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Authorized licensed use limited to: The University of Toronto.
Downloaded on July 24,2021 at 22:42:13 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
An American National Standard
IEEE Guide for Protection of
Shunt Capacitor Banks
1. Introduction IEEE Std 469-1977, Recommended Practice

for Voice-Frequency Electrical-Noise Tests of
This guide has been prepared to assist in the Distribution Transformers
effective application of relays and other devices NEMA cp1-1976,2 Shunt Capacitors
for the protection of shunt capacitors used in
substations. It covers the protective considera-
tions along with recommended and alternate 2.2 References
methods of protection for the most commonly
used capacitor bank configurations. Bank de- [ l ] HARNER, R.H. and OWEN, R.E. Neutral
sign tradeoffs are also discussed since bank Displacement of Ungrounded Capacitor Banks
design influences protection. The guide does During Switching. IEEE Transactions on Power
not include a discussion of pole mounted Apparatus and Systems, paper no 71 TP67,
installations on distribution circuits or applica- Jul-Aug 1971, pp 1631-1638.
tions such as capacitors connected t o m o t o r [2] SHEPPARD, N.R. and SCHULTZ, N.R.
terminals. Some Considerations in the Protection of
High-Voltage Capacitor Banks. AZEE Trans-
actions, vol 75, part 111, 1956, pp 686-694.
2. References
[3] COOPER, J.R. and ZULASKI, J.A. Im-
2.1 Standards References proved Protection System Increases Capacitor
Bank Utilization. Presented at the Pennsylvania
c37.04-1979, Rating Structure for
Electric Association Relay Committee Meeting,
ac High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a
Oct 27, 1972, Hagerstown, MD.
Symmetrical Current Basis
[4] TOM, M.O. A Static Voltage Differential
c37*06-1979,Preferred and Re- Relay for Protection of Shunt Capacitors.
quired Capabilities for ac High-Voltage Circuit
AzEE Transactions, 80, part 111, Feb 1962,
Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current
pp 1086-1089.
Basis’
[5] ABDULRAHIM, M.J., ANDERSON, P.M.
ANSI/IEEE C37.012-1979, Application Guide and FOUAD, A.A. Inrush Currents in a
for capacitance Current Of ac High-
Switched Parallel-Capacitor Bank. IEEE Con-
Circuit Breakers Rated On a ‘ym- ference Paper SlCP 66-101, New York, NY.
metrical Current Basis
[6] The Telephone Influence Factor of Sup-
C37*90a-19743 Guide for Surge ply System Voltages and Currents. Joint Sub-
Withstand Capability (SWC) Tests committee on Development and Research, EEI
ANSI/IEEE Std 18-1980, IEEE Standard for Pub 60-68. EEI and-Bell Telephone System:
Shunt Power Capacitors New York, NY, 1960.
’
ANSI documents are available from the American
National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New
‘NEMA documents are available from the National
Electrical Manufacturers’ Association, 155 East 45th
York, NY 10018. Street, New York, NY 10017.
Authorized licensed use limited to: The University of Toronto. Downloaded on July 24,2021 at 22:42:13 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
ANSI/IEEE
C37.99-1980 IEEE GUIDE FOR PROTECTION OF
[7] ROGERS, E.J. and GILLIES, D.A. Shunt ured at a uniform case and internal tempera-
Capacitor Switching EM1 Voltages, Their Re- ture of 25 'C.
duction in Bonneville Power Administration Capacitors shall be suitable for continuous
Substations. IEEE Transactions on Power Ap- operation at 135% of rated reactive power
paratus and Systems, vol 93, 1974, pp caused by the combined effects of:
1849-1860. (1) Voltage in excess of nameplate rating of
fundamental frequency but not over 110% of
[8] HARDER, J.E. Selection and Protection
of Current Transformers for Use in Shunt rms rated
Capacitor Banks. IEEE Power Engineering (2) Harmonic voltages
Society paper A 76 335-0. (3) Manufacturing tolerance
[9] MILLER, D.F. Application Guide for
Shunt Capacitors on Industrial Distribution 3.2 Protection Considerations. Shunt capac-
Systems at Medium Voltage Levels. IEEE itor bank design requirements necessitate an
Transactions on Industry Applications, vol increase in minimum bank size with system
IA-12, no 5, Sept-Oct 1976,pp 444-459. voltage. The higher the system voltage the
larger is the bank investment and risk of costly
[lo] STEEPES, D.E. and STRATFORD, R.P. damage. Capacitors of larger kvar ratings re-
Reactive Compensation and Harmonic Suppres- duce the cost but may also reduce the choice
sion for Industrial Power Systems Using Thy- of different capacitor combinations. Protection
ristor Converters. IEEE Transactions on Indus- begins with the bank design.
try Applications, vol IA-12, no 3, May-Jun Availability of a capacitor bank for service
1976,pp 232-254. requires reliable protection which will result
in minimal damage to the bank. The bank
[ll] PRATT, R.A., OLIVE, W.W., JR, WHIT- should be removed from the system before it is
MAN, B.D. and BROWN, R.W. Two Fuse
exposed to severe damage or before a fault is
System Protects Capacitors, Electrical World,
established on the system. When a single
Jun 1977,pp 46-48.
capacitor unit fails within a bank, the capacitor
[12] MOORE, A.H. Application of Power unit should be disconnected without transfer-
Capacitors to Electrochemical Rectifier Sys- ring problems t o adjacent units.
tems. IEEE Transactions on Industry Appli- Bank protective equipment must guard
cations, vol IA-13, no 5, Sept-Oct 1977, pp against seven basic conditions:
399-406. (1) Overcurrents due to capacitor bank bus
faults
(2) System surge voltages
3. Basic Considerations (3) Overcurrents due to individual capacitor
unit failure
Protection of switched shunt capacitors re- (4) Continuous capacitor unit overvoltages
quires an understanding of the capabilities and (5) Discharge current from parallel capacitor
limitations of both the capacitors and the units
associated switching devices. The basis for (6) Inrush current due to switching
capacitor considerations, including definitions, (7) Arc-over within the capacitor rack
is IEEE S M 18-1980.Applicable standards for Table 1 summarizes the type of protection
the associated switching devices are referenced and preventive measures. Bus fault and surge
as discussed. voltage protection are conventional in nature.
3.1 Capacitor Unit Ratings (ANSI/IEEE Std Capacitor overcurrent protection is obtained
18-1980).Capacitors shall be capable of con- through proper fuse coordination. Capacitor
tinuous operation up to 110%of rated terminal manufacturers usually assist in this task, but a
rms voltage, including harmonics, and up t o thorough understanding of capacitor unit and
180% of rated rms current, including funda- bank fusing is recommended. Consideration of
mental and harmonic currents. discharge current from parallel capacitor units
Capacitors shall give not less than 100% and influences selection of fuse type.
not more than 115% of rated reactive power at Capacitor unit voltage, current, kVA, and
rated sinusoidal voltage and frequency, meas- temperature are important considerations in
ANSI/IEEE
SHUNT CAPACITOR BANKS C37.99-1980
Table 1
Summary of Shunt Capacitor Protection Methods
Type of Protection
Condition and Preventive Measures Remarks
Bus faults Supply breaker with overcurrent Conventional methods apply.

relays
Power fuses
System surge voltages Surge arresters Grounded capacitor banks partially
Spark gaps reduce surge voltages. Check arrester
rating.
Overcurrents due to Individual capacitor unit fuses Coordination normally provided
individual capacitor (expulsion or current limiting by capacitor manufacturer.
unit failures types)
Continuous capacitor Unbalance sensing with current The various schemes used have some
unit overvoltages or voltage relays for Y or limitations and suitability depends
double Y banks on bank arrangement and rating.
Periodic visual fuse inspection Not suitable for unmanned
substations.
Phase voltage relays For system overvoltage.
Discharge current Individual capacitor unit fuses Coordination normally by capacitor
from parallel capacitor (current limiting type) manufacturer.
units Proper bank design Limit number of parallel capacitors.
Inrush current Switched or fixed impedance To reduce inrush current. May not
in series with capacitor bank be necessary if only a single bank.
Rack faults Unbalance relaying Prompt relay action necessary to
Overcurrent relaying limit fault damage.
avoiding failure. Avoiding capacitor unit failure A and Y are the basic connections while the
is the first step in minimizing the probability of double Y is used for larger kvar bank ratings.
capacitor case rupture. The maximum allow- The neutral point can be grounded or un-
able capacitor temperature should not be ex- grounded. The Y-connected bank, having only
ceeded. a single group of parallel connected capacitors
Capacitor switching devices require special per phase, is usually not grounded.
attention since more severe switching duties
exist for the interruption of shunt capacitor
4.1 A-Connected Banks. A-connected banks
are generally used only at low voltages with
banks than for other forms of switching.
one series group of capacitors rated for line-to-
line voltage since Y-connected banks are less
4. Bank Arrangements and Connections complicated and more economical. A-con-
nected banks require either two-bushing capac-
There are five common connections. The itors with a grounded rack or single-bushing
connection selected depends 'upon the best units with an insulated rack. The greatest use is
utilization of the standard voltage ratings of at 2400 V since this is the lowest standard
capacitor units, fusing, and protective relaying. capacitor rating. A Y-connected rating for
Virtually all high voltage banks are connected 2400 V is not available.
in wye (Y) while low voltage banks may be With one series group, no overvoltage of
connected in Y or delta (A). capacitor units occurs from unbalance so that
The various types of connections illustrated no voltage unbalance protection is required.
in Fig 1are: Third harmonic voltages are in phase in the
(1) A three phases. Therefore, no third harmonic
(2) Grounded Y currents can flow in a A-connected capacitor
(3) Ungrounded Y bank.
(4) Ungrounded double Y On banks where one series group per phase is
(5) Grounded double Y used, the individual capacitor fuses must be
ANSI/IEEE
Fig 1
Basic Capacitor Bank Connections
(a) Delta. (b) Grounded Wye. (c) Ungrounded Wye
(d) Ungrounded Double Wye-Neutrals (may or may not be tied)
(e) Grounded, Double Wye
capable of interrupting the system short-circuit system phase-to-ground fault current. Expul-
phase-to-phase fault current. This nearly always sion fuses may be used in those cases of very
necessitates a current limiting fuse. Such fuses limited short circuit capability. Current limit-
are about five times the cost of the expulsion ing fuses are required if the parallel kvar
fuse. exceeds 3100 kvar.
Ungrounded Y banks do not permit third
4.2 Y-Connected Banks, One Group per Phase.
harmonic currents or large capacitor discharge
For systems with line-to-neutral voltages
currents during system ground faults. The
corresponding t o standard capacitor ratings,
neutral, however, must be insulated for full line
Y-connected capacitor banks with a single
voltage since it is momentarily at phase poten-
group per phase may be used. The capacitor
tial when the bank is switched or when one
bank neutral is usually not grounded in order
capacitor unit fails.
to avoid the need for current limiting fuses t o
interrupt system short-circuit fault current. See 4.3 Grounded Y Banks, Multiple Series
6.1. This requires that the capacitor units be Groups. Grounded Y capacitor banks are
mounted on an insulated rack. Either single- or most commonly used for voltages of 34.5 kV
two-bushing capacitor units may be used. and above and are composed of two or more
Ungrounded Y capacitor banks usually do series groups of parallel connected standard
not require current limiting fuses in that voltage capacitor units per phase. Figure 2
current through a faulted capacitor unit is shows a typical bank arrangement. A number
limited to three times normal phase current. of series group combinations are given in Table
However, caution needs to be exercised when 2.
refusing a bank of this type, in that faulted The multiple series groups limit the max-
capacitors in different phases could result in a imum fault current so that high capacity or
phase-to-phase system fault. With two-bushing current limiting individual capacitor fuses are
capacitor units mounted on a grounded rack, usually not required unless the parallel kvar
the fuses should be capable of interrupting the exceeds 3100 kvar.
10
ANSI/IEEE
Table 2
Y-Connected Capacitor Banks
Number of Series Groups*
Available Capacitor Voltages (kV per unit)
VLL VLN
kV kV 21.6 19.92 14.4 13.8 13.28 12.47 9.96 9.54 8.32 7.96 7.62 7.2 6.64
- -- - - - __ ~ -~ - - ~
500.0 288.7 14 15 20 21 22 29 30 35 36 38
345.0 199.2 10 15 16 20 21 24 25 21
230.0 132.8 10 14 16 17 18 20
161.0 92.9 7 13 14
138.0 79.1 4 6 6 6 8 10 11 12
115.0 66.4 5 I 8 9 9 10
69.0 39.8 2 3 3 4 5 6
46.0 26.56 2 4
34.5 19.92 1 2 3
24.9 14.4 1 2
23.9 13.8 1
23.0 13.28 1 2
14.4 8.32 1
13.8 1.96 1
13.2 7.62 1
12.41 7.2 1
*This table shows for a particular system voltage the number of seriesconnected capacitors per phase of a wye
connected bank which operates near rated capacitor unit voltage.
Grounded capacitor banks provide a low and provides no path to ground for third
impedance path to ground for lightning surge harmonic currents. The entire bank, including
currents and give some protection from surge the neutral, should be insulated for line volt-
voltages. Sometimes the bank may be operated age.
without surge arresters, taking advantage of
this self-protective feature. Fig 2
Grounded neutral capacitor banks provide a Y-Connected Capacitor Bank
low impedance path to ground for harmonic Showing Arrangement of Capacitor
currents. The resulting harmonic currents may Units, Fuses, and Series Groups
cause communication facility interference if
such circuits parallel power lines. An open
phase produces zero sequence currents which
may cause ground relay operation. Third har-
monic resonance could be a problem.
Since the neutral is grounded, recovery volt-
ages are usually reduced and the capacitor bank
is switched as three single-phase sections.
4.4 Ungrounded Y Banks, Multiple Series

