Power Capacitors

The leader in Power Capacitors

Continuous efforts to offer high technology and high quality products have made ABB the worlds leading manufacturer of power capacitors. ABB has more than 70 years of experience in this field.

Automated winding of capacitor elements.

Extensive research and development has made it possible to offer superior capacitor technology. For many years, ABB has manufactured a complete range of Faradol-impregnated capacitors. All Faradol fluids are totally free from PCBs and other halogenated compounds. The development of high performance materials and state-of the-art manufacturing processes has allowed ABB to offer the highest ratings for these capacitors. As far back as in the 1950s, ABB innovated a protective technique for capacitors by replacing external fuses with an integrated self-protective function. Over

the years, this self-protecting technique has been further developed and refined in conjunction with the dielectric material in capacitors. Today ABB is the world leader in this field. Capacitor technology comprises not only the capacitor unit itself, but also the appropriate competence regarding applications and auxiliary devices. Over the years, ABB has supplied capacitors and systems for a vast range of applications and with a scope of supply varying from individual equipment delivery to complete projects.

Shunt Capacitors

Shunt capacitors installed in transmission and distribution networks will increase transmission capability, reduce losses and improve the power factor. High voltage banks for any voltage and power rating can be designed by series and parallel connection of single-phase capacitor units.

Shunt capacitors are primarily used to improve the power factor (cos j) in the network. Inductive loads consume reactive power, e.g. magnetization power for transformers, motors and reactors. The reactive power needed is generated by capacitors. By applying capacitors adjacent to equipment consuming reactive power, several advantages are obtained: - Improved power factor - Reduced transmission losses - Increased transmission capability, since the load on the generators, transformers and supply lines is reduced - Improved voltage control - Improved Power Quality.
4x40 Mvar, 22 kV, Norway.

Maintenance and service of capacitor bank.

Filter Capacitors

Many of the loads in a power network such as converters, rectifiers, welding equipment and arc furnaces generate harmonics. Increased losses and damage to electronic equipment are among the problems that may occur. Harmonic filters eliminate the problem by reducing the harmonic content in the network and also improve the power factor by generating reactive power. Modern electrical equipment generates harmonic currents which are transmitted to the supply network. Most of the harmonics arise from electronically controlled equipment such as converters, variable speed drives, static converters, welding equipment etc. but also from arc furnaces. Among the problems that may occur due to excessive harmonic currents are: - Increased losses in motors, transformers and cables which may lead to overheating - Overloading of capacitors - Damage to or malfunction in electronic equipment - Malfunction of receiver relays in ripple control system - Interference with telephone circuits. The most common method of solving this problem is to install harmonic filters. The filter components are capacitors, reactors and sometimes resistors, of which the most important part is the capacitor since it generates the reactive power. ABBs competence and experience in filter applications ensure a reliable and economical solution to the problems caused by harmonics. ABB has all the resources needed, from measurement of harmonics and calculation of the effect of installing new equipment, to the supply and commissioning of complete filters.

5:th Harmonic Filter, 36 Mvar, 145 kV, Sweden.

Enclosed harmonic filter, 7,2 Mvar, 6,6 kV. Industrial plant, Sweden.

Series Capacitors

Series capacitors in transmission systems increase power transfer capability and reduce losses. Series capacitors are also installed in distribution systems, mainly to improve the voltage stability. Series capacitors are installed in transmission systems mainly in order to increase the power transfer capability and to reduce losses by optimizing load distribution between parallel transmission lines. Series capacitors are also installed in distribution systems. Here, the main reason is to improve the voltage stability of the network. Series compensation of a network positively affects the voltage and the reactive power balance. When the load current passes through the capacitor, the voltage drop over the capacitor varies in proportion to the current. The voltage drop is capacitive, i.e. it compensates the inductive voltage drop, which also varies with the load current. The result is an automatic stabilizing effect on the voltage in a network. Simultaneously, series capacitors generate reactive power, the power factor in the network is improved, whereby the line current and the line losses are reduced and the load capacity is increased. The generated reactive power varies proportionally to the square of the load current. Thus, the reactive power is automatically regulated. ABB has fifty years of experience of manufacturing and installation of series capacitors. ABB has all the resources required to deliver series capacitors on a turn-key basis, including advanced computer programs for determining the best capacitor location, manufacturing of capacitors and protective equipment, and experience in planning, control, installation and commissioning, to ensure a short delivery time.
Series capacitors, 215 Mvar, 500 kV, Argentina.

Distribution series capacitors, MINICAP, Sweden.

SVC Capacitors

In static var compensation (SVC) thyristors are used for switching and control of capacitors and reactors. Ever since the first installation in 1972, ABB Capacitors has been the supplier of capacitor banks for ABBs static var compensation. In static var compensation, (SVC) thyristors are used for switching and control of capacitors and reactors. Instant transient-free switching is obtained, as well as continuously variable control of the reactive power. Static var compensators in transmission systems increase the transmission capacity, improve voltage control and stability, and damp power swings due to network faults or tripping of heavy loads in interconnected systems. They are also used in distribution systems and for difficult loads, e.g. arc furnaces, where asymmetrical fluctuations in the current occur due to the instability of the consumption of the arc. Fluctuations in current resulting in variations in the consumption of reactive power can be controlled and the furnace is provided with more active power, thus increasing productivity. ABBs know-how in the SVC field has gained worldwide recognition. ABB was the first company in the world to commission a large commercial thyristor-switched capacitor installation in 1972. In 1999 the new SVC Light was commissioned. SVC Light has all the benefits of the classic SVC and will also eliminate flicker problems.
SVC Light, Sweden.

SVC 200 Mvar, 300 kV, Norway

HVDC Capacitors

Power capacitors form an important part of an HVDC transmission system for harmonic filtering as well as supply of reactive power. Capacitors with high quality and reliability are essential to the overall performance of the system. ABB is by far the worlds leading supplier of HVDC equipment, with a market share considerably larger than that of any other supplier. HVDC development was pioneered by ABB more than seventy years ago and since then, ABB has led the technical progress within this field. Power capacitors form an important part of an HVDC transmission system for filtering of harmonic and supply of reactive power. Their high quality and reliability are essential to the overall performance of the system. ABB therefore, uses self-protected capacitors in HVDC applications. The self-protected capacitors can be either of a patented fuseless design or equipped with internal fuses. The self-protected design offers advantages of vital importance for all applications where high reliability is an absolute necessity, such as in HVDC systems. Single element failures do not affect the performance and protection coordination is easier, enabling increased selectivity compared to other protection solutions. High quality and reliability not only improve the electrical performance of the capacitors, also the ability to resist severe climatic and seismic conditions is enhanced. ABB designs and manufactures capacitors for HVDC systems. The long experience as a supplier of capacitors for HVDC systems ensures a product that meets the stringent requirements that apply for this type of equipment.

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HVDC classic, Baltic Cable, Sweden.

HVDC Light, Gotland, Sweden.

For more than seventy years, ABB Capacitors has manufactured power capacitors for small and large installations all over the world. ABB Capacitors in Ludvika bears overall responsibility for the capacitor business of the ABB Group. ABB Capacitors is certified according to ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment). The product range of ABB Capacitors covers most types of capacitors for power applications, for instance: High voltage shunt banks Harmonic filters Series compensation Static var compensators High voltage direct current (HVDC) installations Capacitive voltage dividers (CVDs).

ABB Capacitors AB SE-771 80 LUDVIKA, Sweden Phone +46 240 78 20 00 Fax +46 240 78 36 77 www.abb.com/powersystems

SECAP A05.en Edition 2, 2000-04

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