APFC Panel - Automation Technology

Automatic Power Factor Control (APFC Panel)

Automatic Power Factor Control or APFC Panels are mainly used for the improvement of Power Factor. Power factor is the ratio between the KW and the KVA drawn by an electrical load where the KW is the actual 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 causes losses both in the supply and distribution system. A load with a power factor of 1.0 results in the most efficient loading of the supply. A load with a power factor of, say, 0.8, results in much higher losses in the supply system and a higher bill for the consumer. A comparatively small improvement in power factor can bring about a significant reduction in losses since losses are proportional to the square of the current.
When the power factor is less than one the ‘missing’ power is known as reactive power which unfortunately is necessary to provide a magnetizing field required by motors and other inductive loads to perform their desired functions. Reactive power can also be interpreted as wattles, magnetizing, or wasted power and it represents an extra burden on the electricity supply system and on the consumer’s bill.
A poor power factor is usually the result of a significant phase difference between the voltage and current at the load terminals, or it can be due to a high harmonic content or a distorted current waveform.
A poor power factor is generally the result of an inductive load such as an induction motor, a power transformer, and ballast in a luminary, a welding set, or an induction furnace. A distorted current waveform can be the result of a rectifier, an inverter, a variable speed drive, a switched-mode power supply, discharge lighting, or other electronic loads.
A poor power factor due to inductive loads can be improved by the addition of power factor correction equipment, but a poor power factor due to a distorted current waveform requires a change in equipment Design or the addition of harmonic filters.
Some 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.
An inductive load requires a magnetic field to operate and creating such a magnetic field causes the current to be out of phase with the voltage (the current lags the voltage). Power factor correction is the process of compensating for the lagging current by creating a leading current by connecting capacitors to the supply.
P.F (Cos Ǿ)= K.W / KVA Or
P.F (Cos Ǿ)= True Power / Apparent Power.
KW is Working Power (also called Actual Power or Active Power or Real Power).
It is the power that actually powers the equipment and performs useful work.
KVAR is Reactive Power.
It is the power that magnetic equipment (transformer, motor, and relay)needs to produce the magnetizing flux.
KVA is Apparent Power.
It is the “vectorial summation” of KVAR and KW.
Main Switchgears of APFC Panel, APFC Relay, Capacitors&Capacitors Duity Contactors.

APFC Relay

Many Company offers you a wide range of Power factor Correction Relays suitable for all standard applications. Their intelligent adjustment interface ensures balanced usage of capacitors based on the number of switching operations and the connection time of each step, thus ensuring long life for switchgear and capacitors.

Capcitor

A Capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field. These are Two Types. Rectangular & Cylindrical Capacitor.

Capacitor Duity Contactor

CAPACITOR DUITY CONTACTOR – Contactors for capacitor switching were specially designed for power factor correction capacitor operation. Capacitors are pre-charged through resistors that reduce the peak current to the contactor when special contactors are switched on. After the pre-charge, the main contactors close allowing passage of rated current.

Displacement Power Factor Correction

An induction motor draws current from the supply that is made up of resistive components and inductive components. The resistive components are:

Load current.
Loss current.

And the inductive components are:

Leakage reactance.
Magnetizing current.

The current due to the leakage reactance is dependent 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 (100 x 100) /(75 x 75) = 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
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 the leading current and is used to cancel the lagging inductive current flowing from the supply.

Displacement Static Correction (Static Compensation)

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 that is related to its 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 overcorrected, 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 severe 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
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 overcorrection under no load, or disconnected conditions.
Static correction is commonly applied by using an e contactor to control both the motor and the capacitors. It is better to practice using two contactors, one for the motor and one for the capacitors. Where one contactor is employed, it should be upsized for the capacitive load. The use of a second contactor eliminates the problems of resonance between the motor and the capacitors.

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 costs for the utility and their customers. The ratio of actual power to apparent power is usually expressed in percentage and is called the power factor.

What Causes Low Power Factor?

