TeSys Solution

TeSys D contactors
for capacitor switching

Why compensate for reactive energy?

1- To reduce your electricity bills by eliminating charges for excess reactive energy consumed.
This consumption is generated by various types of load: transformers, motors, air-conditioning
units, ballasts, etc.
2- To improve the quality of the energy provided by certain mains supplies.

How to compensate for reactive energy?

By using capacitor-based power factor correction equipment.

How does this impact power switching?

Capacitor switching is accompanied by transient phenomena resulting from the capacitor load,
which generate very high transient currents. TeSys D contactors for capacitor switching are
specially designed to commutate and limit such current peaks at energizing.

Benefits
Opt for energy savings
and quality
• Reduce your electricity bills
• Control the quality of your energy

Opt for simplicity: no more

calculations needed
• Contactor rated in kVAR
• Sized to absorb current peaks
• Optimized number of sales
references
• Common accessories with
the TeSys D contactor range

Opt for efficiency

• 300,000 switching operations
guaranteed
• Shorter installation time
• Smaller overall size due to the
compact design of TeSys D
contactors
TeSys Solution

Characteristics
The impedance of any electrical circuit has both an inductive and a resistive component.
Capacitors, together with such circuits, form oscillatory circuits which can, when switched on, give rise to high
transient currents (> 180 ln) at high frequencies (about 15 kHz).
As a general rule, the peak current at energizing is lower when:
• Mains inductances are high
• Line transformer ratings are low
• The transformer short-circuit voltage is high
• The ratio between the sum of the ratings of the capacitors already switched into the circuit and that of
the capacitors to be switched in is small (for multiple-step capacitor banks).

In practice, the current peak is often incompatible with the characteristics of standard-technology contactors.
It is therefore necessary:
• Either to limit this current peak by increasing the inductance of the mains supply by inserting choke inductors
and by calculating the size of the standard contactor to be used.
• Or to use special contactors (early make poles, high pressure at the poles, contact materials, etc.).

TeSys LC1 D•K contactors have been specially designed for switching 3-phase, single- or multiple-step capacitor
banks. They are compliant with the IEC 60947-4-1 standard, according to AC-6b utilization category, and are UL, CSA
and CCC certified.

These products provide a ready-to-use solution.

Selection guide

Contactors LC1D F K B7
Operating power as per 13 kVAR F
IEC 60947-4-1 16 kVAR G
AC-6b at 400V, 50/60Hz, 20 kVAR L
T<60°C 25 kVAR M
30 kVAR P
40 kVAR T
63 kVAR W*
Capacitor switching K
AC Coil voltage, 50/60Hz 24V B7
48V E7
110V F7
120V G7 TeSys LC1DFK
220V M7
230V P7 TeSys LC1DGK
240V U7
380V Q7 TeSys LC1DPK
400V V7 TeSys LC1DTK
415V N7
440V R7

* Complete suffix in this case being WK12••

ART.834524©2011 - Schneider Electric - All right reserved

Schneider Electric Industries SAS As standards, specifications and designs change from time to time, please ask for confirmation
35, rue Joseph Monier of the information given in this publication.
CS 30323
F- 92506 Rueil Malmaison Cedex This document has been printed on ecological paper

RCS Nanterre 954 503 439 Design: Schneider Electric

Capital social 896 313 776 € Photos: Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.com Printed by Altavia Connection - made in France

DIA1ED1080306EN 09/2011
 References 5

TeSys contactors
For switching 3-phase capacitor banks,
used for power factor correction,
Direct connection without choke inductors

Special contactors
Special contactors LC1 DpK are designed for switching 3-phase, single or multiple-
step capacitor banks. The contactors are conform to standard IEC 60947-4-1
according to the AC-6b category of use and are UL, CSA and CCC certified.

Contactor applications
Specification
Contactors fitted with a block of early make poles and damping resistors (external
resistive wires), limiting the value of the current on closing to 60 In max.
This current limitation increases the life of all the components of the installation, in
particular that of the fuses and capacitors.
The design of the add-on block ensures safety and long life of the installation.
Operating conditions
PB107881_32_r.eps

There is no need to use choke inductors for either single or multiple-step

capacitor banks.
Short-circuit protection must be provided by gI type fuses rated at 1.7…2 In.
Maximum operational power
The power values given in the selection table below are for the following operating
conditions:

Prospective peak current at LC1 DpK 200 In

switch-on
Maximum operating rate LC1 DFK, DGK, DLK, DMK 240 operating cycles/hour
LC1 DPK, DTK, DWK 100 operating cycles/hour
LC1 DFKp. Electrical durability at nominal load All contactor ratings 400 V 300 000 operating cycles
690 V 200 000 operating cycles

Operational power (1) Instantaneous Tightening Basic reference, to be Weight

PB107885_28_r.eps

according to auxiliary torque of completed by adding

IEC 60947-4-1, AC-6b contacts power the voltage code (2)
50/60 Hz, θ y 60 °C terminals

230 V 400 V 440 V 690 V

415 V
kVAR kVAR kVAR kVAR N/O N/C N.m kg
7 13 13 21 1 2 1.7 LC1 DFKpp 0.530

9 16 17 27 1 2 1.7 LC1 DGKpp 0.530

11 20 21 33 1 2 2.5 LC1 DLKpp 0.570

14 25 27 42 1 2 2.5 LC1 DMKpp 0.570

17 30 32 50 1 2 5 LC1 DPKpp 1.070

22 40 43 67 1 2 5 LC1 DTKpp 1.070

LC1 DPKp. 35 63 67 104 1 2 9 LC1 DWK12pp 1.650

Switching of multiple-step capacitor banks (with equal or different power ratings)

The correct contactor for each step is selected from the above table, according to the power
rating of the step to be switched.
Example: 50 kVAR 3-step capacitor bank. Temperature: 40 °C and U = 400 V or 440 V.
One 25 kVAR step: contactor LC1 DMK, one 15 kVAR step: contactor LC1 DGK, and one 10
kVAR step: contactor LC1 DFK.
(1) Operational power of the contactor according to the scheme on the page opposite.
(2) Standard control circuit voltages (the delivery time is variable, please consult your Regional
Sales Office):
Volts 24 48 110 120 220 230 240 380 400 415 440
50/60 Hz B7 E7 F7 G7 M7 P7 U7 Q7 V7 N7 R7

References :
page 3

2 Version : 1.0 14/06/2011 TES02000-EN

 Dimensions, TeSys contactors
schemes
For switching 3-phase capacitor banks,
used for power factor correction

Dimensions
LC1 DFK, DGK LC1 DLK, DMK
DB402404.eps

DB402405.eps

103
91

77

77
121 45 127 45

LC1 Type of fixing LC1 Type of fixing

DFK LC1 D18 See pages 5/94 and 5/95 DLK LC1 D25 See pages 5/94 and 5/95
DGK LC1 D18 See pages 5/94 and 5/95 DMK LC1 D32 See pages 5/94 and 5/95

LC1 DPK, DTK LC1 DWK

DB402406.eps

DB402407.eps

180
166

113

127

156 55
5
154 85

LC1 Type of fixing LC1 Type of fixing

DPK LC1 D40A See pages 5/94 and 5/95 DWK LC1 D80 See pages 5/94 and 5/95
DTK LC1 D65A See pages 5/94 and 5/95

Schemes
LC1 DpK
-R
DB402403.eps

13 21 31
NO NC NC
1/L1

3/L2

5/L3

A1
4/T2

6/T3
2/T1

A2
-R
14 22 32

R = Pre-wired resistor connections.

References :
page 2

TES02000-EN Version : 1.0 14/06/2011 3