Tutorial Session for

Capacitor Bank
and Testing

By Long Pong
Outline
 Motivations and Applications
 Technology and Failure Mode
 Configuration and Protection
 Condition Monitoring
 Cap Bank Test Principle/Procedure
 Data Interpretation
 Field Experiences
 Conclusions and Recommendation

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Motivations and Applications

Why do we need Capacitor Bank?

Main Three Applications:

To “Release” Active Power
To Control Voltage
To Filter Harmonics

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Motivations and Applications
To “Release” Active Power  ?
Already reach 100% MVA

Need More Watts:

A B

1. Rebuild/Add Line
2. Use Capacitor to
compensate VAR
$$ ?

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Motivations and Applications

To Release Active Power (Watts)

Compensate %PF (Cos θ)

VA 100%
VAR

θ
90%

Watts

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Motivations and Applications

Release Active Power +8%

Compensate VAR  98% of PF
VAR

VAR to
be provided VA 100%

θ
98%
Watts

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Motivations and Applications

To Control Voltage

Voltage Support
VAR Support

Demand and Supply

SVC (Static VAR Compensator)

HVDC ↔ AC System

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Motivations and Applications

To Control Harmonic

Rectifier
Converter
Motor Speed Control
Transient Control

Smaller Capacitor Bank

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology
Three Technologies:
Externally Fused
Internally Fused
Fuseless
Materials : Tin/lead, Aluminum Foil,
Paper and Polypropylene Film
Capacitor Elements Connected in Series/
Parallel

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology - History
• 1920s: Capacitor use becomes general practice
• 1930s: Tin/lead foil electrodes, linen paper&mineral oil
• 1930s: Wood pulp paper (Kraft paper)
• 1940s: PCB fluid & internally fused capacitors
• 1960s: Paper-Film dielectric (Polypropylene& Kraft
Paper)
• 1971:All-Film dielectric (Polypropylene)
• 1975:Non-PCB aromatic hydrocarbon
• 1989:Fuseless capacitor banks

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology - History

1930s 1960s 1970 - today

Tin/Lead Foil Aluminum Foil Aluminum Foil
Papers Papers & Film All Film

Electrode

dielectric

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Typical Unit Rating

• kVAR: 50 to 1000 kVAR

• Voltage: 2 to 25 kV
• Frequency: 50 or 60
• BIL: 95 to 200 kV
• Creepage Distance: 200 to 800 mm

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction
Discharge
Externally Resistor
fused
Capacitor Major
Insulation

Capacitor
Element

Series Section

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Internally
Fused
Grading
Capacitor Resistor

Element
Fuse

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Fuseless
Capacitor

• Parallel String
• No Series Sections

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction
Temperature
Sensitive, Weak
Spots

Clean Environment

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Extended Foil and

Tabs for joint
(solder or crimp)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

• Vacuum dried to remove water/solvents

• Filled with synthetic dielectric fluid
• Sealed to keep air out of the dielectric
system
• Some sealed off with positive pressure

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Standards

• NEMA CP-1 (Shunt Capacitor)

• IEEE 18 Standard for Shunt Power
Capacitors
• IEC 60871-1 Shunt capacitors for a.c.
power systems having a rated voltage
above 1 kV

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Factory Tests

Production Tests (2-bushings unit):

• Short-time overvoltage (10s):
– Terminal-to-Terminal
– Terminal-to-case
• Capacitance (10%)
• Leak
• Discharge <50V, 1mn ≤0.6kV, 5mn >0.6kV
• Loss (<WM)
• Fuse Capacity (internally fused)
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Technology – Factory Tests

Design Tests (2-bushings unit):

• Impulse
• Bushing (C57.19.00)
• Thermal stability (24h)
• RIV (for 2 bushings unit)
• Discharge <50V, 1mn ≤0.6kV, 5mn >0.6kV
• 5 SC Discharges (Vdc=2.5xVrms)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Max. Continuous Ratings

• 110% of rated rms voltage

• 120% of rated peak voltage,
• 135% of rms current @ rated kVAR
• 135% of rated kVAR

• 180% of rms current (Fundamental &

Harmonics)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Other Ratings

• Normal service life exposures to

overvoltage, etc.
• Withstand the Transient Voltages
• Withstand the peak discharge currents

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Why do we fuse capacitor and why don’t we

fuse other capacitor?

