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MARCH 20, 2011

16 COMMENTS (HTTP://ELECTRICALNOTES.WORDPRESS.COM/2011/03
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Power Factor Denition: Power factor is the ratio between the KW and the KVA drawn by an
electrical load where the KW is the actual load power and the KVA is the apparent load power. It is
a measure of how eectively the current is being converted into useful work output and more
particularly is a good indicator of the eect of the load current on the eciency of the supply
system.
All current ow causes losses both in the supply and distribution system. A load with a power
factor of 1.0 results in the most ecient loading of the supply. A load with a power factor of, say, 0.8,
results in much higher losses in the supply system and a higher bill for the consumer. A
comparatively small improvement in power factor can bring about a signicant reduction in losses
since losses are proportional to the square of the current.
When the power factor is less than one the missing power is known as reactive power which
unfortunately is necessary to provide a magnetizing eld required by motors and other inductive
loads to perform their desired functions. Reactive power can also be interpreted as wales,
magnetizing or wasted power and it represents an extra burden on the electricity supply system and
on the consumers bill.
A poor power factor is usually the result of a signicant phase dierence between the voltage and
current at the load terminals, or it can be due to a high harmonic content or a distorted current
waveform.
A poor power factor is generally the result of an inductive load such as an induction motor, a power
transformer, and ballast in a luminary, a welding set or an induction furnace. A distorted current
waveform can be the result of a rectier, an inverter, a variable speed drive, a switched mode power
supply, discharge lighting or other electronic loads.
A poor power factor due to inductive loads can be improved by the addition of power factor
correction equipment, but a poor power factor due to a distorted current waveform requires a
change in equipment Design or the addition of harmonic lters.
Some inverters are quoted as having a power factor of beer than 0.95 when, in reality, the true
power factor is between 0.5 and 0.75. The gure of 0.95 is based on the cosine of the angle between
the voltage and current but does not take into account that the current waveform is discontinuous
and therefore contributes to increased losses.
An inductive load requires a magnetic eld to operate and in creating such a magnetic eld causes
the current to be out of phase with the voltage (the current lags the voltage). Power factor
correction is the process of compensating for the lagging current by creating a leading current by

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connecting capacitors to the supply.

P.F (Cos )= K.W / KVA Or
P.F (Cos )= True Power / Apparent Power.
KW is Working Power (also called Actual Power or Active Power or Real Power).
It is the power that actually powers the equipment and performs useful work.
KVAR is Reactive Power.
It is the power that magnetic equipment (transformer, motor and relay)needs to produce the
magnetizing ux.
KVA is Apparent Power.
It is the vectorial summation of KVAR and KW.

An induction motor draws current from the supply that is made up of resistive components and
inductive components. The resistive components are:
1) Load current.
2) Loss current.
And the inductive components are:
3) Leakage reactance.
4) Magnetizing current.

(hp://electricalnotes.les.wordpress.com/2011/03/111.png)
The current due to the leakage reactance is dependent on the total current drawn by the motor, but
the magnetizing current is independent of the load on the motor. The magnetizing current will
typically be between 20% and 60% of the rated full load current of the motor. The magnetizing
current is the current that establishes the ux in the iron and is very necessary if the motor is going
to operate.
The magnetizing current does not actually contribute to the actual work output of the motor. It is
the catalyst that allows the motor to work properly. The magnetizing current and the leakage
reactance can be considered passenger components of current that will not aect the power drawn
by the motor, but will contribute to the power dissipated in the supply and distribution system.
Take for example a motor with a current draw of 100 Amps and a power factor of 0.75 The resistive
component of the current is 75 Amps and this is what the KWh meter measures. The higher current
will result in an increase in the distribution losses of (100 x 100) /(75 x 75) = 1.777 or a 78% increase
in the supply losses.
In the interest of reducing the losses in the distribution system, power factor correction is added to
neutralize a portion of the magnetizing current of the motor. Typically, the corrected power factor
will be 0.92 0.95
Power factor correction is achieved by the addition of capacitors in parallel with the connected
motor circuits and can be applied at the starter, or applied at the switchboard or distribution panel.
The resulting capacitive current is leading current and is used to cancel the lagging inductive current

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owing from the supply.