Groups. Y banks with multiple series groups,
Fig 2, may also be ungrounded. Such a bank
cannot provide any surge voltage protection
11
ANSI/IEEE
If a voltage transformer (VT) or potential double Y bank is used and provides protection
device connected from neutral t o ground is for main and auxiliary bank. One advantage of
used for unbalance detection, it should be this connection not listed above for double Y
capable of withstanding neutral displacement banks is the increased number of units in
voltages of 0.5 to 2.4 times system phase-to- parallel per series group in the main bank in
neutral voltage [l]. 3 At the higher system comparison t o the balanced double Y. A
voltages, requiring larger voltage transformer disadvantage is that the high impedance of the
ratios, the neutral voltage unbalance detection auxiliary bank decreases currents to be de-
becomes very insensitive. Special relaying tech- tected.
niques are required. See 7.6.
4.6 Capacitor Group Ratings and Limita-
4.5 Double Y Banks, Multiple Series Groups.
When a capacitor bank becomes too large for tions. Capacitors are available in the voltage
ratings shown in Table 2 and in ratings of 50,
the 3100 kvar per group maximum for expul-
sion fuses or is large enough to meet the 100, 150, 200, and 300 kVA at most of the
voltage ratings. A bank of a given size and
minimum units per group requirement as out-
voltage rating may be made up of a number of
lined in 4.6, the bank may be split into two Y
combinations of individual capacitor size, num-
sections. The two neutrals are usually un-
ber of series groups as indicated in Table 2, and
grounded, and therefore, the bank has some of
number of parallel capacitors in a group.
the characteristics of the ungrounded single In general, use of the largest capacitor units
bank. A current transformer is connected results in the minimum number of units, the
between the two neutrals t o detect an unbal- smaller rack structure, and the most econom-
ance and neutral shift of one Y section with ical bank. However, there are other restrictions
respect to the other Y section. A voltage that may apply.
transformer may also be used but sensitivity is The overvoltage caused by failure of an
reduced. See Fig 10. As for any ungrounded Y individual capacitor unit is reduced as the
bank, the neutral should be insulated from number of capacitor units per series group is
ground for the full line voltage. The neutral increased. Use of larger individual unit capac-
current transformer, or VT, should be rated for itor kvar ratings increases the overvoltage
the line voltage [8]. change due to a single capacitor failure for a
When ungrounded, the unbalance detection given bank size.
circuit is not sensitive to system unbalances, Capacitors with the highest voltage rating,
including an open-phase condition. requiring the minimum number of series
Double Y banks may also be grounded, in groups, permit the simplest and most econom-
which case they will pass third harmonic ical rack structure. They also provide the
currents and the unbalance detection equip- greatest sensitivity of the unbalance detection
ment will receive full line current during an scheme for a given overvoltage of the remaining
open phase. The two neutrals should be di- units of a group. The available unbalance signal
rectly connected, with a single connection to level decreases significantly as the number of
ground. series groups is increased and as the number of
The two Y sections are generally made equal units per group is increased.
or nearly equal in rating (kvar). Sometimes a The number of capacitor units per group is
single Y ungrounded bank with auxiliary bank governed by both a minimum and a maximum
composed of one unfused capacitor unit per limitation. The minimum number of capacitor
series group, similar to Fig lO(a), is used. units per group is determined by the overvolt-
Neutrals of the main and auxiliary bank are age considerations upon failure of one capac-
interconnected through a current transformer itor unit in that group. The general rule is that
as in the double Y bank connection. The isolation of one capacitor unit in a group
auxiliary bank provides balanced impedances as should not cause voltage unbalance sufficient
comparison for the main bank. Unbalance in to place more than 110% of rated voltage on
the main bank will cause neutral current to the remaining capacitors in the group. The
flow. A current detector adjusted for the value of 110% is the maximum continuous
3Numbers in brackets correspond to those in the overvoltage rating of capacitor units per IEEE
References, Section 2 of this guide. Std 18-1980.
12
ANSI/IEEE
The minimum recommended number of Table 3

capacitor units in parallel per series group is Minimum Recommended Number of Units in
listed in Table 3. This requirement may limit Parallel per Series Group to Limit Voltage on
the maximum size capacitor unit that can be Remaining Units to 110%with One Unit Out
used for relatively small banks. It emphasizes
the desirability of using the highest voltage Number Double Y
rating and minimum number of series groups in of series Grounded Ungrounded (Equal
Groups Y or A Y SeCtlOns)
order to obtain an adequate number in each
gr'oUP. 1 4 2
The maximum number of capacitor units 2 6 8 7
3 8 9 8
which may be placed in parallel is governed by 4 9 10 9
a different consideration. When a capacitor 5 9 10 10
unit fails, the other capacitors in the same series 6 10 10 10
7 10 10 10
group will probably contain some amount of 8 10 11 10
charge. This charge will then drain off as a high 9 10 11 10
frequency transient current through the faulted 10 10 11 11
11 10 11 11
unit and its fuse. The fuse holder and the failed 12andover 11 11 11
capacitor unit must withstand this discharge
transient. If the fuse link does not blow during
the transient, it will certainly blow when the parallel capacitors will reduce the failure
first peak of the 60 Hz fault current occurs. sensing signal and make fuse coordination more
The discharge transient from a large number difficult or costly by requiring current limiting
of paralleled capacitors can be severe enough to fuses. However, twice as many parallel capac-
cause rupture of the failed capacitor unit or of itors are needed before a second capacitor loss
the expulsion fuse assembly before the arc has may occur safely within a series group (see
been successfully cleared. Rupture of the Eqs 6,15, and 19, Appendix B).
capacitor unit may result in damage to adjacent Failure of additional capacitors is most likely
units and rupture of the fuse can cause a major to occur in the same series group as the first
bus fault within the bank. failure since these units have the highest
To minimize the probability of failure of the voltage stress. However, when two capacitors
expulsion fuse or rupture of the capacitor case, fail within the same phase but not in the same
or both, the total energy stored in a parallel series group, overvoltages occur in the two
connected group of capacitors should not series groups with missing capacitors but the
exceed 10 000 Ws at a maximum peak voltage percentage overvoltage is less than that of a
(rated voltage X 1.1 X @). For 60 Hz single series group in which two capacitors
applications, 3100 kvar at rated voltage is would fail. The second failing capacitor in a
recommended as the maximum limit for par- second series group has a compensating effect
allel connected kvar. See NEMA CP1-1976. on the overvoltage seen in the series group with
If a bank having the minimum number of the capacitor which failed first. The overvolt-
series groups requires more than 3100 kvar per age for a given neutral unbalance signal is much
group, capacitors of a lower voltage rating less than for the case of two units isolated in
requiring more series groups and fewer units the same group. The failing of two capacitors
per group may be a suitable solution. However, in the same series group results in the highest
this will reduce the sensitivity of the unbalance percentage overvoltage.
detection scheme. Splitting the bank into two The conditions described above can be calcu-
sections, as a double Y, may be the preferred lated for various bank configurations with the
arrangement and may permit a better unbal- equations in Appendix B or determined from
ance detection scheme. Another possibility is the curves of Figs 14, 16, and 18.
the use of current limiting fuses in a single Y
configuration. 4.7 Grounding
The above shows that a minimum number of 4.7.1 General. Generally, the application of
parallel capacitors is required to prevent dan- large shunt capacitor banks with switched
gerous overvoltages after single capacitor fail- parallel banks in high voltage transmission
ure but that a further increase in the number of systems involves a number of considerations,
13
ANSI/IEEE
one of which is grounding. A rule of thumb arresters, bank configuration, and bank switch-
continues to be one of considering grounding ing device.
the neutral of capacitor banks only on systems 4.7.2 Grounding of Multiple Banks. Where
which are effectively grounded. Thus, during a two or more grounded Y banks are at the same
switching operation, portions of the system location, the neutrals should be directly con-
with capacitor banks connected remain effec- nected, with a single connection to ground.
tively grounded with no backfeed through The design of the substation ground grid and
A-connected transformers. the connections of the respective bank neutrals
One of the main advantages of grounding to the substation grid is of prime importance.
concerns the severity of the recovery voltage Improper grounding can result in neutral
across the first pole to clear in a switch current transformer, VT or control cable fail-
interruption of the charging current on a ures. Two methods of neutral grounding have
capacitor bank. The recovery voltage across the been successfully used : single point grounding
first pole to open consists of trapped charges and peninsula type grounding. With single
on the capacitors and the variation in the 60 point grounding, all neutrals of all capacitor
Hz voltage of the system. Due to system groups of a given voltage are connected to-
parameters and capacitor bank size, the re- gether with insulated cable and tied to the
covery voltage can be 2 to 2.5 times normal ground grid at only one point. All equipment
peak voltage when the bank is grounded. On an grounds are connected to the regular ground
ungrounded bank, the recovery voltage can be grid. This arrangement prevents the high fre-
slightly more than 3 times the peak voltage quency currents which flow between banks
when the bank is switched. during back-to-back switching from flowing in
Since recovery voltage is a most important the ground grid. Unfortunately, it does not
factor in determining the capability of a eliminate those high frequency currents that
switching device to switch capacitive reactive flow back into the power system via the
power, it is desirable, in terms of switch rating substation ground grid.
and cost, to ground the neutral of large With peninsula grounding, one or more
shunt banks rated above 100 kV. ANSI/IEEE ground grid conductor(s) is carried underneath
C37.04-1979 and ANSI C37.06-1979 require the capacitor rack of each phase of each group
both the shunt capacitor bank and the system and tied to the main station ground grid at one
to be grounded at voltage levels of 121 kV and point at the edge of the capacitor area. All
above. It is also stated that the circuit breaker capacitor bank ground connections are made to
manufacturers should be consulted for applica- this isolated peninsula ground grid conduc-
t i o i of a breaker if the neutrals of the system tor(s) only [7]. This arrangement allows the
and the capacitor bank are both ungrounded. capacitor neutral potential (and associated cur-
While many shunt capacitor banks are di- rent transformers and VTs) to rise during
rectly connected to a high voltage substation capacitor bank switching, but provides the
bus, switched capacitor banks may be applied lowest possible impedance between capacitor
to tertiaries of power transformers which are groups. See Fig 3.
connected to the line or possibly to the bus. All control cable duct runs, cable trenches, or
Grounding the neutral of the Y-connected direct buried control cables not specifically
capacitor bank would violate the rule of thumb associated with capacitor control or protection
mentioned previously. Since the A tertiary of should be removed from the immediate area
the autotransformer represents an isolated around the capacitor groups. This is to avoid
source, grounding the capacitor bank neutral induction of surges into or possible control
would make this side of the transformer cable failure during capacitor switching.
capacitive grounded, yielding negative ratios of The routing of control cables from neutral
X O / X I . Excessively high overvoltages may be current transformers or VTs should be kept at
experienced during line-to-ground faults for right angles with respect to the common
certain ratios of X O / X I depending on system, neutral bus to minimize induction. These in-
transformer, and capacitor bank parameters. duced voltages can be minimized by shielding
Thus individual applications should be specifi- the cables and using a radial configuration for
cally analyzed so that high overvoltages can be circuits (circuits completely contained within
determined for proper application of surge one cable so that inductive loops are not
ANSI/IEEE
_______________-_--
Insulated Capacitor Neutrals
1,2,3 3 Phase Capacitor Groups
5. Substation Ground Grid
6. H.V. Bus Capacitor bank neutral cables insulated, tied together
7. Single Point Capacitor Neutral Ground and connected t o station ground grid at one point; all
8. Capacitor Group Fence equipment grounds connected t o station ground grid.
___________________ Capacitor Grounding Conductors (Bare)

