Power Factor Correction Guide
Power Factor Correction Guide
Power Factor Correction Guide
N 6
M
M
051797
M
M
M
M
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M
Contents
In short
General information on
Power Factor correction
1.1. Definitions
1.1.1. Active, reactive, apparent energies
All electrical machines using AC current (motor , transformer) involve two forms of
energy: active energy and reactive energy .
Active energy consumption (kWh) results from active power P (kW) of
loads. It is completely converted into mechanical power (work) and into heat
(losses).
Reactive energy consumption (kvarh) is used to supply the magnetic circuits
of electrical machines. It corresponds to reactive power Q (kvar) of loads.
Apparent energy (kVAh) is the vector sum of the two previous energies. It
corresponds to the apparent power S (kVA) of loads, the vector sum of P (kW)
and Q (kvar).
E58741
Ia
It
Ir
It = Ia 2 + Ir 2
Ia = I . cos
Ir = I . sin
1.1.3. Active and reactive power components
The above diagram drawn up for currents also applies to powers, by multiplying
each current by the common voltage U.
We thus define:
Apparent power: S = Ul (KV A),
Active power: P = Ul.cos (kW)
Reactive power: Q = Ul.sin (kvar).
E58742
P (kW)
S (kVA)
Q (kvar)
In short
FP =
P
active _ power _( kW )
=
S apparent _ power _( kVA )
If currents and voltages are perfectly sinusoidal signals, power factor equals
cos.
The variable tg is also used. In the same conditions, we obtain the following
equation:
tg =
tg =
1.2 Aims
Circulation of reactive energy has major technical and economic consequences.
This is because, for the same active power P , the following figure shows that for
a higher reactive power , a higher apparent power and thus a higher current must
be supplied.
E58743
P (kW)
2
S1 (kVA)
Q1 (kvar)
S2 (kVA)
Q2 (kvar)
E58744
To reduce the apparent power drawn up in the network from S2 to S1, a capacitor
bank supplying reactive energy Qc must be connected, such that:
Qc = P.(tg2 - tg1).
P (kW)
2
S1 (kVA)
S2 (kVA)
Qc (kvar)
The capacitor bank is connected at the supply end of the installation and provides
correction for all loads. This is suitable when the main aim is to eliminate sanctions
and relieve the transformer substation.
Local or sector correction
The capacitor bank is installed at the supply end of the installation sector to be
corrected. This is suitable when the installation is extensive and contains
workshops with different load conditions.
Individual correction
The capacitor bank is directly connected to the terminals of each inductive load (in
particular motor). This can be considered when motor power is high compared
with subscribed demand. This correction is technically ideal as it produces
reactive energy at the very point where it is consumed and in a quantity adjusted
to demand.
The entire capacitor bank is put into operation, in an ON/OFF operating mode.
Putting into operation can be manual (by circuit-breaker or switch), semi-automatic
(by contactor), or dependent on motor terminals. This correction type is used
when reactive power is low (<15% of transformer power) and the load relatively
stable.
Automatic or step correction
The capacitor bank is split into steps, with the possibility of putting a varying
number of steps into operation, normally automatically . This capacitor bank type is
installed at the supply end of the L V distribution or an important sector . It allows
step-by-step regulation of reactive energy . Step switching and tripping is
controlled by a varmetric relay .
In short
The harmonic currents generated
by electronic devices may be
responsible for an overload of the
correction capacitors.
Various types of suitable capacitors
are proposed..
0,15.Sn<Gh<0,25.Sn
0,25.Sn<Gh<0,6.Sn
Gh>0,6.Sn
standard
correction
equipment
H type
correction
equipment
detuned
bank
harmonics filter
In short
La =
U n2
Un
=
S sc
3 I sc
Where:
Un: nominal phase-to-phase voltage,
lsc: symmetrical three-phase short-circuit current at the capacitor connection
point,
Ssc: short-circuit power at the capacitor connection point.
(by definition,
S sc = 3 .U n .I sc ).
La
Uh
3
bank.
e =
2
C
Un
3
La + L
e =
2
C
Un
3
La
fo =
1
2 La C
Its duration is equivalent to the duration of the transient period of a short-circuit, i.e.
a few dozen ms.
This current can be compared with the nominal current of the bank:
I ncapa = C
Un
3
Hence:
= 2
I ncapa
1
LaC
Using:
La =
U n2
S sc
and
Q = C U n
We obtain:
e
I ncapa
= 2
S sc
Q
Let us take a fixed capacitor bank of 250 kvar with a phase-to-phase voltage Un =
400 V supplied by a network with a maximum short-circuit power Ssc = 20 MV A.
We obtain:
e
I ncapa
e
I ncapa
fo =
= 2
S sc
Q
= 2.