(hp://electricalnotes.les.wordpress.com/2011/03/121.png)

As a large proportion of the inductive or lagging current on the supply is due to the magnetizing
current of induction motors, it is easy to correct each individual motor by connecting the correction
capacitors to the motor starters.
With static correction, it is important that the capacitive current is less than the inductive
magnetizing current of the induction motor. In many installations employing static power factor
correction, the correction capacitors are connected directly in parallel with the motor windings.
When the motor is O Line, the capacitors are also O Line. When the motor is connected to the
supply, the capacitors are also connected providing correction at all times that the motor is
connected to the supply. This removes the requirement for any expensive power factor monitoring
and control equipment.
In this situation, the capacitors remain connected to the motor terminals as the motor slows down.
An induction motor, while connected to the supply, is driven by a rotating magnetic eld in the
stator which induces current into the rotor. When the motor is disconnected from the supply, there
is for a period of time, a magnetic eld associated with the rotor. As the motor decelerates, it
generates voltage out its terminals at a frequency which is related to its speed.
The capacitors connected across the motor terminals, form a resonant circuit with the motor
inductance. If the motor is critically corrected, (corrected to a power factor of 1.0) the inductive
reactance equals the capacitive reactance at the line frequency and therefore the resonant
frequency is equal to the line frequency. If the motor is over corrected, the resonant frequency will
be below the line frequency. If the frequency of the voltage generated by the decelerating motor
passes through the resonant frequency of the corrected motor, there will be high currents and
voltages around the motor/capacitor circuit. This can result in severe damage to the capacitors and
motor. It is imperative that motors are never over corrected or critically corrected when static
correction is employed.
Static power factor correction should provide capacitive current equal to 80% of the magnetizing
current, which is essentially the open sha current of the motor.
The magnetizing current for induction motors can vary considerably. Typically, magnetizing currents
for large two pole machines can be as low as 20% of the rated current of the motor while smaller
low speed motors can have a magnetizing current as high as 60% of the rated full load current of
the motor
Where the open sha current cannot be measured, and the magnetizing current is not quoted, an
approximate level for the maximum correction that can be applied can be calculated from the half
load characteristics of the motor. It is dangerous to base correction on the full load characteristics of
the motor as in some cases, motors can exhibit a high leakage reactance and correction to 0.95 at full
load will result in over correction under no load, or disconnected conditions.
Static correction is commonly applied by using on e contactor to control both the motor and the
capacitors. It is beer practice to use two contactors, one for the motor and one for the capacitors.

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Where one contactor is employed, it should be up sized for the capacitive load. The use of a second
contactor eliminates the problems of resonance between the motor and the capacitors.

Induction motors, transformers and many other electrical loads require magnetizing current (kvar)
as well as actual power (kW). By representing these components of apparent power (kVA) as the
sides of a right triangle, we can determine the apparent power from the right triangle rule: kVA2 =
kW2 + kVAR2.
To reduce the kva required for any given load, you must shorten the line that represents the kvar.
This is precisely what capacitors do. By supplying kvar right at the load, the capacitors relieve the
utility of the burden of carrying the extra kvar. This makes the utility transmission/distribution
system more ecient, reducing cost for the utility and their customers. The ratio of actual power to
apparent power is usually expressed in percentage and is called power factor.

Since power factor is dened as the ratio of KW to KVA, we see that low power factor results when
KW is small in relation to KVA. Inductive loads. Inductive loads (which are sources of Reactive
Power) include:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Transformers
Induction motor
Induction generators (wind mill generators)
High intensity discharge (HID) lighting
These inductive loads constitute a major portion of the power consumed in industrial complexes.
Reactive power (KVAR) required by inductive loads increases the amount of apparent power (KVA)
in your distribution system .This increase in reactive and apparent power results in a larger angle
(measured between KW and KVA). Recall that, as increases, cosine (or power factor) decreases.

