Application guide Contactors for

Capacitor Switching

1SBC 0064 99 R1002

 Contactors for
Capacitor Switching

Contents

General
Reminder of capacitor transient conditions .......................................................................................................... 2

Steady state condition data .......................................................................................................................................... 2

Consequences for contactors ...................................................................................................................................... 2

ABB solutions for capacitor bank switching ................................................................................................. 3

The A.. and AF.. standard contactors ....................................................................................................................... 4
The UA.. contactors .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
The UA…-R contactors, equipped with damping resistors ........................................................................... 6

Selection examples ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Calculation of inrush current peak and frequency

Three-phase capacitor bank with a single step .................................................................................................. 8
Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of identical power .......................................................... 8

Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of different powers ........................................................ 9

Determining a transformer inductance .......................................................................................................... 10

Determining electrical connection inductances ....................................................................................... 11

Attenuation of the inrush peak

Determining minimum electrical connection inductances .......................................................................... 12
Practical method for making additional inductances ..................................................................................... 12

Installation studies
Three-phase capacitor bank with a single step ............................................................................................... 16
Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of identical power ....................................................... 17
Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of different powers ..................................................... 18

ABB Control 1
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Capacitor Bank Switching
General

Reminder of capacitor transient conditions

In Low Voltage industrial installations, capacitors are mainly used for reactive energy correction (raising the power factor). When these capacitors
are energized, overcurrents of high amplitude (up to 180 In) and high frequencies (3 to 15 kHz) occur during the transient period (1 to 2 ms).
The amplitude of these current peaks, also known as "inrush current peaks", depends on the following factors:
● The network inductances.
● The transformer power and short-circuit voltage.
● The type of power factor correction.

There are 2 types of power factor correction: fixed or automatic.

Fixed power factor correction consists of inserting, in parallel on the An automatic power factor correction system, on the other hand,
network, a capacitor bank whose total power is provided by the assembly consists of several capacitor banks of identical or different powers (several
of capacitors of identical or different unit powers. steps), energized separately according to the value of the power factor
The bank is energized by a contactor that simultaneously supplies all to be corrected.
the capacitors (a single step). An electronic device automatically determines the power of the steps to
The inrush current peak, in the case of fixed correction, can reach 30 be energized and activates the relevant contactors.
times the nominal current of the capacitor bank. The inrush current peak, in the case of automatic correction, depends
on the power of the steps already on duty, and can reach 180 times the
nominal current of the step to be energized.
E1178D

E1179D

Fixed power factor correction Automatic power factor correction

Steady state condition data

The presence of harmonics and the network's voltage tolerance lead to a current, estimated to be 1.3 times the nominal current In of the capacitor,
permanently circulating in the circuit.
Taking into account the manufacturing tolerances, the exact power of a capacitor can reach 1.15 times its nominal power.
Standard IEC 831-1 Edition 04/97 specifies that the capacitor must therefore have a maximum thermal current IT of:

IT = 1.3 x 1.15 x In = 1.5 In

Consequences for the contactors

To avoid malfunctions (welding of main poles, abnormal temperature rise, etc.), contactors for capacitor bank switching must be sized to withstand:
● A permanent current that can reach 1.5 times the nominal current of the capacitor bank.
● The short but high peak current on pole closing (maximum permissible peak current Î ).

2 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Contactors for Capacitor Switching
The ABB Solutions

ABB offers 3 contactor versions according to the value of the inrush current peak and the power of the capacitor bank.

SB8171S2
SB8075S3

SB7324S2
A.. and AF.. standard contactors (A 12 ... A 300 and AF 400 ... AF 750)
Maximum permissible peak current Î < 30 times the nominal rms current of the switched capacitor.
Refer to the table on page 4 for the operational values.

SB8010S3
SB8009S3

SB8078S3

UA.. contactors for capacitor switching (UA 16 ... UA 110)

Maximum permissible peak current Î < 100 the nominal rms current of the switched capacitor.
Refer to the table on page 5 for the operational values.
SB7822S2

SB7820S2

SB7821S2

UA...-R contactors for capacitor switching (UA 16-R ... UA 75-R)

with insertion of damping resistors.
The insertion of damping resistors rids the contactor of excessively high inrush currents.
Refer to the table on page 6 for the operational values.

● In a given application, if the user does not know the value of the inrush current peak, this value
can be approximately calculated using the formulas given on pages 8 and 9.