Since the power factor is defined as the ratio of KW to KVA, we see that low power factor results when KW is small in relation to KVA. Inductive loads. Inductive loads (which are sources of Reactive Power) include:

Transformers
Induction motor
Induction generators (windmill generators)
High-intensity discharge (HID) lighting

These inductive loads constitute a major portion of the power consumed in industrial complexes.
Reactive power (KVAR) required by inductive loads increases the amount of apparent power (KVA) in your distribution system. This increase in reactive and apparent power results in a larger angle (measured between KW and KVA). Recall that, as increases, cosine (or power factor) decreases.

Why Should I Improve My Power Factor?

You want to improve your power factor for several different reasons. Some of the benefits of improving your power factor include:

Lower utility fees by:
1. Reducing peak KW billing demand:
  - Inductive loads, which require reactive power, caused your low power factor. This increase in required reactive power (KVAR) causes an increase in required apparent power (KVA), which is what the utility is supplying. So, a facility’s low power factor causes the utility to have to increase its generation and transmission capacity in order to handle this extra demand.
  - By lowering your power factor, you use less KVAR. This results in less KW, which equates to a dollar savings from the utility.
2. Eliminating the power factor penalty:
  - Utilities usually charge customers an additional fee when their power factor is less than 0.95. (In fact, some utilities are not obligated to deliver electricity to their customer at any time the customer’s power factor falls below 0.85) Thus, you can avoid this additional fee by increasing your power factor.
Increased system capacity and reduced system losses in your electrical system
- By adding capacitors (KVAR generators) to the system, the power factor is improved and the KW capacity of the system is increased.
- For example, a 1,000 KVA transformer with an 80% power factor provides 800 KW (600 KVAR) of power to the main bus.
- By increasing the power factor to 90%, more KW can be supplied for the same amount of KVA.
- 1000 KVA = (900 KW)2 + ( ? KVAR)2
- KVAR = 436
- The KW capacity of the system increases to 900 KW and the utility supplies only 436 KVAR.
- Uncorrected power factor causes power system losses in your distribution system. By improving your power factor, these losses can be reduced. With the current rise in the cost of energy, increased facility efficiency is very desirable. And with lower system losses, you are also able to add additional load to your system.
Increased voltage level in your electrical system and cooler, more efficient motors
- As mentioned above, uncorrected power factor causes power system losses in your distribution system. As power losses increase, you may experience voltage drops. Excessive voltage drops can cause overheating and premature failure of motors and other inductive equipment. So, by raising your power factor, you will minimize these voltage drops along feeder cables and avoid related problems. Your motors will run cooler and be more efficient, with a slight increase in capacity and starting torque.

Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC)

Power Factor Improving:

Please check if required KVAR of capacitors are installed.
Check the type of capacitor installed is suitable for application or the capacitors are de rated.
Check if the capacitors are permanently ‘ON’. The Capacitor are not switched off
when the load is not working, under such condition the average power factor is found to be lower side.
Check whether all the capacitors are operated in APFC depending upon the load operation.
Check whether the APFC installed in the installation is working or not. Check the CT connection is taken from the main incomer side of transformer, after the fix compensation of transformer.
Check if the load demand in the system is increased.
Check if power transformer compensation is provided.

Thumb Rule if HP is known:
The compensation for motor should be calculated taking the details from the rating plate of motor Or the capacitor should be rated for 1/3 of HP

Kvar Required For Transformer Compensation:

Transformer

<= 315 kVA T.C

315kVA To 1000 kVA

>= 1000 kVA

Required Kva

5% of KVA
6% of KVA
8% of KVA

Where to connect capacitor:

Fix compensation should be provided to take care of the power transformer. Power and distribution transformers, which work on the principle of electromagnetic induction, consume reactive power for their own needs even when its secondary is not connected to any load. The power factor will be very low under such a situation. To improve the power factor it is required to connect a fixed capacitor or capacitor bank at the LT side of the Transformer. For approximate kVAr of capacitors required

If the installation is having various small loads with a mixture of large loads then the APFC should be recommended. Note that APFC should have a minimum step rating of 10% as a smaller step.