You want to improve your power factor for several dierent reasons. Some of the benets of
improving your power factor include:
1) Lower utility fees by:
(a). Reducing peak KW billing demand:
Inductive loads, which require reactive power, caused your low power factor. This increase in

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required reactive power (KVAR) causes an increase in required apparent power (KVA), which is
what the utility is supplying. So, a facilitys low power factor causes the utility to have to increase its
generation and transmission capacity in order to handle this extra demand.
By lowering your power factor, you use less KVAR. This results in less KW, which equates to a
dollar savings from the utility.
(b). Eliminating the power factor penalty:
Utilities usually charge customers an additional fee when their power factor is less than 0.95. (In
fact, some utilities are not obligated to deliver electricity to their customer at any time the
customers power factor falls below 0.85.) Thus, you can avoid this additional fee by increasing your
power factor.
2) Increased system capacity and reduced system losses in your electrical system
By adding capacitors (KVAR generators) to the system, the power factor is improved and the KW
capacity of the system is increased.
For example, a 1,000 KVA transformer with an 80% power factor provides 800 KW (600 KVAR) of
power to the main bus.
By increasing the power factor to 90%, more KW can be supplied for the same amount of KVA.
1000 KVA =
(900 KW)2 + ( ? KVAR)2
KVAR = 436
The KW capacity of the system increases to 900 KW and the utility supplies only 436 KVAR.
Uncorrected power factor causes power system losses in your distribution system. By improving
your power factor, these losses can be reduced. With the current rise in the cost of energy,
increased facility eciency is very desirable. And with lower system losses, you are also able to add
additional load to your system.
3) Increased voltage level in your electrical system and cooler, more ecient motors
As mentioned above, uncorrected power factor causes power system losses in your distribution
system. As power losses increase, you may experience voltage drops. Excessive voltage drops can
cause overheating and premature failure of motors and other inductive equipment. So, by raising
your power factor, you will minimize these voltage drops along feeder cables and avoid related
problems. Your motors will run cooler and be more ecient, with a slight increase in capacity and
starting torque.

Power Factor Improving:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Please check if required kVAr of capacitors are installed.

Check the type of capacitor installed is suitable for application or the capacitors are de rated.
Check if the capacitors are permanently ON. The Capacitor are not switched o
when the load is not working, under such condition the average power factor is found to be lower
side.
5. Check whether all the capacitors are operated in APFC depending upon the load operation.
6. Check whether the APFC installed in the installation is working or not. Check the CT connection is
taken from the main incomer side of transformer, aer the x compensation of transformer.

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7. Check if the load demand in the system is increased.

8. Check if power transformer compensation is provided.
Thumb Rule if HP is known.
The compensation for motor should be calculated taking the details from the rating plate of motor
Or
the capacitor should be rated for 1/3 of HP
Kvar Required For Transformer Compensation:
Transformer

Required Kva

<= 315 kVA T.C

315kVA To 1000 kVA
>= 1000 kVA

= 5% of KVA
= 6% of KVA
= 8% of KVA

Where to connect capacitor:

Fix compensation should be provided to take care of power transformer. Power and distribution
transformers, which work on the principle of electro-magnetic induction, consume reactive power
for their own needs even when its secondary is not connected to any load. The power factor will be
very low under such situation. To improve the power factor it is required to connect a xed
capacitor or capacitor bank at the LT side of the Transformer. For approximate kVAr of capacitors
required
If the installation is having various small loads with the mixture of large loads then the APFC should
be recommended. Note that APFC should have minimum step rating of 10% as smaller step.
If loads are small then the capacitor should be connected parallel to load. The connection should be
such that whenever the loads are switched on the capacitor also switches on along with the load.
Note that APFC panel can maintain the power factor on L.T side of transformer and it is necessary
to provide x compensation for Power transformer.
In case there is no transformer in the installation, then the C.T for sensing power factor should be
provided at the incoming of main switch of the plant.