ABB Control 3
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Contactors for Capacitor Switching
Selection Table

A.. and AF.. standard contactors

The A.. and AF.. contactors are suited for capacitor bank switching for the peak current and power values in the table below.
The kvar ratings acc. to the table below are applicable to "star" connected capacitors (less current, cable savings).
The capacitors must be discharged (maximum residual voltage at terminals < 50 V) before being re-energized when the contactors are making.
In these conditions, electrical durability of contactors is equal to 100 000 operating cycles.

Powers in kvar and maximum permissible peak current

Type Powers in kvar 50/60 Hz Max.

peak
220/240 V 380/400 V 415/440 V 500/550V 660/690 V current
40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C Î (kA)
A9 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A 12 7 7 6 11 11 9.5 12 12 10.5 14 14 12 19 19 16.5 0.7
A 16 7.5 7.5 6 12.5 12.5 10 14 14 10.5 15.5 15.5 12 21.5 21.5 16.5 1
A 26 11.5 11.5 9 19 19 15 20 20 16.5 23 23 19 32 32 26 1.6
A 30 13 13 11 22 22 18.5 24 24 20.5 28 28 23 38 38 32 1.9
A 40 15 15 12 26 26 20 29 29 22 35 35 25 46 46 34.5 2.1
A 50 22 22 20 38 38 34 42 42 37 48 48 42 65 65 58.5 2.3
A 63 25 25 23 43 43 39 47 47 42.5 54 54 48.5 74 74 67 2.5
A 75 28 28 24.5 48 48 41 52 52 45 60 60 51 82 82 70 2.6
A 95 35 35 33 60 60 53 63 63 58 75 75 70 80 80 75 4
A 110 40 40 35 70 70 60 75 75 65 83 83 78 90 90 85 4
A 145 50 50 42 90 90 74 93 93 80 110 110 96 110 110 110 4
A 185 60 60 45 105 105 78 115 115 85 135 135 102 135 135 135 5
A 210 75 75 57 125 125 100 135 135 110 160 160 130 160 160 160 6.5
A 260 85 85 70 140 140 130 155 155 140 180 180 165 200 200 200 8
A 300 100 100 85 160 160 150 180 180 163 210 210 196 240 240 240 8
AF 400 120 120 105 200 200 185 220 220 200 260 260 241 300 300 300 10
AF 460 140 140 120 230 230 215 260 260 230 325 325 300 325 325 325 10
AF 580 170 170 160 270 270 260 300 300 290 350 350 340 440 440 440 12
AF 750 220 220 190 390 370 332 410 410 380 490 480 435 600 600 600 12

If, in an application, the current peak is greater than the maximum peak current Î specified in the last column in the table, select a higher rating, refer
to the UA contactors (see page 5) or add inductances (see page 12).
The capacitor bank will be protected by gG type fuses whose rating is equal to 1.5 ... 1.8 times nominal current.

4 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Contactors for Capacitor Switching
Selection Table

UA.. contactors
The UA.. contactors have been specially developed for the switching of capacitor banks whose inrush current peaks are less than or equal to
100 times nominal rms current. The table below gives the permissible powers according to operational voltage and temperature close to the
contactor. It also specifies the maximum peak current Î values accepted by the contactor.
The kvar ratings acc. to the table below are applicable to "star" connected capacitors (less current, cable savings).
The capacitors must be discharged (maximum residual voltage at terminals < 50 V) before being re-energized when the contactors are making.
In these conditions, electrical durability of contactors is equal to 100 000 operating cycles.

Powers in kvar and maximum permissible peak current

Type Powers in kvar 50/60 Hz Max. permissible peak

current Î (kA)
230/240 V 400/415 V 440 V 500/550 V 660/690 V Ue Ue
40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40°C 55°C 70 °C < 500 V > 500 V
UA 16 7.5 6.7 6 12.5 11.7 10 13.7 13 11 15.5 14.7 12.5 21.5 20 17 1.8 1.6
UA 26 12 11 8.5 20 18.5 14.5 22 20 16 22 22 19.5 30 30 25 3 2.7
UA 30 16 16 11 27.5 27.5 19 30 30 20 34 34 23.5 45 45 32 3.5 3.1
UA 50 20 20 19 33 33 32 36 36 35 40 40 40 55 55 52 5 4.5
UA 63 25 25 21 45 43 37 50 48 41 50 50 45 70 70 60 6.5 5.8
UA 75 30 30 22 50 50 39 55 53 43 62 62 47.5 75 75 65 7.5 6.75
UA 95 35 35 29 60/65* 60/65* 50/55* 65 65 55 70 70 60 86 86 70 9.3 8
UA 110 40 39 34 74 70/75* 65 75 75 67 80 80 75 90 90 85 10.5 9
* Use these values for Ue = 415 V

