Guide for the design and

production of LV compensation
cubicles

Design rules and critical parameters

In addition to the general design rules applicable for electrical panels,
specific recommendations have to be followed for capacitor
assembling and installation
capacitor units installation
power factor relay settings
contactor specification
reactors characteristics and location
air cooling system efficiency
capacitor bank protection
capacitor bank - routine test
preventive - corrective - maintenance

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 Capacitor units installation

The capacitor units must be installed in a position so that natural air
cooling is efficient. In addition, a minimum 25mm distance is required
between two capacitor units
wrong position

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correct position

Capacitor bank drawing

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Varplus and temperature class

The capacitor units are designed in order to withstand ambient
temperatures according to IEC 831 standard
Symbol
A
B
C
D

Ambient air temperature C (1)

Maximum
Highest average over all periods of
24 hours
1 year
40
30
20
45
35
25
50
40
30
55
45
35

(1) Ambient air temperature : temperature around capacitor only (not

in the electrical room)
Assembling can modify the temperature category of the capacitor
units
temperature
class

-25/D
-25/C
-25/B

ambient air temperature (C)

reactive power (kvar)
max
highest average
over all periods of
24 hours 1 year
230/240V
400/415V
55
45
35 up to 40
up to 65
50
40
30 41 to 50
67.5 to 90
45
35
25 51 to 60
92.5 to 100

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440/470V
up to 76
77 to 100

480/525V
up to 85
86 to 100

550/590V
up to 100

600/690V
up to 100

 Power factor relay setting

The power factor relay supplies automatic settings
insensitive to CT direction
insensitive to phase rotation polarities
automatic search of C/K
The power factor relay requires several settings
time delay : 50 sec minimum (compulsory)
sequence : n, CA, CB, S
CK : depends on the power of the smallest step and CT ratio
cos phi targeted

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Physical steps - Electrical steps : Explanations

Due to the switching programs of the regulator ( 1.1.1 , 1.1.2 , 1.2.2 ,
1.2.4 ...... ) the number of electrical steps may be higher than the
apparent number of capacitors
CA : All the steps have the same power (1.1.1)
CB : Steps 2, 3 ..6 power = Twice step 1 power (1.2.2)
n : Step 2 power = Step 1 power (1.1.2)
all others steps = Twice step 1 power
n : Step 2 power = Twice step 1 power (1.2.4)
all others steps = Four time step 1 power

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How to find the number of electrical steps ?

1.1.1.1.1.1 = 1+1+1+1+1+1 = 6 electrical steps with 6 outputs of the
regulator used
1.2.2.2.2.2 =1+2+2+2+2+2 = 11 electrical steps with 6 outputs of the
regulator used
1.1.2.2.2.2 = 1+1+2+2+2+2 = 10 electrical steps with 6 outputs of the
regulator used
1.2.4.4.4.4 = 1+2+4+4+4+4 = 19 electrical steps with 6 outputs of the
regulator used

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Physical steps - Electrical steps : example

Rectimat 2 : 105 kvar
electrical steps : 7*15 kvar
physical steps : 15+30+60 kvar
switching programs : 1.2.4= 1+2+4 = 7 electrical steps
Output power
kvar
15
30
45
60
75
90
105

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15 kvar
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Physical steps
30 kvar
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

60 kvar
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

 Contactor specification
Capacitor switching is followed
Tlmcanique LC1-D.K
by transient phenomena
contactors have been designed
resulting from capacitor charging
for capacitor switching
Network
voltage

Capacitor
voltage
Peak closing
current

Capacitor
current

Oscillation
frequency

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Contactor solution
Standard contactor
Inrush current > 200 In main contacts damaged
capacitor destruction
Tlmcanique LC1-D.K contactor
pre-insertion block (inrush current reduction)
long life : 300 000 switching cycles -400V

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 Reactors characteristics and location

detuned type capacitor bank :
overrated capacitor unit + detuned reactor
standard tuning level 215 Hz or 5.4%
As the detuned reactors generates heat,
particular attention must be paid to :
the location of these reactors
separate compartments if possible (1)
and the air cooling system
a forced air cooling system is required
(1) If not, the reactors must be fitted above the
capacitors

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 Air cooling system efficiency

Typical heating
loose capacitors : 0.7 W/kvar
standard and overrated range : 2.5 W/kvar
detuning range : 7 W/kvar
Joule losses for reactors
DR : 12.5 kvar = 80 W
DR : 25 kvar = 160 W
DR : 50 kvar = 300 W
DR : 100 kvar = 400 W

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Ventilation calculation
Standard and overrated types
maximum temperature : 40C
average temperature over 24 hours (electrical room) : 35C
average annual temperature : 25C
cubicle dimension : 2000 (H) x 400 (D) x 800 (L)
system voltage : 400V 50Hz, IP=3X

Q
ventilation
air inlet
(kvar)
type
air flow
90
natural
200 cm
180
natural
300 cm
210
natural
400 cm
3
> 210
forced
fan (m /h)=Q/2
(1) air inlet : Xcm => air outlet = X x 1.1 cm
example : air inlet : 200 cm => air outlet : 220cm

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Ventilation calculation
Standard and overrated types : example
maximum temperature : 40C
average temperature over 24 hours (electrical room) : 35C
average annual temperature : 25C
cubicle dimension : 2000 (H) x 400 (D)
system voltage : 400V 50Hz, IP=3X
Q = 600 kvar
Fan calculation (m3/h) = Q/2 => fan needed = 300 m3/h

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Ventilation calculation
detuned type
maximum temperature : 40C
average temperature over 24 hours (electrical room) : 35C
average annual temperature : 25C
cubicle dimension : 2000 (H) x 400 (D) x 800 (L)
system voltage : 400V 50Hz, IP=3X
detuned capacitor bank must be ventilated
reactors have to be located either separate compartment or other
cubicle
ventilation of capacitor cubicle : same rules as standard and
overrated type
ventilation of reactor cubicle
air flow calculation => AF = 0,3 x DP
DP : dissipated power (W)

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Ventilation calculation
Detuned type : example
maximum temperature : 40C
average temperature over 24 hours (electrical room) : 35C
average annual temperature : 25C
cubicle dimension : 2000 (H) x 400 (D) x 800 (L)
system voltage : 400V 50Hz, IP=3X
Q = 300 kvar (50+50+2x100 kvar)
ventilation of capacitor cubicle : 150 m3/h
ventilation of reactor cubicle
AF= 0.3 x DP
DP = (300x2) + (450x2) = 1500 W
AF= 450 m3/h

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 Capacitor bank protection

Circuit breaker rating

Fuse HRC rating

Standard type

1.36 IN

1.6 IN

Overrated type

1.5 IN

1.6 IN

DR type (6.9%)
tuning 3.8

1.19 IN

DR type
tuning 4.3 (5.4%)

1.5 IN
1.31 IN

IN = Q/3/U
IN = 60 kvar/3/400V = 86.6 A
When set of fuses protects two steps => coefficient : 1.41IN
Ith : 10IN

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 Capacitor bank - Routine test

Dielectric test : 2500V 50Hz 1min
Test done between 3 phases short circuit and earth (insulation
measurement can be done under 500V with R>1000 ohms/V
Conformity (drawing, list of components)
Visual aspect (wiring, IP, panels)
Control wiring test (eventually)
test report

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 Preventive / Corrective - Maintenance

General information
activity of the plant
capacitor bank description and pictures/drawing
Ambient conditions
temperature (room and capacitor bank)
harmonic pollution
Power factor relay checking
time delay
C/K
contactors used (specifics, loop of cables)
auto/ON/OFF selector

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Harmonic pollution - Assessment and solutions

GH : total power (kvar) of harmonic generator

SN : nominal power of the transformer (kvar)
S : apparent power consumed during measurement
calculation

measurement

Standard range

GH
------ 15%
SN

S
Thd (A) x ------- < 5%
SN

Overrated range

GH
15% < ----- 25%
SN

S
5% < Thd (A) x------ 10%
SN

Detuned range

GH
25% < ------ 60%
SN

S
10% < Thd (A) x----- < 20%
SN

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Capacitor bank assembling - Best practices

Respect of discharge of capacitor (fix and automatic)

Temperature (capacitor, electrical room)
Reactors and capacitor location
Harmonic pollution
Capacitor switching

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Capacitor bank installation - Best practices

CT location
Temperature
Regulator setting
CB

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