• Construction and Connection

• We fuse capacitor to remove failed unit or
element before tank rupture or damaging
other units

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction
Externally Fused Capacitor: Connection in
parallel

Parallel Energy (Ep)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction
Externally Fused Capacitor: Connection in parallel
• Ep limits the number of parallel units
• If Ep is too high, then
 1. Reconfigure the bank
 2. Use current limiting fuses
 3. Apply fuseless capacitors
 4. Apply internally fused capacitors

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

• Internally Fused:

Internally parallel with

Series Sections:
 Ep is limited to mostly
one internal section

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction
Fuseless Capacitor: Serial Connection
Series units + internal series elements

Failed elements
has be shorted
X

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Technology – Construction

Fuseless Capacitor: Serial Connection

Series units + internal series elements

Unit 1 Unit 12
7 x 12 =84 Series Elements (SE)
1 Failed Element => OV = SE / (SE-FE)
OV = 84 / (84-1) = 1.012 P.U.
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Technology – Comparison
Capacitor Loss Temp Space D.R. D.L. $

Externally Fused L L H L L M

Fuseless L L L H H L
(≥69kV)
Internally Fused H H L H H H

D.R.: Difficulty in unbalance Relaying

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
D.L.: Difficulty in Locating failed unit
Failure Mode

Dielectric Failure
Puncturing and Shorting
Capacitor Element

Welded
Increasing Unit Capacitance

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Failure Mode

Dielectric Failure
Puncturing and Shorting
Capacitor Element

Not solidly Welded

Capacitance Sensitive to Voltage

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Failure Mode

Failure Mode: Dielectric Failure

Delaminating (Missing Fluid)

Decreasing Unit Capacitance

Increasing %PF

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

 Failure Causes

Mfg/Component Defect
Manufacturing
Design/Installation Defect
Construction
Shipping/Handling
Overvoltage/current
Harmonics/ Transients Operation
Maintenance
Pollution/Varmints
Age
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Failure Causes

• Weak spots in polypropylene film

• Unit rated voltage, Current, Protection
• Bank insulation
• Tank Rupture Curve Coordination
• Energy Discharge into Failed Unit
• Resonances
• Leaks
• Electrical Connections

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Failure Causes
• Transient Current, Voltage
• Restrikes, Dynamic Overvoltage
• Fault Current
• Switching
• In/Outrush Currents
• Unplanned harmonics
• Overheating
• Fuses/Insulators
• Protection & Control Devices

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Failure Causes

Switching: Basic Theory of Reactance

 C  XC = 1/(2π f C)
Transient/Harmonic effect:
 High Frequency
 XC ↓
L

C  L  XL = 2π f L
 XL ↑
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Failure Causes

Switching: Opening
• Restrike
• Voltage
magnification
• TRV on breaker

 Proper Switching Device

 Surge Arrester

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Failure Causes

Switching: Closing • Inrush Current

• Transient/Voltage
magnification
• Resonances
 Zero-cross closing device
 Pre-insertion device
 Limiting current device
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Failure Causes

Switching: Back-to-back Magnifying

previous problems:
• Inrush current
• Transient/Voltage
L2
• Resonances
L1
+ Outrush current
C2
 C=C1+C2  XC ↓ [1/(2π f C)]
C1
 L=L1//L2  XL ↓ [2π f L]
 Proper Engineering
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Failure Causes

In service: • Transient/Voltage
• Resonances
• Harmonics
• Outrush current
• Addition of Cap Bank
 Proper Engineering