For 220 V and 380 V, multiply by 0.9 the rated values at 230 V and 400 V respectively.
Example: 50 kvar/400 V corresponding to 0.9 x 50 = 45 kvar/380 V.

If, in an application, the current peak is greater than the maximum peak current Î specified in the table above, select a higher rating, refer to the
UA...-R contactors (see page 6) or add inductances (see page12).
The capacitor bank will be protected by gG type fuses whose rating is equal to 1.5 ... 1.8 times nominal current.

ABB Control 5
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Contactors for Capacitor Switching
Selection Table

UA…-R contactors equipped with damping resistors

The UA…-R contactors are fitted with a special front-mounted block ensuring the serial insertion in the circuit of damping resistors limiting current
peak on energizing of the capacitor bank. Their connection also ensures capacitor precharging in order to limit the second current peak occurring
on making of the main poles a few milliseconds later.

Operating principle
The front-mounted block mechanism of the UA…-R contactors alternately ensures early making and breaking of the auxiliary "PA" poles with
respect to the main "PP" poles of the contactor.
When the coil is energized, the early making auxiliary poles connect When the coil is de-energized, early breaking of the auxiliary poles
the capacitor to the network via the set of resistors, thus attenuating the ensures that the capacitor is disconnected via the main poles.
current peak. A few milliseconds later, the contactor main poles short-
circuit the resistors with a new reduced inrush current.
The insertion contacts remain closed, ready to operate as early-breaking
contacts for the next breaking sequence.

R R

PA PP A1 PA PP A1

A2 A2
R R

E1181D
E1180D

C C

These contactors can be used in installations in which peak current far exceeds 100 times nominal rms current. The contactors are delivered
complete with their damping resistors and must be used without additional inductances (see table below).
The kvar ratings acc. to the table below are applicable to "star" connected capacitors (less current, cable savings).
The capacitors must be discharged (maximum residual voltage at terminals < 50 V) before being re-energized when the contactors are making.
Their electrical durability is 250 000 operating cycles for Ue < 500 V and100 000 operating cycles for Ue > 500 V.

Powers in kvar

Type Powers in kvar - 50/60 Hz gG type

220/240 V 380/400/415 V 440 V 500/550 V 660/690 V fuses
40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C 40 °C 55 °C 70 °C max. (*)
UA 16-30-10-R 8 7.5 6 12.5 12.5 10 15 13 11 18 16 12.5 22 21 17 80
UA 26-30-10-R 12.5 11.5 9 22 20 15.5 24 20 17 30 25 20 35 31 26 125
UA 30-30-10-R 16 16 11 30 27.5 19.5 32 30 20.5 34 34 25 42 42 32 200
UA 50-30-00-R 25 24 20 40 40 35 50 43 37 55 50 46 72 65 60 200
UA 63-30-00-R 30 27 23 50 45 39 55 48 42.5 65 60 50 80 75 65 200
UA 75-30-00-R 35 30 25 60 50 41 65 53 45 75 65 55 100 80 70 200
(*) The fuse ratings given in this column represent the maximum ratings ensuring type 1 co-ordination according to the definition of standard IEC 947-4-1.

6 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Contactors for Capacitor Switching
Selection examples

Application and possibilities

Description of the application

Capacitor bank:
20 kvar at 400 V, 50 Hz three-phase.
Ambient temperature around the contactor: 40 °C Case no. 1 - Inrush peak current: 1700 Â
P
Nominal current: In = Possibility as per table on page 4
3xU
A 30 contactor (22 kvar, 380/400 V).
20000
= ~ 29 A This contactor accepts a maximum peak current of 1900 Â.
1.7 x 400
Thermal current: IT = In x 1.5
= 29 x 1.5 ~ 43 A

Case no. 2 - Inrush peak current: 2500 Â

Possibility no. 1 as per table on page 5

UA 26 contactor (20 kvar, 400 V). This contactor accepts a maximum peak
current of 3000 Â (Ue < 500V).

