Insulators
• Check for cracks, chips, and signs of arc tracking. Replace as required.
• Clean insulators and barriers.
9.3.4.4 Fuses
• Check all capacitor fuses, control fuses, and PT fuses for blown fuses.
Replace as required.
• Confirm proper fuse rating. Verify with specification.
• Check functioning of neutral unbalance sensor.
• Clean contact area of fuses and fuse holders.

9.3.4.5 Reactor Test
Volt Meter
Current
Injection
Test Set
Figure 52: Reactor test

Examples on test result

Volts, mV 63 63 63
Current, Amp 5 5 5
Z(Impedance) 0.0126 0.0126 0.0126
Inductance, uH 40.13 40.13 40.13
Note- This test requires a injection test set.
Z = Voltage/ Current = XL
XL = ω x L
ω = 2 x 3.14 x 50
L = XL / (2x3.14x50)

Exercise No.18

Volts, mV 25 25 25
Current, Amp 2 2 2
Z(Impedance)
Inductance, uH
Please calculate the values of the impedances & inductances
9.3.4.6 Relay maintenance – OCEF
The inspection of the OCEF relays must be done together with the maintenance
of the other circuit breakers.
Sample for Inspection & Maintenance Forms are attached as Appendix A.
Sample for commissioning forms are attached as Appendix B.

10.0 COMMISSIONING PROCEDURES
10.1 Before energizing the capacitor bank, check:
• that the capacitors have been correctly installed. It is particularly important to

ensure that the electrical connections have been retightened.
• that the settings of the protection circuits are correct and that the protective
relays are operating properly.
• to ensure all foreign objects in the capacitors are removed.
• to ensure all the cable entrance is properly covered.
10.2 Setting for Power Factor Regulator (Controller)
Some capacitor banks are controlled using a power factor regulator. A power
factor regulator is a mini computer that regulates the switching in and out for the
capacitor units to the supply networks by controlling the VCBs or contactors.
PFC controls the

switching of the VCBs
or contactors.
P.F.C
Figure 53: Power Factor Regulator for a Delta Capacitor

CT
REACTOR
REACTOR
REACTOR
PFC controls the PFC

switching of the VCBs
or contactors. BUSBAR 11 KV
Figure 54: Power Factor Regulator for a Y-Y Capacitor

The power factor regulator (controller) monitor the input current from only one
phase and voltage inputs (phase to phase voltage) for the other two phases.
Figure 55: Power Factor regulator (controller)
The power factor regulator must be programmed to ensure correct operation of

capacitor bank.
The general parameters required for the power factor regulator are:
• Target power factor – 0.90, 0.95 or 1.0

• C/K - To be calculated
• Sequence - either 1:1:1:1 or 1:2:2:2
• Time delay - 60, 120, 180, 240 seconds
• Operating modes: Circular or linear mode
Target Power factor: This is the final power factor value to be achieved by
the capacitor bank.
C/K: Ratio of the capacitor current for the 1st step over the
current transformer (CT) size.
Sequence: The ratio of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc steps against the 1st
capacitor step.

Time delay: The delay time for the capacitor to switch in or switch
out after receiving signal from the power factor
regulator
Operating modes: There are two modes – linear or circular modes.
10.2.1 Calculation of C/K ratio
The C/K ratio is the ratio of the capacitor current for the first step and the current
transformer (CT) size.
C/K = Q (Mvar) x 1000 = Capacitor current for the first step

(1.732 x VLLx k) CT Size
Capacitor current per step = Q (Mvar) x 1000

(1.732 x VLL)
k = CT Ratio
VLL = phase to phase voltage i.e. 11 kV

Example:
Size of Capacitor Bank = 4 Mvar, Y-Y
Voltage = 11 kV
Number of step = 2
MVar value for each step = 2 Mvar (1st step), 2 Mvar (2nd Step)
Size of CT = 300/5
Calculation:
k = CT Ratio = 300/5 = 60
VLL = phase to phase voltage i.e. 11 kV
Capacitor current per step = 2 MVar x 1000 = 104.9 Amp

(1.732 x 11 kV)
C/K = Q (Mvar) x 1000 = Capacitor current for the first step

(1.732 x VLLx k) CT Size
= 104.9 / 60 = 1.748

Exercise No.19
Size of Capacitor Bank = 1.2 Mvar, Delta
Voltage = 3.3 kV
Number of step = 2
MVar value for each step = 600 kVar (1st step), 600 kVar (2nd Step)
Size of CT = 400/5
Please calculate the value for C/K:

Sample C/K calculations for 11 kV Capacitor Banks
Capac it or s t ep rat ing (kVar)

