SPECIFICATION FOR LV CAPACITOR BANK

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0

SCOPE.......................................................................................................................................... 3

2.0

CODES & STANDARDS................................................................................................................ 3

3.0

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................ 4

4.0

SITE CONDITIONS....................................................................................................................... 4

5.0

CONSTRUCTION.......................................................................................................................... 4

6.0

DESIGN FEATURES..................................................................................................................... 4

7.0

PROTECTION OF CAPACITOR BAnk..........................................................................................6

8.0

PAINTING And MARKING............................................................................................................. 6

9.0

ENGINEERING.............................................................................................................................. 6

10.0

INSPECTION, TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE..............................................................................7

11.0

PACKING AND DESPATCH.......................................................................................................... 8

12.0

INSTRUCTION MANUALS............................................................................................................ 8

13.0

SPARES........................................................................................................................................ 8

14.0

TOOLS........................................................................................................................................... 8

15.0

QUALITY ASSURANCE................................................................................................................ 8

16.0

DEVIATIONS................................................................................................................................. 8

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1.0

SCOPE
This specification covers design, manufacture, testing assembling, shop testing and supply of
power factor improvement capacitor banks, suitable for continuous duty, in indoor locations along
with complete accessories and parts necessary for safe and efficient operation.

2.0

CODES & STANDARDS

2.1 The equipment shall comply with the requirements of latest revisions of following IEC standards
unless otherwise specified.
2.2 In case of imported equipment, standard of the country or origin can be accepted if these standards
are equivalent or more stringent than the applicable IEC standards.
2.3 The equipment shall also confirm to the provisions of local Authorities and other statutory regulations
currently in force in Singapore.
2.4 The design shall be based on the latest editions of codes and regulations, Singapore Standard (SSs)
/ Code of Practices (CPs), international standards which will be used and referred to for the
design of this project.
2.5 In case of conflict among the specifications and standards, the regulations, and codes and standards
during the detailed design and after design completion, the order of precedence will be as
follows:

Local Codes and Standards

Specification and Data Sheets
Electrical Design Basis
Other codes and standards

2.6 List of Standards

The capacitor bank shall comply with the requirements of latest edition of following IEC
Standards and the amendments thereof:-

3.0

IEC 61921

- Power capacitors - Low-voltage power factor correction banks

IEC 60831-1

- Shunt power capacitors of the self-healing type for a.c. systems having
a rated voltage up to and including 1000 V - Part 1: General Performance, testing and rating - Safety requirements - Guide for
installation and operation

IEC 60529

- Classification of degree of protection provided by enclosures.

IEC 61557-1

- Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1000VAC and

1500 V d.c. - Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of
protective measures - Part 1: General requirements.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

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The offered equipment shall be brand new with state of art technology and proven field track
record. No prototype equipment shall be offered.
Vendor shall ensure the availability of the spare parts & maintenance support services for the
offered equipment for at least 20 years from the date of supply.
Vendor shall be responsible for the complete design, engineering and manufacturing of the
complete capacitor bank to fully meet the intent and requirements of this specification and
attached data sheets. All equipment shall be properly coordinated to ensure complete
compatibility.
4.0

SITE CONDITIONS
Capacitor banks & accessories shall be suitable for operating satisfactorily in buildings located in
safe non-hazardous area. Service conditions shall be specified in project data sheets / job
specifications. If not specifically mentioned therein, design ambient temperature of 36 oC and
altitude not exceeding 1000m above MSL shall be considered.

5.0

CONSTRUCTION

5.1 The capacitor banks shall comprise the following basic components. Other equipment not specifically
listed below but necessary for the safe and proper functioning of the capacitor bank shall be
included:

Capacitor units of appropriate kVAR rating

External expulsion type fuses and/ or internal element fuses

Insulators and bushings

Cable end boxes for cable termination

PVC sleeved copper bus bars for interconnecting the units to form the capacitor bank

Discharge resistors

Lightning or surge arrestor.

Incoming isolator, if specified.

Harmonic Filter circuits & snubber circuits

5.2 The entire capacitor bank, surge arrestor, harmonic filters etc shall be designed and supplied by the
capacitor vendor. The steel works shall be galvanized. Unless specified otherwise, the amount of
galvanizing shall be minimum 80 microns.
6.0

DESIGN FEATURES

6.1 Capacitor Units

6.1.1.

The capacitor banks shall comprise an appropriate number of basic single-phase units (minimum
4 nos. basic units in parallel per phase) which shall be connected in DELTA formation, In case
the kVAR rating is equal to or below 200kVAR per phase and 4 units per phase cannot be
achieved, 1 unit per phase may be provided.