Possibility no. 2 as per table on page 4

A 30 contactor + additional inductances limiting peak current to a
peak of 1900 Â that is acceptable for the A 30 contactor.

Possibility no. 3 as per table on page 4

A 63 contactor (43 kvar, 400 V).
This contactor accepts a maximum peak current of 2500 Â.

Case no. 3 - Inrush peak current: 4500 Â.

Possibility no. 1 as per table on page 6

UA 26-R contactor (22 kvar, 400 V).
This contactor can be directly used without an additional inductance.

Possibility no. 2 as per table on page 5

UA 26 contactor + additional inductances limiting peak current to a
peak of 3000 Â acceptable for the UA 26 contactor (Ue < 500 V).

Possibility no. 3 as per table on page 4

A 30 contactor + additional inductances limiting peak current to a peak
of 1900 Â acceptable for the A30 contactor.

Possibility no. 4 as per table on page 4

A 185 contactor (105 kvar 400 V).
This contactor accepts a maximum peak current of 5000 Â.

The information given on pages 8 and 9 will enable the user to calculate current peaks and to limit them to a value acceptable for the contactor.
Since this calculation is never exact, capacitor bank manufacturers optimise their products by tests.

ABB Control 7
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Calculation of Inrush Current Peak and Frequency

If the inrush current peak on energizing of a capacitor bank is greater than that acceptable for the switching contactor, there is a risk that power
factor correction will no longer be ensured.
This is because, in this case, the contactor may remain permanently closed due to welding of its main poles.
The formulas given below are used to estimate inrush current peak as well as current frequency during the transient period. The values of the
inductances used in the formulas can be determined by the methods described on pages 10 and 11.

Caution:
These formulas are applicable only if the capacitor bank is completely discharged at the time of energizing (maximum voltage at terminals < 50 V).

Three-phase capacitor bank with a single step.

Inrush peak current Î:

U
10 9 Q Q
Line Î= x Î = k1
L: Line inductance Transformer 3πf L + Lt L + Lt
by phase S: Power in kVA
χ: Short-circuit voltage as a %
Lt: Transformer inductance by phase
U: Phase-to-phase voltage in V Inrush current frequency f0:

1
Contactor f0 = k2 U
Q (L + Lt)
Î: in Amperes
f: mains current frequency in Hz
E1182D

Q: in kvar
L, Lt in µH
Capacitor with a single step k1 = 1457 (50 Hz) or 1330 (60 Hz)
Q: Power in kvar (star or delta connection)
k2 = 89.2 (50 Hz) or 97.2 (60 Hz)

Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of identical power.

Energizing of the capacitor Qn with "n – 1" capacitors on duty.

Inrush peak current Î:

U
n-1 Qn
Î = k1 x
n Ln

Kn K2 K1 Inrush current frequency f0:

1
f0 = k2 U
L n x Qn
Î: in Amperes
L1 = L2 = L... = Ln: inductance by phase of a step in µH
Ln L2 L1
Q1 = Q2 = Q... = Qn: power of a step in kvar
n: number of capacitor steps
U: phase-to-phase voltage in V
E1183D

k1 = 1457 (50 Hz) or 1330 (60 Hz)

k2 = 89.2 (50 Hz) or 97.2 (60 Hz)
Qn Q2 Q1

8 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Calculation of Inrush Current Peak and Frequency

Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of different powers

Energizing of the capacitor Qn with "n – 1" capacitors on duty

Kn K2 K1
Inrush peak current Î:

(Q 1 + Q 2 + … + … + Q n - 1) Q n 1
Î = k1 x
Q1 + Q2 + … + … + Qn 1
Ln +
1 1 … 1
+ + +
Ln L2 L1 L1 L2 Ln - 1
E1183D

Qn Q2 Q1

Energizing of Q n

Bank total power

– Fictitious number of steps n =
Power of smallest step

– The inrush current peak of Q n is the same as that of a capacitor

bank made up of n identical steps provided that the inductances L 1,
L 2 .... L n are inversly proportional to the power of these steps.
Q1
Ln mini = L1
Qn

Q1 = a Qn L1 = Ln / a
Q2 = b Qn L2 = Ln / b
Q .. = .. Q n L .. = L n / ..
➟
➟

Qn - 1 = z Qn L n - 1 = Ln / z

ABB Control 9
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Determining the Transformer Inductance

The value of the inductance (Lt) of the transformer used in the various formulas above can be determined by following the method described below.

