Capacitor Applications

Gilbert Electrical Systems
Page 1 of 3
304.252.6243 | info@gilbertelectricalsystems.com
The following pages of formulas, some derivations and discussions are intended to assist in designing and applying capacitor banks
properly. Also, refer to Capacitor Bank Inrush Calculations for additional information.
1. Ohms Law
Section 1 - Ohm's Law

RI = V
(1)
Section 2 - Capacitance
or
V = IZ
(2)
Then Z =
(3)
and I =
(4)
P=I * V
(5)
Section 3 - Inductance
Legend
From (4)
This becomes
V=
(6)
Let P = VAR
Then Z =
(7)
or Z =
(8)
Or Z =
(9)
Letting Z = XC Or XL
(10)
We have XC (Or XL) =
(11)
This will allow you to determine the reactance of a capacitor or reactor when voltage and KVAR is
given.
Example:
A three-phase 600KVAR capacitor bank at 12,470 will yield
Xc =
= 259.168 Ohms
A three-phase shunt reactor of 150KVAR, at 13.8KV will yield
Xc =
= 1269.6 Ohms
2. Capacitance
XC =
But, as stated VAR =
(12)
(6)
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(13)
VAR =
Or =
(14)
Then VAR =
(15)
KVAR =
(16)
Example:
From above 600KVAR at 12.47KV equals 259.168 Ohms and from (12)
XC =
. Then C =
Let f = 60 Hertz
Then C = 0.000010235 farads or 10.235 microfarads.
From (16) KVAR =
KVAR = 600
3. Inductance
(17)
VAR =
from (6) =
(18)
KVAR =
(19)
From above 150KVAR at 13.8KV equals 1269.6 Ohms and from (17)
. Let f = 60 Hertz
Then L =
= 3.36773 Henries
Or 3367.73 millihenries.
From (19) KVAR =
KVAR = 150
LEGEND
R
Resistance
Amps
Volts
Impedance
Power (in Watts and/or Vars)
VAR
Reactive Power
Kilo (10 )
XC
Capacitive Reactance
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XL
Inductive Reactance
Mega (10>6)
Copyright 2014. Gilbert Electrical Systems And Products. All Rights Reserved.
6/10/2014
GILBERT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS & PRODUCTS
P.O. BOX 1141 ! BECKLEY, WV 25802 !

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This is a continuation of the basic formulas. This shows the derivation of the inrush
calculations from IEEEC37.99.
Capacitor Inrush Current Calculations

From IEEE C37.99-1980
Energizing An Isolated Bank:
IMAX = 2 V LG
CB
LS
(20)
CB is the bank capacitance in microfarads

LS is the system inductance in microhenries.
V 2 2 F C 10 6
from (16)
1000
KVAR 10 9
= 2
V (2 F )
As stated KVAR =
CB
(21)
Then Substitute CB from (20) with formula (21) we get
IMAX =
2 V L G
KVAR 10 9
2
V (2 F )
LS
(22)
Peak to Peak
IMAX =
2 V L G
10 9
KVAR 10 9
V 2 (2 F )
LL
LS
. 31,622.8
(23)
(2F ) 19.4163@60Hz
1
17.7245@50Hz
Then
IMAX =
KVAR
2 VL G 31,622.8
V2
19.4163
LS
(24)
LET = VL G 3
This will allow us to re-arrange (24) to the following
IMAX =
2 VL G 31,622.8
3 VL G 19.4163
KVAR
LS
((0.81649658) (1628.673))
(25)
KVAR
LS
(26)
Giving us the following inrush formulas

1330
KVAR
For 60 Hz
LS
1456.7
(27)
KVAR
For 50 Hz
LS
(28)
Developed by Gilbert Electrical Systems & Products
Neal S. Ciurro
2/12/04
Page 1 of 2
This is a continuation of the Basic Formulas. This shows the derivation of the inrush calculations from IEEEC37.99.
From IEEE C37.99-1980
Energizing An Isolated Bank:

I
MAX =
(20)
CB is the bank capacitance in microfarads

LS is the system inductance in microhenries.
from (16)
As stated KVAR =
CB =
(21)
Then Substitute CB from (20) with Formula (21) We Get:

I
MAX =
(22)
= Peak to Peak Voltage
is approximately 31,622.8
IMAX =
(23)
19.4163 @ 60Hz, or (17.7245 @ 50Hz)

Then
I
MAX =
(24)
LET V =
This will Allow us to Re-Arrange (24) to the Following:
I
MAX =
(25)
(26)
Giving us the Following Inrush Formulas:
For 60 Hz
For 50 Hz
(27)
(28)
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In the late 1950s Mr. Harold Stone of Line Material (later Line Material was merged by McGraw-Edison Company with Pennsylvania
Transformer to become McGraw-Edison Power Systems, and is now Cooper Power Systems) developed and publish several papers on
unbalance detection for capacitor banks.
For the grounded WYE connected bank (See Figure 1) the following formulas were developed:
For the neutral to ground current...
Amps
(1)
%IN (of rated phase current) =
(2)
The voltage on remaining units in one series section with "F" units removed:
%Vr =
(3)
Neutral current when one complete series section is shorted:

%In (of rated phase current) =
(4)
LEGEND
IN =
Neutral Current
IU =
Rated current of one units
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VT =
Applied lineto-neutral volts
V=
Rated voltage of capacitor units
VR=
Voltage on remaining units in a group with "F" units removed.
S=
Number of series sections per phase
N=
Number of parallel units per series section
F=
Number of units removed from one section
METAL ENCLOSED CAPACITOR GROUNDED WYE APPLICATIONS:

It is rare that more than one series group is used in metal enclosed applications. If we make that assumption we can simplify the
above formulas.
Looking a balance load (See Figure 2) with two capacitors per phase, we have the following:
Let XC = 1
Let
= 1V
=
Then
= 0.002653590254 farads = 1var
For 2 units in parallel will equal C1+C2 =0.00530519 farads =2vars
Or ZT =
This gives us
= 2 amps or,
= 2amps
Each leg in a balanced grounded WYE capacitor bank as configured above will be 2 amps, and will be zero amps at the ground node
point.
Looking at an unbalance load (See Figure 3) using the same parameters as the balance load given above we have the following:
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Let XC = 1
Let
Then
= 1V
=
= 2 amps
= 1amp
This means the current neutral to ground will be 1 amp and this will flow as unbalance current in the neutral.
Looking back at the formula for neutral current formula (1) we had:
IU = 1 amp
Let VT = V
N=2
S =1
F=1
This gives us 1 amp in the neutral, which confirms our numbers. However, we can really reduce this formula when S = 1.
This reduces to:
and even further
(5)
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(6)
or
and if VT = V, this is really simplified to

Also the voltage on the remaining units given by:
%Vr =
with S = 1, and VT = V, %Vr will always be 100%

For the percentages and per unit values see Table 1 below.
Table 1 - Unbalance Verification
Grounded WYE
Ph-N
Cap
Volts
Volts
1
1
KVAR
Unit
Total
Bank
%In
In-
%Vn
100
100
100
50
100
100
100
33.33
100
66.67
100
100
100
25
100
50
100
75
100
100
100
20
100
40
100
60
100
80
100
100
100
16.67
100
33.33
100
50
100
66.67
100
83.33
100
100
Current
Current
Multiplier Multiplier
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With the advent of larger rated capacitor units (in KVAR), it becomes more economical to use these larger units to construct capacitor
banks. In addition, capacitor banks now can hold more KVAR in the same space as the older style banks. This is very desirable for
older factories and substation with space limitations.
The newer all-film capacitors designs allow higher stress on the internal packs and the capacitor fluid is more flammable than the PCB
fluids used in older units. These factors have led to installation and design problems that need to be addressed. At the heart of these
application issues are the removal of faulty capacitors from the bank before tank ruptures, or improper fuse failures occur. Careful
attention will also need to be paid to the number of units applied in parallel due to over-voltage concerns when any unit fails. The
object of proper fusing is to remove the failed capacitor unit from service as quickly as possible before case rupture and still maintain
upstream co-ordination.
Before addressing capacitor bank connections, fusing and protection specifically, we should review some basics in the application of
capacitor banks. Capacitor banks may be applied in different arrangements or, configurations. How the banks are constructed depends
on the users preference for operating the bank and on the electrical system to which the banks are applied.
Generally Medium Voltage Systems are Supplied in Four Different Configurations, or Methods of Connection:
(a) Delta system - three phase, three wire ungrounded.
(b) Ungrounded WYE System - three phase, four wire, 4th wire is carried as a neutral.
(c) Unigrounded WYE System - three phase, four wire, solidly grounded with the 4th wire carried as a neutral and only grounded at the
source.
(d) Grounded WYE (multi-grounded) three-phase four wire.
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See Figure 1
The delta connection is a three phase, three-wire system.