1,2,3 3 Phase Capacitor Groups
5. Substation Ground Grid Capacitor bank neutrals and all equipment grounds tied
6. H. V. Bus together and connected t o station ground grid at one
8. Capacitor Group Fence point; neutral leads routed beneath phase conductors.
(b 1
Fig 3
Methods of Neutral Grounding
(a) Single Point Grounding (b) Peninsula Grounding
formed). ground during switching. As a result, the

Control cables entering the capacitor bank primary to secondary insulation of neutral
area must be kept as close as possible to the current transformers or VTs will be subjected
ground grid conductors (4/0 copper minimum) to this voltage, increasing the possibility of
in the cable trench or on top of the duct run, failure. Two bushing VTs must be used with
or in contact with the ground grid conductor if the primary connected to the capacitor bank
direct buried. This is mandatory if peninsula neutral.
grounding is used. A minimum of four control This does not occur with peninsula grounding
cable shield grounds is recommended : the first, since all equipment at the neutral tends to rise
at the cable termination in the capacitor area; to the same potential. Peninsula grounding,
the second, where the cable enters the main coordinated with control cable shielding and
cable trench or duct run; the third, where the grounding, will hold common mode voltages
cable enters the control house; and the fourth, appearing on control cables in the control
at final termination. The VT secondary should house to safe levels.
be grounded at the switchboard. Single point grounding and peninsula ground-
If single point grounding is used there will be ing are not compatible. All capacitor banks of
substantial (tens of kV) voltages between the the same system voltage must use the same
ends of the neutral bus and the single point grounding scheme in the same substation.
15
ANSI/IEEE
5. Ratings and Requirements of isolated capacitor bank-breaker application.

Capacitor Switching Devices However, the momentary rating of other
switching devices not intended for fault current
interruption should be checked.
When capacitor banks are switched back-to-
back (one or more energized when another is
The various devices which may be used for connected to the same bus), transient currents
capacitor switching include the following, of high magnitude and high frequency may
Circuit Breakers Interrupter Switches flow between the banks on closing of the
switching device, or in the event of a restrike
Air Oil on opening. The oscillatory current is limited
Air-magnetic SF, only by the impedance of the capacitor banks
Oil Vacuum and the circuit between them. The transient
SF, current usually decays to zero in a fraction of a
Vacuum cycle of the power frequency. The component
Reference should be made to ANSIIIEEE supplied by the power source is usually so
C37.04-1979,ANSI C37.06-1979,and ANSI/ small it may be neglected.
IEEE C37.012-1979. The magnitude and consequent effects of
All capacitor switching devices should be inrush current to a switched capacitor bank
applied within their maximum voltage, fre- may be greatly reduced by use of series
quency, and current ratings, including transient reactors or a capacitor switching device fur-
inrush current and frequency. Since capacitors nished with preinsertion resistors. When used
can be operated continuously up to 10% above for daily switching of back-to-back capacitor
the capacitor rated voltage, the switching de- banks, the life of the switching device contacts
vice should have at least this voltage rating. can be extended by increasing the inductance
The current rating of the switching device between banks to lower the inrush current
should include the effects of overvoltage (l.l), below the maximum allowable to reduce con-
capacitor tolerance (1.05 to 1.15), and har- tact erosion. However, for a given reduction in
monic component (1.05for ungrounded capac- transient current, the resistor is more effective
itor bank, 1.1 for grounded capacitor bank). It in reducing the transient overvoltage.
is usually considered adequate to use a total 5.2 Transient Overvoltage. An important con-
multiplier of 1.25 for ungrounded operation sideration for application of circuit breakers for
and 1.35 for grounded operation. capacitor switching is the transient overvoltage
Most switching devices are derated for capac- which may be generated by restrikes during
itor switching to a value well below their the opening operation. At current zero, the
continuous current rating. capacitor is left charged to nearly full peak line
voltage. Very little recovery voltage appears
5.1 Inrush Currents. The energizing of a ca- across the circuit breaker contacts at this
pacitor bank will result in a transient inrush instant and the capacitance current arc is
current. The magnitude and frequency of this usually interrupted at the first current zero
inrush current is a function of the applied after the circuit breaker contacts open. After
voltage (point on the voltage wave at closing), interruption, the normal frequency alternation
the capacitance of the circuit, the inductance of the voltage on the source side of the breaker
in the circuit, any charge on the capacitor bank results in a recovery voltage across the breaker
at the instant of closing, and any damping of contacts, W cycle later, approaching twice the
the circuit due to closing resistors or other peak line voltage. If a breakdown were to occur
resistance in the circuit. See Appendix C for at T2 in Fig 4 (b), the capacitor voltage imme-
inrush current calculations. diately attempts to equalize with the system
The transient inrush current to a single voltage, but the circuit is oscillatory and at the
isolated bank is less than the available short first peak of the transient the capacitor voltage
circuit current at the capacitor location. Since has overshot by an amount nearly equal to the
a circuit breaker must meet the momentary difference between the two voltages imme-
current requirement of the system, transient diately prior to the restrike. If the current is
inrush current is not a limiting factor in the interrupted at its first high frequency current
16
ANSI/IEEE
and the resultant surge voltage can theoretically

system voltage
reach 3 times normal line-to-ground crest volt-
age. In actual practice it seldom exceeds 2%
times normal. This should not be damaging to
the system; however, additional restrikes can
produce higher crest voltages and the sudden
voltage changes and high frequency oscillations
apacitor voltage may produce other relatively higher voltages
elsewhere on the system. Therefore, it is
desirable to limit restrikes or the voltage
phenomenon resulting from them to protect
current the entire system.
Under special circuit arrangements, it may be
possible for some switching devices t o interrupt
the transient current caused by a prestrike
when energizing a capacitor bank. The resulting
transient when the contacts close can produce
overvoltages.
5.3 Parallel Banks. When deenergizing a capac-
itor bank, the magnitude of voltage distur-
ecovery voltage bances on the system is greatly reduced by the
presence of one or more additional banks of
comparable size connected to the same bus.
During a closing operation or a restrike, how-
ever, the transient inrush current through the
breaker between the energized banks and the
one being switched can be very large. These
currents are oscillatory at very high fre-
Opening the circuit to a single phase capacitor in one quencies. The peak current may be on the
step. On the left an opening without restrike. On the order of 50 t o 100 times the normal peak of
right, the maximum effect possible with one restrike. the capacitor bank current. Such a high instan-
taneous current can produce high forces in the
Fig 4 interrupter of the switching device which may
Opening the Circuit to a be damaging to the contacts or structure.
Single-phase Capacitor in One Step Since the severity of parallel bank switching
(a) No Restrike (b) One Restrike is caused by the very sudden high current
which initially is limited only by the very low
resistance and inductance of the usual circuit
zero ( T 3), the transient voltage peak is trapped between the banks, it can be reduced by the
on the capacitor bank. addition of inductance to the circuit. An
The recovery voltage reaches a value greater inductance with a 60 Hz reactance as little as %
than that following the first interruption, but to 1%of the 60 Hz capacitive reactance of the
the contacts have moved farther apart and the banks, and. placed in a series with them, will
buildup of dielectric strength may prevent greatly reduce both the rate of rise and the
additional restrikes. peak value of the inrush current which, in turn,
If the gap breaks down less than % cycle after greatly reduces the severity of the breaker
a current zero, the amplitude of the voltage duty. Additional inductance may be obtained
oscillation will not exceed the crest voltage, by increasing the length of the bus between the
and no overvoltage is caused. This is defined as capacitor banks or adding current limiting
a reignition rather than a restrike. reactors. The reactors may be of the wound
In Fig 4(b) the restrike is shown to occur a full type or may consist of magnetic cores sur-
% c after current interruption. This is the worst rounding the leads or bus. F’reinsertion resistors
possible condition for the first restrike because on the capacitor switching device will also
the recovery voltage has reached its maximum effectively limit the inrush current.
ANSI/IEEE
6. Capacitor Bank Protection uously carrying 125% or 135% of the rated