● Reminder of the values marked on the transformer plate

Value L t of the inductance by phase of the transformer in µH:

S: Power in kVA
χ: Short-circuit voltage as a % . χU χ U2
2
1
U Lt = . 10 3 Lt =
U: Phase-to-phase operating voltage in Volts 200 π f S k3 S
f: Current frequency in Hertz

E1184D
k 3 = 31.4 (50 Hz) or 37.68 (60 Hz)

E1184D
Use

The following chart gives this value by direct reading

Lt
(µH) Inductance by phase, of a transformer at a frequency of 50 Hz
1000
800
600

400
300

200

100
80 Example:
60
Transformer:
40 S = 1000 kVA
30 χ=5%
20
U = 380 V
f = 50 Hz
L t = 23 µH by phase
10
8
6
660/690 V
4
3 500 V

415/440 V
2
380/400 V
χ (%) S
220 V (kVA)
1 4
10 20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

4,5
20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

5
20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

5,5
20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

6
20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

7
20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

8
20 30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

9
30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

10
E1187D

30 40 60 100 200 300 400 600 1000 2000 5000 10000

10 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Determining the Electrical Connection Inductances

For a symmetrical connection formed by non-magnetic conductors, the linear coefficient of apparent self-inductance is the same for all the
conductors and is given by:

2 am
L = [ 0.05 + 0.46 log10 ] µH/m µH/m This chart lets you determine the
d linear coefficient of apparent self-inductance

0,6
d = diameter of the conductive core (mm)
a m = geometric average of distances between the
conductor axes (mm)

Single-phase installation a 0,5

E1196D

am = a

0,4

Three-phase delta installation

a
a

am = a
0,3
E1195D

Three-phase adjacent installation

0,2
a a 1 2 3 4 5 am

E1188D
am = a 3 2 d
E1194D

a m = 1.26 a

Guideline values

Conductive cross-sectional area (mm2) 4 6 10 16 25 35 50 70 95 120

Conductive core Ø = d (mm) 2.26 2.92 3.9 4.9 6.1 7.2 8.4 10.1 11.9 13.4
Outer Ø U1000 RO2V 7.2 8.2 9.2 10.5 12.5 13.5 15 17 19 21

ABB Control 11
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Attenuation of the Inrush Peak

If the electrical connection inductances are very low, the inrush current peak of the capacitor bank may not be sufficiently attenuated and thus cause
welding of the main poles of the contactor.
To avoid this risk, the user must select a contactor that can withstand a higher current peak (UA or UA...-R range) or may serial-connect "additional"
inductances in the circuit.

Determining electrical connection minimum inductances

The formulas given on page 8 to calculate the inrush current peak can also be used to determine the minimum value of the electrical connection
inductances separating the transformer from the capacitor bank, without risk of welding the main poles of the contactor.

● Capacitor bank with one step

( )
2
Q k1
Î = k1 thus Lmin = Q – Lt
L + Lt Î2
Lmin: minimum inductance of the electrical connection in µH.
Î: maximum peak, acceptable for the contactor in A (see tables on pages 4 and 5).
● Capacitor bank with several identical steps Q: power of the capacitor bank in kvar.
Qn: power of the nth step in kvar.
Î = k1
n–1
n
Qn
L n + Lt
thus Lmin = ( k12
Î2
(n – 1) 2
n2 )
Q n – Lt Lt: inductance by phase of the transformer in µH.
k1=1457 (if f = 50 Hz) or = 1330 (if f = 60 Hz)

The chart on page 13 allows, by direct reading, identification of the minimum value of the inductance according to:
– the type of contactor,
– the power of the capacitor bank in kvar,
– the number of steps.

