IEEE

POWER FACTOR AND RELATED CONSIDERATIONS Std 141-1993

Table 8-5-Suggested capacitor ratings, in kilovars,

for NEMA Design C, D, and wound-rotor motors

Design C motor
Induction
motor rating 1800 and 1200 Design D motor Wound-rotor
(hp) r/min 900 r/min 1200 r/min motor

15 5 5 5 5.5
20 5 6 6 7
25 6 6 6 7

30 7.5 9 10 11
40 10 12 12 13
50 12 15 15 17.5

60 17.5 18 18 20
75 19 22.5 22.5 25
100 27 27 30 33

125 35 37.5 37.5 40

150 37.5 45 45 50
200 45 60 60 65

250 54 70 70 75
300 65 90 75 85

NOTE-Applies to three-phase, 60 Hz motors when switched with capacitors as single unit.

b) Continuous operation at 135% of the unit's rated reactive power, including both fun-
damental and harmonic voltages.
c) Continuous operation at 110% of rated terminal voltages.
d) Operating voltage, including harmonics, is 120%.
e) Continuous operation at 180% of rated rms current at one-per-unit voltage. If capaci-
tors are operating close to this limit, the manufacturer should be consulted regarding
fuse selection.
f) Ambient temperature limits depend upon the mounting arrangements and, hence, the
ventilation. The range of 24-hour ambient temperatures is from 35 ºC in enclosed
equipment to 46 ºC for isolated units in open mountings. The minimum ambient tem-
perature is - 40 ºC.

8.10.2 Maximum voltage

Many power capacitors have the ability to operate above their voltage rating for very short
periods of time. This type of application is sometimes used as a local source of reactive power
to control voltage drops during motor start-up. The capacitors are disconnected as the motor
comes up to speed. Wherever capacitors are to be operated above their voltage rating, how-
ever, the application should be referred to the capacitor manufacturer. It should be noted that
overvoltage is the major reason for capacitor failure. Also, see 9.8.2.4 of Chapter 9.

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