Electrical characteristics of medium voltage

capacitors (continued)

PROTECTION DEVICES FOR "ALL-FILM" MV CAPACITORS

MEDIUM VOLTAGE RANGE

Protection using internal fuses

Due to the advantages they provide, internal fuses are
1
the most frequently used means of protecting "all-film"
MV capacitors.
In this technology, each elementary capacitance
forming the capacitor is protected by its own
internal fuse.
When there is a fault on an elementary capacitance, 2
the internal fuse eliminates the corresponding
capacitance and the continuity of service of the
capacitor is assured. 3
Given the large number of elementary capacitances Internal view of an "all-film" MV
capacitor with internal fuses
that make up the device, the loss of power resulting
1. Discharge resistor
from the first fault is negligible (less than 2%). The 2. Internal fuse
external unbalance protection will only be activated if 3. Elementary capacitance

there is a large number of "broken down" elementary

capacitances in one capacitor which will create an
unbalance. The operation of an internal fuse is activated:
- When the voltage of the capacitor reaches its
maximum value, and therefore the current reaches
its minimum value, the voltage difference at the
terminals of the "faulty" elementary capacitance
will trigger the blow-out of the corresponding fuse.
- When the current reaches it maximum value,
and therefore the voltage reaches its minimum
value, the flow of the energy stored in the parallel
operational capacitances in the "faulty" capacitance
will trigger the blow-out of the corresponding fuse.

56
 PROTECTION DEVICES FOR "ALL-FILM" MV CAPACITORS (continued)

MEDIUM VOLTAGE RANGE

Protection by pressure monitoring 85

device
Protection by means of a pressure monitoring device
is useful if the capacitor cannot be protected correctly Pres s ure monitoring unit

using internal fuses or by unbalance monitoring (due to

electrical characteristics or cost problems).
This protection is individual to each capacitor.
It consists of a pressure switch that is hermetically
sealed onto the capacitor case.
This pressure switch consists of a "membrane" that “NO/NC ” contact connection
is sensitive to the increase in pressure generated in
the case if there are breakdowns of the elementary
capacitances, and an NC/NO contact which trips the
banks's operating device (contactor - switch, etc.)

57
 Electrical characteristics of medium voltage
capacitors (continued)

PROTECTION DEVICES FOR "ALL-FILM" MV CAPACITORS (continued)

MEDIUM VOLTAGE RANGE

There are four protection options for "all-film" The choice between these four options is dependent on
MV capacitors: the following criteria:
™ Without internal fuses and external protection by ™ Electrical characteristics of the capacitor (power,
unbalance monitoring voltage, connection)
™ With internal fuses and external protection by ™ Customer's requirements concerning the sensitivity
unbalance monitoring of the protection device
™ Without pressure monitoring device and external
protection by HRC fuses
™ With pressure monitoring device and external
protection by HRC fuses

The following table gives the possible type of protection for the capacitor and its advantages, according to the
above criteria.
Capacitor Associated external
Capacitor power and voltage Capacitor protection Advantages
connection protection

All powers and all voltages Single phase Without internal fuse Unbalance

s$OESNOTTRIPONSTFAULT
P ≥ 200 kVAr and U ≤ 13 kV Single phase With internal fuses Unbalance s!SSUREDCONTINUITYOF SERVICE

Without pressure
All powers and U ≤ 12 kV Three-phase monitoring device HRC fuses

With pressure monitoring

All powers and U ≤ 12 kV Three-phase device HRC fuses s.ORISKOF RUPTUREOF CASE

INSTALLATION CONDITIONS FOR "ALL-FILM" MV CAPACITORS

Temperature class Compatibility with the environment

™ Standard: - 25/+ 45°C: ™ "All-film" capacitors are impregnated with a
- 45°C average over 1 hour (PCB-free) biodegradable liquid dielectric. Their
- 40°C average over 24 hours installation does not require any particular precautions
- 30°C average over 1 year with regard to the environment.

Protection against corrosion

™ Installation possible: indoor or outdoor
™ Stainless steel case, with one coat of primer and
several top coats (RAL 7033) Other temperature classes on request,
please consult us

58