Compensation Capacitors for Reactive Power Management

2025-12-25 09:36:11

Role in Reactive Power Control

Compensation capacitors are dedicated to supplying reactive power locally in AC systems. Their primary objective is to offset inductive reactive demand, thereby improving power factor and stabilizing voltage levels across distribution networks.

Under IEC system philosophy, Reactive Power Compensation is not merely an economic measure but a technical requirement for maintaining system efficiency and operational margins.

Reactive Power Behavior in Industrial Loads

Industrial loads such as induction motors, transformers, and magnetic ballasts inherently consume reactive power. Without compensation, this reactive demand increases current flow, resulting in higher losses and reduced usable capacity of electrical infrastructure.

Compensation Capacitors inject capacitive reactive power, reducing the net reactive exchange between the load and the upstream network.

Fixed vs Automatic Compensation

Compensation capacitors may be installed as fixed units or as part of automatically controlled banks. Fixed compensation is suitable for steady loads, while automatic systems adjust capacitor steps dynamically to match varying reactive demand.

Automatic compensation improves system adaptability and reduces the risk of overcompensation during low-load conditions.

Integration with Protection and Control

Proper coordination with protection devices is essential. Compensation capacitors must be protected against overcurrent, overvoltage, and excessive temperature. IEC-compliant designs incorporate monitoring and staged switching strategies to enhance reliability.

FAQ

Do compensation capacitors affect active power?
No. They influence current flow and losses but do not change active power consumption.

Is centralized compensation always preferable?
Not necessarily. Distributed compensation can reduce feeder losses more effectively in some systems.