Practical method for making additional inductances

If the electrical connection inductances are too low (current peaks not sufficiently attenuated), the user can add additional inductances, simply
made by winding the cables designed to be connected to the capacitor bank, onto a cylinder. The method below provides all the technical informa-
tion required to make these additional inductances.
● Theoretical reminder
An electrical conductor wound with joining turns on a cylinder of a diameter (d), forms an inductance coil whose inductance is equal to:
b

4 π2 . a2 . N2
L = 10 -7 .F .F 1 2
b+c+r
c

10 b + 12 c + 2 r
a

F1 =
10 b + 10 c + 1,4 r
d

insulator ( thickness varies

according to cable type ) 14 r
F 2 = 0.5 log 10 (100 + )
conductive core 2b+3c
E1189D
c

L: self-inductance in H
N: number of circular turns
a, b, c, d, r: dimensions in m

● Charts
The charts on pages 14 and15 allow, by direct reading, identification of the number of turns to be made according to:
– the cable cross-sectional area that will be used to connect the capacitor bank,
– the diameter of the cylinder used to make the inductance coil,
– the necessary inductance value.

12 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Attenuation of the Inrush Peak

Chart used to determine electrical connection minimum inductances

U < 500 V - For U > 500 V, increase Lm by 20%

12 16 26 30 40 50 63 75 26 30 10
Lm /1 5
A A A A A A A A UA UA 95 5 18 0
A A 14 A 5 63 75
(µH) Contactor type UA UA UA 0
21
100 A 0
30
6 0/
80 A
2
95
60 UA 0
46
0/
40
40 A F
0
11
30 UA 0
75
0/
58
20 A F

10
8
Example:
6

4 UA 30 27.5 kvar
3
n = 3 x 400 V steps
f = 50 Hz
2
L m = 2.2 µH

1,0
0,8
0,6

0,4

0,3

0,2
Number of steps

0,1 1
1 2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 Q (kvar)
2
4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000

3
3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000

4
2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000

5
2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000

6
2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000

7
E1190DG1

2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000

8
2 3 4 6 10 20 30 40 60 100 200 500 1000 2000 3000 or more

ABB Control 13
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 14
Inductance value according to the number of turns made on a cylinder of a ø equal to 10 times the diameter "c" of the insulated cable.

L Note: For a given number of turns, the inductance value obtained with ø = 15 x c is half the sum of those obtained with 10 x c and 20 x c
(µH)

1SBC 0064 99 R1002

Conductor core
100 cross-sectional
area

mm2
120
95
70
50
35
25
16
10
6

10

alue of the
V apparatus
self-inductance:
If the exact values are not
1 known, the following ones can
be used:
Attenuation of the Inrush Peak

Contactor:
0,3 µH
Fuses:
0,4 µH by phase
Circuit-breaker:
Additional inductances (Ø = 10 x cable diameter)

0,5 µH
}
0,1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 N turns
E1191DG

Number of turns to be made on a cylinder of a diameter equal to 10 times that of the cable (including the cable insulation material)

ABB Control
 Inductance value according to the number of turns made on a cylinder of a ø equal to 20 times the diameter "c" of the insulated cable.

L Note: For a given number of turns, the inductance value obtained with ø = 15 x c is half the sum of those obtained with 10 x c and 20 x c

ABB Control
(µH)

100
Conductor core
cross-sectional
area

mm2

50
35
25
16
10
6

4
10
2,5

alue of the
V apparatus
self-inductance:
If the exact values are not
1 known, the following ones can
be used:
Attenuation of the Inrush Peak

Contactor:
0,3 µH
Fuses:
0,4 µH by phase
Circuit-breaker:
Additional inductances (Ø = 20 x cable diameter)

0,5 µH
}
0,1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N turns
E1192DG

Number of turns to be made on a cylinder of a diameter equal to 20 times that of the cable (including the cable insulation material)

15
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Installation Studies

Three-phase capacitor bank with a single step

Example:
Transformer.
500 kVA 220 V 50 Hz Short-circuit voltage χ = 4 %
Q
Capacitor = 5 kvar Î = k1 (see page 8)
L + Lt
Transformer/capacitor connection
10 m of adjacent cables a m = 3 d (4 mm2)
Temperature: θ = 55 °C

L t : Transformer inductance per phase L t = 12 µH

(chart on page 10)

L 1 : Circuit-breaker inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 1 = 0.5 µH

L 2 : Electrical connection inductance

(chart on page 11)
L 2 = 0.42 µH x 10 ⇒ L 2 = 4.2 µH

}
L
10 m

L 3 : Contactor inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 3 = 0.3 µH

L t + L 1 + L 2 + L 3 = 17 µH

L x : Possible additional inductance per phase

(see page 12)
E1193D

Q : Capacitor power (kvar)

