Power Factor Correction Capacitor selection guide

guideline

Capacitors must be selected depending on the working conditions

expected during their lifetime.

6ROXWLRQ 'HVFULSWLRQ 5HFRPPHQGHGXVHIRU 0D[FRQGLWLRQ

(DV\&DQ Standard >1HWZRUNVZLWKQRQVLJQL¿FDQW NLL”
capacitor non-linear loads
> Standard over-current 1.5 IN
> Standard operating 55 °C (class D)
temperature
Available in can
> Normal switching frequency 5,000 / year
construction
> Standard life expectancy Up to 100,000h*
9DU3OXV Heavy-duty > A few non-linear loads NLL”
&DQ  capacitor >6LJQL¿FDQWRYHUFXUUHQW 1.8 IN
%R[ > Standard operating 55 °C (class D)
temperature
>6LJQL¿FDQWVZLWFKLQJ 7,000 / year
Available in can and
frequency
box construction
> Long life expectancy Up to 130,000h*
9DU3OXV Capacitor for >6LJQL¿FDQWQXPEHURIQRQ NLL”
%R[ special conditions linear loads (up to 25 %)
(QHUJ\ > Severe over-current 2.5 IN
> Extreme temperature 70 °C
conditions
Available in box
> Very frequent switching 10,000 / year
construction
> Extra long life expectancy Up to 160,000h*

* The maximum life expectancy is given considering standard operating conditions: rated
voltage (UN), rated current (IN), 35 °C ambient temperature.
WARNING: the life expectancy will be reduced if capacitors are used in maximum working
conditions.

Since the harmonics are caused by non-linear loads, an indicator for the
magnitude of harmonics is the ratio of the total power of non-linear loads
to the power supply transformer rating.

This ratio is denoted NLL, and is also known as Gh/Sn:

NLL = Total power of non-linear loads (Gh) / Installed transformer rating
(Sn).

Example:
‡3RZHUVXSSO\WUDQVIRUPHUUDWLQJ6n = 630 kVA
‡7RWDOSRZHURIQRQOLQHDUORDGV*h = 150 kVA
‡1LL = (150/630) x 100 = 24 %

It is recommended to use Detuned Reactors with Harmonic Rated

Capacitors (higher rated voltage than the network service voltage - see
the Harmonic Application Tables) for NLL!DQGXSWR

Note: there is a high risk in selecting the capacitors based only on NLL
DVWKHKDUPRQLFVLQJULGPD\FDXVHFXUUHQWDPSOL¿FDWLRQDQGFDSDFLWRUV
along with other devices may fail. Refer to page 66 for further details.

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 Construction of references
Principle

Capacitors
B L R C +   4 A  2 5 B 4 
&RQVWUXFWLRQ 5DQJH 3RZHU 9ROWDJH
C = CAN S = EasyCan at 50 Hz Power at 60 Hz 24 - 240 V
B = BOX H = VarPlus 10.4 kvar at 50 Hz 12.5 kvar at 60 Hz 40 - 400 V
E = VarPlus A = 50 Hz B = 60 Hz 44 - 440 V
Energy "000B" means: 48 - 480 V
labelled only for 52 - 525 V
50 Hz 57 - 575 V
60 - 600 V
69 - 690 V
83 - 830 V

Example:
%/5&6$% = EasyCan, 440 V, 20 kvar at 50 Hz and 24 kvar at
60 Hz

Detuned reactors
L V R  5  2 5 A  7
Detuned Reactor Relative 3RZHU )UHT 9ROWDJH
impedance 12.5 kvar A = 50 Hz 40 - 400 V
05 = 5.7 % B = 60 Hz 48 - 480 V
07 = 7 % 60 - 600 V
14 = 14 % 69 - 690 V

Example:
/95$7 = Detuned Reactor, 690 V, 5.7 %, 12.5 kvar, 50 Hz.

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