CSA approval is essential when using capacitors in Canada

Having CSA approval is essential when using capacitors in Canada which shows that a product has been independently tested and certified to meet recognized standards for safety or performance.  Frako’s commitment to provide high quality capacitors to the North American Market has driven them to obtain CSA certification in addition to UL and IEC.  

FRAKO LKT Series capacitors are now certified by Canadian Standards Association (CSA file # MC 256833).  Along with CSA approval they are also UL recognized components (cURus File # 337088) and comply with IEC (IEC 831-1, -2 / EN 60831-1,-2).  The LKT Series meets or exceeds all known industry standards and surpasses the requirements of UL, CSA and EN/IEC.                                                                                                      

Capacitor ratings include 208 – 800VAC, 1 – 30 kvar of rated reactive power.   Capacitors offer high current capability to handle continuous current as high as up to 2.7 times nominal capacitor current.  FRAKO capacitors are suitable for use in continuous ambient temperatures of -40°C up to +68° C and continuous maximum case temperature of 75°C along with maximum altitude of 4000 meters.

Total Power Factor by John Houdek

Total Power Factor Tutorial 

What’s new in Power Quality? Not the Goal! PQM-109

The goal of quality power for your facility or application is probably still the same:

·    Supply equipment with power that does not cause malfunction or damage

·    Eliminate penalties from provider or save energy costs

·    Comply with industry standards

 

Peace of Mind

What is new in power quality is the ability to model the solution before it is installed to prove the effectiveness of the solution giving you peace of mind.  This can be done at the power electronic level which is the most precise.   

Achieving the goal is sometimes difficult.  You may be faced with a decision between multiple solutions offered by well meaning manufacturers.  Which solution will truly solve your problem or meet your needs?

Now, your system can be modeled at the actual power electronic level to predict the performance of your myriad of possible solutions.  Using circuit simulation with a comprehensive power quality analysis can save you from making an expensive mistake by evaluating various alternative solutions before you buy them.  Like a test drive before you buy it… this can give you peace of mind.

What is the function of a line reactor – for thyristor bridge PQM-108

Line reactors are commonly used in adjustable speed drive applications to improve power quality.   They are connected in series with the input terminals of the drive to serve multiple functions. 

1)   Suppress voltage transients, protect thyristors,

2)   Increase effective input impedance resulting in lower drive input harmonic current distortion and system voltage distortion, reduce true rms current, improve total (true) power factor.

5% effective impedance (at full load) yields about 35% THD-I, 3% impedance at full load results in about 45% THD-i. Note: a drive system with a 5% impedance line reactor, operating at 60% of reactor current rating will look like a 3% impedance reactor.

3)      Reduce voltage notching upstream of the line reactor. Reactor serves (along with upstream impedance, ie: transformer) as part of a voltage divider network where the notch voltage is distributed proportionately across the two impedances. To solve voltage notching, the line reactor must be connected at the input terminals of the SCR converter (ie: DC drive) that is producing the voltage notches.

What is the function of a line reactor – for diode bridge PQM-107

Line reactors are commonly used in adjustable speed drive applications to improve power quality.   They are connected in series with the input terminals of the drive to serve multiple functions. 

1)      suppress voltage transients enabling drives with a dc bus capacitor to ride thru some system voltage disturbances, minimize O/V nuisance tripping, protect diodes from transients, protect dc bus capacitor,

2)      Increase effective input impedance resulting in lower drive input harmonic current distortion and system voltage distortion, reduce true rms current, improve total (true) power factor.

5% effective impedance (at full load) yields about 35% THD-I, 3% impedance at full load results in about 45% THD-i. Note: a drive system with a 5% impedance line reactor, operating at 60% of reactor current rating will look like a 3% impedance reactor. 

What is the best way to mitigate harmonics? PQM-106

There are number of types of equipment that will reduce harmonic distortion (tuned harmonic filters, line reactors, active harmonic filters, multi-pulse rectifiers, 5% THD harmonic filters, phase shifting transformers, etc).  Each has its merits in the proper circumstances. Each has its advantages as well as disadvantages.  Each has a typical performance and cost.  There is no single method that is best for all cases.  

This best solution will depend on the unique aspects of the power system, facility operations, type of loads and the target distortion levels.  In a facility with many loads, often the best technical and economical solution involves a combination of methods. An examination of the single line diagram supplemented by simulation of the power electronic loads can result in a determination of the best economical and technical solution to a harmonics concern.

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