CHAPTER

CHAPTER

OBJECTIVES
 Know what to check for generator markings/specifications.

 Determine overcurrent protection of generators.

 Sizing of generator feeder conductors.

 Disconnecting means of generators.

 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF INSTALLATION OF CAPACITOR BANKS

PEC Article 4.60.1.2:

Enclosing and Guarding

(a) Containing More Than 11 L (3 gal) of Flammable Liquid

Capacitors containing more than 11 L (3 gal) of flammable liquid shall be:
v

 Enclosed in vaults or outdoor fenced enclosures

complying with Part 1.10.3.

 This limit shall apply to any single unit in an installation

of capacitors.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF INSTALLATION OF CAPACITOR BANKS

(b) Accidental Contact

Where capacitors are accessible to unauthorized and unqualified persons:

 Enclosed, located, or guarded so that persons cannot

come into accidental contact or bring conducting
v
materials into accidental contact with exposed energized
parts, terminals, or buses associated with them.

However, no additional guarding is required for enclosures accessible

only to authorized and licensed electrical practitioner or non-licensed
electrical practitioner under the supervision of a licensed electrical
practitioner.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF INSTALLATION OF CAPACITOR BANKS

PEC Article 4.60.1:

600 Volts, Nominal, and Under

4.60.1.6 Discharge of Stored Energy

Capacitors shall be provided with a means of discharging stored energy.
v

(a) Time of Discharge

 The residual voltage of a capacitor shall be reduced to 50

Volts, nominal, or less

 Within 1 minute after the capacitor is disconnected from

the source of supply.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF INSTALLATION OF CAPACITOR BANKS

(b) Means of Discharge.

 The discharge circuit shall be either permanently

connected to the terminals of the capacitor or capacitor
bank or, v

 Provided with automatic means of connecting it to the

terminals of the capacitor bank on removal of voltage
from the line.

 Manual means of switching or connecting the discharge

circuit shall not be used.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

4.60.1.8 Conductors

(a) Ampacity

 The ampacity of capacitorv circuit conductors shall not

be less than 135 percent of the rated current of the
capacitor.

 The ampacity of conductors that connect a capacitor to

the terminals of a motor or to motor circuit conductors
shall not be less than one-third the ampacity of the
motor circuit conductors and in no case less than 135
percent of the rated current of the capacitor.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

(b) Overcurrent Protection

 An overcurrent device shall be provided in

each ungrounded conductor for each
v
capacitor bank.

 The rating or setting of the overcurrent device

shall be as low as practicable.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
(c) Disconnecting Means
A disconnecting means shall be provided in each
ungrounded conductor for each capacitor bank and
shall meet the following requirements:

 The disconnecting means shall open all ungrounded

conductors simultaneously.v
 The disconnecting means shall be permitted to disconnect
the capacitor from the line as a regular operating
procedure.
 The rating of the disconnecting means shall not be less
than 135 percent of the rated current of the capacitor.
Exception:
A separate disconnecting means shall not be required
where a capacitor is connected on the load side of a motor
controller.
 NEC REFERENCES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

NEC References
 NEC REFERENCES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

NEC References

v
 NEC REFERENCES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

NEC References

v
 NEC REFERENCES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

NEC References
Important Note!!!!

v
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
4.60.1.9 Rating or Setting of Motor
Overload Device
Where a motor installation includes a capacitor connected on the load side of
the motor overload device:

 Rating or setting of the motor overload device shall be based

on the improved power factor of the motor circuit.
 The effect of the capacitor shall be disregarded in
determining the motor circuit conductor rating in accordance
with 4.30.2.2.
4.60.1.10 Grounding
 Capacitor cases shall be grounded in accordance with
Article 2.50.
Exception:
A separate disconnecting means shall not be required where a
capacitor is connected on the load side of a motor controller.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