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

 Failure Rate – Bathtub Curve
Failure Rate

Constant
End
Infant Failure Rate
of Life
Mortality

Time

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Configuration/Protection

Two Basic Connections

Parallel (LV)

Series or
String (HV)
 Combination of Series/Parallel 
5 Configurations
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
 Configuration/Protection

Connection Arrangements
 Parallel
1. Single Group: Single
or 3-Phase Unit
2. Multiple Groups

3. Series parallel
Groups (HV)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Series Parallel Groups (HV)
A
A Parallel Group

B C

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Series Parallel Groups
5 Parallel Groups in Series
14 units per Group
1

2
3

5 4

Phase A Phase B Phase C

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Configuration/Protection

 Series (HV)
4. Single String
5. Multiple Strings in Parallel

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

4 Groups/Phase 4
3
4 Strings/Group 2 C
1
16 Units/String 3
4
B
1
2
A

Serial StringBankCap
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank
and Testing, 2009
Protection
Typical Protections
1. Individual Unit or Element
Bank Protection
2. Current Unbalance
3. Voltage Unbalance
4. Over Current
5. Over Voltage
6. Ground Fault
7. Reclosing (5 minutes delay)
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Typical Protection
Bank Protection: Over Voltage /
Reclosing/
Over Current Ground Fault

CT R
PT

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Typical Protection - Unbalance

Bank Protection: Y

Grounded
Ungrounded
PT
CT

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Typical Protection - Unbalance

Bank Protection: (HV) grounded Y

Line

LV Cap R

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Typical Protection - Unbalance

Bank Protection: Ungrounded Y - Y

CT

R
PT

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Typical Protection - Unbalance

Bank Protection: Grounded Y - Y

RCT

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Comparison – Grounded Wye
Advantages Disadvantages
• No need full system • Path for zero-sequence
insulation • Inrush/outrush current
• Lower TRV and TV into grid
• Lower unit insulation stress • May require current-
• No overvoltage for fuse limiting fuse
operation for single group • Outrush due to bus
• Fast fuse operation (pole- fault
mounted)
• Effective Arrester application
• EffectiveTutorial–
Unbalance relaying
Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Comparison – ungrounded Wye
Advantages Disadvantages

• No Path for zero- • Need full system

sequence insulation
• Can withstand ground fault • High TRV and TV
• No Inrush/outrush current • Higher unit insulation
into grid stress
• No Outrush due to single • Effective SA is Line-to-
bus ground fault Neutral

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Typical CapBank Failure
Yes, they do fail Which ones are
the bad guys?

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

CapBank Tripped or Alarmed

How to troubleshoot this without

spending days?

Intermittent Voltage
Tutorial– Capacitor or2009Current Unbalance
Bank and Testing,
What is the best maintenance practice?

1. Do Nothing: Run to failure

2. Preventive Maintenance or
Condition Monitoring

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Condition Monitoring

Failure/Condition Monitoring

Visual Inspection
Infrared Scan
Testing

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Condition Monitoring

Visual Inspection:
Foreign matter
Fuse, Bushing
Connection
Can deformation (Bulged)
Discoloration
Electrical Activities, Noise
Leaks
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Condition Monitoring

Testing:
Insulation to ground
Capacitance (uF)
Current (mA)
Power Factor

SFRA

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Condition Monitoring

How to test Cap Bank:

Disconnecting Unit – Hard Way
Low DC Voltage Test set – Ineffective
Better Way:
Not disconnecting the unit
Higher AC Voltage Test
Doble
CapBank
Use the existing tools, M4000

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Existing Tools
Why should I buy another
Tool?