capacitor current. (See Section 5.) The time-
current clearing characteristics of the fuse link
Several types of faults or abnormalities must should coordinate with the case rupture curves
be considered when the protection for ashunt of the capacitor.
capacitor bank is evaluated. The pressure buildup due to low level in-
ternal capacitor faults require fusing which
6.1 Individual Unit Overcurrent Protection. will operate at the lowest possible current
The first line of protection for a capacitor
without blowing on combined inrush current
bank is the individual capacitor fuse. The job
and load current. It is desirable to blow the
of the fuse is to sense and indicate the failure
fuse with failure of several series packs before
of a single capacitor unit and remove the unit
complete failure occurs. These considerations
from service fast enough to prevent case rupture
with K or T links would indicate a fusing ratio
and damage to adjacent units. Removal of the
of 1.25 or less. The slower characteristics of
faulted unit is important for the protection of the T link may permit a lower fusing ratio with
the remaining good ones and to allow the the T link than with the K link. Expulsion
capacitor bank to remain in service. A non-
fuses have given good protection for many
violent fuse blowing is desirable so as to years at relatively low cost. Where fault cur-
minimize the chance of starting a major bus rents are large, current limiting fuses can be
fault. used which go beyond the interrupting rating
Proper clearing of an individual capacitor of expulsion fuses, but at a higher cost. The
unit fuse depends largely upon the selection of high fusing ratios required with current limiting
the bank configuration. In a large capacitor fuses may make it difficult to prevent case
bank, the impedance of the other series groups rupture on low magnitude faults. The combina-
in a particular phase leg will limit the current in tion of expulsion and current limiting fuses
a faulted capacitor unit. However, the energy provides for both conditions. See ANSI/IEEE
stored in the other capacitor units in the group C37.012-1979. The manufacturer should be
is discharged into the faulted capacitor unit;
consulted for probability of case rupture data.
this discharge must be withstood by the fuse
Where a larger capacitor bank is desired, it
and faulted capacitor. This limits the number
may be better to go to a double Y construction
of capacitor units that may be placed in the
so as to retain the use of expulsion fuses.
same parallel group with expulsion fuses.
Selection of the individual capacitor fuse is
There is also a minimum number of capac-
usually up to the capacitor manufacturer and
itors that can be connected safely in parallel in
may be on the basis of a fusing ratio greater
a group. Below this critical number, individual
than 1.25.
capacitor fuses are rated at such a large
percentage of the total phase current that in 6.2 Bank Overcurrent Protection. Protecting
the event of failure in that unit the magnitude against a major fault such as a line-to-line fault
of the phase current is insufficient to produce or a line-to-ground fault will generally require
rapid fuse clearing. some form of external backup protection, such
After considering the size of fuses that must as power fuses or circuit breakers with asso-
be used to avoid operation on switching tran- ciated relay circuits. See Fig 6. On an un-
sients, and taking into account the arc energy grounded Y bank, a line-to-neutral fault will
required to rupture the capacitor case, the cause an increase in the line current in the
current through the fuse when a unit becomes faulted phase of only 3 times the normal cur-
shorted should not be less than 1 0 times the rent. Capacitor banks may operate indefin-
normal capacitor unit current through the fuse. itely at 135% of rated kvar or 135% of rated
The amount of current that flows through a current. The backup protection, therefore,
fuse when a unit is shorted is also affected by must allow 125% or 135% of rated current to
the number of series groups and whether or not be carried continuously, but at the same time,
the neutral is grounded. This requirement will remove the bank in the event of 3 times line
be met by the minimum number of capacitors current. It may be found difficult to accom-
per group given in Table 3. See Appendix B for plish this with power fuses.
fault current calculations. If step switching is used, this consideration
The fuse link should be capable of contin- must be included in backup protection. The
18
ANSI/IEEE
most economical backup protection is usually swelling, is more typical of a high-speed energy
provided by a circuit breaker or power fuse in type of rupture than that due to merely 60 Hz
the line supplying all steps, rather than protec- fault current. This stored energy comes from
tion in the lines of each step. This is especially the other units in the same parallel groups
true if the switching devices for the individual which have been subjected to a high overvolt-
steps do not have interrupting capacity suffi- age as a result of other groups being shorted.
cient to serve as protection against line-to-line Instantaneous overcurrent relays are not effec-
or line-to-ground faults. tive for rack faults.
Consider a bank having only two steps. If the 6.3.2 Unbalance Relaying. The main protec-
backup protection is in the main line supplying tion for arc-over within the capacitor bank is
both steps, this device must carry 270% of the fast timing of the unbalance relay. An unbal-
rated current of one step, but at the same time ance time delay of 0.3 to 0.5 s will provide
must remove the banks in the event of 300%of good protection against rack faults and has had
the rated current of one step. It can be seen considerable use without misoperation on
that this would be a relatively difficult adjust- power systems that are effectively grounded.
ment for relays and would be virtually impos- On resistance-grounded and ungrounded power
sible for fuses. When three steps are considered, systems, an unusually long time delay is re-
the situation becomes impossible for relays no quired to coordinate with the line relays unless
matter how sensitive they may be. the unbalance relay is of the type that does not
If, on the other hand, each of the steps has respond t o system voltage unbalance. Using the
some form of unbalance detection associated rule of thumb in 4.7, resistance grounded and
with it, the circuit may be used to detect the ungrounded power systems would use un-
line-to-neutral fault and trip the bank having grounded capacitor banks. Some of the types
the fault. This allows the backup protection in of unbalance relays for ungrounded capacitor
the line supplying the entire installation to banks that do not respond to system voltage
protect only against high magnitude faults, unbalance are shown in Figs 7(c), 10(a), 10(b),
such as line-to-line or line-to-ground. 11,and 12. The unbalance relay shown in Fig 9
Time-overcurrent relays may be given normal does not respond to system voltage unbalance,
settings without experiencing false operations but is used only for grounded capacitor banks.
on switching surges or inrush currents. Instan- The sensitivity of the unbalance-trip relay is
taneous relays, however, must be set high to determined on the basis of protecting the
override these transients or have tuned circuits capacitor units from continuous overvoltages as
so that pickup increases with frequency. Suc- a result of individual failure and resultant fuse
cessful operation has been obtained by setting operation. See Section 7. When set on this
instantaneous relays at 3 times capacitor rated basis, the resultant sensitivity is adequate to
current when no parallel banks are present and relay for the initial rack fault, assuming the
at 4 times capacitor rated current when parallel initial fault is across one series section of one
banks are present [2]. phase.
6.3 Protection for Rack Faults (Arc-Over within If the timing relay does not have a definite
the Capacitor Rack) time characteristic, the 0.5 s time setting is
6.3.1 General. With a capacitor bank of the made at the multiple of pickup corresponding
usual construction, where the individual phases to the initial rack fault. For a single un-
are well separated, an arc-over within the grounded Y bank with an unbalance relay of
capacitor bank will begin as an arc-over of a the type that detects neutral-to-ground voltage,
single series section. Such a fault produces very the per unit neutral-to-ground voltage when
little phase overcurrent, and if allowed to burn, one complete series section is shorted is given
involving more and more series groups of the by
same phase until the instantaneous relay trips
the bank or fuses clear, the total arcing time 1
will be a few seconds. This is accompanied by
v,, = -
3s- 2
heavy damage to the bank, including many where
blown fuses and a few ruptured capacitor units. S = number of series sections per phase
The nature of the capacitor unit rupture, V,, = neutral-to-ground voltage in per unit of
without the appearance of very much case the applied line-to-neutral volts
19
ANSI/IEEE
For a neutral current type of unbalance relay

on a single Y bank with the neutral grounded
through a current transformer, the initial rack
fault, assuming one series section shorted, is
I
IN = -
s- 1
where
IN = neutral current expressed in per unit of
normal phase current
6.3.3 Overcurrent Relaying. Where capac-
itor banks are switched back-to-back, (that is,
in parallel with other capacitor banks on the
same bus) a setting of 4 times rated capacitor
bank current is commonly used for the instan-
taneous setting. This setting is used regardless
of the capacitor bank connection.
An effective setting for the time-overcurrent
(TOC) relay is 1.35 times rated capacitor Fig 5
current. This setting has had considerable use Midrack Phase-to-Phase
and does not false-trip for ungrounded Y Arcing Fault
banks; an occasional operation on grounded Y
banks gives a warning of excessive harmonic
currents. Time-overcurrent relays of the short- 1.5 for the initial rack fault, which is 1.11
time characteristic have ample time adjustment times pickup with a setting of 1.35 times rated
to ride through transients, while being capable capacitor bank current. This performance is
of the faster timing to minimize damage from marginal, and becomes useful only by using a
rack faults. short-time characteristic, and a low time-lever
To analyze the performance of overcurrent setting.
relays on rack faults which involve only one 6.3.4 Fault Involving Two Phases. Although
phase, the following formulas are useful: the unbalance-trip relay is the most effective
protection for arc-over of a series section, the
S neutral voltage type of unbalance relay (Fig
Single grounded Y, I = -
S-F 7(b) should not be relied upon for rack fault
1.5s protection on capacitor banks where the phases
Single ungrounded Y, I = are not well separated. For example, consider
1.5 S-F
an ungrounded Y capacitor bank with two
6s series groups per phase. The individual phases
DoubleungroundedY, I =
6s- 5F
~
are stacked over each other so that the initial