20.10 6
= 12,6
250.103
1
2 La C
S sc
20.10 6
fo =
= 50.
= 447 Hz
2 Q
250.10 3
The maximum peak switching current equals in this example 12.6 times the nominal
current of the bank. Its natural frequency is 447 Hz.
The following figures represent the switching current and network voltage, when
switching takes place at maximum voltage.
E58746
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
-1000
-2000
-3000
-4000
-5000
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
t (s)
E58747
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
t (s)
La
Uh
3
n+1
The peak switching current le is greatest when n steps are in operation and when
the n + 1th step is energised. The steps in operation are discharged in the
energised step. Since the inductances L are very small, this switching current is
very high (it is independent from the network inductance La).
10
e =
2 n
C
Un
3 n +1
L
This current can be compared with the nominal current of a step Incapa :
I ncapa = C
Un
3
We obtain:
e
I ncapa
2 n
1
.
.U n .
3 n +1
Q. .L
e
I ncapa
2 n
1
2 5
1
.
.U n .
. .400.
=
= 168
3
3 n +1
3 6
Q. .L
50.10 .314.0,5.106
The maximum peak switching current equals in this example 168 times the nominal
current of a capacitor bank step.
This very high current cannot be supported by the capacitors and breaking
devices. A device limiting switching current must thus be used.
E58749
With respect to Rectiphase capacitor banks, switching currents are limited by preinsertion resistors whose principle is illustrated in the figure below:
11
E58750
800
600
400
200
A
0
-200
-400
-600
-800
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.14
t (s)
0.13
0.14
t (s)
E58751
400
300
200
100
V
0
-100
-200
-300
-400
0.11
0.12
Figure 11 - Voltage at the terminals of the energised capacitor and network voltage.
2.2 Resonance
The resonance phenomenon is responsible for the greatest harmonic distortions in
distribution networks and the major cause of correction capacitor overloads.
The phenomena described below are of the parallel resonance type.
E58762
Harmonic
generator
Capacitor
bank
Linear
load
12
E58763
Ls
Ih
Z
Figure 13 - Equivalent diagram for harmonic analysis
E58752
The impedance module seen by the harmonic currents is shown in the figure
below:
Z ()
Network
with capacitor
Network only
far
f (Hz)
Harmonics
amplification zone
Physical interpretation:
frequency f ar is the tuning frequency of the circuit (ls + c),
at frequency f ar, the impedance module of the network seen by the harmonics is
maximum. High harmonic voltages thus appear, and thus a high voltage distortion.
in the harmonics amplification zone, harmonic currents higher than the injected
harmonic currents flow in the circuit (ls + C).
E58753
The following diagram shows the circuit components affected by the harmonic
currents:
I har
Harmonic
generator
Capacitor
bank
Linear
load
The supply network and the correction capacitors are subjected to high harmonic
currents and thus to the risk of overload.
13
Example
E58754
Resonance frequency is 447 Hz, which results in marked amplification of 1 1th order
harmonics
A
250
200
150
100
injected
50
0
11
13
17
19
23
25
rang
result
E58756
E58755
Capacitor
bank
-400
Linear
load
-500
0.47
0.48
0.49
0.5 t (s)
0.47
0.48
0.49
0.5 t (s)
E58758
E58757
500
400
300
I har
200
100
0
-100
-200
-300
Harmonic
generator
Capacitor
bank
Linear
load
-400
-500
14
- u5 = 8 %,
- u7 = 5 %,
- u11 = 3 %,
- u13 = 1 %,
(THDu = 10 %).
I 1 = U 1 . C.
I 5 = U 5 . C.5. = u5 .5. I 1
I 7 = U 7 . C.7. = u 7 .7. I 1
I 11 = U 11 . C.11. = u11 .11. I 1
I 13 = U 13 . C.13. = u13 .13. I 1
I rms =
2
h
I rms
,
= 1 + (u5 .5) 2 + (u 7 .7) 2 + ( u11 .11) 2 + (u13 .13) 2 = 119
I1
The result is thus an overload of nearly 20% compared with operation at perfectly
sinusoidal voltage.
Standard type capacitors can support a current overload of 30% (to support the
cumulated effect of harmonics and voltage fluctuations).
