Abstract
Power factor correction is a very popular and well established technique for reducing the overall energy consumption of electrical systems including power lines, transformers, motors, and other high inductive loads. The most common and simplest method of power factor correction in large inductive loads is to install compensating capacitors on the network close to the load. Medium-voltage capacitors typically operate from 5 to 25 kV. They are constructed from a set of capacitor elements, each with its own fuse, wired in series and parallel groups, and fitted inside a dielectric fluid-filled metal enclosure with terminals on top. The capacitors can hold large charges, which, if left to self-discharge, allow dangerous voltages to remain for long periods of time, presenting potential safety hazards for service personnel. The discharge of 0.25 J of stored energy to the human body can provide a heavy shock, and 10 J can be fatal.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Volume | 54 |
| No. | 3 |
| Specialist publication | Electronic Products |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Feb 2012 |