The ungrounded WYE system can be a three phase, three-wire system or, a three phase, four wire system with the 4th wire carried as
a neutral.
The uni-grounded system is grounded at the substation and the fourth wire is carried as a neutral and is not grounded again.
The multi-grounded system has the fourth wire as a ground and is grounded at intervals along its path.
Capacitor banks can only be connected delta or, ungrounded (floating) WYE when applied on delta, ungrounded WYE and uni-grounded
systems. For the multi-grounded electrical system capacitor banks can be connected in any of the configurations, delta, ungrounded,
or grounded WYE. Only the multi-grounded system will allow you to connect your capacitor bank grounded WYE (with the capacitor
neutral connected to the system ground.)
Floating (ungrounded) WYE connections for capacitor applications can be used on three-phase/three wire, three-phase/four wire, unigrounded and three phase/four wire multi-grounded systems. For capacitor/filter applications the banks are typically connected
ungrounded, WYE.
There are both advantages and disadvantages in a floating WYE connection of capacitors. One of the advantages is the fault current in
an internally faulted capacitor is limited to three times the line current.
There are several ways to prove the above statement. See appendix 1.
Improper Fusing Practices of Floating WYE Connected Capacitors:

The previous discussion outlined bank and electrical system configurations. Once the user has selected the general application needed
and knows the size of the bank, the concern is now the proper selection of individual capacitor and fuse size. The larger capacitor
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ratings available require larger fuse sizes in order to protect the capacitor from tank rupture. Normal current limiting fuse selections for
metal enclosed banks may not be adequate in a floating WYE configuration if the proper engineering practices are not applied.
For example in a 12.47 KV, 1500 KVAR bank connected floating WYE, we can use one 500 KVAR, 7.2 KV capacitor per phase. A 100
amp fuse 8.3 KV current limiting fuse should be selected.
500KVAR/7.2 KV = 69.44 amps * 1.5 = 104 amps
(*It is a normal industry practice to use a 1.5 factor for medium voltage applications for current limiting fuse selection)
Looking at the three phase current rating of the 1500 KVAR bank connected floating WYE on a 12.47 KV system will have a line current
of 69.44 amps.
1500KVAR/(12.47KV * sqrt(3)) = 69.44 amps
However, when a capacitor fails internally, in a floating WYE configuration, and the fuse has not yet operated, the fault current, as
described above, will be three times the line current or, approximately 208 amps.
The maximum clearing curve for a 100-amp/8.3KV fuse shows that the fuse can handle 208 amps for approximately 500 seconds (or,
more than 8 minutes.) The capacitor may have ruptured long before the fuse clears.
Now, what is occurring within the capacitor unit that leads to case rupture? Internally, these capacitors can have multiple parallel
packs connected in series groups. As each pack fails, an over-voltage develops in the remaining packs of the capacitor. Assume a
capacitor has three series groups. If one group fails, this will develop a 30% over-voltage on the remaining packs. Per IEEE Std. 181992 section 8.3.2.1 the capacitor can handle this over-voltage for one minute. As pointed out above the fuse can handle 208 amps for
more than 8 minutes. The capacitor packs will continue to fail and eventually, if not cleared, will fail the major insulation. As this is
occurring the capacitor survival time decreases rapidly. There is a very good chance for a tank rupture.
As shown in the Appendix, when a capacitor unit is shorted in one phase of an ungrounded capacitor bank with one series group, the
remaining phases will see 1.73 pu over-voltage. This is also specified in IEEE Std 1036-1992 table 7. Table 6 in section 5.1.2 states
that a capacitor should handle this over-voltage for one second. Refer again to the example given above of the 1500 KVAR bank at
12.47 kV, and recalling that the ungrounded fault current is three times the line current, for a fault current of approximately 210 amps,
a 30 amp fuse will clear 200 amps at one second. This implies that the largest acceptable fuse size for this application to meet the
standard is a 30-amp fuse. However, a 100 KVAR capacitor at 7.2 kV requires a 20amp fuse. Therefore, to meet this standard for a
1500 KVAR capacitor bank, floating WYE connected, we would need five -100-KVAR units per phase.
Two Parallel Connected Unequal Size Capacitors Per Phase in a Floating WYE Bank:
In a floating WYE connection, a similar problem develops when a larger capacitor is placed in parallel with a smaller unit (two units in
parallel.) For example, consider the construction of a 1350 KVAR bank on a 12.47 KV system, which would require 450 KVAR per
phase. A 450 KVAR unit is not a standard unit. Using standard production units we could use one 300 kvar and one 150 KVAR capacitor
per phase rather than three 150 KVAR units to reduce cost and enclosure size.
The 300 KVAR unit requires a 65-amp fuse and the 150 KVAR unit requires a 30-amp fuse. The line current for the 1350 KVAR bank is
62.5 amps. The fault current would be 3 times 62.5 amps is equal to 187.5 amps when a capacitor is shorted. For a 300 KVAR
capacitor failure, the 65-amp fuse will take approximately 25 seconds to clear this current. When the 300 KVAR capacitor goes to a
complete short, the 150 KVAR capacitor will "dump" its stored energy into the 300 KVAR capacitor. This energy should not exceed the
energy capability, or joule rating, of the capacitor and/or the fuse. However, the 150 KVAR capacitor and the 30-amp fuse has to
handle this out rush as well. The minimum melt curves for each fuse shows that the 65-amp fuse has six times the joule (energy)
rating of the 30 amp fuse. The 30-amp fuse will have to handle the parallel energy for the time frame that it takes the 65-amp fuse to
clear. Therefore, there is a very good chance that the 30-amp fuse will operate first. It is very likely that the 300 KVAR capacitor can
fail but the 65-amp fuse is still good while the 30-amp fuse on the good 150 KVAR capacitor fails (1/2CV2 {energy stored} versus
I2t*R of the fuse).
The inductance between the two capacitors will determine the amount of energy that will "dump" from one unit to the other. Normally,
this inductance is negligible since units are mounted side-by-side, with very short spans of bus and wiring. So the energy of this
"dump" could be high enough to damage the good fuse giving the user a false indication to the problem.
On floating WYE connections it is recommended to use unbalance detection schemes to protect from additional capacitor failures. If an
unbalance detection scheme is employed in the example given above the unbalance protection will be activated when the 30-amp fuse
fails first since the 65-amp fuse has not had enough time to clear.
According to IEEE Std. C1036-1992 section 5.1.2 it is recommended that a minimum of four units per phase be used in parallel to
avoid the above conditions. Four units are recommended so that after a loss of one unit, voltage on the remaining units in that phase
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will not exceed the capacitors maximum voltage rating and the proper energy contribution from the good units will assist in clearing
the fuse on the bad unit. Unbalance detection schemes can eliminate overvoltage concerns after the loss of a capacitor unit.
Therefore, in this example, using three 150 KVAR units in parallel is a better solution. This would give the 30-amp fuse a better chance
to clear a failed capacitor before tank rupture. A 30-amp fuse can handle 187.5 amps for approximately 1 second. In addition, the
energy from the other two capacitors will assist in clearing the fuse on the failed unit. However, as stated above, in a floating WYE
connection, when a capacitor has a complete short it can handle 1.73 over-voltage for only approximately 1 second. Therefore, even
using three 150 KVAR units per phase is marginal based on the requirement as stated in IEEE 1036-1992, but it is a lot better than
one 450 KVAR per phase, or one 150 KVAR and one 300 KVAR per phase. Since the recommended minimum number of units per
phase is not applied, the unbalance protection scheme would have to trip the bank on the loss of one unit.
Applications Which Will Not Meet The Standard:

There are situations where the minimum number of units per phase as specified by IEEE 1036-1992 section 5.1.2 cannot be met. This
will be the case for the application of small banks. One example is a 150 KVAR bank which would use one 50-KVAR unit per phase.
With the 50 KVAR single-phase capacitor being the smallest standard capacitor available it appears that the user does not have much
of a choice. This bank would be better connected in a delta with group fusing.
Another example is a 600-KVAR ungrounded bank, with one 200 KVAR unit per phase. The user chooses to use these types of designs
for economic reason, i.e. fewer units of larger KVAR will save money and physical equipment size and will result in less expensive
equipment. However, to comply with this standard to meet the maximum proper energy contribution and co-ordination, we would have
to use four 50-KVAR units. However, this would make any bid using four 50-KVAR capacitors per phase compared to using 200 KVAR
capacitor units per phase noncompetitive. The user needs to be aware of these potential problems and carefully consider proper
specification requirements.
Using the 200 KVAR capacitors on a system of 12,470/7200 volts the current rating of the bank will be approximately 28 amps.
Therefore, 40 amp current limiting fuses would be used to protect the metal enclosed bank. This fuse will show that it will meet the
tank rupture curve of the capacitor. However, as stated the fault current will be limited to three times the fault current or,
approximately 84 amps. The 40-amp current limiting fuse will handle this current for 200 seconds. As stated above the standards
require a capacitor to handle 1.70% over-voltage for one second. There is a very good chance the capacitor will rupture long before
the fuse operates.
Delta Connected Banks May Be The Answer On Smaller Banks:
What is a solution for this dilemma? We could connect the bank delta. IEEE 1036-1992 section 5.2 states that delta connected
capacitors are ". . . generally only used at . . ." lower voltages, e.g., 2400 volts, and delta connected banks are more complicated and
less economical than WYE connected banks. It does not state delta connections cannot be used at higher voltages. Table 5 of the same
standard states that there is no minimum number for units in parallel for delta connected banks. Unfortunately, delta connected banks
have their own fusing problems.
Delta connected banks can be fused in two different arrangements. First an " in line" or, "group fuse" method (outside the delta see
figure 2a) of the circuit. The second method uses " branch" or "individual fusing" (inside the delta, Figure 2b) of the circuit.
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Three phase capacitors use fuses in the line because they are connected delta Internally. Normally branch fuses are used for singlephase capacitors connected delta. However, on the smaller banks mentioned above, the single phase capacitors could be connected
delta and fused outside the delta (In the line.) On small banks that have only one capacitor per phase, this should be the method of
choice when the neutral of the capacitor bank is not grounded.
When the bank has higher KVAR ratings and units are placed in parallel, the in line fusing becomes large, and may not coordinate with
the tank rupture curve of the capacitor and the upstream co-ordination may not be possible.
For example, consider both fusing methods for a 450 KVAR, 4160 volts delta connected bank, using 150 KVAR per phase, will require
the following fusing:
"In line fusing" Or, "group fusing":
450 KVAR/(4.16 KV / sqrt(3)) = 62.45 amps * 1.5 = 93.68 amps
... a 100-amp fuse is required.
In branch fusing:
150 KVAR/4.16 KV = 36 amps * 1.5 = 54 amps
... a 50-amp fuse can be used.
There are other potential problems in fusing a delta-connected bank with "in branch" fusing. It is a normal practice utilized in metal
enclosed banks to install two bushing capacitors connected phase to phase with the capacitor tank grounded to the frame. In some
cases, the user only applies one fuse per phase. This could be dangerous. When a capacitor starts to fail and the fuse operates the
capacitor is still in the circuit via the second bushing. The failure within the capacitor is fed thru this connection and eventually the
major insulation of the can will fail and the capacitor tank will rupture.
The other method is to use two fuses, i.e. one per bushing. This gives the user a false sense of security. In this case both fuses would
have to operate before the failed capacitor can be effectively removed from the system. Normally only one of the fuses operates, which
will be the one nearest the faulted packs. The other bushing remains connected to the system via the good fuse. The result is still an
eventual major insulation failure if the bank is not removed from service.
The burning between packs could possibly continue due to the second bushing still being energized via the second fuse. During this
condition a low energy fault could be developed. The current limiting fuse still in the circuit will be getting warm while the capacitor
could be boiling. Eventually the major insulation will be breached grounding the faulted capacitor through the tank to frame, and there
will be a race between the capacitor and the fuse to see if the fuse will clear before the capacitor ruptures.
Proper Voltage Ratings Of Capacitor Fuses For Floating WYE Applications:
It has been the normal practice to let the voltage rating of the capacitor determine the voltage rating of the fuse. For example, a
7.96KV capacitor would use a 8.3KV fuse. However, in a floating WYE bank this could be a problem. With capacitors in parallel in a
floating WYE connection, as units fail the neutral will shift putting a higher voltage on the remaining capacitors in that phase. IEEE
standard 18 specifies that the maximum voltage on a capacitor is 110% of its rating. An unbalance protection scheme can be installed
to prevent damage of the remaining capacitors when an overvoltage, or unbalance condition occurs. *See appendix (2) for overvoltage
calculations.
The following table demonstrates how an increase is impressed on units as capacitors fail in that phase. as the units fail the voltage
neural will shift increasing the voltage on the remaining capacitors. This table was calculated at rated voltage for the capacitor units
applied.
Table 1 - CAPACITOR UNBALANCE CALCULATIONS
Capacitor
voltage
No. of
series
groups
No. of parallel
No. of failed
units/group
units
%volts on
remaining
units
Neutral shift in
volts*
Voltage on
remaining
units
7200
109.09
654.55
7854.55
7200
120
1440
8640
7200
133.33
2400
9600
7200
150
3600
10800
7620
109.09
692.73
8312.73
7620
120
1524
9144
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7620
133.33
2540
10160
7620
150
3810
11430
7960
109.09
723.64
8683.64
7960
120
1592
9556
7960
133.33
2653.33
10613.33
7960
150
3980
11940
NOTE:
With 4 units in parallel, the failure of one unit raises the voltage on the remaining units over 109%. However, most systems can be at
least 5% above their these voltage levels. Capacitor standard IEEE 18 allows 10% overvoltage . This could raise the voltage on the
remaining units above 10%, and the remaining capacitors on the effected phase will also, fail.
If this over-voltage condition is not corrected, the 8.3KV fuses will be above their voltage rating due to this overvoltage. As additional
units fail the voltage on the remaining fuses and capacitors will continue to increase. IEEE Std. C37.48 states for ungrounded and delta
connected capacitor applications the capacitor fuse rating should be at least 1.2 times nameplate voltage rating of the capacitor.
Therefore, on the systems selected above, 12,470, 13,200 and 13,800 volts, 15KV fuses should be used.
This condition would not propagate if a proper unbalance detection scheme is used. It is recommended that an unbalance detection
scheme be applied on any floating bank, especially with four, or less, units in parallel. Units will fail, fuses will be stressed and damage
to the bank will occur and a possible system outage could result. Unbalance detection schemes are not part of the scope of this article.
Conclusion:
Good engineering practices have been developed in the past showing a minimum of four (4) capacitors should be in parallel on floating
connections. The trend now uses less then four units in parallel with the development larger KVAR units. This practice could cause
capacitors to rupture before the fuses clear even if the fuses are coordinated with the tank rupture curve of the capacitors. It is
recommended to use four capacitors in parallel for proper applications.
Where the application, requires the design to use one unit per phase, then the bank should be connected delta with group fusing.
However, the maximum clearing curve of the fuse should be checked with the tank rupture curve of the capacitor to assure proper
protection.
It is recommended in all floating WYE connected capacitor applications that a proper unbalance detection scheme should be used. A
common method is to connect a PT from neutral of the bank to the system ground. This can only be applied to a three phase, four
wire, multi-grounded system. If the system is not grounded the best method is to connect the capacitor bank in a split WYE
configuration with a CT between the neutrals.
If an unbalance scheme is not used, in a floating WYE connected bank with multiple units in parallel, capacitors and fuses will be
damaged. Also, it is recommended that the fuses should have a line-to-line voltage rating.
Floating WYE connected capacitor banks are common in the industry and have been used for years. As with any technology, it will work
well if applied properly.
GILBERT Electrical Systems & Products

Neal S. Ciurro - Vice President - Gilbert Electrical Systems
Stuart Edmondson - Duke Energy
References:
Application of the Floating WYE connection, Neal Ciurro
IEEE Std. 18-1992.
IEEE Std. 1036-1992.
Unbalance Protection. Large Banks Reference Data R230-30-1. McGraw-Edison article June 1970.
Capacitor Fusing Based on Tank Rupture Curves. Reference Data R230-90-2 McGraw-Edison Article June , 1970.
General Capacitor Fusing Criteria Cooper Power KVAR Briefs, March 1987.
IEEE Std. C37.48
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Floating WYE Capacitor:

Much has been said and written regarding the benefits and advantages of connecting banks in a WYE configuration with the neutral
point grounded (grounded WYE) or ungrounded (floating WYE).
High Fault Current:
One of the concerns with a capacitor bank is when the available fault current is of high magnitude. When one capacitor unit fails and
just before its fuse clears, all of the available fault current will "dump" into this faulted unit. This could result in a violent rupture of the
faulted unit, possible damage of other equipment, and costly outages. One possible solution is to use current limiting fuses which have
interrupting ratings as high as 50kA. However, normally capacitor substation blocks (outdoor, open structures) are of larger (KVAR)
size and this could be expensive. Another more effective method is to float the neutral (ungrounded WYE) in a floating WYE capacitor
configuration. The fault current is held to three-times the line current eliminating the concern of high fault current damaging other
good capacitors and possibly rupturing the faulted capacitor.
Floating Neutral:
A little mathematical analysis can show why this is so. Figure 1 shows a balanced floating capacitor bank. Let 1 PU (per unit) equal
VaN, VbN, and VcN.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Assume a capacitor is failing in Leg (a). Just before the fuse attached to the capacitor clears, the neutral (N) shifts to Va. (See Figure
2). There is an increase in voltage across the capacitors in lines VcN' and VbN'. This increase is intuitively 1.73 x VN or 1.73 x (1 PU).
However, in pure mathematics, we cannot accept intuitive logic. This will need to be proven.
There are a few methods of proving this. One is mathematical and the other is analytical. The mathematical solution uses the Law of
Cosines.
Mathematical Solution:
When the neutral shifts from N to N' (again see Figure 2), N' is at the same potential as Va. This happens as a capacitor in this leg
starts to fail and prior to the fuse of the failing capacitor clearing.
2
The Law of Cosines is (b') = a + b + 2abCos.