Suppose Actual P.F is 0.8, Required P.F is 0.98 and Total Load is 516KVA.
Power factor = kwh / kvah
kW = kVA x Power Factor
= 516 x 0.8 = 412.8
Required capacitor = kW x Multiplying Factor
= (0.8 x 516) x Multiplying Factor
= 412.8 x 0.547 (See Table to nd Value according to P.F 0.8 to P.F of 0.98)
= 225.80 kVar
Multiplying factor for calculating kVAr
Target PF
0.6

0.9

0.91

0.92

0.93

0.94

0.95

0.96

0.97

0.98

0.99

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0.6

0.849

0.878

0.907

0.938

0.970

1.005

1.042

1.083

1.130

1.191

1.333

0.61

0.815

0.843

0.873

0.904

0.936

0.970

1.007

1.048

1.096

1.157

1.299

0.62

0.781

0.810

0.839

0.870

0.903

0.937

0.974

1.015

1.062

1.123

1.265

0.63

0.748

0.777

0.807

0.837

0.870

0.904

0.941

0.982

1.030

1.090

1.233

0.64

0.716

0.745

0.775

0.805

0.838

0.872

0.909

0.950

0.998

1.058

1.201

0.65

0.685

0.714

0.743

0.774

0.806

0.840

0.877

0.919

0.966

1.027

1.169

0.66

0.654

0.683

0.712

0.743

0.775

0.810

0.847

0.888

0.935

0.996

1.138

0.67

0.624

0.652

0.682

0.713

0.745

0.779

0.816

0.857

0.905

0.966

1.108

0.68

0.594

0.623

0.652

0.683

0.715

0.750

0.787

0.828

0.875

0.936

1.078

0.69

0.565

0.593

0.623

0.654

0.686

0.720

0.757

0.798

0.846

0.907

1.049

0.7

0.536

0.565

0.594

0.625

0.657

0.692

0.729

0.770

0.817

0.878

1.020

0.71

0.508

0.536

0.566

0.597

0.629

0.663

0.700

0.741

0.789

0.849

0.992

0.72

0.480

0.508

0.538

0.569

0.601

0.635

0.672

0.713

0.761

0.821

0.964

0.73

0.452

0.481

0.510

0.541

0.573

0.608

0.645

0.686

0.733

0.794

0.936

0.74

0.425

0.453

0.483

0.514

0.546

0.580

0.617

0.658

0.706

0.766

0.909

0.75

0.398

0.426

0.456

0.487

0.519

0.553

0.590

0.631

0.679

0.739

0.882

0.76

0.371

0.400

0.429

0.460

0.492

0.526

0.563

0.605

0.652

0.713

0.855

0.77

0.344

0.373

0.403

0.433

0.466

0.500

0.537

0.578

0.626

0.686

0.829

0.78

0.318

0.347

0.376

0.407

0.439

0.474

0.511

0.552

0.599

0.660

0.802

0.79

0.292

0.320

0.350

0.381

0.413

0.447

0.484

0.525

0.573

0.634

0.776

0.8

0.266

0.294

0.324

0.355

0.387

0.421

0.458

0.499

0.547

0.608

0.750

0.81

0.240

0.268

0.298

0.329

0.361

0.395

0.432

0.473

0.521

0.581

0.724

0.82

0.214

0.242

0.272

0.303

0.335

0.369

0.406

0.447

0.495

0.556

0.698

0.83

0.188

0.216

0.246

0.277

0.309

0.343

0.380

0.421

0.469

0.530

0.672

0.84

0.162

0.190

0.220

0.251

0.283

0.317

0.354

0.395

0.443

0.503

0.646

0.85

0.135

0.164

0.194

0.225

0.257

0.291

0.328

0.369

0.417

0.477

0.620

0.86

0.109

0.138

0.167

0.198

0.230

0.265

0.302

0.343

0.390

0.451

0.593

0.87

0.082

0.111

0.141

0.172

0.204

0.238

0.275

0.316

0.364

0.424

0.567

0.88

0.055

0.084

0.114

0.145

0.177

0.211

0.248

0.289

0.337

0.397

0.540

0.89

0.028

0.057

0.086

0.117

0.149

0.184

0.221

0.262

0.309

0.370

0.512

0.029

0.058

0.089

0.121

0.156

0.193

0.234

0.281

0.342

0.484

0.030

0.060

0.093

0.127

0.164

0.205

0.253

0.313

0.456

0.031

0.063

0.097

0.134

0.175

0.223

0.284

0.426

0.032

0.067

0.104