6.1.2.

Overcompensation shall be prevented in all operating conditions including the condition when
one of the incoming breakers is open and bus-tie breaker is closed. Each power factor correction
VAR control relay shall correct only the power factor for the bus it monitors under normal
operating conditions and shall not attempt to correct the power factor for the other bus section.

6.1.3.

The dielectric used in the capacitors shall be all polypropylene or mixed dielectric with low watt
loss. The impregnate in the capacitors shall be non-toxic, non-PCB (Poly chlorinated bi-phenyl)
based, and bio-degradable.
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6.1.4.

The capacitor units shall he assembled such that the capacitor banks are capable of
withstanding the electro-dynamic and thermal sensors caused by transient over currents during
switching. The capacitor units shall have overload capacity as per IEC standard.

6.1.5.

Protection for capacitor banks using internal element fuses shall conform to the following
requirements:
In internal element fuse design, the internal design of series and parallel arrangement of
elements shall be such that:

6.1.6.

a)

In the case of one element failure, there is no harmful over voltage across the
remaining elements and no appreciable change in the operation of the capacitor bank

b)

Operation of a single fuse element does not cause cascade fuse blowing

c)

Permissible over voltages and surges do not cause fuse blowing

d)

Fuses shall be sized taking into account the capacitor inrush currents

Discharge Resistor
Discharge resistors shall be provided to reduce the capacitor bank terminal voltage to a value
equal to or less than 50V within 10 minutes after capacitor is disconnected from the electrical
system.
Suitable warning labels shall be provided on the panel front and within the panel. The discharge
time shall be stated on the warning labels

6.2 Busbars
All busbars interconnecting the basic units shall be of high conductivity electrolytic copper bars
and shall be fully insulated by using heat shrinkable PVC sleeves. All busbars joints and tap-off
connections shall be provided with removable ERP shrouds. The sleeves shall be rated to
withstand the system line-to-line voltage for 1 minute and also the short circuit current as per the
data sheet. This shall be verified by a type test in which the line voltage will be applied between
the sleeved main busbar and copper (oil wrapped closely around the insulation over a length of
at least 300mm)
Branch circuits from bus to equipment shall consist of copper bare or of PVC insulated conductor
with insulation rated voltage
0.6/1 kV of the flame-retardant type. Branches shall be sized
1.3 times the capacitor rated current in order to take into account the overcurrents due to
network voltage harmonics.
Switchgear metal structures shall be internally connected by an earthing copper bar located on
low part of the switchgear. This bar shall be provided with terminals for connection to earthing
system with 70sq.mm earthing cable.
6.3 Insulators and Bushings
Bushings shall comply with IEC standard. The bushings shall be provided with creepage
distances applicable to highly polluted environment as per the requirements of relevant IEC. The
bushings shall be homogenous, free from laminations, cavities and other imperfections that
might affect their mechanical and dielectric properties and shall be thoroughly vitrified, tough and
impervious to moisture.
6.4 Lightning or surge Arrestor and Incoming Isolator
Lightning or surge arrestors and incoming isolator shall be provided, if specified in the datasheet.
Isolator shall be suitable for off-circuit isolation of the capacitor bank.

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7.0

PROTECTION OF CAPACITOR BANK

The following protection is proposed to be provided by the purchaser on the circuit breaker
controlling the capacitor banks:
a. IDMTL (inverse definite minimum time lag) over current relay
b. IDMTL (inverse definite minimum time lag) earth fault relay
c. Inverse time neutral voltage displacement relay
d. Definite time under voltage relay
e. Inverse time over voltage relay
f. Timer to prevent reclosure of capacitor bank before completion of discharge.
Vendor shall clearly indicate any other protection considered necessary for the safe operation of
the capacitor bank.

8.0

PAINTING AND MARKING

8.1 The enclosures of the capacitor units along with the supporting framework shall be painted after
suitable treatment with anti-rust paint. Two coats of epoxy base acid alkali resistant paint shall be
provided.
8.2 All nuts and bolts shall be cadmium plated or zinc passivated.
8.3 The capacitor bank shall be provided with a stainless steel nameplate indicating the rating and
technical particulars. The connection diagram indicating capacitors and external fuses (if
provided) shall be shown on the rating cum diagram plate. Stainless steel nameplates shall be
provided on each capacitor unit to indicate the rating, technical particulars and phase to which
the units connected.
9.0