where fault may occur as a midrack phase-to-phase
S = number of series groups per phase fault, as shown in Fig 5. This fault does not
F = number of series groups flashed over affect the unbalance relay of the neutral
I = per unit of normal capacitor phase current voltage type (or neutral current type if
grounded).
The initial fault may spread until it becomes
NOTE: On a grounded Y bank, where F = S, the
current is the system line-to-ground fault duty. severe enough to operate the time or instan-
taneous overcurrent relays up to 5 s later.
It can be noted from the formulas that a There may be considerable damage involving all
TOC relay cannot reach the initial rack fault three phases.
(F=l)on a single ungrounded Y bank that has The currents and neutral shift voltage can
more than two series sections per phase, nor on easily be computed for the initial rack fault.
a single grounded Y bank that has more than First, the impedance of each phase to the new
three sections per phase. Also, on a single neutral point, which is the point of fault, is
ungrounded Y bank where S= 2, and on a single obtained. This results in a set of impedances,
grounded Y bank where S=3,the current, I, is Y-connected, which are unequal. Using a
20
ANSI/IEEE
Y-A transformation, the equivalent A imped- spark gaps. A capacitor generally absorbs over-
ances can be found. The A currents are the voltages since it acts temporarily as a short
line-to-line voltages divided by the A imped- circuit for step voltage changes. Overvoltages
ances. The line currents can be computed from around capacitor banks are greatly reduced, but
the phasor addition of two A currents. In this complete protection is not assured. The over-
manner, the per unit currents (of normal phase voltage on a bank depends upon the length of
current) in Fig 5 with two series groups per line between the shunt capacitor bank and the
phase are: point at which the transient voltage is gen-
erated as well as on the surge duration.
1, = 1.0
The capacitor bank may also be subjected to
Ib = 1.8
overvoltages resulting from abnormal system
IC = 1.8
operating conditions. If it is felt that the
overvoltage can be sufficient to damage the
The voltage drop from phase A to the former bank, overvoltage relays should be considered.
neutral, where the primary of the potential Table 4 lists recommended short-term overvolt-
device is connected, is 1, Za, which is the same age limits.
as before the fault. Therefore, there is no
neutral shift. The IZ drops can be added from
one phase to another and compared to the 7. Unbalance Relay Protection
applied line-to-line voltage as a check on the
accuracy of the calculations. 7.1 Introduction. Removal of a failed capac-
Protection for rack faults on banks of this
itor unit by its fuse results in an increase in
construction with two series groups per phase voltage across the remaining units within the
can be obtained by using TOC relays of a group. A continuous excessive overvoltage
short-time characteristic, a setting of 1.35 should be prevented by means of protective
times rated current, and a timing of 0.2 s at relays which trip the bank switching device to
150%of tap value current. remove the bank from service. Failure to
provide protection may lead to one or more of
6.4 Bank Overvoltage Protection. Lightning
the following situations:
and switching transient overvoltages must be
curtailed with standard overvoltages protection (1) Excessive damage to the capacitor bank
(2) Adverse system effects
equipment, such as surge arresters or similar
(3) Spread of damage to adjacent equipment
(4) Excessive period of unavailability of the
damaged equipment
(5) Possible undesirable discharge of di-
Table 4 electric liquid
Limits of Short Time Power Frequency Most installations will require an individual
Overvoltage at Subzero Temperatures engineering analysis to determine the best and
most economical scheme. The engineer will
Multiplying Factor want to take a systems approach since bank
Duration Times Rated rms Voltage
design, fuse coordination, and selection of a
0.5 c 3.0 sensing device will directly affect sensitivity
1.0 c 2.7 and timing requirements of the protection
6.0 c 2.2
15.0 c 2.0 scheme. Selection of the bank configuration
1.0 s 1.7 and the bank design should include an analysis
15.0 s 1.4 of the amount of inherent unbalance that can
1.0 min 1.3
5.0 min 1.2 be expected.
30.0 min 1.15
7.2 Inherent Unbalance and Other Errors. In
practice, the unbalance seen by the unbalance
NOTE: The short time power frequency overvoltage
should be limited to the values listed here at subzero relay due to loss of individual capacitor units is
temperatures. Higher limits may be permissible with somewhat different than the calculated value
less severe conditions. because of inherent unbalance. This inherent
*These limits are for emergency or infrequent condi- unbalance, which exists on all capacitor bank
tions. See IEEE Std 18-1980. installations, is primarily due to system voltage
21
ANSI/IEEE
Fig 6
Bank Overcurrent Protection
(a) Using Phase Overcurrent Relays. (b) Using Bank Fuses.
unbalance or' capacitor manufacturing toler- 7.3 General Unbalance Relay Considerations
ance unbalance, or both. The inherent unbal- 7.3.1 The unbalance relay should coordinate
ance may be in a direction such as to prevent with fuses, such that fuses operate to isolate a
protective relay operation, as well as to cause defective capacitor unit before the bank is
false operation. The inherent unbalance for switched out of service and thus provide a
various configurations resulting from system convenient visual means of locating the defec-
voltage unbalance or capacitor manufacturing tive capacitor unit.
tolerance unbalance, or both, may be estimated 7.3.2 The unbalance relay should be sensi-
using equations in Appendix D. A worst case tive enough to alarm on 5% or less overvoltage
estimate can be made by assuming the unbal- and trip and lockout on loss of individual
ance errors to be additive. capacitor units that will cause a group overvolt-
Figures 20, 21, and 22 indicate the allowable age condition in excess of 110% of rated
neutral unbalance for positive detection of the voltage.
first blown fuse. The curves are based on the 7.3.3 The unbalance relay should have time
relay being set to operate at a point half-way delay short enough to minimize damage due to
between the critical step and the next lowest an arcing type fault within the bank structure
step. The critical step is the step for which the and to prevent exposure of the remaining
voltage applied to surviving capacitor units capacitor units to overvoltage conditions
equals or exceeds 110% of rated voltage. If the beyond their permissible limits. The time delay
estimated inherent unbalance, as determined should also be short enough to avoid damage to
from equations of Appendix D, exceeds the the current transformer or VT and relay system
allowable neutral unbalance as determined for a single-phase or an open-phase condition.
from curves or equations of Figs 20, 21, and 7.3.4 The unbalance relay should have time
22, steps should be taken to compensate for delay adequate to avoid false operations due
the inherent unbalance error. to inrush, ground faults on the line, lightning,
Harmonic voltages can also influence the switching of nearby equipment, and nonsimul-
operation of the unbalance relay unless proper taneous pole operation of the energizing
filtering is provided, The third harmonic pre- switch. 0.5 s should be adequate for most
dominates, although special applications such applications.
as arc furnaces can produce a wide variety of 7.3.5 The unbalance relay should be pro-
harmonic frequencies. tected against transient voltages appearing on
In addition, secondary errors may be intro- control wiring. (See ANSI/IEEE C37.90a-
duced by sensing device tolerances, tempera- 1974.)
ture differences between capacitor units within 7.3.6 The unbalance relay may require a
the bank, and partially deteriorated capacitor filter to minimize the effect of harmonic
units which have not yet blown their fuses. voltages. It should be recognized that the relay
22
ANSI/IEEE
may not operate for excessive harmonic (reso- produce zero sequence currents in the system
nant) currents. ground relays. Capacitor bank relaying, includ-
7.3.7 The unbalance relay scheme should ing the operating time of the switching device,
have a lockout feature to prevent automatic should be coordinated with the operation of
closing of the capacitor bank switching device the system ground relays. This may be several
in the event an overvoltage trip has occurred. seconds for some devices.
The unbalance relay trip circuit components 7.4 Neutral Current Unbalance Protection
should be coordinated. For example, the .2A Method, Grounded Y Bank. Fig 7(b) shows a
target and seal-in coil of the voltage relay has neutral unbalance relay protection scheme for
about 50 52 impedance at 60 Hz. The arma- a grounded Y capacitor bank. An unbalance in
ture-closed current of a 120 Vac lockout relay the capacitor bank will cause current to flow in
may not hold the seal-in unit operated. the neutral. The amount of neutral current due
7.3.8 Where neutral unbalance due to system to loss of individual capacitor units can be
variations or capacitor manufacturing toler- determined from Fig 13 or equation (5) of
ances is not negligible, a compensating means Appendix B. The voltage on the remaining
should be provided to negate the effect of this capacitor units can be determined from Fig 14
unbalance. Careful consideration of bank de- or equation (1) of Appendix B.
sign may also remedy the problem. Before The unbalance protective scheme consists of
making changes, the load current of each phase a current transformer with rated 5 A secondary
and the capacitance or load current of each connected from the capacitor neutral to
capacitor should be checked for indication of ground. The current transformer secondary is
failure of a single capacitor pack within the loaded with an adjustable resistor, usually 10
can. The unbalance relay should be set taking to 25 52 maximum, and connected to a time
this unbalance into account. See 7.8. delay voltage relay having a third harmonic
7.3.9 Since most unbalance detection filter for reduced sensitivity at frequencies
schemes d o not measure overvoltage due to other than 60 Hz. A typical relay has 60 Hz
balanced high system voltage, the unbalance pickup taps of 5.4, 7.5, 12.5, and 20 V. The
relay should be set on the basis of maximum voltage relay operates a latching relay through
continuous system operating voltage. an a contact of the capacitor switch to initiate
7.3.10 To allow for the effects of inherent opening the capacitor switch and blocking its
unbalance, the unbalance relay alarm should be closing. Other schemes may combine the cur-
set to operate at one-half the level of neutral rent transformer loading resistor, relay with
displacement, or neutral current, determined continuously adjustable pickup, and control
for the desired alarm condition. The alarm relays in a single package.
should have sufficient time delay to override Each time the capacitor bank is energized,
external disturbances. momentary capacitor charging currents in one
7.3.11 To allow for the effects of inherent phase and the neutral current transformer will
unbalance, the unbalance relay trip should be approach the available ground fault value.
set to operate at a level of neutral displace- Where a parallel bank is already energized,
ment, or neutral current, half-way between the currents can be on the order of thousands of
critical step and the next lowest step. The amperes [ 51 . Various undesirable effects have
critical step is the number of removed capac- been recorded, such as spurious relay opera-
itor units that will cause a group overvoltage in tions, relay failures, current transformer fail-
excess of the manufacturer’s recommended ures, charged substation fences, and ground
maximum continuous operating voltage. mat probleps. (The neutral connection be-
7.3.12 All neutral unbalance schemes detect tween banks should not be through the ground
an unbalance in the three phases. Overvoltage mat.) However, for small to medium-sized
caused by loss of an equal number of capacitor single bank installations, this approach works
units in one or more groups in each phase can quite well and is economical. If instantaneous
not be detected. In practice, this is not a overcurrent relays are used they must not
significant limitation. operate on the initial inrush current.
7.3.13 With grounded capacitor banks, fail- A reasonably conservative voltage rating for
ure of one pole of the switching device or the neutral current transformer to withstand
single phasing from a blown bank fuse will the surge voltages is 0.2 of the system voltage
ANSI/IEEE
6 Rerlrtwe
Potential
Device
Surge
Arrester
0 I
ib
Fig 7
Shunt Capacitor Bank Protection Methods Single Y Banks
(a) Neutral Current Unbalance Protection Method, Grounded Y-Connected Capacitor Bank.
(b) Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection Method, Ungrounded Y-Connected Capacitor Bank.
(c) Summation of Line-to-Neutral Voltage Protection Method with Optional Line-to-Neutral
Overvoltage Protection, Ungrounded Y-Connected Capacitor Bank.
(d) Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection Method, Ungrounded Y-Connected Capacitor
Bank Using Capacitor Voltage Divider.
[$I. However, many have been applied at 0.1 Nonsimultaneous making and breaking times
of system voltage without trouble. To protect of the three poles of the capacitor switch or
the neutral current transformer, a rod gap of circuit breaker may allow full phase current to
3/64 to 1/16 in must be directly connected flow in the neutral current transformer and
across the primary terminals and a low voltage relay during the time of unbalance. This
surge arrester must be connected across the current can flow for an indefinitely long time if
secondary terminals. A low voltage surge ar- one or two poles fail to open mechanically, if
rester across the primary may be suitable only one or two poles fail to interrupt, if the linkage
on relatively small capacitor banks where the between the three poles is improperly adjusted
surge current is within the arrester capability. or fails, or if an operator fails where three
If one side of the surge arrester is grounded by electrically ganged single pole switches must be
its mounting, one primary and one secondary used. For these reasons, it is important to
terminal must be grounded at the current select the neutral current transformer ratio for
transformer terminals instead of at the relay a secondary current of not more than 10 A
location. with full capacitor line current in the primary.
24
ANSI/IEEE
The current transformer loading resistor

