Capacitor Bank

Capacitor bank definition is when a combination of several capacitors are

connected in series or parallel connection with the same rating then it is called

a capacitor bank. Generally, an individual capacitor is used to store electrical

energy. So once capacitors are increased within a bank then it will increase

the energy capacity that is stored within a single device. The basic capacitor

bank symbol or diagram is shown below.

Capacitor Bank Symbol

In a substation, it is used to enhance the power factor & reactive power

compensation. While installing a capacitor bank in a substation, some

specifications need to consider. So capacitor bank specifications are

voltage rating, temperature rating, KVAR rating, and basic instruction range.
 Capacitor Bank

1.2)Capacitor Bank Types

Generally, the unit of a capacitor bank is known as a capacitor unit. The

manufacturing of these units can be done similarly to 1- phase unit. These

units are mainly connected in the form of a star/delta connection to make a

whole three-phase capacitor bank. At present most frequently available

capacitor units are 1-phase type whereas 3-phase capacitor units are rarely

manufactured. There are three types of capacitor banks which are

discussed below.

● Internally Fused
● Externally Fused
● Fuse Less

Internally Fused

The designing of an internally fused can be done within a particular

arrangement. According to its rating, various elements are allied in series and

parallel. The protection of each capacitor element can be done separately

through a fuse unit. As the name suggests, the capacitor elements, as well as

fuse units, are arranged within the same casing. In this type of bank, the size

of every capacitor element is extremely small within rating

So if any of the capacitor elements are broken down, then there will be no

effect within the act of the bank. This kind of capacitor bank can run suitably

even one or above capacitor elements are broken.

The main advantages of an internally fused type are, it is very simple to install

as well as maintenance is simple. The disadvantage of an internally fused is,

once several capacitor elements are failed, then the whole bank needs to be

changed. So there is no possibility for the replacement of a single unit.

Externally Fused

In an externally fused type, the fuse unit for every capacitor unit is given

externally. If any fault occurs in any capacitor unit then the fuse unit will be

damaged. When the fuse unit detaches the defective capacitor unit, then this

bank will maintain its service without any break.

In this type, the connection of capacitor units can be done in parallel for each

phase of the bank. Once one unit fails, then there will be not a lot of effect on

the whole bank’s performance. Whenever one capacitor unit is not there

within a single phase, then the capacitance of that single phase will be less as

compared to the other two phases.

This will affect high voltage in the remaining two phases of the bank. In this

type, the identification of a faulty unit can be done through visual inspection

once the fuse unit blows. The capacitor unit rating typically ranges from 50

KVAR – 40 KVAR. This is one of the main specifications.

The main disadvantage of this bank is, once any fuse unit fails, then an

unbalance can be detected even all the units within the bank are well.

Fuse Less

In a useless type, the connection of several fuse units can be done in series to

make a capacitor string. These strings are connected in parallel to make a

capacitor bank for each phase. After that, three similar phase banks are

connected in the connection of star/delta to make a whole three-phase bank.

Through an arrangement of fusing in internal or external, the capacitor strings

are not protected. So in this type of system, if any one of the string units fails

because of the short circuit or fault, then there is no change within the flow of

current throughout this string because there are several other capacitors allied

in series connection through this path.

When the short circuit effect within the string unit is small, then the capacitor

bank can be accumulated to extend the time before faulty unit replacement.

So this is the main reason, why the fuse unit is not necessary to change the
faulty unit from the system within the bank instantly once the unit turns

defective.

Capacitor Bank Connections

The capacitor bank is connected in two ways like star and delta but most of

the time, delta is used. So there is a bit of confusion about which connection is

better for a bank. So here we are going to discuss these two connections

along with benefits and drawbacks. The main application is power factor

correction because, in a 3-phase system, a 3-phase capacitor bank is used for

the power factor correction which may be connected in star or delta.

Capacitor Bank in Star & Delta Connections

Capacitor Bank in Delta Connection

When these banks are used in delta connection then it is utilized for less to

average voltage. The capacitor bank in delta connection can be utilized for
high voltage however it is not achievable sometimes as in delta connection;

the complete phase voltage is given across every capacitor while in star type

connection, it is lesser as compared to applied phase voltage across the

capacitor. So, 3 phase capacitor bank wiring diagram using two connections is

discussed below.