4.60.1.12 Marking
Each capacitor shall be provided with a nameplate giving the
following:

 Name of the  The volume of liquid (if filled

manufacturer with combustible liquid)
 rated voltage  Where filled with a non-
flammable liquid, the
 frequency nameplate shall indicate

 kiloVAr or Amperes  nameplate shall also indicate

whether a capacitor has a
discharge device inside the
 number of phases,
case.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF INSTALLATION OF CAPACITOR BANKS

PEC Article 4.60.2:

Over 600 Volts, Nominal
4.60.2.1 Switching
(a) Load Current. Group-operated switches shall be used for
capacitor switching and shallv be capable of the following:
 Carrying continuously not less than 135 percent of the rated
current of the capacitor installation

 Interrupting the maximum continuous load current of each

capacitor, capacitor bank, or capacitor installation that will be
switched as a unit
 Withstanding the maximum inrush current, including
contributions from adjacent capacitor installations
 Carrying currents due to faults on capacitor side of switch
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF INSTALLATION OF CAPACITOR BANKS
(b) Isolation
1) General
 A means shall be installed to isolate from all sources of
voltage each capacitor, capacitor bank, or capacitor
installation that will be removed from service as a unit.
v
 The isolating means shall provide a visible gap in the
electrical circuit adequate for the operating voltage.
2) Isolating or Disconnecting Switches
with No Interrupting Rating
 Isolating or disconnecting switches (with no interrupting
rating) shall be interlocked with the load-interrupting device
or shall be provided with prominently displayed caution
signs in accordance with 4.90.2.2 to prevent switching load
current.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

(c) Additional Requirements for Series

Capacitors
The proper switching sequence shall be ensured by use
of one of the following:
v
 Mechanically sequenced isolating and bypass switches

 Interlocks

 Switching procedure prominently displayed at the

switching location
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

4.60.2.2 Overcurrent Protection

a) Provided to Detect and Interrupt Fault Current

 A means shall be provided to detect and interrupt fault

current likely to cause dangerous pressure within an
individual capacitor. v

b) Single Pole or Multipole Devices

 Single-pole or multipole devices shall be permitted
for this purpose.

c) Protected Individually or in Groups.

 Capacitors shall be permitted to be protected
individually or in groups.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

d) Protective Devices Rated or Adjusted

 Protective devices for capacitors or capacitor equipment shall
be rated or adjusted to operate within the limits of the safe zone
for individual capacitors.

 If the protective devices are rated or adjusted to operate within

the limits for Zone 1 or Zone 2,v the capacitors shall be enclosed
or isolated.

Note:

In no event shall the rating or adjustment of the protective devices exceed

the maximum limit of Zone 2.

FPN: For definitions of Safe Zone, Zone 1, and Zone 2, see ANSI/IEEE 18-
1992, Shunt Power Capacitors.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

4.60.2.3 Identification

Each capacitor shall be provided with a nameplate

giving the following:

 Name of the manufacturer  kiloVAr or Amperes

 Rated voltage  number of phases,

 Frequency  The volume of liquid (if filled

with combustible liguid)
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

4.60.1.10 Grounding

Capacitor cases shall be grounded in accordance with

Article 2.50.

Exception:
A separate disconnecting means shall not be
required where a capacitor is connected on the load
side of a motor controller.
 PEC ARTICLES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
4.60.2.5 Means for Discharge.
(a) Means to Reduce the Residual Voltage
 The residual voltage of a capacitor shall be reduced to 50 Volts,
nominal, or less.

 Within 5 minutes after the capacitor is disconnected from the

source of supply. v

(b) Connection to Terminals

 A discharge circuit shall be either permanently connected to the
terminals of the capacitor or provided with automatic means of
connecting it to the terminals of the capacitor bank after
disconnection of the capacitor from the source of supply.
 The windings of motors, transformers, or other equipment
directly connected to capacitors without a switch or
overcurrent device interposed shall meet the requirements of
4.60.2.5(a).
 NEC REFERENCES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF CONDUCTOR AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

NEC References
NEC REFERENCES RELATED TO REQUIREMENTS
OF MEANS OF DISCHARGING

NEC References
I never learn anything talking. I
only learn things when I ask
questions.
-Lou Holtz

-THE END-
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