In the event of high harmonic distortion, H type capacitors must be used, able to
support 1.43 ln.
E58759
I har
Harmonic
generator
Filter
Linear
load
15
E58760
I har
Harmonic
generator
Filter
Linear
load
This pre-existing voltage distortion must be taken into account when sizing the
harmonic filters.
The harmonic filtering equipment is systematically equipped with an overload
protection device.
16
In short
1.45 x 1.05 = 1.5 times nominal current in the case of reinforced Rectiphase
Protection by circuit-breaker:
As mentioned above, rating must be greater than 1.36xl ncapa: the thermal threshold
can be set at 1.36xl ncapa.
The protection device must be sensitive to the rms value of the current (including
the harmonics).
The instantaneous tripping threshold must be set at 10xl ncapa.
17
Thermal magnetic type trip units are ideal for the application.
If electronic trip units are used, the short time tripping threshold must be fixed at
10 times setting current lr in order to allow passage of the switching current peak.
Co-ordination of circuit-breakers with correction equipment.
For protection of a capacitor bank by a limiting circuit-breaker , the bank does not
need to be sized for the same short-circuit current as the installation (refer to the
limiting curves of Compact and Masterpact circuit-breakers).
Use of residual current devices (RCD)
On switching of a capacitor bank, the 3 phase currents are not balanced, even if
the sum of these 3 currents is zero. These currents are high. Consequently , it is
necessary to geometrically centre as accurately as possible the measurement
toroid on the 3 cables, to prevent asymmetry from causing stray current detection
and nuisance tripping.
The use of high immunity RCD is recommended. Example: Vigi C60 si.
Protection by fuse
Case of a fixed bank:
To prevent risk of fuse blowing after a large number of switchings, rating must be
greater than 1.6xlncapa.
E58761
Bank
fuse
Step
fuse
ncapa
nbat
Note that the increase coefficient of the fuse rating of the bank is 1.4 instead of
1.6 since steps are not energised at the same time.
Fuses must be of the gL type. In view of over-calibration, they cannot provide
overload protection.
Although capacitor elements are equipped with protection devices against internal
faults, the Rectiphase equipped mounting plates are, by precaution, normally
equipped with fuses and occasionally with circuit-breakers.
The automatic correction capacitor banks can be optionally equipped with a master
circuit-breaker.
18
The rated voltage of the capacitors must be at least 10% higher than the rated
voltage of the network to take into account the overvoltage due to the reactor .
Fuse rating is chosen according to nominal rms current (allowing for harmonics).
Reminder: rms current is
Where:
- I1 : value of current at 50 Hz (or 60 Hz),
- Ii : value of the i th order harmonic current.
The fuse rating of each step must be greater than 1.4xl
(lecapa: nominal rms current of a step).
The fuse rating of the bank must be greater than 1.2xl
(lebat: nominal rms current of the bank).
ecapa
ebat
Note that the increase coefficients of the fuse ratings are lower if there are no
detuned reactors or filters. This is because these reactors limit the switching
current.
Cable protection
The supply cables must be sized in the same way as the control and protection
devices, i.e. for a value 1.36 times the nominal current of the bank.
They must also be protected against short-circuits that can occur on the cables or
in event of capacitor failure.
19
Notes
20
p 22
p 23
p 24
p 25
E54600
Applications
21
Correction of asynchronous
motors
89331
E62577
Correction requirements of
asynchronous motors
E62578
M
Parallel-mounting of capacitors with separate
operating mechanism
22
3
9
11
12,5
14
18
25
27
33
38
44
53
63
70
86
97
107
4
10
12,5
16
17
21
28
30
37
43
52
61
71
79
98
106
117
Case of parallel-mounting of
capacitors with separate operating
mechanism
To avoid dangerous overvoltages due to
self-excitation or in cases in which the
motor starts by means of special
switchgear (resistors, reactors,
autotransformers), the capacitors will only
be switched after starting.
Likewise, the capacitors must be
disconnected before the motor is deenergised.
In this case, motor reactive power can be
fully corrected on full load.
Caution: if several banks of this type are
connected in the same network, inrush
current limiting reactors should be fitted.