0.145

0.192

0.253

0.395

0.034

0.071

0.112

0.160

0.220

0.363

0.037

0.078

0.126

0.186

0.329

0.9
0.91
0.92
0.93
0.94
0.95

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Measurement of Voltage:
Check the voltage using multi meter at capacitor terminals.
Please note that the current output of 440 volt capacitor connected to a system of 415 volt will be
lesser than rated value.
Table no -1 & 2give you the resultant kVAr output of the capacitor due to variation in supply
voltage.
The kVAr of capacitor will not be same if voltage applied to the capacitor and frequency changes.
The example given below shows how to calculate capacitor current from the measured value at site.
Example :
1. Name plate details 15kVAr, 3 phases, 440v, and 50Hz capacitor.
Measured voltage 425v , Measured frequency 48.5Hz
Kvar = (fM / fR) x (VM / VR)2 x kvar
Kvar = (48.5/50) x (425 / 440)2 x 15
= 13.57kVAr.
2. Name plate details 15kVAr, 3 phases, 415v, and 50Hz capacitor.
Measured voltage 425v, Measured frequency 48.5Hz
Kvar = (fM / fR) x (VM / VR)2 x kVAr
Kvar = (48.5/50) x (425 / 415)2 x 15
= 15.26kVAr
Three Phase 440V Capacitor
kVAr 440V
Line current
440V

kVAr at415V

Line Current at
415V

Measured capacitance
across two terminals with
third terminal open.(Micro
farad) 440V

6.56

4.45

6.188

41.10

7.5

9.84

6.67

9.28

61.66

10

13.12

8.90

12.38

82.21

12.5

16.4

11.12

15.47

102.76

15

19.68

13,34

18.56

123.31

20

26.24

17.79

24.75

164.42

25

32.80

22.24

30.94

205,52

Three Phase 415V Capacitor

kVAr 415V

Line current
415V

kVAr at440V

Line Current at
415V

Measured capacitance
across two terminals with
third terminal open.(Micro
farad) 415V

6.55

5.62

7.38

46.21

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7.5

10.43

8.43

11.06

69.31

10

13.91

11.24

14.75

92.41

12.5

17.39

14.05

18.44

116.51

15

20.87

16.86

22.13

138.62

20

27.82

22.48

29.50

184.82

25

34.78

38.10

36.88

231.03

The capacitor current can be measured using Multi meter.

Make a record of measurement data of individual phase and other parameter.
Check whether the current measured is within the limit value with respect to supply voltage & data
given in the name plate of capacitor Refer formulafor calculation
Formula for calculating rated current of capacitor with rated supply voltage and frequency.
l = kvar x 103 / ( 3 X V ) L L
Example:
15kVAr, 3 phase, 440v, 50Hz capacitor.
l = kVAr x 103 / ( 3 X V ) L L
l = (15 x 1000) / (1.732 x 440) L
l = 19.68AMPs L
15kVAr, 3 phases, 415v, 50Hz capacitor
l = kVAr x 103/ ( 3 X V ) L L
l = (15 x 1000) / (1.732 x 415) L
l = 20.87 Amps

L.T power capacitors are provided with discharge resistor to discharge the capacitor which is limited
to one min. The resistor are provided as per clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993.
Switch o the supply to the capacitor and wait for 1 minute and then short the terminals of
capacitor to ensure that the capacitor is completely discharged.
This shorting of terminals ensures the safety while handling the capacitor
Discharge of capacitor also becomes necessary for the safety of meter used for capacitance
measurement.

