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What is a Capacitor Bank :

Working and Its Calculation RECENT POSTS
June 23, 2020 By Wat Electrical

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When a number of capacitors are connected together it forms a capacitor bank.
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compensation and power factor improvement. The arrangement of these can be Applications
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When a number of capacitors are connected together in series or parallel, forms a Examples
capacitor bank. These are used for reactive power compensation. Connecting the
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capacitor bank to the grid improves reactive power and hence the power factor.
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Capacitor Bank

As shown in the gure, capacitors are connected in series to improve the power
factor rating. Different materials like paper, mica, etc. are used for the
manufacturing of the capacitors as insulating materials.

Capacitor Bank Symbol

This symbol is often used in a single line diagram of the substation. The symbol is
shown in the following gure.

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Basics

Electrical
Capacitor Bank Symbol
Electrical Circuits
As shown in the gure, a capacitor bank is represented either in star or delta
Electrical Machines
connection.
Electrical Measurements
Capacitor Bank Types Electrical Projects
The capacitor bank is classi ed as: Electromagnetic Fields

Externally Fused  – For this type of connection, each fuse unit is connected Power Electronics
externally to the capacitor bank. This helps to save the capacitor bank from Power Plant
faults like surge voltage, temperature, etc. without any interruption in the
operation. Power Systems
Internally Fused  – In this type, the fuse is kept inside the casing of the
capacitor bank. Since the protection cannot be provided without any
interruption, such banks are used for low rating capacitor banks. The
disadvantage of such an arrangement is, under any fault case, the whole unit
has to be replaced.
Fuse Less – This unit has no fuse placed along with the bank. These units
are used for low ratings and speci cations where the unit can be easily
replaced.

Capacitor Bank Calculation

The calculation is an important feature that needs to be considered while designing
a substation or residential community. The steps involved in the calculation are as
follows.

To calculate the rating of the bank, we must have the following data available
directly on indirectly. First is the power factor. The present power factor must be
calculated to know the desired power factor. This can be done by using a power
factor meter. The power factor meter is an instrument that measures power factor
cos ø based on load and active power consumption.

Based on the active and reactive power consumptions, the power factor can be
calculated as

Epi and Eqi are the values of active and reactive power respectively. These values
are measured initially or at the beginning of one cycle. The cycle refers to a period,
it may be a day or a few hours. Similarly, Epf and Eqf are the values of active and
reactive power at the end of the cycle. Once we get these four values, we can
calculate the initial value of the power factor.

Once the present value of the power factor is known, next is to know the desired
power factor. That is the power factor that we want to obtain. Let the initial value be
cos φ1 and the desired value is cos φ2. From the initial and nal values of power
factor, active power P can be evaluated as shown in the below gure

Power Diagram

As shown in the gure, φ1 is the initial power factor angle and φ2 is the nal power
factor angle. From these two, active power P can be evaluated. After evaluating P,
the required reactive power rating of this can be calculated as

Qc=KP

Where ‘Qc’ is the required rating of the bank, P is the active power rating of the load,
and K is constant. To evaluate the constant a power factor table is followed.

Power Factor Correction Table

From the above table, from the initial and nal values of the power factor, constant
K is evaluated and the required rating is calculated.

Example

Find the rating of required capacitor bank for a plant with rating 300 W, 400 V. Initial
power factor angle is Cos φ1 = 0.75 and desired is Cos φ2 = 0.9.

From the table, it can be seen that with the initial power factor 0.75 and desired
power factor 0.9, constant K is 0.398. Hence the required reactive power rating of
the bank to improve the power factor from 0.75 to 0.9 is 0.398*300= 119.4 KVar.

Capacitor Bank in a Substation

As we have seen that one major role of this is to improve the power factor. For this
application, these banks are installed in substations. A number of capacitors are
connected in series to improve the voltage pro le also. As can be seen in the power
factor angle above, on installing this bank, the capacitor current which is also
known as charging current, is always leading with the voltage.