Selecting the contactor (pages 4-5-6) Type (table on page 4) A 12

Look for L m (chart on page 13) Network minimum inductance L m = 21 µH

If L m ≤ L t + L 1 + L 2 + L 3 + … ⇒ No additional inductance L x
If L m > L t + L 1 + L 2 + L 3 + … ⇒ Add an additional inductance L x such that: L x ≥ L m – (L t + L 1 + L 2 + L 3 + …)

L x ≥ 21 µH – 17 µH thus L x ≥ 4 µH

L x made up of 6 turns per phase of 4 mm 2 copper cable

(as per chart on page 15) Ø = 20 c

If you want to remove or reduce L x you can choose

a contactor with a greater making capacity

If you choose an A 16 contactor; the chart (on page 13) gives L m = 10 µH Thus no additional inductance as 10 < 17 µH

16 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Installation Studies

Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of identical power.

Example:
Transformer.
630 kVA 400 V 50 Hz Short-circuit voltage χ = 4 %
n–1 Qn
Capactiors: bank with 6 steps of 20 kvar Î = k1 (see page 8)
n Ln
Connections:
transformer/ capacitors 10 m of adjacent cables am = 4 d
capacitors/ busbars: 0.50 m in delta 10 mm2 am = 4 d
Temperature: θ = 40 °C

L t : Transformer inductance per phase L t = 30 µH

(chart on page 10)

L 1 : Circuit-breaker inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 1 = 0.5 µH

L 2 :Connection inductance: L 2 = 0.47 µH x 10 ⇒ L 2 = 4.7 µH

transformer/capacitor bank
by phase (chart on page 11)

L x : Additional inductance, if necessary, per phase

(value 0 for this example). If L x other than 0, reduce by the
same amount the value of the additional inductance L y below.

L 3 : Connection inductance: L 3 = 0.47 µH x 0.5 ⇒ L 3 = 0.24 µH

}
busbar/capacitor, per phase
(chart on page 11)

L 4 : Fuse inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 4 = 0.4 µH Ln

L 5 : Contactor inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 5 = 0.3 µH

Ln = L 3 + L 4 + L 5 = 0.94 µH

L y : Additional inductance, if necessary, per phase and per step

(page 12)
E1185D

Q : Capacitor power (kvar) (n identical steps)

Selecting the contactor (pages 4-5-6) Type (table page 5) UA 26

Look for L m (chart on page 13) Network minimum inductance L m = 3.2 µH

If L m ≤ L 3 + L 4 + L 5 + … ⇒ No additional inductance L y
If L m > L 3 + L 4 + L 5 + … ⇒ Add an additional inductance L y L y = 3.2 µH – 0.94 µH = 2.26 µH

L y made up of 3 turns per phase of 10 mm 2 copper cable

(as per chart on page 15) Ø = 20 c

If you want to eliminate or reduce L y you can choose a contactor with a higher making capacity.
If you choose an UA75 contactor; the chart (page 13) gives L m = 0.85 µH Thus no additional inductances as 0.85 < 0.94 µH

The upstream inductance value L t + L 1 + L 2 = 35.2 µH makes the addition of additional inductances L x pointless.

ABB Control 17
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Installation Studies

Three-phase capacitor bank with several steps of different powers.

Example:
Transformer.
400 kVA 400 V 50 Hz Short-circuit voltage χ = 4 %
Capacitors: bank with 3 steps of: 20 kvar, 30 kvar, 50 kvar
Connections:
transformer/ busbars: 10 m of adjacent cables a m = 4 d
busbars/capacitors: 1 m a m = 4 d
Temperature: θ = 40 °C

L t : Transformer inductance per phase L t = 45 µH

(chart on page 10)

L 1 Circuit-breaker inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 1 = 0.5 µH

L 2 : Inductance of the transformer/capacitor bank L 2 = 0.47 µH x 10 ⇒ L 2 = 4.7 µH

connection, per phase (chart on page 11)

L x : Additional inductance, if necessary, per phase (page 12)

L 3 : Inductance of the busbar/ L 3 = 0.47 µH x 1 ⇒ L 3 = 0.47 µH

}
capacitor connection
per phase (chart on page 11)
L 1-1 L 1-2 L 1-n

L 4 : Fuse inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 4 = 0.4 µH L n

L 5 : Contactor inductance (pages 14 and 15) L 5 = 0.3 µH

Ln = L 3 + L 4 + L 5 = 1.17 µH

L y-1 L y-2 L y-n L y n : Additional inductance, if necessary, per phase

(page 12)
E1186D

Q1 Q2 Qn Q : Capacitor power (kvar) (n different steps)

Preselection of contactors (tables on pages 4-5-6)

{
Type Smallest step: 20 kvar UA 26
(table on Step with intermediate power: 30 kvar ⇒ UA 50
page 5)
Most powerful step: 50 kvar ⇒ UA 75

18 ABB Control
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Installation Studies

Determining any self-inductances L y .