Use suitable size lugs for connecting the cable to the terminals of capacitor.

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Ensure that there is no loose connection: As loose connection may lead to failure of capacitor /
insulation break down of cable.
Use proper tools for connection / tightening.
Ensure that the capacitor is mounted vertically.
The earthing of capacitor should be done before charging.
The applied voltage should not exceed more than 10%. Refer technical specication of capacitor.
The capacitor should be provided with the short circuit protection device as indicated in following
Table
KVAr

HRC Fuse

Cable Amps

12 Amps

12 Amps

7.5

25 Amps

25 Amps

10

32 Amps

32 Amps

12.5

32 Amps

32 Amps

15

50 Amps

50 Amps

20

50 Amps

50 Amps

25

63 Amps

63 Amps

50

125 Amps

125 Amps

75

200 Amps

200 Amps

100

200 Amps

250 Amps

The capacitor should be provided with suitable designed inrush current limiting inductor coils or
special capacitor duty contactors. Annexure d point no d-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
Once the capacitor is switched o it should not be switched on again within 60 seconds so that the
capacitor is completely discharged. The switching time in the relay provided in the APFC panel
should be set for 60 seconds for individual steps to discharge. Clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
If the capacitor is switched manually or if you are switching capacitors connected in parallel with
each other then ON delay timer (60sec) should be provided and in case of parallel operation once
again point No 1 should be taken care. Clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
The capacitor mounted in the panel should have min gap of 25-30 mm between the capacitor and 50
mm around the capacitor to the panel enclosure.
In case of banking a min gap of 25mm between the phase to phase and 19mm between the phases
to earth should be maintained. Ensure that the banking bus bar is rated for 1.8 times rated current
of bank.
The panel should have provision for cross ventilation, the louver / fan can be provided in the care
Annexure d point No d-3.1 IS 13340-1993
For use of reactor and lter in the panel fan should be provided for cooling.
Short circuit protection device (HRC fuse / MCCB) should not exceed 1.8 x rated current of
capacitor.
In case of detuned lter banks MCCB is recommended for short circuit protection.