Using Figure 2, we have:
2
(b') = (VbN')
2
a = (N'N) or (1 PU)
b = (VbN) or (1 PU)
Cos = (-0.5), = 120

2
Then (VbN') = (1) +(1) + 2(-0.5)

(VbN')= 2 + 1 = 3
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 3
b'= 1.73
(VbN')= 1.73 (1 PU)
Analytical Solution:
If an analytical approach is preferred, we can solve the voltage problem this way, which allows us to use the same assumptions we
used for the mathematical solution and let the same capacitor fail, we can develop Figure 3. The triangles N', N, Vb: N', N, Vc are
equal. Also, the center angles are all equal (120). Therefore, triangle N', Vb, Vc is an equilateral triangle.
Figure 3
Figure 4
A perpendicular line is drawn from N to E. Based on the fact that the triangle is equilateral, this line not only bisects the angle(Vb, N,
Va), it segments the line b' into two equal parts (VbE and N'E).
Isolating triangle E, Vb, N, we have the following (see Figure 4).
Then (EN) = sin 30. Therefore, EN = 0.5
And VbE - cos 30.Therefore, VbE= 0.866
Proving Line VbE is 0.866, then Line EN' = 0.866 + 0.866 = 1.73 and voltage across leg VbN' is 1.73 x 1PU.
The shift in the capacitor current has the same effect as the voltage shift. Of course, the current is leading the voltage by 90.
The Phasor Diagram for the current in this condition is shown in Figure 5. (Capacitors are shown for reference only.)
Figure 5
Figure 6
Using Kirchoff's Law, We Have:

In = Ia + Ib + Ic = 0
Again, if a unit fails and before the fuse clears, we have a neutral shift in current.
When this occurs, we then have the condition shown in Figure 6.
In Figure 5, In = 0. However, in Figure 6, Ia is now considered In'; and because of Kirchoff's Law, we have IN = Ib + Ic.
Under normal conditions, Ia = Ib = Ic, but as shown in the voltage calculation when the unit in leg (a) begins to fail, Vb = Vc =
(1.73 x 1 PU). The same calculations apply in the current calculations. Therefore, Ib = Ic = (1.73 x normal line current).
Using Polar and Complex calculations (see Figure 6), we have the following:
6/10/2014
Page 3 of 3
Therefore, IN' = 3 times normal line current.

A more graphic approach would be by using vectors (see Figure 7).
Figure 7
A = B = 1.73. Therefore, Figure 7 is a rhombus. The diagonals of a rhombus intersect at right angles. Also, the diagonals divide the
rhombus into four equal and congruent triangles.
Then Vectorially:
A + B=2C
C=(cos 30)(1.73)
C=(0.866)(1.73)
C=1.5
Therefore:
2C=3
Summary:
There are advantages in both grounded and floating WYE banks. However, floating WYE banks can be used on both 3 phase, 3 wire
and 3 phase, 4 wire systems. As shown in the analogy, a major advantage in using a floating WYE bank is when the fault current is of
a high magnitude. The floating WYE bank will limit the fault current to three times the line current.
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 2
Continuing in my series of unbalance detection discussions and schemes we will now look at floating WYE
Page 1
(ungrounded) capacitor connections.

Page 2
Let us start with a balanced 3 phase, three wire capacitor scheme to see what numbers we come up with.
Page 3
Figure 1
See Figure 1. The parameters, as shown in figure 1 are as follows:
Capacitor Bank 600 KVAR, 12,470 volts, with 2 100 KVAR 7200 volt units per phase.
XC for the 100 KVAR, 7200 volt capacitor is
XC =
XC of 200 KVAR, @ 7200volts (for each phase) is
XC =
Capacitance is as Follows:
C=
This Will Be:
C=
for the 100 KVAR and
6/10/2014
C=
Page 2 of 2
for 200 KVAR.
Unit current =
Phase current =
Or
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 2
The polyphase analysis for an unbalance three phase, three wire system, where all three phases are unequal
Page 1
will take some math to determine the extent of unbalance.

Page 2
For this ungrounded WYE connected bank (See Figure 2).
Page 3
Figure 2
We can look at polyphase circuit analysis to try to develop more user-friendly equations. However, before we
attempt to simplify anything we need to do the math. The analysis can be shown in this case
with
, the following formulas were developed:
Appling Kirchhoffs voltage law around each closed loop from Figure 1 we have the following:
EBA - VNA + VNB = 0
EBC - VNB + VNC = 0
EAC - VNC + VNA = 0
Substituting:
VNA = IANZ1, VNB = IBNZ2, VNC = ICNZ3,
Then We Have:
EBA = IANZ1-IBNZ2
ECB = IBNZ2-ICNZ3
EAC = ICNZ3-IANZ1
The Current Law (Kirchhoffs) at Node "N" will BE:
IAN + IBN + ICN = 0
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 2
IBN = -IAN - ICN

Substituting for IBN We Get:
Rewritten We Have:
Using Determinants:
IAN=
Appling Kirchhoffs Voltage Law:

EBA+EAC+ECB = 0 or, EBA+ECB = -EAC
Substituting EBA+ECB with -EAC
IAN =
Or:
IAN =
ICN =
IBN =
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 6
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Figure 1
Figure 2
Using the same parameters as shown in Figure 1, only allowing one capacitor to be removed in phase A, we
can see the neutral shift caused by this. Also, we can see the increase in voltage on phase A because of the
change in impedance. This case
(see Figure 3) so the math is similar and would look like this.
The new numbers are the same for phase B and C.

200 KVAR per phase and the impedance is 259.2 Ohms.
Phase A is 100 KVAR and the impedance is 518.4 Ohms.
Figure 3 shows the Two Line Voltages VAB and VBC, Using Mesh Analysis for Currents I1 and I2, as
Shown, the Matrix Form of the Mesh Current Equations is:
(1)
This Will Give Us:
Solving this We Find
and:
6/10/2014
I1 =
Page 2 of 6
= 16.665
I2 =
amps
= 25.45719047
amps
The Line Currents with Positive Directions Towards the Load Given in Terms of I1 and I2 as:
Amps
The Voltages Across These Impedances are:

VAO = IAX1 =
volts.
VBO = IBX2 =
volts.
VCO = ICX3 =
Therefore,
(Line Voltages)
volts.
is the phase shift in phase A
Figure 4
Simplifying this we should only look at the phase (A) that has the failed capacitor and develop the current in
that phase in order to determine the voltage shift (See Figure 4).
From Section 2 of Three We Found the Current in Phase A was Determined by:
(2)
But in Section 3 We Stated that Z2 = Z3 Therefore this Would Become:
(3)
6/10/2014
In our example EBA =
Page 3 of 6
, and EBC
IA =
*21598.67 happens to equal three times the phase to neutral voltage. Now when rounding off the phase to
neutral voltage we can let this become (using only the resultant)
IA =
(4)
Z1 increases when capacitors are lost in that phase.

To Determine the Voltage Shift, Multiply this Current by the Impedance in Phase A. As Stated on Page 1, a 100
KVAR Capacitor at 7200 Volts is 518.4 Ohms:
VAN = 16.665 amps *518.4ohms = 8640. volts

Which confirms the line voltage calculated above, after a little rounding off.
With three capacitors per phase using the 100KVAR, 7200-volt units as above the total Zt or in our case XC will
become as follows (See Section 1).
For the total KVAR in a phase we have
As stated earlier 100 KVAR equals 518.4

And 200 KVAR will equal 259.2
Using IA =
(4)
Losing One Capacitor of the Three in Phase A We Have:
Then
The voltage shift will be
6/10/2014
Page 4 of 6
When Losing Two Capacitors in Phase A, We Have:
Then
The voltage shift will be
With Further Review, We Can Use the Following:
(5)
Where:
N =Number of units in parallel
F =Number of units failed
Therefore, with the Example Given Above We Have with One Failed Unit:
And with Two Units Failed:
To determine the voltage shift in phase A, we have to multiple the current IA by the capacitance with the failed
capacitors (Z1)
But from (5) we see that Z1 =
Substituting in the Require IA*Z1, We Can Develop the Following:
(6)
For a Single Series Group Only, We Can Factor this Formula Further, and it Will Reduce to:
= VAN
(7)
With Multiple Series Groups the Formula Becomes:
6/10/2014
Page 5 of 6
VAN = phase to neutral, or unit voltage

N =Number of units in parallel
F =Number of units failed
VAN = Voltage shift with F units out
S = number of series sections per phase.
Example:
VAN =
Let VAN = 7200 Volts

N=3
F=1
Then VAN =
To determine the amount of shift due to the failure of F units in phase A we simply subtract VAN BY VAN
VNS = 8100 volts 7200 volts = 900 Volts
VNS = Neutral shift in Volts
To determine the % of voltage shift we can use
Example:
From example above
CONCLUSION:
For single series groups only...
The voltage on the remaining capacitors in the affected phase is
= VAN
The voltage in the neutral is

VAN VAN = neutral voltage
The percentage of voltage shift in the affected leg
At the beginning of my "Grounded WYE Unbalance detection Discussion" I mention Mr. Harold Stone of Line
Material He also develop a formulas for ungrounded WYE unbalance. His are a little different then mine. But
they both work his formulas are as follows:
The amount of neutral shift due to the removal of F units in one series group is
Neutral shift when one complete series section is shorted
6/10/2014
Page 6 of 6
LEGEND
Vt
Applied line to neutral voltage.
Rated voltage of the capacitor unit
Vr
= Voltage on remaining units in group with F units removed
Vns
Neutral shift in ungrounded
Number series section per phase
Number of units in parallel per series section
Number on units removed from one section
TABLE 2
UNGROUNDED WYE WITH PT NEUTRAL TO GROUND
Number
Ph-n
Kvolts
Number
series
groups
Cap
KVolts
Harm
Rated
Effect.
of units in
detuning
unit
unit
parallel
Freq.
KVAR
KVAR
per series
group(N)
Number of
units remove
per series
group(F)
Voltage
Neutral
Neutral
remaining on
Rated Primary
shift %
shift
units in group
Volts on neutral
Vn
in volts
with F units
PT
removed
500.00
Volts on
PT sec
with 120
v sec
150.00
1500.00
500.00
120.00
7.2
7.2
100
100.00
7.2
7.2
100
100.00
120.00 1440.00
8640.00
7200.00
24.00
150.00 3600.00
10800.00
500.00
864.00
7.2
7.2
100
100.00
112.50
900.00
8100.00
500.00
216.00
7.2
7.2
100
100.00
128.57 2057.14
9257.14
500.00
493.71
150.00 3600.00
10800.00
500.00
864.00
109.09
90.91
1090.91
500.00
21.82
120.00
200.00
1200.00
500.00
48.00
133.33
333.33
1333.33
500.00
80.00
150.00
500.00
1500.00
500.00
120.00
107.14
71.43
1071.43
500.00
17.14
115.38
153.85
1153.85
500.00
36.92
125.00
250.00
1250.00
500.00
60.00
136.36
363.64
1363.64
500.00
87.27
150.00
500.00
1500.00
500.00
120.00
105.88
58.82
1058.82
500.00
14.12
112.50
125.00
1125.00
500.00
30.00
120.00
200.00
1200.00
500.00
48.00
128.57
285.71
1285.71
500.00
68.57
138.46
384.62
1384.62
500.00
92.31
150.00
500.00
1500.00
500.00
120.00
Column "Harm. Detuning Freq."

If the bank is straight power factor use a 1 in this column otherwize use the detuning frequency in the column
Column "Rated Primary volts on neutral PT" use volts not kilovolts"
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 3
Split WYE is actually ungrounded WYE bank, split into two WYE sections, with the neutrals of each section
Page 1
connected through a current transformer (for current detection) or potential Transformer (for voltage
detection.) Sections generally are made of equal, or nearly equal in size. The current transformer should have
Page 2
voltage rating and class of the system.

Page 3
Advantages:
Not sensitive to system unbalance.
Not affected by triple harmonic currents since ungrounded WYE capacitor banks does not provide any
path for these currents.
Standard overcurrent relays can be used for detection.
On larger banks, having more than one series group, splitting the WYE sections into two separate
sections decreases the discharge current during unit failure.
For our calculations we will use the ungrounded WYE examples from section 3 of 5. This was with two 100
KVAR, 7200 volts capacitors per phase for one WYE and three of the same size capacitors per phase for the
other WYE configuration.
For current detection we need to find the currents in each leg, phase A will have a larger decrease than phases
B and C. The reduced current in phases B and C will be equal.
To Find the Current in the Affected Phase (A) We Will Use the Following:
(1)
From Section 3 of 5 We Found the Following:
(2)
(3)
(4)
The Actual Current in This Leg Will Be:
(5)
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 3
Example from figure 5, with one unit removed in phase A
Then
This confirms the results of formula (4) in Section 3 of 5.

Another way to look at this is using Table 2 from Section 3. In this table we find when one unit is removed with two units in parallel
the neutral voltage shifts 120%. We can view this as the delta of VN.
As stated
This gives us:
From (1)
A detail analysis of this approach is shown in Figure 6. With this

information we need to see what the voltage will be on the other two
phases. From figure 6 we see the following ratio of this neutral shift:
The voltage shift as stated is
The voltage from "N" to the mid point as shown in figure 6 is 0.5 or 3600
Volts.
With the voltage shift of 120% the voltage from "N" to the mid point is
or
or
And:
or
this confirms the 16.6667 Amps in phase A

Figure 6
The base triangle from A to the mid point is
or
This gives us two sides of the new triangle created with the shift in the neutral.
If the table is not available the voltage from N to the mid point can be arrived at with:
(6)
This will be
6/10/2014
Page 3 of 3
With either method we can now calculate the new voltage on phase B & C.
Again, from figure 6, and as developed from the information in table 2 we have B to C as 2160 Volts and A to C as 6235 Volts. The
base side (A to C) will always be
Using the Pythagorean theorem
This Can be Obtained with the Following:
(7)
This Will Yield:
To determine the current in phases B & C we need to determine the KVAR drop in these legs.
(8)
Then:
To determine the unbalance current in the neutral we need to take the difference of the currents in the phases (IA-IB)
The above calculations looked at two different WYE sections one with two units in parallel and the other with three. We developed
methods to look at unbalance conditions. Now what will the results be if we connect the neutral of both WYE sections together and
place a CT to detect the unbalance.
6/10/2014
Gilbert Electrical Systems | Document Library | Beaver, West Virginia
Page 1 of 6
Split WYE Unbalance Detection Detection Discussion (Page 2 of 2)

First I would like to mention that IEEE C37.99 covers a configuration similar to this. Their formulas are for the WYE sections to be
equal.
These Formulas are as Follows (Unbalance Calculation Formula)

1. The amount of current flowing between neutrals of the two equal halves. Current transformer is assumed to have zero impedance.
IN =
(9)
%IN =
(10)
(PERCENT OF RATED TOTAL BANK CURRENT)

2. The Voltage remaining on units in one series section with F units removed.
%VR =
(11)
3. Permissible number of units that can be removed from one series section to determine the result in a given %VR on the remaining
units in that section.
F=
(12)
If F is fractional use the next lower whole number.
LEGEND
Vt
Vr
Voltage on remaining units in affected group with F units removed.
IN
Current between neutrals of two banks halves.
IU
Rated current of one unit.
Number of series sections per phase.
Number of parallel units in one series section.
Number of units removed from one series section.
TABLE 3
SPLIT WYE UNBALANCE WITH CT CONNECTED BETWEEN NEUTRALS
# of Units per
System
Capacitor
# Series
Volts
Volts
Sections
1000
1000
1000
1000
Section
per Phase
# of Failed
Units
Percent Volts
Unit
Current Between
Current
Neutrals
1.00
0.600
120.00
1.00
0.545
109.09
Unit KVAR
on Remaining
Units
7/8/2014
Page 2 of 6
1000
1000
1.00
1.200
120.00
1000
1000
1.00
0.529
105.88
1000
1000
1.00
1.125
112.50
1000
1000
1.00
1.800
120.00
1000
1000
1.00
0.522
104.35
1000
1000
1.00
1.091
109.09
1000
1000
1.00
1.714
114.29
1000
1000
1.00
2.400
120.00
1000
1000
1.00
0.517
103.45
1000
1000
1.00
1.071
107.14
1000
1000
1.00
1.667
111.11
1000
1000
1.00
2.308
115.38
1000
1000
1.00
3.000
120.00
1000
1000
1.00
0.514
102.86
1000
1000
1.00
1.059
105.88
1000
1000
1.00
1.636
109.09
1000
1000
1.00
2.250
112.50
1000
1000
1.00
2.903
116.13
1000
1000
1.00
3.600
120.00
Unequal WYE Consideration
Figure 7
However, these formulas need modification in order to work when the WYE sections (halves) are not equal.
Actually this method with section 1 with 3 units and section 2 with 2 units will give us five (5) units in parallel. The voltage on the
remaining units using (12) is for equal halves. Therefore, we have to force this to work for us by making N=2 .
This Gives us
N=2
S=1
F=1
VT=V=7200 Volts
However, this will not give us the exact current when units are lost in different WYE sections. We will now develop the neutral current
by removing units in phase A from the different WYE section.
For our work we will again only consider one series group.
7/8/2014
Page 3 of 6
From Section 2 with one unit removed in phase "A" we have
Removing one unit from "A" phase in section 2 we have the following
From (4)
This gives "A" phase voltage (VAN) of
The current in "A" phase (IAN) is
To determine the voltage on phase B AND C we can use (8)
The effective KVAR for this phase will be
The current in VBN is
Section 1 neutral current is 26.8AMPS 23.84AMPS = 2.96AMPS.
From section 1 the neutral current will be

Phase A voltage is the same as section 2, at 7714.08 Volts.
The phase "A" current will be
For IBN the VBN will be the same as section 2 = 6795Volts, again
7/8/2014
Page 4 of 6

The neutral current with one unit removed in section 2 is 4.34 + 3.7 = 8.04 AMPS.
From section 1 with one unit removed in phase "A" we have
Removing one unit from "A" phase in section 1 we have the following
From (4)
This gives "A" phase voltage (VAN) of
The current in "A" phase (IAN) is
To determine the voltage on phase B AND C we can use (8)
The effective KVAR for this phase will be
The current in VBN is
From section 2 the neutral current will be as follows

Phase A voltage is the same, as section 1, at 7714.08 Volts and multipliers will be the same as above.
Therefore, phase "A" current will be

1.714 * 27.777 = 29.761 AMPS
7/8/2014
Page 5 of 6
Phase "B" current will be

For IBN the VBN will be the same as section 2 = 6795Volts, again

The neutral current between sections with one unit removed in section (1) is 4.55 + 2.92 = 7.47 AMPS
If two units are remove in one of the phases we can see the effect.
Again using formula (2) we have
This gives use 1.1538 times 7200 = 8308 Volts across the affected leg. We will continue with phase "A" in section (1).
The current in this leg we use formula (5)
We will not go through the rigors of obtaining all the numbers but will look at the pertinent values.
The voltage on phase B and C will be 6714.55 Volts and the current in these legs will be 38.86 AMPS. The neutral current in this
section is
38.86 Amps-28.846 Amps = 10.014 Amps.
In section (2) the phase "A" voltage 8303 Volts, the effective KVAR is 266 KVAR and current in this leg is 32.017 amps.
Phase "B" and "C" voltage will be same section (1), 6714 Volts and the effective KVAR is 173.94 KVAR. The current in phase "B" and
"C" will be 25.9 amps.
The neutral current in section (2) is

32.017 amps 25.9 amps = 6.11 amps
The neutral current between sections with two units removed in section (1) is 10.014 + 6.11 = 16.12 amps
If two units were removed in section (2) the neutral current between sections would be approximately 33amps.
This table is with uneven number of capacitor units in each wye section
System Voltage: 7200
Cap. Voltage:7200
TABLE 4 - SPLIT WYE UNBALANCE WITH CT CONNECTED BETWEEN NEUTRALS

#UNITS
#UNITS
UNIT
UNIT
VOLTAGE
#UNITS
#UNITS
UNIT
OF PAR.
FAILED
KVAR
CURRENT
ON PH A
OF PAR.
FAILED
KVAR
SECT.1
SECT.1
IN SEC. 1
IN SEC. 2
SECT.2
VOLTAGE
% VOLTS
Total
CURRENT ON PH A
REMAING
Neutral
UNITS
current
UNIT
2
7/8/2014
IN
IN
SECT.1
SECT.2
Page 6 of 6
100
13.89
7200.00
100
13.89
7200.00
1.00
0.00
100
13.89
8307.69
100
13.89
8307.69
1.15
16.69
100
13.89
9818.18
100
13.89
9818.18
1.36
41.94
100
13.89
7200.00
100
13.89
7200.00
1.00
0.00
100
13.89
7957.89
100
13.89
7957.89
1.11
15.78
100
13.89
8894.12
100
13.89
8894.12
1.24
36.57
100
13.89
10080.00
100
13.89
10080.00
1.40
65.31
100
13.89
7200.00
100
13.89
7200.00
1.00
0.00
100
13.89
7776.00
100
13.89
7776.00
1.08
15.31
100
13.89
8452.17
100
13.89
8452.17
1.17
34.15
100
13.89
9257.14
100
13.89
9257.14
1.29
57.95
100
13.89
10231.58
100
13.89
10231.58
1.42
88.97
100
13.89
7200.00
100
13.89
7200.00
1.00
0.00
100
13.89
7664.52
100
13.89
7664.52
1.06
15.03
100
13.89
8193.10
100
13.89
8193.10
1.14
32.78
100
13.89
8800.00
100
13.89
8800.00
1.22
54.07
100
13.89
9504.00
100
13.89
9504.00
1.32
80.14
100
13.89
10330.43
100
13.89
10330.43
1.43
112.76
100
13.89
7200.00
100
13.89
7200.00
1.00
0.00
100
13.89
7589.19
100
13.89
7589.19
1.05
14.84
100
13.89
8022.86
100
13.89
8022.86
1.11
31.89
100
13.89
8509.09
100
13.89
8509.09
1.18
51.69
100
13.89
9058.06
100
13.89
9058.06
1.26
74.99
100
13.89
9682.76
100
13.89
9682.76
1.34
102.82
100
13.89
10400.00
100
13.89
10400.00
1.44
136.63
Page 1 | Page 2
7/8/2014
Page 1 of 4
Delta connected banks
Delta Connected
Grounded
Connected
This formula is for losing units between phase A-B. The "AMPS" are in the affected leg. If a unit is removed
from A-C, or B-C, the formula can be modified to address these situations.
Ungrounded
Connected
Split WYE
Connected
Ground WYE Connected Banks:

For single series group the formulas are as follows:
Neutral to Ground Current:
Voltage on Remaining Units:
If VT = V, %VR will always be 100%.

For Multiple Series Groups the Formulas are as Follows:
Neutral to Ground Current:
Voltage on Remaining Units:
Ungrounded WYE Connected Banks (Neutral to Ground Voltage Detection)

For single series group the formulas are as follows:
The Voltage on the Remaining Capacitors in the Affected Phase are:
The Voltage in the Neutral are:
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 4
The Percentage of Voltage Shift in the Affected Leg are:
For MULTIPLE Series Groups the Formulas are as Follows:

The voltage on the remaining capacitors in the affected phase is:
The Voltage Shift Due to Removal of F Units in One Series Section:
The Neutral Shift When One Complete Series Section is Shorted:
Ungrounded double (split) WYE with neutral CT

The calculations for split applications with even number of units in each WYE sections are as follows:
The amount of current flowing between neutrals of the two WYES sections. Current transformer is assumed to
have zero impedance.
Percent of rated total bank current
The Voltage Remaining on Units in One Series Section with F Units Removed:
Permissible number of units that can be removed from one series section to result in a given %VR on
remaining units in that section.
The Calculations for Split Applications with Uneven WYE Sections are as Follows, One Series Group:
The Change in Voltage in the Phase with Units Removed:
6/10/2014
Page 3 of 4
The Voltage on this Phase Will Be (Assume Units Removed From Phase "A"):
The Change in Current in this Phase Will Be:
The New Current in this Leg is:
(A phase KVAR will be the original KVAR)
To Determine the New Voltage on Phases "B" and "C":
The Effective KVAR for These Phases Will Be:
The Current in These Phase Will Be:
The Neutral Current in the WYE Section is:
You will need to calculate the neutral current in the WYE section without any units removed.
The Phase A Voltage in the Section is the Same as Above:
and
The Current in this Phase Will Be Higher than the Affected WYE Section:
The Current in These Phase Will Be:
The voltage on B and C phase will be the same as the affected section and the effective KVAR will be lower.
The New Current Will Be:
6/10/2014
Page 4 of 4
The Neutral Current in the WYE Section is:

(normal WYE section-no units removed)
The Current on the Neutral Between the WYE Sections Will Be:
LEGEND
Vt
VR
Voltage on remaining units in affected group with F units removed.
change in phase to neutral voltage
VBN
New voltage on B & C phases
INC
Current between neutrals of two banks halves.
Current change in affected phase (A).
IAN
New current in affected phase (A)
IBN
New current in phase B & C.
IN' (Unit removed)
neutral current in WYE section with unit removed.
IN (Normal section)
neutral current in WYE section with unit removed.
KVAREFF
Effective KVAR
KVARRATED
rated KVAR
Number of series sections per phase.
Number of parallel units in one series section.
Number of units removed from one series section.
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 2
There are two formulas shown in this section both have the same fundamental beginning.
On the capacitor inrush current calculations sheet (20) stated
IMAX =
When Switching a Capacitor Step with Other Steps Already Energized, the Banks, at this Instant are in Series Therefore,
We Have the Following:
CEQ =
or, for two steps
(29)
Formula (20) Will Now Become:
IMAX =
From (21) C =
(30)
, Substituting this into (30) We Get:
Let (2A F)= T
(31)
Factoring Under the Radicand We Get:
(32)
Let V2 = V2L-L =
Factoring this (32) We Get the Following:
(33)
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 2
This Will Reduce to:
IMAX = 1330
(34)
For 60 Hz and 50 Hz:
IMAX = 1456.7
(35)
The Second Formula from IEEE C37.99-1990 Development is as Follows:
Let KVAR =
(36)
Example:
A bank of 600 KVAR @ 12.47KV with 1-200KVAR per phase
= 27.7 Amps
(37)
Looking Back at (34) We Had:
IMAX = 1330
Replacing KVAR with (36)
IMAX =
1330
(38)
To allow VL-L
Factoring We Get:
IMAX =
(39)
IMAX = 1747
(40)
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 2
First we will look at what happens to the voltage when a capacitor fails in one phase just before the fuse clears the faulted capacitor.
Figure 1 shows a balanced floating WYE capacitor connection. Let 1 PU (per unit) equal VaN, VbN and VcN.
Assume a capacitor is failing in leg (a). Just before the fuse attached to this capacitor clears, the neutral (N) shifts to Va or, N. See
figure 2.
There is an Increase in Voltage Across the Capacitors in Lines VbN and VcN. As the Capacitor Fails and Prior to the
Capacitor Fuse Clearing the Neutral Will Shift From N to N. Calculating the Legs of the Triangle Created by Sides b =
(VbN), a=(VaN) and b= (VbN) We Can Use The Law of Cosines:
2
(b) = a + b 2ab(CosN)
(b)2 = (VbN)
2
But a=VaN =b=VbN=NN=1PU, then a = b = 1

N = 120
CosN = (-0.5)
2
Then (VbN) = 1 + 1 2(1)(1)(-0.5) = 3

(VbN) = sqrt(3) or, approximately 1.73205
Using this knowledge for our vector analysis we will let Side a = Side b = sqrt(3). Therefore, the voltage on these legs will be at lineto-line potential.
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 2
The shift in the capacitor current will have the same effect as the voltage shift. Under normal conditions the current leads the voltage
o
by 90 . See figure 3.
Using Kirchhoffs law, Under Balance Conditions, We Have:
IN = Ia + Ib + Ic = 0
When the failure in leg (a) occurs as described above, the current will change accordingly.
See Figure 4.
In Figure 3, IN = 0. However, IN Shifts to Ia Position and is Now Considered IN. Again, Using Kirchhoffs law We Have
the Following:
IN = Ib + Ic
Under normal conditions Ia = Ib = Ic, but as shown in the voltage calculation when unit in leg (a) begins to fail, Vb = Vc = (sqrt
(3) * 1pu.) The same calculations will apply in the current calculations and Ib = Ic, = (sqrt(3) * normal line current).
Using Polar and Complex Number Calculations From Figure 4, We Have the Following:
O
IN = (sqrt(3) * 330 ) + (sqrt(3) * 30 )

= (1.5 - j0.866) + (1.5 + j0.866)
= (3 j0)
Therefore, IN = 3 times normal line current.
See figure 5 for a vectorial solution. You will note that the figure is a Rhombus. The diagonals of a Rhombus intersect at right angles.
Also, the diagonals divide the Rhombus into four equal and congruent triangles. Then A = B, let A and B equal (sqrt(3)).
Then We Have the Following:
Vector A + Vector B = 2C (Resultant)
C = (Cos300)(sqrt(3))
C = (0.866)(sqrt(3))
C = 1.5
2C=3
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 5
The industrial market has become aware of the money that can be saved with the use of power-factor correction capacitors and has
given rise to more delta-connected capacitor banks. Customers showing concern for identifying failures within the banks find that the
biggest problem is in finding an easy method of determining the current differences in unbalanced conditions so that relay and/or
alarms can be used. This problem can be reduced considerably with mathematics. First, consider the balanced delta connection of
Figure 1. Using a simple and standard connection, let the system be 7200 volts, delta, with 2400 KVAR. This means 800 KVAR per
phase.
Figure 1
Converting KVAR into Microfarads, We Have:
Using the Parameters Set Up:
From Here, the Capacitive Reactance Can Be Determined:
Where:
V = phase to phase voltage
C = capacitance in microfarads
Xc = capacitive reactance
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 5
Figure 2. Hypothetical Circuit

Based on the balanced load, we know the phase voltages are 120 apart. We also know that current leads the voltage by 90 degrees.
This is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Phasor Diagram of the Circuit

From Figures 2 and 3, We Have:
The Leg Currents Will Then Become:
Using Kirchoff's Law:

or
Note: That 111.3 amps times = approximately
192.6 amps. This confirms the fact that in a balanced delta-connected load, the line
voltage and phase voltage are equal, and the line current is
times larger than the phase current.
This arduous method is simplified by mathematics if the displacement of the currents is not considered and only the integer co-factor is
considered. This is simply:
6/10/2014
Page 3 of 5
In our case, it would be:
Line current is
Leg current is
But the main concern is the unbalanced delta. What happens to the line and leg currents? The above calculation will not apply. Again,
in order to appreciate the mathematics, we will go through the pains of the total calculations.
The phase currents need to be computed and then Kirchoff's current law applied at the junctions to obtain the three line currents. The
line currents will not be equal nor will they have a 120 difference as in a balanced load.
Figure 4
Assume We Lose a Unit in Leg A-B:
Let
V = 7200 V
AB = 600 KVAR
BC = 800 KVAR
CA = 800 KVAR
Again, using
or C (in mfd) =
and
We find
(See Figure 4)
Then:
6/10/2014
Page 4 of 5
Figure 5
So We Have:
But, as before, we can use
for the leg currents.
You will notice Ic remained at
in both cases. This is because Ica + Icb didn't change in either case.
Again, mathematics can be used to solve the line currents. Ignoring the displacement again, we can easily see Ia and Ib will be equal
as far as the integer co-factor is concerned.
Using The Law of Cosines, We Can Obtain the Formula:
In Our Case:
Summary:
The balanced delta capacitor circuit and calculations are basic but still prove to be time consuming. For the most part, angular
displacement is not significant and there is no reason to go through the long arduous task of finding the displacement just to obtain
the resultant, or current. The formula
provides the resultant we seek.
The Same Holds True on the Unbalanced Delta Condition and Can Be Easily Handled with the Formula:
6/10/2014
Page 5 of 5
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 8
Managing your electrical loads offers many challenges. Your plant needs all the power it can muster while
Voltage Drop
conserving as much energy as possible and yet maintain an efficient operation.

Percent Voltage Drop
Looking at the power consumed it is necessary to supply two types of powers. The first is "Active
Power" (Kilowatts); the second is Reactive Power (KVAR). The active power is supplied by the utility
Voltage Rise
incoming. The reactive power can be furnished by the system, or by the use of static shunt capacitors. It
has been established that shunt power capacitors are the most economical source for the reactive power
Percent Voltage Drop
(KVAR) required by the loads and lines when operating at less than unity power factor (100%).
in a Transformer
Studies show that supply systems from the power companies lines require reactive power (KVAR) in
Voltage Rise Through
addition to the consumers electric load. Looking at a simple system, if the only reactive power source is the
Transformers
central station generation, this reactive power will have to be generated by the generators and than
transmitted over the lines to the loads. If the power company has capacitor banks at the supply substation
New Total Voltage
this will aid in supplying reactive power. However, if the consumers plant has a poor power factor the
Improved Drop
substation and the lines to the plant will have to handle the additional currents required.
Substation Capacity
Coupled with the additional currents developed by poor power factor, there is also corresponding power loss
Released
(I2R loss) associated with transmission and distribution of reactive power current to the plants load. These
losses create an undesirable voltage reduction on the lines to the plant. Shunt capacitors affect the voltage
Generating Capacity
rise when connected to the system. The addition of switched capacitors not only improves the voltage
Released
levels, but also provides an effective method of controlling the voltage levels.
Increased Feeder
The installation of power capacitors enables a utility, as will as the industrial customer, to realize savings on
Capacity
their systems. The following benefits can be realized.

