Training module 1 - BASICS

Topics

1. Basics of Electrostatics

2. Laws of Electrostatics

3. What is a capacitor ?

4. Real, reactive and apparent power

5. Power factor

6. Reactive power compensation – what, how, types

Electrostatics

Branch of physics that deals with forces exerted by static electric field upon
charged objects

Permittivity, 8.854 × 10−12 F/m

Absolute permittivity of a medium, ε = ε0 x εr F/m

ε0 = Vacuum permittivity

εr = Relative permittivity of medium /Dielectric constant

Laws of Electrostatics
First Law :
Like charges of electricity repel each other, whereas unlike charges attract
each other

Second Law/Coulombs Law:

The Force exerted between two point charges is directly proportional to the
product of their strengths and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them.

It is expressed as F = k*Q1*Q2
d²
Electric charge:
One Coulomb of charge is defined as quantity of electricity which when
placed in vacuum from an equal and similar charge repels it with a force of
9x109 N
 What is a capacitor ?
 Two conducting surfaces called
electrodes separated by a layer of
an insulating medium called dielectric

 Capacitance, C (Farads) = ε0 εr A Electrode

(in a medium) d
Where, Dielectric System
A = electrode area
d = separation between electrodes Electrode
ε0 εr = Absolute permittivity of a medium

 Stored energy in a capacitor

Q C  U 2 C
 REACTIVE POWER FUNDAMENTALS
Active power = UI cos Ø - Also called useful power
What is Reactive Power (Q) ?
I U
Ø Ø
U

Q = UI Sin Ø for single phase circuit

Q = 3 UI Sin Ø for three phase circuit

Reactive power is nothing but the product of voltage and the reactive
component of the current.
REACTIVE POWER FUNDAMENTALS

Inductive loads are "SINKS" for Reactive Power (Q+ve)

• Transformer
• Heavily loaded transmission line
• Induction motor
• Under excited synchronous machine
 This results in lagging power factor

Capacitive loads are "SOURCES" of Reactive Power (Q-ve)

• Shunt Capacitor
• Lightly loaded transmission line/cable
• Over excited synchronous machine
Power Factor Correction
Working Power (kW)
Reactive Power (kVAR)

 KW is the Working Power component

 kVAR is the Non- Working Power or Reactive Power component to serve
inductive loads, which require magnetizing current:
Motors, Transformers, Lighting ballast
 KVA is the Total Power required to serve a load
 Capacitors supply the reactive power component
 Power Factor is a measurement of how efficiently power is being used.
Power Factor Vector Relationship
kVA: Total Power required for a
given load

Reactive Power = kVAR

kW: Working Power required to
produce work
kVAR: Reactive Power needed
to generate magnetic fields
for inductive loads such as
Power Factor, motors
PF = cosφ Power Factor: The relationship of
 φ
Working or Real Power = kW
real power (kW) and
total power (KVA)
• kVA = kW  PF consumed
• kW = kVA x PF
• PF = kW  kVA
 Power Factor Vector Fundamentals
Power Triangle

Capacitor
KVAR

Before or Uncorrected KVAR

(Reactive Power)
Corrected
KVAR
PF (After)
PF (Before)

Working or Real Power = KW

Impact:
• Less KVA to support the same load
Action Taken: • Capacitors supply portion of reactive power
Addition of Capacitors • Power Factor is improved
 Power Factor Without Capacitors
100 KVA at 70% PF
Working Power (kW)
Reactive Power (kVAR)

Working Power (KW) 70

PF = KW = 70 = 70%
+ Reactive Power (KVAr) 30
KVA 100
Total Power (KVA) 100

Without capacitors the utilities distribution system must

carry all the Working Power and Reactive Power,
which is very inefficient and expensive.
 Power Factor With Capacitors
70 KVA at 100% PF
less line current flowing

Working Power (KW) 70

+ Reactive Power (KVAr) 0 PF = KW = 70 = 100%
KVA 70
Total Power (KVA) 70
• CAPACITORS SUPPLY MOST OF THE REACTIVE
POWER (KVAR) so the distribution system only needs to
carry the WORKING POWER (KW)
 Reactive Power Compensation Benefits

Reactive Power compensation will provide many benefits to

power suppliers and users:

 Less KVA demand to support the same load

 Better utilization of available power an reduction in
penalties.
 Power Factor is improved through reduction in the power
factor angle.
 Higher load capability
 Reduced system losses
 Improvement in voltage
 Increased System Capacity
Extra capacity for more KVA
released system capacity

Total Power (KVA) = Working Power (KW)  Power Factor

Power Factor 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Real Power kW 600 600 600 600 600
Reactive Power kVAR 800 612 450 291 Zero
Total Power kVA 1000 857 750 667 600

• By supplying reactive current (kVAR) close to the

load, capacitors release system capacity on the entire
system and reduce costs.
 Voltage Stability

• A feeder circuit will have a voltage drop related to the

impedance of the line and the power factor
• Adding capacitance will actually cause a voltage rise
by supplying reactive current to the bus

(less current = less voltage drop)

TYPES OF COMPENSATION

Shunt Compensation :

• Shunt capacitors are connected in parallel in the

system

• Used mainly for power factor improvement

and in harmonic filters

• Boosts the voltage of the bus

• Also known as load compensation

TYPES OF COMPENSATION

Series Compensation :

• Series Capacitors are connected in series in

the lines

• Boosts the receiving end voltage

• Increase in transmission capacity

• Reduction in losses in the lines

 TYPES OF COMPENSATION

Fixed Compensation :

• Reactive power fed by the capacitors to the system is

fixed (constant)

• Basically breaker controlled capacitors

• Used in systems which have constant loads or loads

having a set pattern of operation
TYPES OF COMPENSATION

Dynamic Compensation :

 Reactive power fed by the capacitors to the

system is dynamic/varying

 Done using Thyristor controlled capacitors,

Thyristor controlled reactors with fixed
capacitors or a combination of both

 Used in systems where the loads are fluctuating

in nature like arc furnace loads
LOCATIONS OF SHUNT CAPACITOR INSTALLATION

* A

33 / 11 kV 11 kV

* B

* C

*C *C *C
*B M ~
M M M *B =
~
= * A : Central Compensation
* B : Group Compensation
* C : Individual Compensation