So if we employ a delta connection at high voltage, then the capacitor’s

voltage rating must be high. Consequently, manufacturing of high voltage

capacitors is expensive & it is impossible sometimes.

Advantages

The advantages of a capacitor bank in delta connection include the

following.

When the capacitor generates Kilovolt-Ampere Reactive (KVAR) then that is

proportional to the square of the voltage applied. So, if the voltage is higher,

the KVAR is also more. So the capacitor in this connection will provide high

KVAR compared to the bank connected in star connection because, in star

type connection, the applied voltage is low compared to delta connection.

The capacitor bank in this connection can flow the harmonic current, thus it

can decrease the effect of harmonic within an electrical system. When the

bank is connected in delta connection, then it gives a balanced capacitance to

every stage of the electrical system & keeps a balanced voltage.

If a capacitor cell within a single phase is not succeeding in the bank, then

voltage beyond every phase remains the same, simply KVAR falls.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of a capacitor bank in delta connection include the

following.

The main drawback of the capacitor bank in delta connection is, the pressure

of voltage across every capacitor is maximum which decreases the

capacitor’s life & it may not be utilized in the applications of high voltage.

Capacitor Bank in Star Connection

The star connection-based type is mainly used in the applications of medium

to high voltage. In this type of connection, the voltage beyond every capacitor

is smaller as compared to the voltage of the phase, so the pressure of voltage

beyond the capacitors is less even in the applications of the maximum

voltage. In the capacitor bank, there are 2 types of connections used like the

following.

● Grounded Star Connection

● Ungrounded star Connection

Grounded Star Connection

In this type of connection, the unbiased point of the bank is stably earthed,

which means the neutral should not be insulated toward the BIL level of the

complete system. Thus, some price reductions can be realized with this

connection. In addition, TRV (transient recovery voltage) may be less harsh

within this connection. An error on the 1-phase of the bank will not affect the

rise of voltage within the remaining legs of the bank. So a fault on one phase

of the capacitor will not affect other phases.

Ungrounded Star Connection

In this kind of connection, the capacitor bank’s neutral point is not connected

toward earthing. So this type of connection does not allow the supply of GND

currents & zero series harmonic currents.

Advantages

The advantages of capacitor bank in star connection include the following.

● It is a simple connection
● The voltage pressure across every capacitor is low, thus the
capacitor’s life span is high.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of capacitor bank in star connection include the

following.
 ● Star-connected type provides less KVAR than delta-connected type
because the voltage across the capacitor is less.
● A star-connected type cannot circulate the harmonic current in an
electrical system.
● The ungrounded star-connected type cannot maintain the balance
voltage and cannot provide the balance capacitance.
● If a capacitor cell in one phase is failed, the unbalanced voltage
occurs in the electrical system.

From the above two connections, the delta connection provides more benefits

as compared to the star connection. For a capacitor bank, this connection is

suitable so, most of the banks are connected in a delta connection.

Why Capacitor Bank Testing is Important?

Capacitors banks within the power system provide accurate power factor (pf)

correction. So pf correction unit includes different functioning settings based

on the installation position. The different factors like time, moisture, change in

temperature & harmonics will change the correction of power factor for

capacitor banks.

If already connected capacitor banks are not tested properly in a specific time

then they will turn incapable to utilize. The capacitor’s operation can weaken;

reducing the power factor (pf) of your power system can cause power factor

loss.
Applications
The applications of capacitor banks include the following.

● Capacitor banks are mainly used to enhance the electrical supply

quality & also to enhance the power systems efficiency.
● This is most frequently used for the correction of AC power supply in
industries where electric motors and transformers are used.
● As this bank uses an inductive load, then they are vulnerable to
power factor lags & phase shifts within the power supply, so it results
in a system efficiency loss.
● When these are used in the system then the power lag can be solved
at less cost for the organization by making some changes in the
power grid
● These are used in radars, pulsed lasers, Marx generators,
detonators, coilguns, fusion research, nuclear weapons,
electromagnetic railguns, etc.
● Generally, capacitor banks decrease the phase difference among the
current & voltage.
● The power factor (pf) can be maintained close to unity.

Thus, this is all about an overview of a capacitor bank and its working with the

connection. Generally, these are used to power factor or pf correction and

compensation of reactive power. As compared to the inductive type motors,

capacitors include the reverse effect where it stops a maximum flow of current

flow, so that this will reduce the power bill.