Raised Voltage Levels
Released Generation Capacity
Released system capacity
Reductions of System Loses
Regulations of Voltage Levels
Reduced Energy
Losses
Consolidated
Formulas
The utility can witness benefits on their generation, EHV transmission, sub-transmission and distribution
systems with power capacitors.
Voltage Considerations
Voltage Drop:
Simply, the voltage drop is basic and is due to the impedance in the line. The impedance consists of
resistance, which creates IR voltage drop and reactance, which creates IXL voltage drop. The combination
of these two drops is known as the impedance drop, or IZ drop.
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 8
Figure 1
Table 1
Table 2
Percent Voltage Drop:
%Voltage Drop =
6/10/2014
Page 3 of 8
D =Line length
KV = phase to phase voltage
Let:
KW = 1000
Pf = 85%
R = 0.699/mile
XL = 0.712
Ohms D = 10 Miles
Then:
KV = 12.47
ARCCOS 0.85 = 31.80
SIN = 0.527
With a 7.33% voltage drop the total voltage drop will be 914.57 volts. The line voltage at this point will be
11,555.43 volts. If the secondary voltage is 480 volts normally this voltage drop will be 444.8 volts.
Voltage Rise:
Figure 2
D =Line length
KV = phase to phase voltage from above
KV = 12.47
KW = 1000
Pf = 85%
XL = 0.712 Ohms
D = 10 Miles
To correct the power factor to approximately 95%, we will use 300 KVAR. This will correct this system to
approximately 97%
Then:
With a 1.374% voltage rise the voltage at the load VL will be increased by 159 volts. The line voltage at this
point will be 11,714.2 volts. With the secondary voltage of 444.8 volts, voltage will raise to 461.44 volts.
6/10/2014
Page 4 of 8
Percentage Voltage Drop In a Transformer:

The percentage voltage drop may be calculated by the following:
Voltage Rise Through Transformers:

The above discussion shows the voltage drop and rise on the power line and drop in the transformers. Every
transformer will also experience a voltage rise from generating source to the capacitors. This rise is
independent of load or power factor and may be determined as follows:
KVAR =Applied Kilo-vars

KVA = KVA of the transformer
Xt = Transformer Reactance in %Using the 300 Kvar bank given above and assuming a 1200 KVA
transformer with 5.75% reactance we would have:
New Total Voltage Improved Drop:

New net Voltage Drop =Total Drop Total Rise
Using the values from above, the new improved voltage drop will be:
Voltage Drop in Line =7.3300%
Voltage Drop in the Transformer = 0.7480%
Total Voltage Drop =8.0780%
Voltage Rise in Line =1.3740%
Voltage Rise in the Transformer = 1.4375%
Total Voltage Rise =2.8115%
Net Voltage Drop =8.078% - 2.8115% = 5.2665%
Substation Capacity Released:

Assuming the 1200 KVA transformer is in the customers substation and is used with the other values used
in the equations above the released substation capacity is as follows:
6/10/2014
Page 5 of 8
A quick approximation of KVA increase can be as follows:
Generating Capacity Released:

To determine this capacity released the formula used for the Substation Capacity Release can also be
used. We would replace the substation transformer (KVAS) with the generating capacity (KVAG).
Assuming the KVAG is 20MVA we have the following:
Or, by the simplified formula
Increased Feeder Capacity:

Feeder capacity is limited basically by permissible voltage drop rather than thermal conditions. The
application of capacitor, as shown above, reduces the voltage drop so more KVA of load may be freed up so
more load can be added without over taxing the transformer. This may be calculated by the following
formula, which does not incorporate the generating or substation capacity release.
The possible increase in KW due to the released feeder KVA can be obtained by multiplying KVA by the
corrected power factor.
Reduced Energy Losses:

With the decrease conductor losses due to the addition of capacitors, less kilowatt-hours of electrical energy
are dissipated annually. The quantity of energy saved and the resulting economy can be computed as:
Where:
KVAR = Three phase kilovars applied.
KVA = Uncorrected three-phase load (24 hour rms valuefor 1200 KVA assume 720 KVA)
KV = Phase to phase voltage in KV
The value of this energy savings can be obtained by multiplying the energy saved by the cost per kw-hr.
All these benefits will have financial benefits to the utility, or whoever provides the capacitor bank on their
6/10/2014
Page 6 of 8
system.
Consolidation of Formulas:
1. Power Factor Relation
Where:
Kw = kilowatt load
Kva = kilovolt-amperes
Pf
= power factor
2. Ratio of I R Losses
3. Voltage Drop in A Line
Where:
Kva = three phase kva
L = Line length in miles (1 wire only)
R = Ohms resistance per mile (table 2)
X = Ohms reactance per mile (table 2)
= Uncorrected power factor
= Sine of power factor angle (table 1)
kv= Phase to phase kilovolts
4. Voltage Rise in A Line
Where:
Kvar = three-phase kilovars applied
See Formula 3 for other units
5. Voltage Rise in A Transformer
Where:
Kvar = Three-phase kilovars applied
KvaT = kva of transformer
XT = Transformer Reactance in percent.
6. Increase in feeder Capacity
6/10/2014
Page 7 of 8
Where:
= Increase in kva capacity
7. Reduced Energy Losses in A Line
Where:
Ea = Annual conserved energy in kw-hrs.
R = Resistance to load center in Ohms.
Kva = Uncorrected 3-phase kva (24-hour rms value)
Kvar = here phase kilovars applied.
8. Increased Revenue Due to Voltage Improvement.
Where:
V2 = Average voltage after adding capacitors.
V1 = Average voltage before adding capacitors.
9. Reduced Substation Capacity

When kvar is small compared to kvaS
When kvar is more than 10% of kvaS
Where:
= Released kva of the substation capacity at original power factor.
KvaS = Substation kva capacity
Kvar = Three phase kilovars applied.
10. Reduced Substation Capacity

When kvar is small compared to kvaG
Else:
Where:
6/10/2014
Page 8 of 8
Released kva beyond maximum generating capacity at original power factor.
kvaG = Generating station kva capacity
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 2
For the series R-L-C circuit resonance will occur when the total impedance is purely resistance.
This occurs when XL = XC...
With this We Can Expand This:
and
or
where
and
(1)
(2)
We Already Know, From the Earlier Discussions, that:
and
and
And We Allow H to be a Multiple of "F," We Can Force (2) to Look Like this:
then changing this to
Reducing this We Get:
(3)
H will be the harmonic multiple to the fundamental.

From an Earlier Paper We Showed the Following:
6/10/2014
Page 2 of 2
From (3) We Can Come Up with the Systems Harmonic Resonance:
(4)
Where:
H = harmonic order...
MVAsc =
= available short circuit at the capacitor bank.
MVAR = capacitor bank size.
6/10/2014
Page 1 of 1
Where VBUS = V1 + V2...

Using the Voltage Divider Rule We Have:
(1)
The Current Will Be:
(2)
Note:
AND
6/10/2014

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Gilbert Electrical Systems

Section 1 - Ohm's Law

We have XC (Or XL) =

A three-phase shunt reactor of 150KVAR, at 13.8KV will yield

Gilbert Electrical Systems

From (16) KVAR =

From (19) KVAR =

Power (in Watts and/or Vars)

Gilbert Electrical Systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS & PRODUCTS

P.O. BOX 1141 ! BECKLEY, WV 25802 !

Capacitor Inrush Current Calculations

CB is the bank capacitance in microfarads

Then Substitute CB from (20) with formula (21) we get

Giving us the following inrush formulas

Developed by Gilbert Electrical Systems & Products

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Energizing An Isolated Bank:

CB is the bank capacitance in microfarads

Then Substitute CB from (20) with Formula (21) We Get:

19.4163 @ 60Hz, or (17.7245 @ 50Hz)

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Gilbert Electrical Systems

%IN (of rated phase current) =

Neutral current when one complete series section is shorted:

Rated current of one units

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Applied lineto-neutral volts

Rated voltage of capacitor units

Voltage on remaining units in a group with "F" units removed.

Number of series sections per phase

Number of parallel units per series section

Number of units removed from one section

METAL ENCLOSED CAPACITOR GROUNDED WYE APPLICATIONS:

= 0.002653590254 farads = 1var

For 2 units in parallel will equal C1+C2 =0.00530519 farads =2vars

Gilbert Electrical Systems

and even further

Gilbert Electrical Systems

and if VT = V, this is really simplified to

with S = 1, and VT = V, %Vr will always be 100%

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Gilbert Electrical Systems

The delta connection is a three phase, three-wire system.

Improper Fusing Practices of Floating WYE Connected Capacitors:

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Gilbert Electrical Systems

Applications Which Will Not Meet The Standard:

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Gilbert Electrical Systems

GILBERT Electrical Systems & Products

Application of the Floating WYE connection, Neal Ciurro

IEEE Std. 18-1992.

IEEE Std. 1036-1992.

IEEE Std. C37.48

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Floating WYE Capacitor:

The Law of Cosines is (b') = a + b + 2abCos.

Cos = (-0.5), = 120

Then (VbN') = (1) +(1) + 2(-0.5)

Gilbert Electrical Systems

Using Kirchoff's Law, We Have:

Gilbert Electrical Systems