should have a 200 W or higher rating, prefer-
ably an edge wound resistor on a porcelain
form without a porcelain glaze covering. This is
3 1
necessary to avoid fracturing the porcelain and
hot spot melting of the resistance wire due to
very rapid heating with one or two phases open V T . C C V T . or
Resistive
from switch failure or misoperation.
P
Potential
)S
T
)( De"lCe
To prevent protective equipment damage due
to failure of the switching device, the latching
or lockout relay should have contacts wired to
the current transformer cable terminals to It S IS an even number then
short out the current transformer secondary S - ST = ST = S12
after it has operated. The current transformer If S IS an odd number then
loading resistor should be able to stand the ST='Z1 andS-ST;S+l
rapid heating in the case of single phasing NOTE: Summation may also be obtained by use of a
without damage until the unbalance protection summing amplifier.
voltage relay and lockout relay operate.
The voltage relay and current transformer Fig 8
loading resistor settings should be made to Summation of Intermediate Tap-Point
operate when the voltage across any capacitor Voltage Protection Method
exceeds 110% of rated voltage. Note that the
relay detects only the unbalance in the capac- should be one less than the number of series
itor bank (and in supply voltage), but capacitor groups between the tap point and the line. The
overvoltage may also be due to above rated potential devices may be transformers, capac-
balanced system voltage. The maximum normal itor devices, or resistance devices. The relay
system voltage with capacitor bank energized may include provisions to compensate for the
should be considered. The relay should nor- tap point error voltages caused by inherent
mally be set on its lowest tap (5.4V). capacitor bank unbalance, fixed system voltage
unbalance, and potential device ratio errors.
7.5 Summation of Intermediate Tap Point The tap voltage percent unbalance can be
Voltages Method, Grounded Y Bank. Fig 8 determined from Fig 13 for isolation of capac-
shows an unbalance voltage protection scheme itor units in any series group of a capacitor
for a grounded Y capacitor bank using capac- bank having an even number of series groups
itor tap point voltages. An unbalance in the per phase. The values are also valid for isolation
capacitor bank will cause an unbalance in the of capacitor units in series groups located
voltages at the tap point of the three phases. between the tap point and the line of a
The tap voltage percent unbalance due to the capacitor bank having an odd number of series
loss of individual capacitor units can be deter- groups per phase. However, for isolation of
mined from Fig 13 or Eq 5 of Appendix B by capacitor units in series groups between the tap
considering the vertical scale as Tap Voltage point and ground of banks with an odd number
Percent Unbalance. The voltage of the remain- of series groups per phase, the values from Fig
ing capacitor units can be determined from 13 must be multiplied by the following factors.
Fig 14 or Eq 1 of Appendix B.
The unbalance protective scheme consists of Total No of Series Adjustment Factor for 96
three potential devices connected between the Groups Per Phase Tap Unbalance Voltage
capacitor intermediate point of each phase and
ground and a time delay voltage relay with 3 2.0
the third harmonic filter connected to the 5 1.5
series-connected (broken A) secondaries of the 7 1.33
potential devices. For an even number of series 9 1.25
groups, a midpoint tap is used. For an odd 11 1.2
number of series groups, the number of series 13 1.16
groups between the tap point and ground 15 1.14
25
ANSI/IEEE
C37.99-1980 IEEE GUIDE FOR PROTEC'IION OF
For banks having only three or five series

groups per phase, this may affect the coordina-
tion of alarm and trip level settings. Loss of a
second capacitor unit in the same phase but in
a second series group on the opposite side of
the potential device tap has a compensating
effect on the overvoltage and may reduce the 1
T
unbalance signal to zero.
7.6 Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection
Method, Ungrounded Y Bank. Figure 7(b)
shows a neutral unbalance relay protection
scheme for an ungrounded Y capacitor bank.
Unbalance sensing is accomplished by means of Fig 9
a potential sensing device connected between Voltage Difference Protection Method
the bank neutral and ground. An unbalance in Grounded Y-Conneckd Capacitor Bank
the capacitor bank will cause voltage t o appear
at the bank neutral with respect to ground. The
amount of neutral voltage due t o loss of
individual capacitor units is determined by Fig with the neutral VT and VT gap.
1 5 or Eq 14 of Appendix B. The voltage on the The use of an underrated resistance potential
remaining capacitor units can be determined device, with secondary voltage limiter, will
from Fig 1 6 or Eq 10 of Appendix B. permit relay operation with an open phase to
The unbalance protective scheme consists of the capacitor bank. The potential device re-
a time delay voltage relay with the third sistor must be suitable for the short time
harmonic filter connected across the potential overvoltage condition.
device secondary. The potential sensing device If switch failure could result in continuous
may be a voltage transformer, capacitive poten- voltage exceeding the relay rating (single phas-
tial device, or resistive potential device. How- ing due to blown main fuse), operation of the.
ever, a voltage transformer used in this applica- lockout relay should deenergize the voltage
tion should be rated for full system voltage relay. If chattering of the seal-in unit when used
because the neutral voltage can be expected to on ac is a problem, a lockout relay contact can
rise to as high as 2.5 per unit during switching bypass the voltage relay contact.
and a derated potential transformer will be Another scheme, shown in Fig 7(d), consists
.
driven into deep saturation [l] The potential of standard capacitor units connected in series
sensing device should be selected for the lowest to form a voltage divider. A conventional in-
voltage ratio attainable while still being able to verse time voltage relay is connected across the
withstand transient and continuous overvoltage grounded end capacitor. This grounded end
conditions in order to obtain the maximum capacitor is a low voltage unit, 2400 V or less,
unbalance detection sensitivity. and sized to provide the desired unbalance
With three or more series groups, the neutral voltage to the relay. If single phasing of the
shift voltage obtained from the secondary of a capacitor bank is a possibility (blown primary
VT of system voltage rating is very small. A VT fuse) and the voltage of the neutral relay
of lower voltage rating and ratio can be used to exceeds its short time rating, some means of
obtain a usable relay voltage if the primary is limiting this voltage must be provided. If the
gapped. Flashover of the primary gap will voltage exceeds the continuous rating of the
ground the capacitor bank neutral, short out relay, a lockout relay contact should short out
the VT and prevent operation of the overvolt- the relay through a resistor to limit capacitor
age relay. Therefore, the unbalance relay will discharge current. Without a transformer for
not operate for an open phase causing con- isolation, the relay is connected directly to the
tinuous flashover of the neutral VT primary capacitor bank ground.
gap. Protection for this condition can be A capacitor voltage divider may also use a
obtained by a residual current relay connected carrier coupling type of capacitor with a low
to line current transformers or to a neutral energy static relay.
current transformer of the same ratio in series Figure 7(c) shows a neutral unbalance relay
26
ANSI/IEEE
0 I
Fig 10
Shunt Capacitor Bank Protection Methods Double Y-Connected Banks
(a) Neutral Current Unbalance Detection Method Ungrounded Double Y-Connected
Capacitor Bank. (b) Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection Method, Ungrounded
Double Y Connected Capacitor Bank (Neutrals Isolated). (c) Neutral Current Differential
Protection Method, Grounded Double Y-Connected Capacitor Bank.
(d) Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection Method, Ungrounded Double Y-Connected
Capacitor Bank (Neutrals Tied Together)
protection scheme using three line-to-neutral VT and overvoltage relay connected between
VTs with their secondaries connected in the two neutrals. The effects of system voltage
broken A to an overvoltage relay. This scheme unbalances are avoided by both schemes and
is not sensitive to system voltage unbalance. both are unaffected by third harmonic currents
The VTs must be rated for line-to-line volt- or voltages. The two sections may be of equal
age. The unbalance voltage to the overvoltage size or one section may consist of only a single
relay is 3 times the neutral shift voltage as unfused capacitor unit per series group. The
obtained from Fig 15. With the same VTratio current transformer or VT must be rated for
as for the neutral-to-ground VT, there is a gain system voltage.
of three in sensitivity over the single neutral- The amount of neutral current due to the
to-ground VT scheme. loss of individual capacitor units in a bank of
two equal sections can be determined from Fig
7.7 Double Y Unbalance Protection. Figure 10 17. The current is one-half that of a grounded
shows four methods of providing unbalance bank of the same size as each section. However,
protection for double Y banks. Schemes (a) the current transformer ratio and relay rating
and (b) are ungrounded and use either a may be selected for the desired sensitivity. The
current transformer and overcurrent relay or current transformer and relay are not subjected
27
ANSIIIEEE
0
1
1
I I 1 !
60V
Shifter
i
NOTE: Compensating voltage is system zero sequence
voltage and a phase shifted voltage of one phase.
Fig 12
Fig 11 Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection Method
Neutral Voltage Unbalance Protection Method Ungrounded Double Y-Connected
Ungrounded Y-Connected Capacitor Bank Capacitor Bank (Neutrals Isolated)
With Compensation for Inherent Unbalance With Compensation for Inherent Unbalance
to switching surge currents or single phase load derived due to the loss of individual capacitor
currents as with the grounded neutral scheme. units can be determined from a curve of Fig 19
The neutral voltage shift can be determined or from the equations in Appendix B. The
from Fig 15 in the same manner as for a single voltage on remaining capacitor units can be
Y bank of the same rating as one section of the determined from the curves of Fig 18 or from
double Y bank. Although a low ratio VT would the equations in Appendix B.
be desired, a VT rated for system voltage is 7.8 Neutral Unbalance Protection with Com-
required for the ungrounded neutral and, there- pensation for Inherent Unbalance. The trend
fore, a high turns ratio must be accepted. The in recent years has been toward larger and
resulting unbalance signal voltage is very small. larger capacitor banks at transmission voltage
In Figure 1O(c) the neutrals of the twosec- levels. The neutral unbalance signal due to the
tions are grounded through separate current loss of one or two individual capacitor units for
transformers to a common ground. The current these very large banks is such that the inherent
transformer secondaries are cross-connected to unbalance can no longer be considered neg-
an overcurrent relay so that the relay is ligible.
insensitive to any outside situation which Ungrounded banks can be split into two
affects both sections of the capacitor bank in equal banks as illustrated in Fig 12. This bank
the same manner. The current transformers are configuration inherently compensates for sys-
subjected to switching transient currents and tem voltage unbalances because the neutral
require surge protection. They should be sized current or voltages are sensed differentially.
for single phase load currents if this is a However, the effects of manufacturer’s capac-
possibility. The relay does not require a har- itor tolerance will affect relay operation unless
monic filter. The unbalance current can be steps are taken to compensate for this error.
determined from Fig 13 and the overvoltage on The equations in Appendix D may be used to
remaining capacitor units can be determined estimate the possible effect of the inherent
from Fig 14. capacitor bank unbalance.
In Figure 10(d) a neutral of the two capacitor To compensate for this fixed unbalance it is
sections are ungrounded but tied together. A necessary to generate an equal and opposite
VT or potential device is used to measure the phasor to be summed with the fixed inherent
voltage between the capacitor bank neutral and capacitor tolerance unbalance phasor to yield a
ground. The relay should have a harmonic null or zero signal output. The inherent unbal-
filter. The amount of neutral-to-ground voltage ance at the neutral of the capacitor bank still
28
ANSI/IEEE
exists, but the relay is no longer responsive to ation is compensated. If the system voltage
this fixed unbalance component. should vary, the relay system is still compen-
A phase shifting network with amplitude and sated since a given percent change in bus
phase adjustment is used to generate the voltage results in the same percent change on
compensating phasor. The input for the phase the capacitor bank tap. Any subsequent voltage
shifter should be bus derived to reduce the difference between capacitor tap voltage and
effect of nominal system voltage changes. The bus voltage will be due to unbalances caused by
output of the phase shifter along with the loss of capacitor units within that particular
inherent unbalance signal are summed by phase. See Fig. 9. Loss of capacitor units in
means of transformers or a summing amplifier. each phase is detected independently [ 3 ] , [ 4 ] .
It may not be possible or desirable to go to a The sensitivity of this method is high and
split bank arrangement, depending on the indi- serves in particularly high voltage banks or
vidual circumstances of the application. For banks which consist of a large number of indi-
compensation of system voltage unbalance on vidual capacitors.
single ungrounded banks, use is made of the Transient voltage disturbances are overriden
fact that the voltage appearing at the capacitor by an adjustable time delay. Independent
bank neutral due to system unbalance is the unbalance level detection is provided with
zero sequence component. A zero sequence separate adjustments for an alarm signal when
component can be derived utilizing three po- the first capacitor fails and a tripping signal
tential sensing devices with their high side when dangerous overvoltages occur.
connected from line-to-ground and the second-
aries connected in a broken A. See Fig 11.
Very often bus VTs are already available for
station relaying and all that is needed are 8. System Considerations
isolation transformers to derive the broken A.
This difference voltage between the neutral 8.1 Resonance and Harmonics. A shunt capac-
unbalance signal due to system unbalance and itor bank forms a resonant circuit with system
the broken A output of the bus VTs is then inductive elements. The resonant frequency
adjusted to zero by means of an amplitude may be generated during the switching of a
control. Once this adjustment is made, the remote capacitor bank, giving rise to excessive
voltages and currents and the possible attend-
effect of system voltage unbalance will be
ant failure of equipment such as other capac-
compensated for all conditions of system un-
itors, surge arresters, instrument transformers,
balance. The error appearing at the neutral due
and fuses. These undesirable resonant effects
to manufacturer’s capacitor tolerance can be
are more likely t o occur if the capacitor bank
compensated for by means of the phase shifter
switching device has long arcing time and
circuit previously described. multiple restrike characteristics.
7.9 Voltage Differential Protection Method, The capacitor bank may resonate with har-
Grounded Y Bank. A means of compensation monics produced elsewhere, such as at remote
for inherent unbalance of a grounded Y capac- loads. There is extensive and growing use of
itor bank is illustrated in Fig 9. This approach thyristors in industry to derive dc variable
is really three single phase relay schemes. potential from an ac source. Such phase con-
A signal responsive to the loss of individual trolled thyristors generate harmonics, particu-
capacitor units is derived by comparing capac- larly 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 11th. More instances of
itor bank tap voltage with the bus voltage. The parallel resonance are occurring due to this
capacitor bank tap voltage is obtained by cause, and even some examples of harmonic
connecting a potential sensing device between series resonance with utilities due to adjacent
the lowest parallel group or groups of capac- utility loads. This also includes utility distribu-
itors and ground. The bus potential is usually tion circuits which have capacitors that
available. Initially, the voltage levels are ad- supply medium industrial and commercial
justed to be equal, assuming that all capacitors loads. In most of these instances some form of
are good and no fuses have operated. The harmonic filtering may be involved to control
initial difference signal between capacitor bank the harmonic voltage and high capacitor har-
tap voltage and bus voltage signals is zero. monic currents. Higher voltage rated capacitors
Capacitor tolerance and system unbalance vari- maybeused [ 9 ] , [ 1 0 ] , [ 1 1 ] , [ 1 2 ] .
29
ANSI/IEEE
0
0
CAPACITdR U N I T S REHdVED FROH ONE S E R I E S CROUP-

