Utility capacitor switching and adjustable-speed drives

The authors consider the effect of capacitor switching on adjustable-speed drives. Surges of less than 200% magnitude caused by utility capacitor bank switching can disrupt operation of adjustable-speed drives. Pulse width modulated (PWM) drives are more sensitive to surges because the drive transistors have lower overvoltage tolerance than silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) drives. The authors use the results of a case study to analyze the circumstances of drives tripped by utility capacitor switching. It is shown that low loss utility capacitors increase the surge magnitude by decreasing system damping. Surge magnification is possible at buses remote from the capacitor, and the three conditions for magnification are described. It is also shown that drive sensitivity to the surge depends on whether the drive filter inductor is saturated by the surge. >

[1]  J. Zaborszky,et al.  Capacitor-Switching Phenomena with Resistors [includes discussion] , 1954, Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Part III: Power Apparatus and Systems.

[2]  I. B. Johnson,et al.  Magnification of switching surges , 1959, Electrical Engineering.

[3]  J. Zaborszky,et al.  Fundamental Aspects of Some Switching Overvoltages on Power Systems , 1962, Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Part III: Power Apparatus and Systems.

[4]  Ieee Report Bibliography on Switching of Capacitive Circuits Exclusive of Series Capacitors , 1970 .

[5]  George N. Lester,et al.  Control of Overvoltages on Energizing Capacitor Banks , 1973 .

[6]  Thomas S. Key,et al.  Diagnosing Power Quality-Related Computer Problems , 1979, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[7]  Francois D. Martzloff,et al.  Surge and High-Frequency Propagation in Industrial Power Lines , 1986, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[8]  G. Zorpette Moving power through the northeast corridor , 1989, IEEE Spectrum.

[9]  C. Grigg,et al.  Predicting and preventing problems associated with remote fault clearing voltage dips , 1989, Conference Record. Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Technical Conference.