Low Voltage Capacitor Bank

Installation of a capacitor bank supports sustainability and cost savings

Capacitor banks have been a reliable solution for reducing reactive power for decades. Installing a capacitor bank for power factor correction can be worthwhile if you are aiming to  improve the efficiency of your electrical installation or reduce costs. Power Factor correction increases available grid capacity while preventing excessive cable losses and associated costs. Furthermore, it reduces CO2 emissions. This not only improves your company operating profit but also benefits the environment.

Capacitor banks generate the reactive power that motors and other inductive loads consume.

Advantages of a capacitor bank

Easy reactive power compensation
Proven technology
Improve the lifespan of your installation and equipment by reducing load and thermal stress
Lower cable losses and a reduced energy bill
Enhance sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions
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Relay controlled capacitor bank

Relay controlled capacitor banks are the most common option for  reducing reactive power. These capacitor banks are suitable for a large variety of loads. Reaction time is slow and there is always under or over compensation. They are, however, usually the most cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized installations.

Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) controlled capacitor bank

A SCR controlled capacitor bank works the same as a relay controlled capacitor bank. However, the SCR control means reaction time is significantly better. This is desirable in applications in which numerous fast load fluctuations take place, such as in installations with welding equipment or large inductive loads with a short duration (<1min) which occur frequently, such as a hydraulic press. Static VAr generators are an alternative to SCR controlled capacitor banks.

Thyristorcapacitorbank
Motordirect

Static compensation for motors

In certain situations, reactive power is only used by large constant loads such as motors in pump stations, which are in operation 24/7. In these cases, control of a capacitor bank is not strictly necessary and the capacitors can be connected directly parallel to the motor.

Detuning, what does it mean?

The impedance of a capacitor decreases as the frequency rises. This means harmonic currents can flow more easily through a capacitor than the fundamental current. This decreases the lifespan of the capacitor. To reduce this effect, the capacitor bank is detuned. Small coils are added to reduce the high frequency currents. Coils have a higher impedance with rising frequency. Also the chances of resonance decrease if the capacitor bank is detuned properly.

Reactance capacitor EN
Reactance inductor EN

Tuned capacitor banks are also possible. When tuned correctly, these have a filtering effect. They are then referred to as passive filtering.

Is a traditional capacitor bank a solution for you?

Capacitor banks can only reduce inductive reactive power. If the load is capacitive, the capacitor bank will not make any improvements. A static VAr generator  (SVG) is capable of compensating capacitive reactive power. HyTEPS offers several alternatives such as active power factor correction (APFC) and solutions for medium voltage applications. Sizing of a capacitor bank is a complex problem in which HyTEPS will gladly support you.

 

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Interested in the possibilities for your organization? HyTEPS would be happy to help you! Fill out the form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

HyTEPS Engineer

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