Capacitor Bank

Theory
Most of industrial power elements are inductive element so
they need reactive energy to consume. This power is taken
from the utility power.
Characteristic of voltage and current in pure inductive device
v=Lx(di/dt)
V=sint
i=(v/L)sint
i=-(v/L)cos t
i=(v/L)sin(t-/2)
angle of voltage= t
Angle of current wave= t-/2
So current is lagging to voltage in 90 degree in pure inductive
load

 Characteristic of voltage and current

in pure capacitive device
Q=CV
I=C(dv/dt)
I=Cxcos t
I=Cxsin(t+/2)
So current is leading to voltage in 90
degree in pure inductive load

Phase diagram
Pure capacitive load
I
V

Pure inductive load

V

Power factor
Apparent power= VI
Active power is power dissipation through
resistive component. Measured in kW
Power factor = Active power/ Apparent power
V=IZ(Z=R+jX)
V=I(R+jX)
=IR+jIX
VI=I2R+jI2X
Apparent power=Active power+ Reactive power

Power triangle

Power factor improvement

Why PF improvement required?
All industrial equipment are inductive and resistive loads.
Inductive loads required reactive power. These loads
reduce PF. These power taken from the utility source.
Utility suppliers charge for these reactive power
component. There are lot of disadvantages without
improving PF.
Additional charge for maximum demand or Kvar.
Conductor over sizing to carrying KVA.
Additional heat losses
Additional KVA supply from the transformer to loads.
Above disadvantages can be eliminated by using PF
improvement.

 Improving the power factor of an

installation requires a bank of
capacitors which acts as a source of
reactive energy. This arrangement is
said to provide reactive energy
compensation.
That mean required reactive energy
is given from installed capacitor
bank.

Calculation of kVar required to

capacitor bank
Take overall PF of the installation or
required place.
Than determine the improved PF
value after installing capacitor bank.

 Q-Installation KVar before capacitor bank

installed.
Qc- Capacitor bank Kvar
Q Improved Kvar after cap bank
installed.
Q=KVASin
Q=KVASin
Qc=KVAsin KVAsin
Qc=P(tan-tan)

Power Factor Correction

guidelines
1. Calculation of the requested reactive
2. Selection of the compensation mode:

energy

Global,for he complete installation,

By sectors,
For individual loads , such as large motors.

3. Selection of the compensation type:

Fixed, by connection of fixed value capacitor bank.

Automatic, by connecting different number of steps, allowing
adjustment of the reactive energy to requested value.
Dynamic, for compensation of highly fluctuating loads.

4. Taking account of operating conditions and

harmonics

Selection of the compensation mode: