Capacitor Bank Presentation

1.Why Capacitor Bank?

In electrical systems, inductive loads like motors and lighting
commonly create a reactive power demand, placing added strain on the
supply network. This demand results in reduced capacity, increased
energy losses, and undesirable voltage drops, all of which can hinder
network performance and efficiency. By introducing capacitor banks,
particularly at the MV Network either (11kV,22KV and 33KV) levels,
we can effectively offset this reactive power, thereby enhancing
network capacity, minimizing losses, and stabilizing voltage. Capacitor
banks play a crucial role in optimizing power quality, supporting
efficient network operation, and meeting project objectives for reliable
energy delivery.
1.Why Capacitor Bank?(Contd.)
2. Series and Parallel Connections:

➢ 2.1 Series Capacitors:

Series capacitors are installed in transmission lines to reduce the line’s natural
inductive reactance. The reactance of a series capacitor is out-of-phase with a
Transmission line’s natural inductive reactance (XL). The series capacitor reactance
subtracts from the line’s inductive reactance, reducing the overall line reactance.
If the line’s inductive reactance is reduced, its power transfer capability can be
increased.

Series capacitors will :

➢ Increase power transmission capability.

➢ Improve system stability.
➢ Reduce system losses.
➢ Improve voltage profile of the lines.
➢ Optimize power flow between parallel lines.
 2.Series and Parallel Connections(cont.):

➢ 2.2 Shunt Capacitors:

The purpose of the shunt Capacitor Banks is to limit the flow of
reactive power in the Transformers at these substations by improving
the power factor and thereby limiting voltage drops in transmission
system that supplies power to various 11kV or 22KV distribution
substations.

Types of Shunt banks:

2.2.1.Fixed banks
These capacitors are applied:
✓ At the terminals of inductive devices (motors and transformers).
✓ At bus-bars supplying numerous small motors and inductive appliance
for which individual compensation would be too costly
✓ In cases where the level of load is reasonably constant.
 2. Series and Parallel Connections(cont.):

2.2.2.Automatic Capacitors bank:

These are equipped with automatic controls to adjust the amount of reactive power
compensation based on real-time load conditions. They can connect or disconnect
capacitor units automatically to maintain optimal power factor and voltage levels.
The controller also provides network data and alarm conditions.
Capacitor bank Modes:
1.PF mode.
2.Voltage control mode.
What is Harmonic Distortion?

❖ The harmonics are consequence of different

kinds of non-linear loads and cause different
harmful effects in electric network
Presenting deviations from a perfect
sinusoidal waveform (voltage or current
waveform).
Harmonic orders:
These are currents or voltages
with frequencies that are integer
multiples of the fundamental
power frequency (h = 0, 1, 2, …
N):
 What is Harmonic
Resonance and its
Effect on the System?
Harmonic resonance occurs when the capacitive
reactance (XC) and inductive reactance (XL) of a
power system are equal at a specific frequency. Since
these reactance's are frequency dependent—with XC
decreasing and XL increasing as frequency rises—the
system reaches a natural resonant frequency. At this
point, the system impedance becomes extremely high,
and even small harmonic currents can cause large
harmonic voltages according to Ohm’s Law (V = I × Z).
This results in severe voltage distortion, overheating
of capacitors, and potential equipment damage.
Resonance is a critical issue in power factor correction
because capacitors can exacerbate harmonic levels in
the system.
Design and
Application
➢Detuned capacitor banks are characterized
by their reactor percentage, e.g., 5%, 6%,
7%, or 14%, representing the reactance
ratio relative to the capacitor at the
fundamental frequency.

➢A 7% reactor, for example, equates to an

inductance of 7.25 mH, which significantly
reduces inrush currents and mitigates
harmonic interaction by lowering the
natural frequency of the system to
approximately 189 Hz.
 Evaluation of Risk of Resonance:
Since installation of capacitor banks increase harmonics, it is necessary to perform corresponding calculations for predicting
harmonics level after connection of the capacitor banks to avoid any damage for capacitor bank . Input data for these calculations
are transformer and short-circuit impedance of the grid and measured actual situation of harmonics without capacitors at MV side
of HV/MV transformer.

𝑆𝑆𝐶
ℎ0 =
𝑄

Where:
𝑆𝑆𝐶 :the level of system short-circuits Power at the point of connection of the capacitor.
𝑄: Capacitor bank rating.
ℎ0 :The order of natural frequency.
For Example:
short-circuits Power at busbar level, 𝑆𝑆𝐶 =181MVA
Reactive power of capacitor bank, 𝑄 = 4 MVAR
Then:
𝑆𝑆𝐶 181
ℎ0 = = = 7.
𝑄 4

The natural frequency is closed to the 7𝑡ℎ harmonic frequency of the system.
For a 50 Hz system, The natural frequency 𝑓0 =50*ℎ0= 50*7 =350 Hz.
.
Avoiding Harmonic
Resonance in Power
Factor Correction

Detuning Reactors as a Solution:

To prevent resonance,
detuning reactors are
connected in series with the
capacitor bank. These reactors
shift the resonant frequency
away from typical harmonic
frequencies, ensuring the
system avoids tuning to any
harmonic currents.
Effects of Detuning
Reactors :
1.Shifting the Natural Resonance Frequency:
Without Detuning
➢ Detuning reactors alter the system’s natural Reactors.
frequency, moving it below the range of
typical harmonic frequencies to prevent
resonance with harmonic currents.
➢ For instance, a 7% reactor shifts the
resonance to approximately 189 Hz, ensuring
harmonic stability by avoiding common
harmonic orders like the 5th or 7th.

With Detuning Reactors.

Effects of Detuning
Reactors (cont.):
2.Limiting Inrush Current:
Without Detuning
➢ Detuning reactors reduce the inrush current Reactors.
to less than four times the nominal current,
significantly lowering the peak magnitude of
current during capacitor bank switching.
➢ This dampened inrush current results in a
lower transient frequency, providing
smoother energization and reducing
mechanical stress on capacitors.

With Detuning Reactors.

Effects of Detuning
Reactors (cont.):
Without Detuning
3.Preventing Voltage Distortion: Reactors.
➢ By absorbing a portion of harmonic currents,
detuned reactors decrease voltage distortion
across the system.
➢ Although they do not eliminate harmonics
completely, detuning ensures that the
capacitor bank does not amplify harmonic
levels, thus stabilizing voltage quality.

With Detuning Reactors.

INTERNATIONAL CODES AND STANDARDS

INTERNATIONAL CODES AND STANDARDS

IEEE Standard IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for

1
519-1992 Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 2: Environment

2 IEC 61000-2-2 Section 2: Compatibility levels for low-frequency conducted disturbances and signaling in
public low-voltage power supply systems

Voltage characteristics of electricity supplied by public

3 EN 50160
distribution systems

Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated

4 IEC 60871-1
voltage above 1000 V - Part 1: General