If loads are small then the capacitor should be connected parallel to load. The connection should be such that whenever the loads are switched on the capacitor also switches on along with the load.

Note that the APFC panel can maintain the power factor on the L.T side of the transformer and it is necessary to provide fixed compensation for the Power transformer.

In case there is no transformer in the installation, then the C.T for sensing power factor should be provided at the incoming of the main switch of the plant.

Calculation of Required Capacitor

Suppose Actual P.F is 0.8, Required P.F is 0.98 and Total Load is 516KVA.
Power factor = kwh / kvah
kW = kVA x Power Factor
= 516 x 0.8 = 412.8
Required capacitor = kW x Multiplying Factor
= (0.8 x 516) x Multiplying Factor
= 412.8 x 0.547 (See Table to find Value according to P.F 0.8 to P.F of 0.98)
= 225.80 kVar

Multiplying factor for calculating kVAr

Target PF

0.6	0.9	0.91	0.92	0.93	0.94	0.95	0.96	0.97	0.98	0.99	1
0.6	0.849	0.878	0.907	0.938	0.97	1.005	1.042	1.083	1.13	1.191	1.333
0.61	0.815	0.843	0.873	0.904	0.936	0.97	1.007	1.048	1.096	1.157	1.299
0.62	0.781	0.81	0.839	0.87	0.903	0.937	0.974	1.015	1.062	1.123	1.265
0.63	0.748	0.777	0.807	0.837	0.87	0.904	0.941	0.982	1.03	1.09	1.233
0.64	0.716	0.745	0.775	0.805	0.838	0.872	0.909	0.95	0.998	1.058	1.201
0.65	0.685	0.714	0.743	0.774	0.806	0.84	0.877	0.919	0.966	1.027	1.169
0.66	0.654	0.683	0.712	0.743	0.775	0.81	0.847	0.888	0.935	0.996	1.138
0.67	0.624	0.652	0.682	0.713	0.745	0.779	0.816	0.857	0.905	0.966	1.108
0.68	0.594	0.623	0.652	0.683	0.715	0.75	0.787	0.828	0.875	0.936	1.078
0.69	0.565	0.593	0.623	0.654	0.686	0.72	0.757	0.798	0.846	0.907	1.049
0.7	0.536	0.565	0.594	0.625	0.657	0.692	0.729	0.77	0.817	0.878	1.02
0.71	0.508	0.536	0.566	0.597	0.629	0.663	0.7	0.741	0.789	0.849	0.992
0.72	0.48	0.508	0.538	0.569	0.601	0.635	0.672	0.713	0.761	0.821	0.964
0.73	0.452	0.481	0.51	0.541	0.573	0.608	0.645	0.686	0.733	0.794	0.936
0.74	0.425	0.453	0.483	0.514	0.546	0.58	0.617	0.658	0.706	0.766	0.909
0.75	0.398	0.426	0.456	0.487	0.519	0.553	0.59	0.631	0.679	0.739	0.882
0.76	0.371	0.4	0.429	0.46	0.492	0.526	0.563	0.605	0.652	0.713	0.855
0.77	0.344	0.373	0.403	0.433	0.466	0.5	0.537	0.578	0.626	0.686	0.829
0.78	0.318	0.347	0.376	0.407	0.439	0.474	0.511	0.552	0.599	0.66	0.802
0.79	0.292	0.32	0.35	0.381	0.413	0.447	0.484	0.525	0.573	0.634	0.776
0.8	0.266	0.294	0.324	0.355	0.387	0.421	0.458	0.499	0.547	0.608	0.75
0.81	0.24	0.268	0.298	0.329	0.361	0.395	0.432	0.473	0.521	0.581	0.724
0.82	0.214	0.242	0.272	0.303	0.335	0.369	0.406	0.447	0.495	0.556	0.698
0.83	0.188	0.216	0.246	0.277	0.309	0.343	0.38	0.421	0.469	0.53	0.672
0.84	0.162	0.19	0.22	0.251	0.283	0.317	0.354	0.395	0.443	0.503	0.646
0.85	0.135	0.164	0.194	0.225	0.257	0.291	0.328	0.369	0.417	0.477	0.62
0.86	0.109	0.138	0.167	0.198	0.23	0.265	0.302	0.343	0.39	0.451	0.593
0.87	0.082	0.111	0.141	0.172	0.204	0.238	0.275	0.316	0.364	0.424	0.567
0.88	0.055	0.084	0.114	0.145	0.177	0.211	0.248	0.289	0.337	0.397	0.54
0.89	0.028	0.057	0.086	0.117	0.149	0.184	0.221	0.262	0.309	0.37	0.512
0.9		0.029	0.058	0.089	0.121	0.156	0.193	0.234	0.281	0.342	0.484
0.91			0.03	0.06	0.093	0.127	0.164	0.205	0.253	0.313	0.456
0.92				0.031	0.063	0.097	0.134	0.175	0.223	0.284	0.426
0.93					0.032	0.067	0.104	0.145	0.192	0.253	0.395
0.94						0.034	0.071	0.112	0.16	0.22	0.363
0.95							0.037	0.078	0.126	0.186	0.329

