Course Overview
This course provides a detailed understanding of power capacitors used in electrical power systems. Participants will learn about the various applications of power capacitors, challenges related to switching operations, and methods to protect and maintain these critical components. The course equips professionals with knowledge to enhance capacitor performance, ensure system reliability, and reduce downtime.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the different types and applications of power capacitors in power systems.
- Recognize common switching problems associated with power capacitors.
- Identify protection schemes and devices used to safeguard capacitors and associated equipment.
- Apply best practices in the maintenance and testing of power capacitors.
- Analyze failure modes and troubleshooting techniques for power capacitor systems.
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for:
- Electrical engineers and technicians
- Maintenance and operations personnel in power plants and substations
- Protection and control engineers
- Power system planners and designers
- Consultants and contractors working with power capacitor installations
- Professionals involved in reliability and asset management of electrical systems
Course Outline
Introduction to Power Capacitors
- Types of power capacitors (shunt, series, harmonic filters)
- Construction and characteristics
- Role and benefits in power factor correction and voltage control
Applications of Power Capacitors
- Power factor correction in industrial and utility systems
- Voltage support and stability improvement
- Harmonic filtering and system resonance mitigation
Switching Problems Associated with Power Capacitors
- Capacitor switching transients and inrush currents
- Overvoltages caused by switching operations
- Effects on system equipment and reliability
- Common issues in capacitor bank switching
Protection of Power Capacitors
- Protection relays and fuse coordination
- Overcurrent and overvoltage protection methods
- Monitoring and diagnostic tools
- Coordination with upstream and downstream protective devices
Maintenance and Testing of Power Capacitors
- Inspection procedures and preventive maintenance
- Diagnostic testing techniques (capacitance, dissipation factor, insulation resistance)
- Failure modes and troubleshooting
- Handling and storage best practices
Case Studies and Practical Considerations
- Real-world examples of capacitor failures and lessons learned
- Strategies to enhance capacitor lifespan and system reliability
- Latest standards and industry guidelines