C/T ratio k 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
50 /5 10 5.249 10.498 15.746 20. 995 26.244
100 /5 20 2.624 5.249 7.873 10. 498 13.122
150 /5 30 1.750 3.499 5.249 6. 998 8.748
200 /5 40 1.312 2.624 3. 937 5. 249 6. 561
300 /5 60 0.875 1.750 2.624 3. 499 4. 374
400 /5 80 0.656 1.312 1.968 2. 624 3.280
500 /5 100 0.525 1.050 1.575 2. 100 2.624
600 /5 120 0.437 0.875 1.312 1. 750 2.187
800 /5 160 0.328 0.656 0.984 1. 312 1.640
1000 /5 200 0.262 0.525 0.787 1. 050 1.312
1600 /5 320 0.164 0.328 0.492 0. 656 0.820
2000 /5 400 0.131 0.262 0.394 0. 525 0.656
3000 /5 600 0.087 0.175 0.262 0. 350 0.437

Sample C/K calculations for 3.3 kV Capacitor Banks
Capacitor s tep rating (k Var)

C/T ratio k 300 600 900 1200 1500
50 /5 10 5.249 10.498 15. 746 20.995 26. 244
100 /5 20 2.624 5. 249 7.873 10.498 13. 122
150 /5 30 1.750 3. 499 5.249 6. 998 8.748
200 /5 40 1.312 2. 624 3.937 5. 249 6.561
300 /5 60 0.875 1. 750 2.624 3.499 4.374
400 /5 80 0.656 1. 312 1.968 2. 624 3.280
500 /5 100 0.525 1. 050 1.575 2. 100 2.624
600 /5 120 0.437 0. 875 1.312 1. 750 2.187
800 /5 160 0.328 0. 656 0.984 1. 312 1.640
1000 /5 200 0.262 0. 525 0.787 1.050 1.312
1600 /5 320 0.164 0.328 0.492 0.656 0.820
2000 /5 400 0.131 0.262 0.394 0.525 0.656
3000 /5 600 0.087 0.175 0.262 0.350 0.437

10.3 Calculation of resonance frequency
A capacitor bank must not be exposed to resonance conditions. The capacitor

bank will experience high voltage and this will lead to deterioration of the
capacitor units.
To prevent the resonance condition, it is important to identify potential condition

that might lead to such incidences. A capacitor bank must not be exposed to
resonance condition between 5th harmonic number to 13th harmonic number.
The calculation of resonance condition is done using Equation (34)
h =√ [kVAsc/ kVar] = √ [Xc/ Xsc]
=√ [kVA-tx x 100/(kVar-cap x Z-tx %)] (34)
h = calculated system harmonic
kVAsc = Short circuit power of system
kVar = rating of the capacitors
kVA-tx = kVA rating of the step down Tx
Z-tx = Step-down Tx Impedance
If the resonance frequency is between 5th to 13th harmonic number, the capacitor
bank must be protected using detuned reactors with values of 7 %.

Example:
Capacitor size: 2 Mvar Y-Y, 2 step, 11 kV
Transformer details: 1.5 MVA, 5.25 %
Calculation for resonance condition for 1st step:
h =√ [kVA-tx x 100/(kVar-cap x Z-tx %)] =√ [1500 x 100 /(1000 x 5.25)]

= 5.35
Calculation for resonance condition for 1st & 2nd step:
h =√ [kVA-tx x 100/(kVar-cap x Z-tx %)] =√ [1500 x 100 /(2000 x 5.25)]

= 3.78
A serious resonance condition will happen when the 1st capacitor step is switch
in. Therefore a 7 % detuned reactor must be installed in series with the capacitor
units. Installing a series reactor will prevent the resonance condition from
happening and damaging the capacitors.

Exercise No.20
Capacitor size: 900 kVar Delta, 3 step, 3.3 kV
Please calculate the resonance condition for 1st, 2nd & 3rd capacitor steps.
At what step will the resonance condition happen?
What is the recommended measure to prevent the resonance conditions?

10.4 Calculation for the increase in line voltage
Commissioning a capacitor bank will slightly increase the line voltage. Its’
important to verify the voltage increase to ensure no potential problem for high
voltage incidences.
The equation to estimate the % increase in voltage is as follows:
% Voltage rise = Capacitor size (kVAr) x 100 (35)

Fault Level kVA(3-phase)
Equation (35) requires the value of the fault level. The values can be obtained
from the Operation & Maintenance Units in a plant.
However, an estimated value can be obtained using this methodology:
Assuming the maximum impedance of the network is based on the distribution

(incoming) transformer.
For example:
A TX 15 MVA, 33/11 kV Volt, % Z = 10.5
Ifault= MVA/ (VLL x %Z x√3)= 7.498 kA (3-phase)
Sfault=Ifault x VLL x √3 = 142 MVA (3-phase)

Exercise No.21
Capacitor size: 900 kVar Delta, 3 step, 3.3 kV
What is the % voltage increase?
Exercise No.22
Capacitor size: 4 MVar Y-Y, 2 step, 11 kV
What is the % voltage increase?