Testing of Capacitor at Site

Measurement of Voltage:

Check the voltage using a multi meter at capacitor terminals.

Please note that the current output of a 440-volt capacitor connected to a system of 415 volts will be lesser than the rated value.

Table no -1 & 2 give you the resultant kVAr output of the capacitor due to variation in supply voltage.

The kVAr of the capacitor will not be the same if the voltage applied to the capacitor and frequency changes. The example given below shows how to calculate capacitor current from the measured value at the site.

Example :

1. Nameplate details – 15kVAr, 3 phases, 440v, and 50Hz capacitor.

Measured voltage – 425v, Measured frequency – 48.5Hz

Kvar = (fM / fR) x (VM / VR)² x kvar

Kvar = (48.5/50) x (425 / 440)² x 15

= 13.57kVAr.

2. Nameplate details – 15kVAr, 3 phases, 415v, and 50Hz capacitor.

Measured voltage – 425v, Measured frequency – 48.5Hz

Kvar = (fM / fR) x (VM / VR)² x kVAr

Kvar = (48.5/50) x (425 / 415)² x 15

= 15.26kVAr

Three Phase 440V Capacitor

kVAr 440V	Line current 440V	kVAr at 415V	Line Current at 415V	Measured capacitance across two terminals with third terminal open.(Micro farad) 440V
5	6.56	4.45	6.188	41.1
7.5	9.84	6.67	9.28	61.66
10	13.12	8.9	12.38	82.21
12.5	16.4	11.12	15.47	102.76
15	19.68	13,34	18.56	123.31
20	26.24	17.79	24.75	164.42
25	32.8	22.24	30.94	205,52

Three Phase 415V Capacitor

kVAr 415V	Line current 415V	kVAr at 440V	Line Current at 415V	Measured capacitance across two terminals with third terminal open.(Micro farad) 415V
5	6.55	5.62	7.38	46.21
7.5	10.43	8.43	11.06	69.31
10	13.91	11.24	14.75	92.41
12.5	17.39	14.05	18.44	116.51
15	20.87	16.86	22.13	138.62
20	27.82	22.48	29.5	184.82
25	34.78	38.1	36.88	231.03

Measurement of Current

The capacitor current can be measured using Multi meter.
Make a record of measurement data of individual phase and other parameter.
Check whether the current measured is within the limit value with respect to supply voltage & data given in the name plate of capacitor Refer formulafor calculation
Formula for calculating rated current of capacitor with rated supply voltage and frequency.
l = kvar x 103 / ( 3 X V ) L L
Example:
15kVAr, 3 phase, 440v, 50Hz capacitor.
l = kVAr x 103 / ( 3 X V ) L L
l = (15 x 1000) / (1.732 x 440) L
l = 19.68AMPs L
15kVAr, 3 phases, 415v, 50Hz capacitor
l = kVAr x 103/ ( 3 X V ) L L
l = (15 x 1000) / (1.732 x 415) L
l = 20.87 Amps

Discharge of Capacitor

L.T power capacitors are provided with discharge resistor to discharge the capacitor which is limited to one min. The resistor are provided as per clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993.
Switch off the supply to the capacitor and wait for 1 minute and then short the terminals of capacitor to ensure that the capacitor is completely discharged.
This shorting of terminals ensures the safety while handling the capacitor
Discharge of capacitor also becomes necessary for the safety of meter used for capacitance measurement.

