Using Load Break Switch for capacitor switching on 11 kV & 3.3 kV

[Power0020]

I think about recommending a LBS for a capacitor feeder instead of an SF6 CB. I think it is less expensive to do that.

Fuses will replace protection equipment for OC and EF/SC protections

Any experiences with similar installations? issues?

 

[davidbeach]

Seems like entirely the wrong direction. Really tough to do voltage unbalance protection with fuses.

 

[bacon4life]

Make sure to get a device rated for capacitive switching since it a much harsher requirement than normal load. If the capacitors are switched frequently, also check then number of operations the device is rated for. Some breakers are not designed for daily switching. How big are the capacitor banks?

David, Would you do voltage unbalance protection at these voltage levels? The few medium voltage capacitor banks I have seen have several individually fused 300 kVAR cans.

 

[davidbeach]

In the substation we do voltage imbalance. Out on the feed the smaller banks just get a fuse. In that regard my life is inside the fence and those other caps are just a sort of negative load.