Capacitor Bank sizing calculation
Power Projects 
This post describes the sizing calculations for Reactive power compensation using shunt capacitor banks.
1. Introduction
- As the name implies, a capacitor bank is merely a grouping of several capacitors. It may be connected in series or parallel depending upon the required rating.
- Increase in the number of capacitors in a bank will increase the energy storage capacity of the bank.
- The intent of this document is to explain the capacitor bank sizing calculation and power factor correction .
2. Purpose
- Capacitor banks are used in power factor improvement and correction to eliminate reactive components at the load side.
- They are also used to regulate the voltage of the system.
3. Advantages of using capacitor bank
- Reduction of electricity cost.
- Avoid penalty on utility bills.
- Increased transformer and generator capacity.
4. Calculation
Consider one 250 kW motor feeder in figure-1 and due to inductive load, the power factor comes down, causing an increase in the reactive power.
Before selecting the capacitor bank the following points need to be noted,
- What is the desired power factor to be maintained at the billing end.
- What is the required rating of the capacitor bank.
- Where the capacitor bank needs to be located.
The formula used for sizing the capacitor bank is
Categories: : Load flow
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