PERCENT OF TOTAL NUMBER OF CAPACITOR U N I T S PER S E R I E S GROUP
Fig 13
Grounded YConnected or Grounded Double Y-Connected Capacitor Bank:
Neutral Current (also change in intermediate tap-point voltage) Versus
Percentage of Capacitor Units Removed from Series Group
Arc furnaces in the melt part of their cycle Problems associated with resonance may
produce a similar array of troublesome har- usually be resolved by the application of the
monics, including even harmonics. While the proper capacitor switching device, the addition
large furnaces are connected to stiff high of appropriately rated reactors (or reactors and
voltage sources, there are nevertheless also resistors in parallel) in series with the switched
small installations on distribution circuits capacitor bank, or the relocation or change in
which produce the same effect. size of the switched capacitor bank.
30
ANSI/IEEE
.00
CAPACITOR U N I T S REHOVEO FROM ONE S E R I E S GROUP-
Fig 14
Grounded YConnected, A, or Grounded Double Y-Connected Capacitor Bank:
Voltage on Remaining Capacitor Units in Series Group Versus
8.2 Telephone Interference (TIF). Another The measure of the capability of a power
objection to harmonics in the power system is circuit to act as a noise source is the telephone
the noise interference produced in communica- influence factor (TIF). This is a dimensionless
tion circuits. Voice frequency noise inter- quantity indicative of wave form [6]. See
ference comes primarily from the residual or IEEE Std 469-1977.
zero sequence currents which are odd multiples Before attempting to apply corrective meas-
of the third harmonic (the ninth and fifteenth ures to a capacitor bank that caused inter-
harmonic of the fundamental frequency). ference, it would be well t o locate the source
Grounded capacitor banks provide a low im- of the noise. The best corrective measures are
pedance path for these currents to flow. usually applied at the source. If corrections
31
ANSI/IEEE
F1 No of units removed
CAPACITOR UNITS REMOVED FROM ONE SERIES GROUP

PERCENT OF TOTAL NUMBER OF CAPACITOR UNITS PER SERIES GROUP
Fig 15
Ungrounded Y-Connected or Ungrounded Double Y -Connected
(Neutrals Isolated) Capacitor Bank: Voltage Between
Capacitor Bank Neutral and Ground Versus Percentage of
Capacitor Units Removed from Series Group
must be made at the capacitor bank, modifica- tion, the currents and voltages associated with
tions to change the resonant frequency can be inrush to a capacitor bank may precipitate
made. undesirable resonant effects with other parts of
the system, induce hazardous surges in station
. _
8.3 Inrush (Parallel Banks). The phenomenon control cable, and cause interference with
of inrush to a single isolated switched shunt communication facilities in the area.
capacitor bank and to a bank switched back- Closing resistors on the switching device and
to-back with a parallel energized bank or banks current limiting reactors installed in series with
has been discussed in 5.1. In a given applica- a switched capacitor bank will serve to alter the
32
ANSI/IEEE
SHUNT CAPACITOR BANKS c37.99-1980
0
0
W
U
a
b-
J
Q
w
b-
z
W
U
a
W
e
1.00
FROM ONE S E R I E S GROUP-
CAPACITOR U N I T S REMOVE0
Fig 16
Ungrounded Y-Connected or Ungrounded Double Y-Connected
(Neutrals Isolated) Capacitor Bank: Voltage on Remaining
Capacitor Units in Series Group Versus Percentage of
Capacitor Units Removed from Series Group
frequency of the inrush transients and to ance between banks will significantly reduce
reduce the magnitude of the transients. The the magnitude of inrush currents flowing from
reactors applied must have a sufficiently high the energized bank(s) t o the bank being ener-
basic impulse isolation level (BIL) rating that gized.
gaps or surge arresters required for reactor Grounded Y shunt capacitor banks, as well as
protection will not short out the reactors other substation equipment capable of generat-
during energization of the capacitor bank. ing or transmitting high frequency transients t o
the ground mat, should be installed as far away
In back-to-back switching applications, the as practical from the control building and cable
addition of even a minimal amount of induct- trenches.
33
ANSI/IEEE
0
0
a0
I - I /
0
-I- --i
r- -t
-,-
---1
--
t-
0
0 : I
(D
6 s (P-F1) + 5F1
P No of u n i t s i n group w
v)
s NO of series groups -i- a

F1 No of u n i t s removed I
I
-_A-_ +- - -.c- - ~- LT
w
a.

Fig 17
Ungrounded Double Y-Connected (Neutrals Tied Together) Capacitor Bank:
Neutral Current Versus Percentage of Capacitor Units Removed from Series Group
Instantaneous phase and ground overcurrent

relays applied for capacitor bank protection
must be set high enough not to trip undesirably
on inrush current.
In a station where large capacitor banks are
connected to a common bus, it may be
= 1.33 /T A
necessary t o check the transient capacitor

discharge current to a fault to determine that
the breaker capability is not exceeded. The C = farads
peak discharge current of the individual capac- L = henrys (total inductance, capacitor to
itor bank is: fault)
34
ANSI/IEEE
Number of Series Groups Per Phase
.00
CAPACITOR U N I T S REMOVED FROH ONE S E R I E S GROUP-
PERCENT OF TOTAL NUHBER OF CAPACITOR U N I T S PER S E R I E S GROUP
Fig 18
Voltage on Remaining Capacitor Units in Series Group Versus
Transient inrush currents through a circuit transient current transformer

breaker, in addition to involving the contact ~ ~ = current~ X burdenreactance
c ~ ~ {
capability, may also cause secondary flashover BCTratio (a)
of bushing current transformers (BCT). The transient
voltage developed in the secondary circuit is X frequency
proportional to the frequency and magnitude system frequency
of the transient inrush current.
35
ANSI/IEEE
w
a.

Fig 19
Voltage Between Capacitor Bank Neutral and Ground Versus
9. Bibliography SCHULTZ, N.R. and SHEPPARD, R.S. Protec-

tion of High Voltage Capacitor Banks. Electric
KEEZER, D.C. and DOWNING, W.C., JR. Light and Power, Aug 15,1958,pp 51-55.
Relay Protects Floating Neutral Capacitors.
Electrical World, Mar 11,1963,p 86. MINDER, P.M. New Relay Scheme Protects
Floating-Wye Capacitor Bank. Electrical
RANSOM, J.C.W. and MOULTON, C.H. Relay World, May 16,1955,p 122.
for Shunt Capacitor Bank Protection. Allis-
Chalmers Engineering Review, vol 31, no 1, CLARK, N.R. and FARAHAM, S.B. Connec-
1966. tion Arrangements and Protective Practices for
36
ANSI/IEEE
t --
P = number of capacitor units i n group

S = number of s e r i e s groups
I
c - * - - t
-- 1 __ -+_-- ~
+ . _ -
-----
NUMBER OF CAPACITOR UNITS I N PARALLEL PER S E R I E S GROUP
Fig 20
Grounded Y-Connected Capacitor Bank: Percentage of Allowable Inherent Neutral
Current Unbalance for Positive Detection of First Blown Fuse Versus Number of
Capacitor Units in Parallel per Group and Number of Series Groups
Shunt Capacitor Banks. AIEE Transactions, SAINE, J.A. Shunt Capacitor Bank Connec-
1949, V O 68,
~ part 11, pp 1226-1231. tions. Distribution, Jan 1969, pp 22-24.
COMPTION, O.R. Balancing Double-Wye High PFLANZ, H.M. and LESTER, G.N. Control of
Voltage Capacitor Banks. AIEE Transactions, Overvoltages on Energized Capacitor Banks.
1955, V O ~74, part 111, pp 573-579. IEEE Transactions o n Power Apparatus and
Systems, May/Jun 1973, IEEE T72 541-1, pp
BOSKAMP, J.B. Protection of Bulk Capacitor
907-914.
Banks. Electrical South, Dec 1963/Jan 1964,
parts I and 11, p 41. STONE, H.C. Unbalance Protection of Large
37
ANSI/IEEE
ALLOWABLE INHERENT NEUTRAL VOLTAGE UNBALANCE-