ENGINEERING

9.1 Sizing Criteria

The offered capacitor bank shall provide the specified minimum net capacitive kVAR at the rated
nominal voltage. The vendor shall size and design the capacitor bank for the maximum
continuous over voltage that can appear across each of these elements, considering system
voltage variation given in the data sheets. Insulation Levels for capacitor units and other
elements shall be chosen accordingly.
Lightning arrestors shall be provided, if specified in the datasheet. The rating of the lightning
arrestors shall be equal to the line voltage of the capacitors for ungrounded resistance grounded
systems. For grounded systems, the rating shall be 80% of the line-to-line voltage of the
capacitor bank. Lightning arrestors shall also have an impulse breakdown voltage (l.2/ 50 s test
wave), which is lesser than 66% of B.I.L. of the capacitor bank.

9.2 Engineering Documentation

The vendor /manufacturer shall perform the engineering for the capacitor bank and shall submit
the following documents to Purchaser for review/ reference, in addition to the documents
indicated in the Vendor Data Requirement format:
a. Capacitor bank sizing calculations to show that the net kVAR achieved at the nominal voltage
is as specified in the requisition
b. Fuse sizing, in case of external expulsion fuses

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c.

Sizing of lightning arrestors, if specified

d. Calculations for the inrush current of the capacitor bank considering worst switching
conditions and back- back connections, if applicable
e. Fault contribution from the capacitor bank to a short circuit in the system

Instantaneously

After 5 cycles.

10.0

INSPECTION, TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE

10.1

All necessary routine and acceptance tests as per IEC standard shall be performed on the
capacitor bank units in the presence of purchasers representative. Two weeks advance notice
along with test procedures shall be given to the purchaser to enable him or his authorized
representative to witness the tests. During the course of manufacturing, the purchaser or his
authorized representative shall be free to visit the works and assess the progress of work and
the manufacturer shall render him all possible assistance to do so.

10.2

All test reports for type tests on capacitor banks and capacitor units as per IEC Standard shall be
furnished. As a minimum the following routine and acceptance tests shall be performed in
accordance with IEC:
a. Visual examination
b. Test for output and capacitance
c.

Insulation resistance test

d. Voltage test between terminals

e. Voltage test between terminals and container for capacitor unit
f.

Voltage test between terminals and container for capacitor bank

g. Test for efficacy of discharge device

h. Measurement of tangent of dielectric loss angle (tan )
i.

Sealing test.

10.3

Certified test reports for the type tests conducted by recognized testing agencies shall be
submitted.

11.0

PACKING AND DESPATCH

11.1

All the equipment shall be divided into multiple sections for protection and ease of handling
during transportation. The equipment shall be properly packed for selected mode of
transportation, i.e. by ship/ rail or trailer. It shall be wrapped in polythene sheets before being
placed in crates/ cases to prevent damage to finish. The crated cases shall have skid bottoms for
handling. Special notations such as Fragile, This side up, Centre of gravity, Weight, Owners
particulars. PO no. etc. shall be clearly and indelibly marked on the packages together with
other details as per purchase order.

11.2

The equipment may be stored outdoors for long periods before installation. The packing shall be
completely suitable for outdoor storage areas with heavy rains and high ambient temperature
unless otherwise agreed. In order to prevent movement of equipment/ components within the
crates, pipe packing supports shall be provided. A set of instruction manuals for erection, testing
and commissioning, a set of operation and maintenance manuals and a set of final drawings
shall be enclosed in a waterproof cover along with the shipment.

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12.0

INSTRUCTION MANUALS
The vendor shall furnish manuals, giving technical literature for equipment and accessories used
in the equipment, maintenance and operating instructions, V/I characteristics curves etc.

13.0

SPARES
Vendor shall furnish with his quotation, a list of spares required for commissioning and two years
operation, complete with itemised prices. Commissioning spares (list of which shall be approved)
shall be purchased with the battery.

14.0

TOOLS
One complete set of all special or non-standard tools required for installation, operation and
maintenance, complete with a suitable box shall be provided (with padlocking arrangement).

15.0

QUALITY ASSURANCE

15.1

Quality Assurance shall follow the requirements of Vendor Q.A. documents unless otherwise
specified in Datasheet.

15.2

Quality Assurance will commence at the enquiry stage and follow through to completion and
acceptance, thus ensuring total conformity to Purchaser's requirements.

16.0

DEVIATIONS

16.1

Deviations from specification must be stated in writing at the quotation stage.

16.2

In the absence of such a statement, it will be assumed that the requirements of the specification
are not without exception.

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