Calculate the minimum inductance of the connection of each step,

as though the bank were made up of np steps of identical power Q p to that being analysed.

Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q... + Qp + Q... + Qn Bank total power

np = Example : n1 =
Qp Power of smallest step

Smallest step: 20 kvar

20 + 30 + 50
Fictitious number of steps: n1 = =5
20

Preselected UA 26 contactor (table on page 5)

Minimum inductance for 5 steps of 20 kvar (chart on page 13): L 1 = 3 µH

Additional inductance L y 1 = L 1 – L n
L y 1 = 3 – 1.17 = 1.83 ⇒ Additional inductance of 1.83 µH

The inductances of the other connections must have as their minimum value the one satisfying the most restrictive of the 2 requirements below:
Q1
Requirement no. 1: Be at least inversly proportional to the powers of each capacitor step, i.e. Ln mini = L1 .
Qn
Requirement no. 2: Be compatible with the contactor used (chart on page 13).

Step of intermediate power: 30 kvar Most powerful step: 50 kvar

20 + 30 + 50 20 + 30 + 50
Fictitious number of steps: n2 = #3 Fictitious number of steps: n3 = =2
30 50
Q1 20 Q1 20
Requirement no. 1: L2 min. = L1 =3x = 2 µH. Requirement no. 1: L3 min. = L1 =3x = 1,2 µH.
Q2 30 Q3 50

Requirement no. 2: Preselected UA 50 contactor (table on page 5) Requirement no. 2: Preselected UA 75 contactor (table on page 5)
Minimum inductance for 3 steps of 30 kvar (chart on page 13): 1.1 µH. Minimum inductance for 2 steps of 50 kvar (chart on page 13): 0.7 µH.
The most restrictive requirement is L2 min. = 2 µH. The most restrictive requirement is L3 min. = 1,2 µH.

Thus, an additional inductance is required The value of the connection inductance,1.17 µH, is very close to 1.2 µH,
L y 2 = 2 µH - 1,17 µH = 0,83 µH there is thus no point providing an additional inductance: Ly3 = 0

The upstream inductance value L t + L 1 + L 2 = 50 µH makes the addition of additional inductances L x pointless.

We could choose all contactors of the same size: the largest preselected rating (UA 75 in our example).
The result would be:

20 kvar step: n1 = 5 ⇒ Chart page 13: L1 min. = 0.8 µH ⇒ Ln = 1.17 µH is greater than L1 thus Ly1 = 0

30 kvar step: n2 = 3 ⇒ Chart on page 13 : L2 min. = 0.8 µH

Q1 20
Checking the other requirement: L2 min. = L1 = 0,8 = 0,53 µH
Q2 30
The most restrictive requirement is L2 min. = 0.8 µH ⇒ Ln = 1.17 µH is greater than L2 thus Ly2 = 0

50 kvar step: n3 = 2 ⇒ Chart on page 13 : L3 min. = 0,78 µH

Q1 20
Checking the other requirement: L2 min. = L1 = 0,8 = 0,32 µH
Q3 50
The most restrictive requirement is L2 min. = 0,78 µH ⇒ Ln = 1,17 µH is greater than L3 thus Ly3 = 0

Advantage: this choice means that inductances need not be added.

ABB Control 19
1SBC 0064 99 R1002
 Printed in France (X+Z 06.2001 R)
No: 1SBC 0064 99 R1002

As part of its on-going product improvement, ABB

reserves the right to modify the characteristics or
Publication

the products described in this document. The infor-

mation given is not-contractual. For further details
please contact the ABB company marketing these
products in your country.

ABB Control ABB Control AB

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F-69685 Chassieu cedex / France
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 7222 1722 Telephone: +46 (0) 21 32 07 00
Telefax: +33 (0) 4 7222 1935 Telefax: +46 (0) 21 12 60 01
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