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Supply voltage to capacitor should be checked for any over voltage. This can be veried of voltage
stabilizers are connected in the installation, light ing are regularly replaced, this indicates the over
voltage.
It is generally found that i.c. base APFC relays are big in size as compared to microprocessor relays.
These ic based relays are found to be malfunctioning. The capacitors are switched OFF & ON
very fast without discharge of capacitor, leading to high current drawn by capacitors. Such
operation leads to failure of capacitor.
Check the time set in APFC relays connected for the operation, as various make of relays are preset
for 15-20 sec. This seing of time should be veried in presence of customer at panel with operation
of relay. The switching of capacitor from one step to another should have min time gap of 60 second.
This should be physically watched. No replacement shall be considered in such cases where in the
time is set below 60sec.
The chaering of contactor can also lead to failure of capacitor. This chaering may happen due to
low voltage or loose connection to contactor coils etc. If the capacitors are operated in manual mode
using push buon, check whether the on delay timer is provided in the individual steps. Verify
whether the time set of 60sec or not. No replacement should be considered in such cases where in
the timer is set below 60sec. or it is not provided.
Check whether capacitor duty contactor is provided or if the inrush limiting inductor coils are used.
This becomes important in case the capacitors are switched ON with the other capacitor
connected in the same bus. Parallel switching of capacitor is generally found in capacitor panels
having APFC and push buons for switching on & o.
Check whether the harmonic is present. For this take a fresh capacitor, charge the capacitor and
then calculate whether the current drawn by capacitor is within the limit. If the current is more,
then it may be due to over voltage. If not then it is clear that the capacitor is drawing high current
due to presence of harmonics.
The harmonics in the plant can be easily found If the plant has loads using power electronic
components such as ups, drives and furnace. Loads such as are welding, c tubes and electronic
controlled machines also generate harmonics. Note that neighboring plant connected to the grid
may also aect the capacitors by importing the harmonic. (Harmonic voltage easily travels through
the grid from one installation to another, the eect of such voltage leads to failure of capacitor).
Check other points given in installation guide line of capacitor.
In case the installation is having MD-XL capacitors with connected loads generating harmonics then
the capacitor may be drawing additional 30% current. In such conditions the fuses may blow out
cable will heat up and Temperature of capacitor will be also increased. Ensure that the fuse rating
should not be increased. The switchgear and cable size should be suitably increased. The capacitor
will continue to work but the life of capacitor may not be longer. This clearly indicates that the
capacitor is over loaded and if required the reactor Should be provided for controlling the over
current.
Check the short circuit protection device. Please note that you may come across the customer using
fuses almost double the current rating of capacitors. This is generally found in the plants having
harmonic problems and the installations having hired local electricians for maintenance.
Check the date of installation of capacitor and type of additional load being connected aer
installation of capacitors. As it is observed in certain cases that the type of capacitor was selected
without considering future expansion of machineries in the plant. Some time these machines are

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found to be generating harmonic aecting the life of capacitor.

No replacement should be considered if capacitor is failed due to harmonics and customer has used
normal capacitors without consulting Engineers.

Capacitor voltage rating is equal to the max voltage recorded in the installation.
Capacitor is mounted vertically.
Earthing at two dierent points is done.
Proper lugs are used for termination.
Proper size of cable is used.
Ph- ph gap is 25mm and ph-earth is 19mm.
The bus bar used for banking is 1.8 x rated current of the bank.
Cross ventilation provision is provided in the installation area / in the panel.
The plant has the facility to trip the capacitor under over voltage conditions.(10%)
Capacitor is provided with suitable size of HRC fuse / MCCB rating for protection.
Suitable inrush current device is connected in series with contactor to limit the inrush current or
capacitor duty contactor is used.
Capacitor is provided with suitable on delay timer to ensure that the capacitor is not switched on
within 60sec. Aer it is switched o.
Capacitor is provided with insulating cover to ensure the safety.
Capacitor is installed in the area free from entry of dust, chemical fume and rain water.
APFC relay provided in the panel is set for 60 second. On delay provided are also set for 60
second.
The lter banks are provided with MCCB for protection apart from above points.
The MCCB should be set for 1.3 x rated current of lter bank

Capacitor banks without reactor should not be permied on the secondary size of transformer
circuit which is having lter banks connected. Please remove capacitors without reactors from the
same network (as IEC- 61642).
Filter rated voltage is equal to the max voltage recorded in the installation.
Capacitor used with reactors is always of special voltage recorded in the installation.
Earthing should be done at capacitors and reactors separately.
Proper lugs are used for termination.
Proper size of cable is used.
Ph- ph gap is 25mm and ph-earth is 19mm.
The bus bar used for banking is 1.8 x rated bank current.
Forced cross ventilation should be provided in the installation area.
The plant has the facility to trip the lter banks under over voltage conditions. Set for 10% over

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voltage.
Filter banks are provided with suitable size of MCCB rating for protection.
The MCCB is set for 1.3 x rated current of lter bank. MCCB are recommended.
Filter is provided with suitable on delay timer to ensure that the capacitor is not switched on
within 60sec. Aer it is switched o.
Filter is installed in the area free from entry of dust, chemical fumes and rain water.
APFC relay provided in the panel for switching lters is set for 60 second.

