Peak Inrush Current From Capacitor Bank Switching

Northeast Power Systems, Inc.
66 Carey Road, Queensbury, NY
This spread sheet computes the expected transient inrush current associated with isolated an
Input the stage reactive power rating, stage inductance, capacitor bank voltage rating, system
CALCULATION OF
the capacitor bank. ThePEAK
spreadINRUSH CURRENT
sheet provides FOR
the expected ISOLATED
single stage inrush current as wel
magnitude and frequency for single stage AND
and multi-stage capacitor banks.
BACK-TO-BACK CAPACITOR BAN
The calculations are based on IEEE C37.012-2005, Application Guide for Capacitance Current S
Breakers.
Input Capacitor Bank Voltage (kVLL): 13.80 Project Name: Project Name
Input Short Circuit Current Level at Capacitor Bank (kA): 25.000
Input System Frequency (Hz): 60
Single Stage Single Stage Back-to

Reactive Power Stage Stage Inrush Current Inrush Frequency Inrush C
Stage # Rating (kvar) Inductance (µH) Current (amps) (amps-peak) (Hz) (amps-
Stage 1 500 240 20.9 903.2 1829.7 n/
Stage 2 250 240 10.5 n/a n/a 780
Stage 3 250 240 10.5 n/a n/a 956
Stage 4 250 240 10.5 n/a n/a 104
Stage 5 250 240 10.5 n/a n/a 110
Stage 6 0 0 0.0 n/a n/a n/
Stage 7 0 0 0.0 n/a n/a n/
Stage 8 0 0 0.0 n/a n/a n/
Switching Device: HD4, 31.5Ka, 1200 Amp

Peak Transient Making Current (amps-peak): 20000 Within Switch Rating
Peak Transient Making Frequency (kHz): 4.25 Within Switch Rating
Product I x F rating of Switch (kAHz) 85000 Within Switch Rating
Reference Formulas and Variables from IEEE C37.012-20-05

Back Ground Information
Single stage and multi-stage capacitor banks, when energized, draw significant amounts of inr
considered when choosing the capacitor switching device and transient inrush reactor. Two ty
IEEE C37.012-2005 are as follows:
* The capacitor bank is energized from a bus that does not have other capacitor banks energi
capacitor bank switching.
* The capacitor bank is energized from a bus that has other capacitor banks energized. This si
bank switching.
A capacitor bank is considered isolated when the inrush current on energization is limited by t
capacitance of the bank being energized.
The inrush current of an isolated capacitor bank will be increased when other capacitor banks
Such a case always exists in multi-stage capacitor bank and also in substations where multiple
opposite sides of a tie-breaker.
Such applications give rise to an inrush current of very high amplitude and frequency, which h
to the circuit breaker or capacitor switch, the capacitor banks, and/or the network. The magn
is a function of the following:
1) Applied voltage (point on the voltage wave at closing)

2) Capacitance of the circuit
3) Inductance in the circuit (amount and location)
4) Any charge on the capacitor bank at the instant of closing
5) Any damping of the circuit due to closing resistors, e.g., a Southern States CapSwitcher, or o
It is assumed that the capacitor bank is discharged prior to energization. This assumption is re
discharging resistors that will discharge the capacitor bank. Typical discharge times are on the
The transient inrush current to an isolated bank is less than the available short-circuit current
exceeds 20 times the rated current of the capacitor bank at a frequency that approaches 1 kH
making current requirements of the system, transient inrush current is not a limiting factor in
When capacitor banks are switched back-to-back (i.e., when one bank is switched while anoth
transient currents of prospective high magnitude and frequency flow between the banks on c
switch. The effects are similar to that of a restrike on opening. This oscillatory current that fol
the capacitor bank and the circuit impedance between the energized bank or banks and the s
usually decays to zero in a fraction of a cycle of the system frequency. In the case of back-to-b
the source is at a lower frequency; therefore it is normally neglected.
capacitance of the bank being energized.
The inrush current of an isolated capacitor bank will be increased when other capacitor banks
Such a case always exists in multi-stage capacitor bank and also in substations where multiple
oppositeCurrent
Peak Inrush sides of a Calculation
tie-breaker.
66 Carey Road,
SuchQueensbury, NY give rise to an inrush current of very high amplitude and frequency, which h
applications
to the circuit breaker or capacitor switch, the capacitor banks, and/or the network. The magn
is a function of the following:
1) Applied voltage (point on the voltage wave at closing)

2) Capacitance of the circuit
3) Inductance in the circuit (amount and location)
4) Any charge on the capacitor bank at the instant of closing
5) Any damping of the circuit due to closing resistors, e.g., a Southern States CapSwitcher, or o
It is assumed that the capacitor bank is discharged prior to energization. This assumption is re
discharging resistors that will discharge the capacitor bank. Typical discharge times are on the
The transient inrush current to an isolated bank is less than the available short-circuit current
exceeds 20 times the rated current of the capacitor bank at a frequency that approaches 1 kH
making current requirements of the system, transient inrush current is not a limiting factor in
When capacitor banks are switched back-to-back (i.e., when one bank is switched while anoth
transient currents of prospective high magnitude and frequency flow between the banks on c
switch. The effects are similar to that of a restrike on opening. This oscillatory current that fol
the capacitor bank and the circuit impedance between the energized bank or banks and the s
usually decays to zero in a fraction of a cycle of the system frequency. In the case of back-to-b
the source is at a lower frequency; therefore it is normally neglected.
Phone: (518) 792-4776 Fax: (518) 792-5767 www.nepsi.com
ent associated with isolated and back-to-back capacitor bank switching.

