Application of Capacitors to

Distribution System

Reference :Electrical Power Distribution System

Engineering
Author: Tarun Gonen
Chapter: 8
 BASIC DEFINITIONS

CAPACITOR ELEMENT
An indivisible part of capacitor consisting of electrodes separated
by dielectric material.
CAPACITOR UNIT
An assembly of one or more capacitor elements in single
container with terminals brought out.
CAPACITOR SEGMENT
A single phase group od capacitor units with protection and
control system.
CAPACITOR MODULE
Three phase group of capacitor segments.
CAPACITOR BANK
Total assembly of capacitor modules electrically connected to
each other.
EFFECT OF SERIES AND SHUNT CAPACITORS

Fundamental function of capacitors is to regulate the

voltage and reactive power flows at the point where
they are installed.
Shunt capacitors do this by changing the power factor of the load,
whereas series capacitors do so by directly offsetting the inductive
reactance of the line.

The voltage drop through the feeder can be expressed as:

Voltage drop  IR cos   IXL sin 

SERIES CAPACITORS

Capacitors connected in series with lines/feeders.

They have very limited applications in distribution
systems.
To decrease voltage drop considerably between sending and
receiving ends, power factor must be lagging.
SERIES CAPACITORS
SERIES CAPACITORS

After application of capacitors, voltage drop can be expressed

as:

Voltage drop  IR cos   I ( XL  XC ) sin 

Over Compensation

For distribution systems, series capacitors are adjusted so that

Xc is smaller than XL. However in some case, reverse also
happens. This is know as over compensation.
At receiving end, lagging current of large motors at start can
produce very high voltage rise. This is harmful to lighting
loads, as it causes flickering.
Shunt Capacitors

Capacitors connected in parallel with lines.

Change the characteriscts of load by
drawing leading current.
Thus, counteract some or all of the lagging
component of inductive load current at the
point of installation.
POWER FACTOR

Power factor is a measurement of how efficiently a facility uses electrical energy. A

high power factor means that electrical capacity is being utilized effectively, while a
low power factor indicates poor utilization of electric power.

However, this is not to be confused with energy efficiency or conservation which

applies only to energy. Improving the efficiency of electrical equipment reduces
energy consumption, but does not necessarily improve the power factor.
Power factor involves the relationship between these two types of power. Active
Power is measured in kilowatts (kW) and Reactive Power is measured in kilovolt-
amperes-reactive (kVAr).

Active power and reactive power together make up Apparent Power, which is
measured in kilovolt-amperes (kVA). This relationship is often illustrated using the
familiar "power triangle".
The Power Triangle:

 Power Factor is the ratio of Active Power to Total Power:

 Power Factor is a measure of efficiency (Output/Input)

 CAUSES OF LOW POWER FACTOR

The usual cause of low power factor is due to inductive loads. As current in
inductive loads lags behind the voltage. The power factor is therefore lagging.
The important inductive loads responsible for low power factor are:

 Induction motors
 Transformers
 Arc lamps, electric discharge lamps, industrial furnaces, welding
equipment operate at lagging power factors
 EFFECT OF LOW POWER FACTOR

1. It causes overloading of conductors, transformers, other equipment.

2. Reduced efficiency of alternators, prime movers.
3. Increased I2R losses in transmission lines.
4. Reduced illumination of incandescent lamps.
The main advantages of the Power Factor Correction
are:
1. The electrical load on the Utility is reduced,
thereby allowing the Utility to supply the surplus
power to other consumers, without increasing its
generation capacity.
2. Most of the Utilities impose low power factor
penalties. By correcting the power factor, this
penalty can be avoided.
3. High power factor reduces the load currents.
Therefore, a considerable saving is made in the
hardware cost, such as cables, switchgear,
substation transformers, etc.
4. Voltage regulation is improved.
Why do we Install Capacitors?
Capacitors supply, for free, the reactive energy required by
inductive loads.

» You only have to pay for the capacitor !

» Since the utility doesn’t supply it (kVAR), you don’t pay for it!
Application of Capacitors
Example 8.2