On the addition of the capacitor bank, the current leads the voltage, hence the
power factor angle is reduced. Reduction in power factor angle implies,
improvement of power factor. This becomes very important, as it also provides
reactive power compensation. Reactive power compensation is the other outcome
of improvement in the power factor.

Installing inductive loads on the load side demands more reactive power. Since
inductive loads consume reactive power for creating the required magnetic ux.
More the inductive nature of the load more is the requirement of reactive power. In
other words, inductive loads, consume reactive power. As the reactive power is
consumed, the load becomes more lagging, and hence power factor drops.
Consumption of reactive power causes an imbalance in power consumption and
hence causes more losses. This would increase the burden on the plant.

Installing this will helps to inject reactive power into the system. As reactive power
is injected, it improves the power balance and hence reduces the losses. It also
helps to improve the e ciency of the plant.

Capacitor Bank Speci cation

We have seen that a capacitor bank is used for the improvement of power factor
and reactive power compensation in a substation. As the role of this bank is very
important, it becomes critical to see that the bank is maintained well. Also, it has to
be seen which parameters of this bank should be speci ed for installing it into the
substation.

Important Speci cations are

Voltage Rating – The voltage rating of this is designed up to 110% of normal

system peak voltage and 120 % of normal system RMS voltage. This rating
helps the bank to sustain voltage peaks and surge voltages.
KVaR Rating of Capacitor Unit – Based on the initial power factor and desired
power factor, the reactive power rating of this is calculated. It is ensured that
with this rating su cient reactive power is injected into the system.
Temperature Rating  – In order to sustain room temperature, and an increase
in temperature due sunlight the temperature rating of this bank is calculated.
While considering the temperature rating all these factors must be
considered. One more important factor is the increase in temperature due to
losses.
Basic Insulation Level – Like any insulating medium, the insulating medium
of these banks is also considered. The insulation level is an important factor.
Other devices where this parameter is also considered are overhead
insulators, transformer oils, etc.
Rated Current Levels.
Discharge time/voltage in second/voltage
Single-phase and three-phase

3 phase Capacitor Bank Wiring Diagram

The wiring diagram of the three-phase capacitor bank is shown below.

Three Phase Capacitor Bank Wiring Diagram

As shown in the above gure, 2 capacitor banks have been connected to the grid.
All these are connected in delta. In the delta, the line voltage is equal to the phase
voltage. This helps in improving the power factor.

Applications
Some of the important applications of capacitor bank have been listed below

Reactive Power Compensation

Power Factor Improvement
Bypassing of noise
Improvement of voltage pro le
Storage of Energy
Improving power quality

FAQs
1). Why do we use a capacitor bank in substation?

These are used for reactive power compensation and power factor correction.

2). Will a capacitor bank save on electricity?

Yes, installing a capacitor bank improves the power factor. Less power factor
causes more losses and attracts ne from the local electricity board. So by
installing this we can save electricity.

3). What is the purpose of the capacitor bank?

It is used for power factor correction and reactive power compensation.

4). What happens if I connect a capacitor to the generator load?

Both capacitors and generators inject reactive power into the system. So
connecting a capacitor to the generator load increase the reactive power level. This
may also cause instability. For this purpose, shunt reactors are used which
consume excess reactive power.

5). How do I test a capacitor with a multimeter?

The capacitance of a capacitor can be measured using a multimeter. For this, we

need to put the range of the meter in high ohm value such that, it can measure
capacitance in farads.

Hence we have seen the capacitor bank purpose, operation, connections, and
applications. The capacitor banks are one of the handiest devices required in not
only in substations but also in residential establishments and industries. Two
interesting aspects with respect to this are left to the reader to think about. One is
what is the ideal placement of capacitor bank? It means that where should the
bank be placed, at the beginning of the plant, or midway or endpoint. The other
aspect is can we control the capacitance of the capacitor bank? If yes then which
auxiliary devices we should use for it.

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Tagged With: Capacitor

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