P E R C E N T OF N O R M A L LINE-TO-GROUND V O L T A G E
Fig 2 1
Ungrounded Y-Connected Capacitor Bank: Percentage of Allowable Neutral
Voltage Unbalance for Positive Detection of First Blown Fuse Versus Number of
Capacitor Units in Parallel per Group and Number of Series Groups
Capacitor Banks. The Line, The Line Material BEEHLER, J.E. Capacitance Switching with
Company: Milwaukee, WIS, Oct 1956. Power Circuit Breakers. IEEE Conference
Paper 68-CP-161-PWR, 1968.
KELLY, W.L. Switching Shunt Capacitors.
General Electric Company, Jun 1954. STONE, H.C. High-Voltage Capacitor Bank
Design Factors. McGraw Edison CO Technical
Application of Capacitors t o Power Systems, Bulletin no 104, 2-61.
4th edition, Westinghouse T & D, pp 233-264.
Capacitors, N o 9, Engineering and Technical
BUTLER, J.W. Shunt Capacitor Application Data. Allis-Chalmers Corp, Jan 1960.
Problems. General Electric Review, vol 43, May
1940, pp 206-212.
38
ANSI/IEEE
NUMBER OF CAPACITOR U N I T S I N PARALLEL PER S E R I E S GROUP
Fig 22
Ungrounded Double Y-Connected Capacitor Bank: Percentage of Allowable Inherent
Neutral Current Unbalance for Positive Detection of First Blown Fuse Versus Number of
Capacitor Units in Parallel per Group and Number of Groups in Series
Unbalance Protection of Large Capacitor ELLIOTT, L.C., BUETTNER, D.E., and

Banks. Design Principles and Methods, McGraw ANDERL, H.W. Capacitance Switching. West-
Edison CO, Feb 1962. inghouse Transmission Report no 72-066.
NEUMANN, M.E. Philosophy of Shunt Capac- WALSH, G.W. Power System Considerations
itor Bank Protection. Presented at the 1973 Relating to Thyristor dc Drive Applications.
Conference for Protection Relay Engineers, Industrial Power Systems, vol 2, no 2, Jun
Allis-Chalmers Corp, Apr 16-18,1973. 1968.
39
Appendixes
(These Appendixes are not a part of ANSI/IEEE C37.99-1980.IEEE Guide for Protection of Shunt Capacitor
Banks.)
These Appendixes contain tables, formulas for switching capacitor banks, in addition to
and equations which will be a source of useful data for evaluation of the protection of
information t o the protective engineer in deter- a shunt capacitor bank.
mining voltages, inrush current and frequency
Appendix A
Symbol Definitions
= line-to-line voltage, V with the correct number of capac-
itors, V
= line-to-ground voltage, V
(use maximum value where appro- IC = capacitor current at rated voltage, A
priate) = normal phase current, A
I4
= variation of VLG between phases, = change in phase current, A
per unit Al4
-7
IN = neutral current, A
- -vLG
VC
= number of series groups
- vC2 - Vc - capacitor
xc - haru IC impedance
= number of series groups, sensing tap
to ground Pmin = required minimum parallel capacitors
= number of parallel capacitors per per series group to limit overvoltage
series group to 10%
= number of eliminated capacitors Pminl = for F , type capacitor elimination
within the same series groups within Pmin2 = for F2 type capacitor elimination
one phase
4 = variance of phase angle between two
= number of series groups within one phases from 120"
phase which each have a single capac-
itor eliminated AC = per unit variation of capacitance
between phases
= rated capacitor voltage, V
VTG = voltage between intermediate tap
= voltage across the series group with point and ground, V
removed capacitors, V
VNG = neutral t o ground voltage, V
= voltage change across the series
group VNN = voltage between neutrals, V
- - with removed capacitors, V
kvaru = individual capacitor reactive power
= voltage across the series group with
rating, kVA
the correct number of capacitors, V
kvar, = capacitor bank reactive power rating,
= voltage change across series group bT7A
40
~
ANSI/IEEE
Appendix B
Equations
The following equations have been derived

for the evaluation of shunt capacitor bank
protection.
The change of phase impedance of a bank - Fl
S (P-Fl ) + F1
with series and parallel groupings is determined
by the location as well as the number of iso- % -
1
lated capacitors. SP (Eq 8)
(forF, = l a n d P > > F 1 )
Approximation of Eq 5 yields for F, = 1and

and P >> F1
B1. Equations for Grounded Y Banks (Also A
Banks With VLL substituted for VLG) AI@ = kvaru 103
VLG
(Eq ’)
B2. Equations for Ungrounded Y Banks
P- F,
vc2 = VLG S (P- F1) + F1
AVc2 = 5 Fl
S S(P-Fl)+ F1
vc2 =
A Vc2
Minimum parallel capacitors per series group
are required to limit the capacitor overvoltage
to 10%.
VLG F,
For (F, ) failures only in one series group: vNG = 3s (P-Fl) + 2F1
11 (S-1)
P-1 = F1 (Eq 6 ) 11 (3S-2)
S P-1 = F1 (Eq 15)
3s
For single capacitor failures in (F,) different
series groups:
B3. Equations for Ungrounded Double Y Bank
with Neutrals Tied Together
(Eq 7)
6VWP
‘cl = 6s (P-F,_). + 5F, (Eq 16)
Current and voltage change for F , capacitor
failures in the same series group relative to IN \ = I4 3F1
normal values: 6 s (P- Fl ) + 5F1
41
ANSI/IEEE
VLG F1 11 (6s-5)
VNG = 6 s (P-FI ) + 5F1 (Eq18) P-, = F1 6s (Eq 19)
Table B4
60 Hz Fault Current and Voltage with One Unit Shorted
Voltage on Each
Y Bank Remaining Group in Series
Configuratian Fault Current With Faulted Group
VLG
Grounded
s- 1
Single 3s 3 VLG
Ungrounded 3s-2 I@ 3s- 2
Double 6 vu;
Ungrounded 6s- 5
*For S=l,the current is the system line-toground fault current.
B5. Stored Energy kvar lo3 - 2.65 kvar

C = -
377 * v2 V2
Energy = CV2 = 2.65 X kvar J (W*s)
= 2.65 X kvar J (W-s) (Eq 26) v = rms v
42
ANSI/IEEE
Appendix C
Inrush Current and Frequency for Switching Capacitor Banks
C1. Energizing an Isolated Bank kvar, 34 kVA of capacitor bank being

switched
I, load current of capacitor bank
1.41 V L G fg = 1330 E kvar,

already energized
34 kVA of capacitor bank already
energized
f (Hz) = fs JF I _
or imax peak current without

(actual value about 90%)
damping
106 kvar, kvar, + kvar,

Isc symmetrical rms short circuit cur-
rent (A)
C2. Energizing a Bank with Another on the
Same Bus C3. Typical Values of Inductance Between
Capacitor Banks (ANSI/IEEE C37.012-1979)
Rated Inductance Typical

Maximum per Phase Capacitor Bank
Voltage of Bus Inductance
(kV) (PH/ft) (PHI
15.5 and 0.214 5

below
38.0 0.238 5
48.3 0.256 10
CB bank capacitance (pF) 72.5 0.256 10
121.0 0.261 10
LS system inductance (pH) 145.0 0.261 10
fS system frequency 169.0 0.268 10
242.0 0.285 10
Le, total equivalent inductance per phase
between capacitor banks (pH) NOTE: Above expressions for inrush current apply
only for energizing uncharged capacitors. If capacitors
I1 load current of capacitor bank being are charged, as during a restrike across an interrupting
switched switch, the inrush current may be twice these values.
43
ANSI/IEEE
C37.99-1980
Appendix D
Equations for Effect of Inherent Unbalances
Table D1 is intended as a rule of thumb for on the displacement signal of various bank
determining the effect of inherent unbalances protection schemes.
Table D1
Effect of Inherent Unbalance on Displacement Signal
Shunt Capacitor Effect of Capacitor Effect of System Voltage Effect of System Voltage
Bank Configuration Manufacturing Tolerances Magnitude Changes Phase Angle Change
Grounded Y with
IN = ( A V m )P varu Ih =
2 P V m (sin-)4
2 varU
Neutral Current
Sensing s (vc)z s vc2
Ungrounded Y
with Neutral Potential
Sensing
Ungrounded Double Y
with Neutral Differential IN = 0
Potential Sensing
Ungrounded Double Y
with Neutral Differential
Potential Sensing
Grounded Y with
Differential Potential
Sensing
44

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1. Introduction IEEE Std 469-1977, Recommended Practice

Bus faults Supply breaker with overcurrent Conventional methods apply.

4.4 Ungrounded Y Banks, Multiple Series

The minimum recommended number of Table 3

___________________ Capacitor Grounding Conductors (Bare)

formed). ground during switching. As a result, the

5. Ratings and Requirements of isolated capacitor bank-breaker application.

and the resultant surge voltage can theoretically

6. Capacitor Bank Protection uously carrying 125% or 135% of the rated

For a neutral current type of unbalance relay

are stacked over each other so that the initial

The current transformer loading resistor

loading resistor should be able to stand the ST='Z1 andS-ST;S+l

For banks having only three or five series

CAPACITdR U N I T S REHdVED FROH ONE S E R I E S CROUP-

CAPACITOR UNITS REMOVED FROM ONE SERIES GROUP

s NO of series groups -i- a

CAPACITOR UNITS REMOVED FROM ONE SERIES GROUP

Instantaneous phase and ground overcurrent

necessary t o check the transient capacitor

Number of Series Groups Per Phase

Transient inrush currents through a circuit transient current transformer

CAPACITOR UNITS REMOVED FROM ONE SERIES GROUP

9. Bibliography SCHULTZ, N.R. and SHEPPARD, R.S. Protec-

P = number of capacitor units i n group

NUMBER OF CAPACITOR UNITS I N PARALLEL PER S E R I E S GROUP

ALLOWABLE INHERENT NEUTRAL VOLTAGE UNBALANCE-

NUMBER OF CAPACITOR U N I T S I N PARALLEL PER S E R I E S GROUP

Unbalance Protection of Large Capacitor ELLIOTT, L.C., BUETTNER, D.E., and

The following equations have been derived

(forF, = l a n d P > > F 1 )

Approximation of Eq 5 yields for F, = 1and

*For S=l,the current is the system line-toground fault current.

B5. Stored Energy kvar lo3 - 2.65 kvar

C1. Energizing an Isolated Bank kvar, 34 kVA of capacitor bank being

1.41 V L G fg = 1330 E kvar,

or imax peak current without

106 kvar, kvar, + kvar,

Rated Inductance Typical

15.5 and 0.214 5

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