tor bank voltage rating, system frequency, and the short circuit level at
Rngle
ISOLATED
stage inrush current as well as back-to-back inrush current
citor banks.
BACK CAPACITOR BANK SWITCHING
Guide for Capacitance Current Switching for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Project Name
Back-to-Back Back-to-Back
Inrush Current Inrush Frequency Product I x f
(amps-peak) (kHz) kAHz
n/a n/a 1653
780.8 4.722 3687
956.3 5.141 4916
1047.6 5.280 5531
1104.2 5.343 5900
n/a n/a n/a
n/a n/a n/a
n/a n/a n/a
Within Switch Rating ?: Yes - Max is 7808

Within Switch Rating ?: No, but very close. IxF is more important to meet
Within Switch Rating ?: Yes - Max is 85000
12-20-05
draw significant amounts of inrush current. This inrush current must be
transient inrush reactor. Two types of switching events, as defined by
e other capacitor banks energized. This situation is called isolated
pacitor banks energized. This situation is called back-to-back capacitor
t on energization is limited by the inductance of the source and the
ed when other capacitor banks are connected to the same bus or nearby.
o in substations where multiple capacitor banks may be applied on
plitude and frequency, which has to be limited in order not to be harmful

and/or the network. The magnitude and frequency of this inrush current
uthern States CapSwitcher, or other resistances in the circuit
rgization. This assumption is reasonable, as capacitor units are fitted with

pical discharge times are on the order of 5 min.
e available short-circuit current at the capacitor bank terminals. It rarely

requency that approaches 1 kHz. Because a circuit breaker must meet the
urrent is not a limiting factor in isolated capacitor bank applications.
ne bank is switched while another bank is connected to the same bus),

y flow between the banks on closing of the circuit breaker or capacitor
This oscillatory current that follows is limited only by the impedance of
rgized bank or banks and the switched bank. This transient current
uency. In the case of back-to-back switching, the component supplied by
ected.
ed when other capacitor banks are connected to the same bus or nearby.
o in substations where multiple capacitor banks may be applied on
plitude and frequency, which has to be

Phone: (518)limited
792-4776inFax:
order
(518)not to bewww.nepsi.com
792-5767 harmful
and/or the network. The magnitude and frequency of this inrush current
uthern States CapSwitcher, or other resistances in the circuit
rgization. This assumption is reasonable, as capacitor units are fitted with

pical discharge times are on the order of 5 min.
e available short-circuit current at the capacitor bank terminals. It rarely

requency that approaches 1 kHz. Because a circuit breaker must meet the
urrent is not a limiting factor in isolated capacitor bank applications.
ne bank is switched while another bank is connected to the same bus),

y flow between the banks on closing of the circuit breaker or capacitor
This oscillatory current that follows is limited only by the impedance of
rgized bank or banks and the switched bank. This transient current
uency. In the case of back-to-back switching, the component supplied by
ected.
Note Paragraph to left for
general purpose breakers.
Note current inrush peak

and frequency may break
from preferred standard
values.
Note Paragraph to left for
C1 and C2 rated breakers.
(The peak withstand and
close & latch rating = 2.6 x
breaker sym. short circuit
rating)

Peak Inrush Current From Capacitor Bank Switching

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Peak Inrush Current From Capacitor Bank Switching

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Peak Inrush Current From Capacitor Bank Switching

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What factors influence the magnitude and frequency of inrush current?

What factors influence the magnitude and frequency of inrush current?

What is the difference between isolated and back-to-back capacitor bank switching?

What is the difference between isolated and back-to-back capacitor bank switching?

Northeast Power Systems, Inc.

66 Carey Road, Queensbury, NY

Single Stage Single Stage Back-to

Switching Device: HD4, 31.5Ka, 1200 Amp

Reference Formulas and Variables from IEEE C37.012-20-05

1) Applied voltage (point on the voltage wave at closing)

1) Applied voltage (point on the voltage wave at closing)

ent associated with isolated and back-to-back capacitor bank switching.

Within Switch Rating ?: Yes - Max is 7808

e other capacitor banks energized. This situation is called isolated

pacitor banks energized. This situation is called back-to-back capacitor

t on energization is limited by the inductance of the source and the

plitude and frequency, which has to be limited in order not to be harmful

uthern States CapSwitcher, or other resistances in the circuit

rgization. This assumption is reasonable, as capacitor units are fitted with

e available short-circuit current at the capacitor bank terminals. It rarely

ne bank is switched while another bank is connected to the same bus),

plitude and frequency, which has to be

uthern States CapSwitcher, or other resistances in the circuit

rgization. This assumption is reasonable, as capacitor units are fitted with

e available short-circuit current at the capacitor bank terminals. It rarely

ne bank is switched while another bank is connected to the same bus),

Note current inrush peak

You might also like