FILED UNDER UNCATEGORIZED

About Jignesh.Parmar
Jignesh Parmar has completed his B.E(Electrical) from Gujarat University. He has more than 11 years
experience in Power Transmission-Power Distribution-Electrical energy the detection-Electrical
Maintenance-Electrical Projects(Planning-Designing-coordination-Execution). He is Presently associate
with one of the leading business group as a Assistant Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He is Freelancer
Programmer of Advance Excel and design useful Excel Sheets of Electrical Engineering as per
IS,NEC,IEC,IEEE codes. He is technical Author for Electrical Mirror and Electrical India Magazines.
He is Technical Blogger and Familiar with English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He wants to
Share his experience & knowledge and help technical enthusiasts to nd suitable solutions and
updating themselves on various Engineering Topics.

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rajesh says:
May 24, 2011 at 1:22 pm
how to improve the power factor from 0.98 to 099
Reply
Jignesh.Parmar says:
May 24, 2011 at 4:07 pm
I have make excel sheet for Calculation capacitor Bank Size for P.F Correction Download From
hp://jiguparmar.wordpress.com/electrical-program-on-excel-base/electrical-excel-tools/
Reply
kc says:
August 28, 2011 at 7:32 pm

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which is healthy value of power factor ? 0.85 or 1?

Reply
PRADEEP says:
February 17, 2012 at 7:00 am
hw much current fr 3.5kvar capacitor should absorb
Reply
ken kibera says:
February 18, 2012 at 3:36 pm
please help me, why does my regulator show low power factor even when the capacitors are
connectedand the stage brakers are on? the utily meter shows correction with good power factor
but the regulator still shows low pf.
regards,
Ken
Reply
Mandeep Purohit says:
March 9, 2012 at 11:03 am
We are having APFC panel and maintaining a commulative PF of 0.985 average. There are some
motors in the plant of (50 H.P. two nos, 30 H.P. 5 Nos. 15 H.P 2 nos.) which do not have any
localized Capacitor installed with these motors. is there any benet of adding local capacitors of
motor? can we achieve any power saving?
Reply
saddam ali says:
March 9, 2012 at 11:18 am
respected sir
i want to know about PMCC,MCC,SLDB PANEL&PLC
PLEASE GIVE ME ANSWER
Reply
vilas k says:
April 18, 2012 at 11:02 am
Dear Sir , if u can oer comments on method of connection of capacitor banks i.e which star or delta
connection of capacitor banks which to prefer & when to prefer
Reply
B S Raju says:
June 20, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Dear Mr.Jignesh parmar,
Really useful. Kindly give your contact details.
B S Raju
Reply
sabu.k.k says:
August 6, 2012 at 1:40 pm
thanks sir
it is a good eort to others
Reply
subash says:
October 21, 2012 at 7:08 pm

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its good.
Reply
Ashish Pendharkar says:
December 11, 2012 at 10:47 am
Why it is advisable to disconnect APFC bank on DG?
Reply
Jignesh.Parmar says:
December 11, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Please Refer Question & Answer Page of this Blog
Reply
18inchwasher.livejournal.com says:
December 17, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Hi, I just came by to learn about this place. It seems to be
really full of great content and I had a good time viewing
it, thank you very much for the good article!
Reply
Mr Nkhil Mody says:
February 3, 2013 at 3:58 am
Hi,
Nice to read you such an excellent tips about KWH & kV arh,
i hv small question, by intalling any value kvarh capacitor on available load, does it take any Amp
load as per value indicated on specication.
Reply
Rami Loya says:
May 20, 2013 at 7:54 pm
I am looking for an experienced designer to design a 3-5KVAR automatic power factor correction
system for residential applications as well as a similar system for commercial applications 10-30
KVAR. Systems will have optional harmonic lters typical to each environment
Reply

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