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Existing Tools
M4100

M4110

M4140

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

 Test Principle: Ohm’s Law
I
• V V/I=Z
• I
ICapacitive

• Angle: θ
– Real Loss (Watts)
– Power Factor, Cos θ
θ
– Capacitance
V
IResistive

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

 Principle – Doble CapBank Test
VTest, Ici, θ  Unit’s Capacitance and %PF

VTest
M4110
(External
Ic1 Ic2 Ic3 Ic4 Ic5 Ic6 Ic7 Ic8 Ic9
Source)

M4100 for
measurement

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Template

Max.Voltage
(0.3kV)

Current Capacitor ID:

Xn-m
Probe Ratio
(Attenuation)
Test results

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Test Connection For Parallel Group

M4110
Breakers
V. Control VTest Ic1 Ic2 Ic3 Ic4 Ic5 Ic6 Ic7 Ic8 Ic9

PC Sensor
M4100 Ic3/Ratio Ic6/Ratio
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Testing Series Parallel Groups
A

B C

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Testing Series Parallel Groups
A

B C

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Testing Series Parallel Groups
A

1st

6th

10th

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Principle - Unit in Serial
String

Source Lead

V1
V. Lead

Current Lead
Ii
Ii
M4100

Ik
M4110 Itotal
Source Lead Common Neutral Bar

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Next Unit in Serial String

Source Lead

V. Lead
V2
Current Lead
Ii
Ii
M4100

Ik
M4110 Itotal
Source Lead Common Neutral Bar

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test the Whole Serial String

Source Lead

V1
V. Lead

Current Lead
Ii
M4100 Ii
Ik
M4110 Itotal
Source Lead Common Neutral Bar

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Connection – Unit in Serial
String

Source Phase Bar

M4110
Lead

V. Lead

Ii
M4100
Sensor PC Source Lead
Neutral Bar

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

All Covered
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Hook Adapters for Voltage leads

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Hook Adapters for Voltage leads

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Connection – Doble CapBank
Clamps need to close completely and centers
around bushing connection

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Connection – Doble CapBank
Clamps completely close and centers around
bushing connection

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Connection - Lead Polarity
• Polarity of Test leads:
Voltage Polarity: white and black Voltage
leads agree with red and black Source leads

Current Polarity: Current Probe agrees with

current direction (Red  Black)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Connection - Lead Polarity

I
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Running the Tests – Doble CapBank

• Cursor in the starting line and F2

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Running the Tests – Doble CapBank

• Increase Test Voltage to 240 Volts

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Running the Tests – Doble CapBank

• F3 : Take the measurement

• F5 : Accept Test Results

MoveTutorial–
the Clamp-On Probe to Next Capacitor
Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Running the Tests – Doble CapBank

1. Repeat the test until the last unit in the

group
2. Decrease Test Voltage to Zero
3. Move Source Leads to Next Group
4. Repeat the process on each group until
the end

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Test Data Interpretation
• Power Factor ≤ 3% → Quality Change
• Capacitance ≤ ±3%, ±5% → Physical
Change or Internally Damaged
• Manufacturer Limit: Capacitance
±10% or ±15% (too high, for
completely failed, not deteriorated)
• Comparison Between Units and
Historical Trend
• Use Graphic Analysis
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Unit Identification
Unit Identification : Xn-m
 X is Phase Label (Example A, B or C)
 n is Rack No: 1, 2, 3...From Line to Neutral
 m is unit position: 1, 2, 3...From Left to Right
For Multiple Groups
Unit Identification : Xk-n-m
 X: Phase Label (Example A, B or C)
 k: String/Rack Group No: 1, 2, 3
 n: String/Rack No: 1, 2, 3...starting from IT
 m: Unit position: 1, 2, 3...From top to bottom
Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Unit Identification
Xn-m: 14 units per Rack

C1-14 1 C2-1

2
3

5 4

Phase A Phase B Phase C

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
 4
3
Xk-n-m 1
2 C

3
C3-1-4
4
B
1
2
A

C3-4-16

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Typical Problems Identified

Ref. Cap Avg Cap %PF

ID # Problem Description
(F) %PF (F)
Severe delaminating/
1 4 1.3 3.30 28.42
deterioration (leakage)
2 4 1.3 3.7 13.29 Delaminating (leakage)
3 4 1.3 5.43 1.44 Severely shorted section
4 4 1.3 4.14 1.26 Shorted layer
5 4 1.3 4.02 3.35 Internal deterioration
6 8.25 1 8.44 5.46 Bushing contamination
7 2.28 1.4 2.29 6 Bad connection
8 2.28 1.4 2.34 0.79 Case ground loose