Termination and Mounting

Use suitable size lugs for connecting the cable to the terminals of capacitor.
Ensure that there is no loose connection: As loose connection may lead to failure of capacitor / insulation break down of cable.
Use proper tools for connection / tightening.
Ensure that the capacitor is mounted vertically.
The earthing of capacitor should be done before charging.
The applied voltage should not exceed more than 10%. Refer technical specification of capacitor.
The capacitor should be provided with the short circuit protection device as indicated in following Table

KVAr	HRC Fuse	Cable Amps
5	12 Amps	12 Amps
7.5	25 Amps	25 Amps
10	32 Amps	32 Amps
12.5	32 Amps	32 Amps
15	50 Amps	50 Amps
20	50 Amps	50 Amps
25	63 Amps	63 Amps
50	125 Amps	125 Amps
75	200 Amps	200 Amps
100	200 Amps	250 Amps

Use of Capacitor in APFC Panel

The capacitor should be provided with suitable designed inrush current limiting inductor coils or special capacitor duty contactors. Annexure d point no d-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
Once the capacitor is switched off it should not be switched on again within 60 seconds so that the capacitor is completely discharged. The switching time in the relay provided in the APFC panel should be set for 60 seconds for individual steps to discharge. Clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
If the capacitor is switched manually or if you are switching capacitors connected in parallel with each other then an “ON” delay timer (60sec) should be provided and in case of parallel operation once again point No 1 should be taken care of. Clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
The capacitor mounted in the panel should have a min gap of 25-30 mm between the capacitor and 50 mm around the capacitor to the panel enclosure.
In the case of banking, a min gap of 25mm between the phase to phase and 19mm between the phases to earth should be maintained. Ensure that the banking bus bar is rated 1.8 times the rated current of the bank.
The panel should have provision for cross-ventilation, the louver/fan can be provided in the care Annexure d point No d-3.1 IS 13340-1993
For use of reactor and filter in the panel fan should be provided for cooling.
Short circuit protection device (HRC fuse / MCCB) should not exceed 1.8 x rated current of the capacitor.
In the case of detuned filter banks, MCCB is recommended for short circuit protection.