052304
Correction of transformers
reactive power
to be corrected in kvar
off-load
on-load
2,5
6,1
3,7
9,6
5,3
14,7
6,3
18,4
7,6
22,9
9,5
28,7
11,3
35,7
20
54,5
23,9
72,4
27,4
94,5
31,9
126,2
37,8
176
23
Cable cross-section
400 V
10
20
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
140
180
200
240
250
300
360
420
480
540
600
660
720
copper
crosssection
(mm2)
2,5
4
6
10
16
25
35
50
70
95
120
150
185
240
2 x 95
2 x 120
2 x 150
2 x 185
2 x 240
2 x 300
3 x 150
3 x 185
alu
crosssection
(mm2)
16
16
16
16
25
35
50
70
95
120
185
240
2 x 95
2 x 120
2 x 150
2 x 185
2 x 240
2 x 300
3 x 185
3 x 240
3 x 240
3 x 300
24
Fixed correction:
Rectibloc
046214
Enclosure
nominal
current (A)
15
22
29
36
43
58
72
87
101
115
144
173
Installation
b wall mounting cabinet: wall mounted
circuit-breaker
Ir (A)
type
NC100L
NC100L
NC100L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
20
30
40
50
60
80
100
120
140
160
200
240
enclosure
enclosure
enclosure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
052291
Overrated type
polluted network 15% < Gh/Sn 25%
Structure
power
(kvar) (*)
7,5
10
15
20
22,5
30
35
40
45
52,5
60
70
80
90
105
nominal
current (A)
11
15
22
29
32
43
51
58
65
76
87
101
115
130
152
circuit-breaker
Ir (A)
type
NC100L
NC100L
NC100L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
15
20
30
40
45
60
70
80
90
105
120
140
160
180
210
enclosure
enclosure
enclosure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
structure
circuit-breaker
Ir (A)
type
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
50
75
100
150
200
250
300
cubicle
cubicle
cubicle
cubicle
cubicle
cubicle
cubicle
Detuned type
057489
nominal
current (A)
36
54
72
108
144
180
217
25
056637
Automatic correction
Rectimat 2
056639
Rectimat 2 enclosure 1
power
(kvar)
30
45
60
75
90
105
120
150
180
210
240
270
315
360
405
450
495
540
585
630
675
720
765
810
855
900
nominal current
(A)
43
65
87
108
130
152
173
217
260
303
346
390
455
520
585
650
714
779
844
909
974
1039
1104
1169
1234
1299
circuit-breaker
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
C801N/H/L
C801N/H/L
C1001N/H/L
C1001N/H/L
C1251N/H
C1251N/H
C1251N/H
CM1600N/H
CM1600N/H
CM1600N/H
CM1600N/H
CM2000N/H
CM2000N/H
Ir
(A)
60
90
120
150
180
205
235
300
350
415
470
530
620
710
800
885
975
1060
1150
1240
1325
1415
1500
1600
1680
1770
type
enclosure 1
enclosure 1
enclosure 2
enclosure 2
cubicle 1
cubicle 1
cubicle 2
cubicle 1
cubicle 1
cubicle 2
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
Overrated type
polluted network 15% < Gh/Sn 25%
056643
Rectimat 2 cubicle 1
Rectimat 2 cubicle 3
26
power
(kvar)
30
45
50
80
100
120
160
180
210
245
280
315
350
420
455
525
560
630
700
nominal current
(A)
43
65
72
115
144
173
231
260
303
354
404
455
505
606
657
758
808
909
1010
circuit-breaker
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
C801N/H/L
C801N/H/L
C1001N/H/L
C1001N/H
C1251N/H
C1251N/H
CM1600N/H
CM1600N/H
Ir
(A)
65
100
110
175
220
260
345
390
455
530
610
685
760
910
985
1140
1215
1370
1520
type
enclosure 2
enclosure 2
enclosure 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 1
cubicle 1
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
056641
Detuned type
polluted network 25% < Gh/Sn 60%
056643
Rectimat 2 cubicle 2
power
(kvar)
25
37,5
50
62,5
75
100
125
150
175
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
nominal current
(A)
36
54
72
90
108
144
180
217
253
289
361
433
505
577
650
722
circuit-breaker
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS100N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS160N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS250N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS400N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
NS630N/H/L
C801N/H/L
C1801N/H/L
C1001N/H/L
C1001N/H/L
Ir
(A)
50
75
100
125
150
200
250
300
350
400
490
590
690
785
885
980
type
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 2
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 3
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
cubicle 4
Example
E62579en
Rectimat 2 cubicle 3
380 V
Isc = 25 kA
40 kvar
27
Notes
28
As standards, specifications and designs develop from time to time, always ask for
confirmation of the information given in this publication.
This document has been printed on ecological paper.
http://www.schneiderelectric.com
DBTP155GUI/EN
07/01