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Field Test Data (63 MVAR, 115kV
CapBank, 5x14, NStar in MA)
5.0 6
1 2 4 6
4.8 6 bad units to
5
Capacitance (pF)

%PF
4.6 be replaced
4.4 4
4.2 3

4.0 3
3.8
2
3.6
3.4
1
3.2
3.0 0
C1-3
C1-11
C2-4
C2-12
C3-5
C3-13
C4-6
C4-14
C5-7
B1-6
B1-14
B2-7

B3-8
B4-1
B4-9
B5-2
B5-10
A1-1
A1-9
A2-2
A2-10
A3-3
A3-11
A4-4
A4-12
A5-5
A5-13

Capacitor ID Cap. %PF

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
 Field Test Data (90MVAR, 230kV
CapBank, 10x15, PE in NC)
20 bad Units and 6 Questionable Units
5.00
Cap % PF 9.00

8.00
Capacitance (uF)

4.50
7.00

4.00 6.00

%PF
5.00
3.50
4.00

3.00 3.00

2.00
2.50
1.00

2.00 0.00
A1-1
A2-2
A3-3
A4-4
A5-5
A6-6
A7-7
A8-8
A9-9
A10-10

C10-
B7-1
B8-2
B9-3
B10-4
B1-11
B2-12
B3-13
B4-14
B5-15

C1-5
C2-6
C3-7
C4-8
C5-9
C6-10
C7-11
C8-12
C9-13
Cap Unit ID

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Field Test Data (384MVAR, 330kV
CapBank, 4x4x16, HQ in Quebec)
3 bad Units: B2-4-10, C4-2-6 and C4-2-7
B2-4-10 @291V
12.0
Capacitance %PF
3.0

11.5
B2-4-10 @18V 2.5
Cap (uF)

2.0

%PF
11.0 1.5
1.0
10.5 0.5
10.0 0.0
-0.5
9.5 -1.0

C4-2-2
C4-2-4
C4-2-6
C4-2-8
B2-4-1
B2-4-3
B2-4-5
B2-4-7
B2-4-9

B3-1-2
B3-1-4
B3-1-6
B3-1-8

C4-2-10
C4-2-12
C4-2-14
C4-2-16
B2-4-10
B2-4-12
B2-4-14
B2-4-16

B3-1-10
B3-1-12
B3-1-14
B3-1-16
Cap Unit ID

B2-4-10 is voltage sensitive

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009
Field Experiences: Users Feedbacks

Test Time: 30 second per unit test

Simple and no training required for M4000
users
Additional Test Technique:
Test Entire Group, String or Phase
• For troubleshooting a Problem or Engineering
purpose
• Not for maintenance purpose

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Field Experiences: Users Feedbacks

Safety:
Comply With Your Company’s Policy
Glove (600V)
Safety Glass
Decrease Test Voltage to Zero Before
Removing Source Leads (M4110’s Red
and Black)

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

When to Test CapBank

Test all Capacitor Bank:

• New for baseline
• Commissioning for QA and spec
confirmation
• Maintenance test to prevent catastrophic
failure
• As Troubleshooting Tool to save time
Contact Doble for the first time user

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

 Conclusion/Recommendation

 Simple and cost effective method:

Pass/Fail + Detecting the deterioration
 e-Records facilitates the enormous task
of data analysis and management
 Complete test data + test conditions: Vital
for condition assessment
 Little investment for M4000 users
 Graphically Analysis

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009

Tutorial - Capacitor Bank and Testing

Thanks for Attending

Any question?

Tutorial– Capacitor Bank and Testing, 2009