10.5 Inspection after commissioning
Before commissioning the capacitor bank, please record all the currents,
voltages, power factors and harmonic levels at the incoming supply. Once the
capacitor bank has been commissioned, switch in all the steps one by one and
record the same parameters for evaluation.
a. Volt Step
Phase Before 1 2 3 4
commissioning
R-Y
Y-B
B-R
b.Current Step
commissioning
Red
Yellow
Blue
c. Power Step
Factor
commissioning
Red
Yellow
Blue

d. THDV Step
commissioning
R-Y
Y-B
B-R
10.5.1 Checking operating data:
Make the following measurements to ensure that the capacitors are not subject
to excessive stress:
1. Voltage before and after switching in the capacitor bank:
The capacitor bank must not be subjected to a continuous voltage exceeding

110% of the nominal voltage, continuous meaning 12 hours in every 24
according to AS 2897-1986 and IEC 871.
2. Capacitor current:
The capacitor bank must not be subjected to a continuous current exceeding

130% of the rated current.
3. Ambient temperature:
The capacitor bank must not be operated in an ambient temperature outside the
stated temperature class.
4. Unbalance current: (for banks with unbalance protection)
The unbalance current should not exceed 10% of the tripping value of the
protection system. Large capacitor banks are balanced at the factory to ensure
that they do not exceed this value. Small capacitor banks are sometimes
impossible to balance sufficiently to comply with this recommendation if the
capacitances of the individual capacitor units differ too widely.
If the individual capacitors are at different temperatures, for example because of

solar radiation, the unbalance current immediately after switching in the bank
may differ from the value after a few hours in service.
The unbalance current should therefore be measured when the capacitors have
reached their normal operating temperature.

10.5.2 Special precautions:
The voltage and current margins stated above are intended to allow operation
during temporary peaks. These margins should not be used under normal
service conditions.
Voltages and currents should therefore be measured under all the load situations
that occur, in order to ensure that the capacitor bank is not overloaded. Pay
special attention to periods of low load. A capacitor bank always causes a small
increase in voltage. At low loads this can result in problems, since the voltage
may already be high even without the capacitor bank.
When the load is low there is also a risk of resonance between capacitors and
transformers, and this may give rise to considerable over voltages.

Capacitor Chargeman

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CAPACITOR BANK & POWER FACTOR MANAGEMENT

Electrical Chargeman Category B0

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 1 of 136

1.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF BASIC ELECTRICITY 6

1.1 Definition of electrical power 6

2.0 EFFECT OF LOW POWER FACTOR 20

3.0 POWER FACTOR CORRECTION 21

3.1 Capacitive Power Factor correction 21

4.0 CAPACITOR BANK SIZING 30

4.1 Selecting kVAR for 3-Phase Motors 30

5.0 MV CAPACITOR BANK DESIGN 38

5.1 Function of a capacitor bank 38

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 2 of 136

6.0 PROTECTION OF Y-Y CAPACITORS 73

6.1 Capacitor fusing 73

7.0 PROTECTION FOR DELTA CAPACITORS 85

7.1 Fusing arrangement for Delta Capacitors 85

8.0 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR A Y-Y CAPACITOR BANK

8.1 Safety Regulations 91

9.0 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR A DELTA CAPACITOR BANK

9.1 Safety Regulations 108

10.1 Before energizing the bank, check: 121

Sample for Inspection & Maintenance Forms are attached as Appendix A.

Sample for commissioning forms are attached as Appendix B.

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 3 of 136

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 4 of 136

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 5 of 136

1.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF BASIC ELECTRICITY

1.1 Definition of electrical power

1.2 Apparent Power (VA)

Apparent power is defined as the power that is "apparently" absorbed by a

Generators are rated in volt-amperes (VA), or thousand-volt-amperes (kVA).

1.3 Real Power or True Power (Watts)

There is mathematically no difference between watts and volt-amperes, except

Real power = P=VIR = VI cos θ (1)

cos θ = power factor

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 6 of 136

1.4 Reactive Power (Var)

Reactive power =Q=VIX = VI sin θ (2)

Q refers to the maximum value of the instantaneous power absorbed by the

1.5 Power Factor

When we use any capacitive or inductive device on an AC circuit, the current or

1.6 Relationship between Real, Reactive, and Apparent power

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 7 of 136

As a rule, true power is a function of a circuit's dissipative elements, usually

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 8 of 136

1.6.1 Resistive load only:

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 9 of 136

1.6.2 Reactive load only:

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 10 of 136

1.6.3 Resistive/reactive load:

Figure 3: True power, reactive power, and apparent power for a

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 11 of 136

Figure 4: Power Triangle

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 12 of 136

• Power dissipated by a load is referred to as true power. True power is

• Total power in an AC circuit, both dissipated and absorbed/returned is

• These three types of power are trigonometrically related to one another. In

1.7 Equipment Causing Poor Power Factor

60% to 80% power factor: Induction furnaces, standard stamping machines

ILSAS/MFF/2007 Page 13 of 136

1.8 Calculation for power factor

Power Factor (PF) = cos φ (6)