Shunt capacitors are devices that store electrical energy in a power system. They are connected in parallel with the circuit, and their primary purpose is to provide reactive power support. Shunt capacitors can be found in various locations in a power system, including at the substation, on the distribution line, and at the customer premises. This article will break down the 6 most typical locations to place a Self-heating Shunt Capacitor in an electrical power system. 

1- Installation of capacitors on the transformer LV Side

1-There are many benefits to installing capacitors on a transformer’s low voltage (LV) side. 

2-The most common reason for installation is to improve the system’s power factor (PF).

3-Another reason for installation is to mitigate harmonics on the LV side of the transformer.

4-Capacitors can also be used to improve the system’s reliability by providing backup power in case of a momentary outage.

The location of the capacitor will depend on the specific application. For example, if the goal is to improve PF, the capacitor should be installed as close to the load as possible. If harmonics mitigation is the goal, then the capacitor should be installed at or near the source of the harmonics.

2- Fixed capacitor banks

The most common location for a shunt capacitor bank is at the substation. This is because the substation is typically the farthest point from the customer and therefore has the most significant impact on the power factor.

Self-heating Shunt Capacitor banks can also be installed at the distribution transformer. This is usually done when the loads on the transformer are light, and there is no need for a shunt reactor.

Service entrance capacitors are used to improve the power factor for customers with a single-phase service entrance. These capacitors are usually much smaller than those used at the substation or distribution transformer.

3- Substation capacitor banks

Substation capacitor banks are commonly used in power systems to improve voltage regulation and power factors. Capacitor banks are typically made up of shunt capacitors connected in parallel with the power system.

Shunt capacitors are typically installed at the substation, where the voltage is the highest. This helps to improve voltage regulation and reduce power losses in the system. Shunt capacitors can also be installed at other locations in the system, such as at the end of a line or a busbar.

Capacitor banks can be controlled manually or automatically. Automatic controls are typically used for larger banks, while manual controls are more common for smaller banks.

4- Shunt capacitor banks at EHV levels

The most common location for shunt capacitor banks is at the substation. This is because substations typically have the highest reactive power demand of any location in a power system.

Self-heating Shunt Capacitor banks can also be installed at other locations in a power system, such as at the end of long transmission lines. This is often done to improve the line’s voltage profile and reduce losses.

5- Pole-mounted capacitor banks

Shunt capacitors are used to correct the power factor in a power system. They are connected in parallel with the load and are usually installed at strategic locations in the system.

Pole-mounted capacitor banks are one of the most common types of shunt capacitors. They are usually installed on utility poles and can be used to correct the power factor for an entire circuit or individual customers.

Pole-mounted capacitor banks typically consist of several connected capacitors in series or parallel. The capacitors are often enclosed in a metal box to protect them from the environment.

Pole-mounted capacitor banks are typically used in medium to high-voltage power systems. It is possible to use them both in AC and DC systems.

6- Metal-enclosed capacitor banks

Shunt capacitor banks are used to improve the power factor of a power system by storing electrical energy in the form of an electrostatic field between two conductors. The capacitor bank is connected in parallel with the load and provides a reactive power flow to the load.

The most common locations for shunt capacitor banks are at substations, where they are used to improve the power factor of the distribution system, and at generating plants, where they are used to improve the power factor of the plant’s generation.

Shunt capacitor banks can also be used in series with the load, but this is less common. In this case, the capacitor bank provides an inductive reactance to the load, which improves the system’s power factor.

Conclusion

Shunt capacitors are an essential part of any power system and can be found in various locations. By understanding where they are typically located, you can better understand their work and purpose. Thanks for reading!

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