Points Should Be Verified Before Considering Replacement

Supply voltage to capacitor should be checked for any overvoltage. This can be verified of voltage stabilizers are connected in the installation, light fitting are regularly replaced, this indicates the overvoltage.
It is generally found that i.c. base APFC relays are big in size as compared to microprocessor relays. These ic-based relays are found to be malfunctioning. The capacitors are switched “OFF” & “ON” very fast without discharge of a capacitor, leading to the high current drawn by capacitors. Such an operation leads to the failure of the capacitor.
Check the time set in APFC relays connected for the operation, as various make of relays are preset for 15-20 sec. This setting of time should be verified in presence of the customer at the panel with the operation of the relay. The switching of the capacitor from one step to another should have a min time gap of 60 seconds. This should be physically watched. No replacement shall be considered in such cases where in the time is set below 60sec.
The chattering of the contactor can also lead to the failure of the capacitor. This chattering may happen due to low voltage or loose connection to contactor coils etc. If the capacitors are operated in manual mode using a push-button, check whether the on delay timer is provided in the individual steps. Verify whether the time set of 60sec or not. No replacement should be considered in such cases where in the timer is set below 60sec. or it is not provided.
Check whether a capacitor duty contactor is provided or if the inrush limiting inductor coils are used. This becomes important in case the capacitors are switched ‘ON’ with the other capacitor connected in the same bus. Parallel switching of the capacitor is generally found in capacitor panels having APFC and push buttons for switching “on” & “off”.
Check whether the harmonic is present. For this take a fresh capacitor, charge the capacitor and then calculate whether the current drawn by the capacitor is within the limit. If the current is more, then it may be due to overvoltage. If not then it is clear that the capacitor is drawing high current due to the presence of harmonics.
The harmonics in the plant can be easily found If the plant has loads using power electronic components such as ups, drives, and furnaces. Loads such as are welding, CFL tubes, and electronic controlled machines also generate harmonics. Note that neighboring plants connected to the grid may also affect the capacitors by importing the harmonic. (Harmonic voltage easily travels through the grid from one installation to another, the effect of such voltage leads to failure of capacitor).
Check other points given in the installation guideline of the capacitor.
In case the installation is having MD-XL capacitors with connected loads generating harmonics then the capacitor may be drawing an additional 30% current. In such conditions the fuses may blow out cable will heat up and the Temperature of the capacitor will be also increased. Ensure that the fuse rating should not be increased. The switchgear and cable size should be suitably increased. The capacitor will continue to work but the life of the capacitor may not be long. This clearly indicates that the capacitor is overloaded and if required the reactor Should be provided for controlling the over current.
Check the short circuit protection device. Please note that you may come across the customer using fuses almost double the current rating of capacitors. This is generally found in the plants having harmonic problems and the installations having hired local electricians for maintenance.
Check the date of installation of capacitor and type of additional load being connected after installation of capacitors. As it is observed in certain cases that the type of capacitor was selected without considering future expansion of machineries in the plant. Sometimes these machines are found to be generating harmonic affecting the life of the capacitor.
No replacement should be considered if the capacitor is failed due to harmonics and the customer has used normal capacitors without consulting Engineers.

Points Should Be Verified Before Charging Capacitor Banks

Capacitor voltage rating is equal to the max voltage recorded in the installation.
Capacitor is mounted vertically.
Earthing at two different points is done.
Proper lugs are used for termination.
Proper size of cable is used.
Ph- ph gap is 25mm and ph-earth is 19mm.
The bus bar used for banking is 1.8 x the rated current of the bank.
Cross ventilation provision is provided in the installation area / in the panel.
The plant has the facility to trip the capacitor under overvoltage conditions.(10%)
Capacitor is provided with suitable size of HRC fuse / MCCB rating for protection.
Suitable inrush current device is connected in series with a contactor to limit the inrush current or capacitor duty contactor is used.
Capacitor is provided with a suitable on delay timer to ensure that the capacitor is not switched on within 60sec. After it is switched off.
Capacitor is provided with an insulating cover to ensure safety.
Capacitor is installed in the area free from the entry of dust, chemical fume, and rainwater.
APFC relay provided in the panel is set for 60 seconds. ‘On delay’ provided is also set for 60 seconds.
The filter banks are provided with MCCB for protection apart from the above points.
The MCCB should be set for 1.3 x rated current of filter bank

Verify the Following in the Installation Before Commissioning Harmonic Filter Banks

Capacitor banks without a reactor should not be permitted on the secondary size of transformer circuit which is having filter banks connected. Please remove capacitors without reactors from the same network (as IEC- 61642).
Filter-rated voltage is equal to the max voltage recorded in the installation.
Capacitor used with reactors is always of special voltage recorded in the installation.
Earthing should be done at capacitors and reactors separately.
Proper lugs are used for termination.
Proper size of cable is used.
Ph- ph gap is 25mm and ph-earth is 19mm.
The bus bar used for banking is 1.8 x rated bank currently.
Forced cross ventilation should be provided in the installation area.
The plant has the facility to trip the filter banks under overvoltage conditions. Set for 10% overvoltage.
Filter banks are provided with suitable size of MCCB rating for protection.
The MCCB is set for the 1.3 x rated current of the filter bank. MCCB is recommended.
Filter is provided with a suitable ‘on delay’ timer to ensure that the capacitor is not switched on within 60sec. After it is switched off.
Filter is installed in the area free from the entry of dust, chemical fumes, and rainwater. APFC relay provided in the panel for switching filters is set for 60