REACTIVE POWER MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITORS

By Er. K. K. Murty, Sr. Faculty CTI.

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Mandatory Requirement :
As per M.P. Electricity Supply Code-2013 notified on 30.08.2013, it is mandatory on the part of
Power Transmission and Distribution Utilities of the state to provide quality supply to their
consumers (LT, HT and EHT consumers) as a whole. The farmers/ agriculturists by and large
are LT consumers including the small scale industries. The consumers are to be supplied with
quality supply as per the afore said supply code, especially in the Rabi season.
Quality supply to consumers as defined in the afore mentioned supply code in terms of voltage
regulation are as follows;
∑ LT consumers: ± 6%,
∑ HT consumers: + 6% and -9%
∑ EHT consumers: +10 and -12%.
Reasons for deterioration of quality of power;
i. Loading on the long transmission lines, sub transmission lines and the
distribution lines.
ii. The loads of the EHV, HT and LT consumers are predominantly inductive.
iii. The Transformers of EHV, HV, LT level ,Reactors and Induction motor at HT and
LT level , levy the system with Reactive (inductive) loading resulting in to Low Pf
and droop in voltage profile (Poor regulation).
Ways and means for improving the system:
Unlike Active power the Reactive Power cannot flow wherever needed. It has to be generated or
absorbed at location of need. In our Grid system we have installed Shunt capacitor banks at
132kV, 33kV bus in EHV sub stations and on 11kV bus in the Sub- transmission (33/11kV) sub
– stations.
Advantages of installation of capacitors:
i. Shunt compensation.: for improving pf
ii. Series compensation: for increasing the power carrying capability.
iii. Harmonics: for filtering the harmonics.
iv. Improving voltage profile.
v. Expansion of network Capacity.
vi. Lowing Line losses.
vii. Enhansment in plant capacity.
viii. Higher productivity.
ix. Reduction in Electricity Charges.
x. Reduction in carbon footprint.
Sizing of Capacitor

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The Capacitor are connected to the supply at the load point and are connected in
parallel configuration.
Case study: Sizing a Capacitor for improvement of PF from 0.75 to 0.9.of a load of
100HP Motor.
∑ Since the load is in HP ,the same needs to be changed to KW;
1HP= 0.746 KW.

Therefore 100HP= 74.6 KW.

Following shall be the Vector diagram.

In the instant case the PF is said to be 0.75.

∑ ie Cos ∅1 = 0.75. Therefore, the angle ∅1 = cos 0.75.(Find the angle).

∑ The angle ∅1 = 41.409 degrees.
∑ therefore , the present Kvar1 = KWx tan∅1.
∑ Say the improvement to the Pf of 0.90 is to be effected.

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 ∑ We have to find out the new angle ∅2, from the expression of Cos ∅2 =
0.90.
∑ New angle ∅2 = cos 0.90 = 25.841 degrees.
∑ New Kvar2 = KW x tan ∅2.
∑ Therefore the Capacitive Kvar to be added to nullify the Inductive Kvar is
as follows.
∑ Kvar (Capacitive) = Kvar1 − Kvar2
∑ Kvar (Capacitive)= Kw x (tan ∅ – tan∅ .)
∑ KVAR = 74.6 x (tan 41.409 degrees - tan 25.84 degrees).
∑ Kvar = 74.6(0.8819 - 0.4842)
∑ Kvar = 74.6 x 0.3977.
∑ Kvar = 29.6908. Ans.
∑ Say 30 Kvar.

As could be seen from above is 74.6 KW load is multiplied with 0.3977, which tallies
with the Table for correction of PF from 0.75 to o.9. (mf-0.398).

Encl: Capacitor Sizing Table vis-a vis load.

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Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) Panel
Power Factor Improving:

1. Please check if required kVAr of capacitors are installed.

2. Check the type of capacitor installed is suitable for application or the capacitors
are de rated.
3. Check if the capacitors are permanently ‘ON’. The Capacitor are not switched off
4. when the load is not working, under such condition the average power factor is
found to be lower side.
5. Check whether all the capacitors are operated in APFC depending upon the load
operation.
6. 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.
7. Check if the load demand in the system is increased.
8. 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 Required Kva

∑ <= 315 kVA T.C = 5% of KVA

∑ 315kVA To 1000 kVA = 6% of KVA
∑ >= 1000 kVA = 8% of KVA

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