Medium-Voltage, Single-Phase Capacitor
Installation and Maintenance Instructions
Service Information
S230-10-1
IMPORTANT: This instruction literature is
strictly for non internally fused capacitor units.
Product Information
Introduction
Service Information S230-10-1 covers instruction for installing and maintaining the Cooper Power Systems line of
medium-voltage, single-phase capacitors (Figure 1). Where
applicable, the requirements of federal, state, local codes
and insurance underwriters must be fullled.
Read and understand the contents of this manual and
follow all locally approved procedures and safety practices
before installing or operating this equipment.
Additional Information
These instructions cannot cover all details or variations in
the equipment, procedures, or processes described nor
provide directions for meeting every possible contingency
during installation, operation, or maintenance. For
additional information, contact your Cooper Power Systems
representative.
Handling and Storage
Be careful during handling and storage of the capacitor to
minimize the possibility of damage. If the capacitor is to be
stored for any length of time prior to installation, provide a
clean, dry storage area.
that contain all-lm solid dielectric packs impregnated
with a non-PCB uid dielectric. Do not drop, jar, or
otherwise handle a capacitor in a manner that would
violate the integrity of the hermetic seal.
Standards
ISO 9001 Certied Quality Management System
Initial Inspection
Immediately upon receipt of a capacitor shipment:
1. Check each capacitor nameplate to make sure the
voltage rating is correct for the system on which the
capacitor is to be applied.
A. Power capacitors must be connected only to
Read This Manual First
CAUTION: Cooper Power Systems power
capacitors are housed in hermetically sealed tanks
systems on which the terminal-to-terminal voltage
does not exceed rated voltage shown on each
capacitor nameplate.
Terminal
Bushing
Non-PCB Label
Nameplate
Figure 1.
Medium-voltage, single-phase power capacitor.
B. Capacitors to be connected in delta must be rated at
the line-to-line system voltage.
C. Capacitors to be connected in wye must be rated at
the line-to-neutral system voltage.
2. Check each capacitor tank and bushing for signs of
rough handling or damage in transit.
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If a capacitor bushing is damaged or a capacitor tank
has dents, bulges, and/or leaks, set the capacitor
aside and le a claim with the carrier and notify your
Cooper Power Systems representative.
CAUTION: Operation at an ambient temperature
higher than 55 °C (131 °F) will shorten the service
life of a power capacitor.
Tank
Pre-Installation Preparations
1. Make sure that branch circuit conductors have a
current-carrying capacity at least 135% of the operating
current of the capacitor installation.
2. Make sure the ambient temperatures in which the
capacitor installation is to operate is between –50 °C
and 55 °C (–58 °F and 131 °F).
3. Make sure the capacitor installation is protected by
a correctly rated fuse. (Contact your local Cooper
Power Systems representative for fusing application
guidelines.)
June, 2013 • Supersedes May, 2001
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Medium-Voltage, Single-Phase Capacitor Installation and Maintenance Instructions
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Provided by Northeast Power Systems, Inc.
www.nepsi.com
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SAFETY
FOR LIFE
Cooper Power Systems products meet or exceed all applicable industry standards relating to product safety. We actively
promote safe practices in the use and maintenance of our products through our service literature, instructional training
programs, and the continuous efforts of all Cooper Power Systems employees involved in product design, manufacture,
marketing and service.
We strongly urge that you always follow all locally approved safety procedures and safety instructions when working
around high-voltage lines and equipment and support our “Safety For Life” mission.
SAFETY FOR LIFE
!
SAFETY
FOR LIFE
SAFETY INFORMATION
The instructions in this manual are not intended as a
sub stitute for proper training or adequate experience
in the safe operation of the equipment described.
Only competent technicians, who are familiar with this
equipment should install, operate and service it.
A competent technician has these qualifications:
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Is thoroughly familiar with these instructions.
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Is trained in industry-accepted high- and low-voltage
safe operating practices and procedures.
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Is trained and authorized to energize, de-energize, clear,
and ground power distribution equipment.
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Is trained in the care and use of protective equipment
such as flash clothing, safety glasses, face shield, hard
hat, rubber gloves, clampstick, hotstick, etc.
Following is important safety information. For safe
installation and operation of this equipment, be sure to
read and understand all cautions and warnings.
Hazard Statement Definitions
This manual may contain four types of hazard
statements:
DANGER:
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING:
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result In death or serious injury.
CAUTION:
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in equipment damage only.
Safety Instructions
Following are general caution and warning statements that
apply to this equipment. Additional statements, related to
specific tasks and procedures, are located throughout the
manual.
DANGER:
Hazardous voltage. Contact with hazardous voltage
will cause death or severe personal injury. Follow all
locally approved safety procedures when working
around high- and low-voltage lines and equipment.
G103.3
WARNING:
Before installing, operating, maintaining, or testing
this equipment, carefully read and understand
the contents of this manual. Improper operation,
handling or maintenance can result in death, severe
personal injury, and equipment damage. G101.0
WARNING:
This equipment is not intended to protect human
life. Follow all locally approved procedures and
safety practices when installing or operating this
equipment. Failure to comply can result in death,
severe personal injury and equipment damage. G102.1
WARNING:
Power distribution and transmission equipment
must be properly selected for the intended
application. It must be installed and serviced
by competent personnel who have been trained
and understand proper safety procedures. These
instructions are written for such personnel and
are not a substitute for adequate training and
experience in safety procedures. Failure to properly
select, install or maintain power distribution and
transmission equipment can result in death, severe
personal injury, and equipment damage. G122.3
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S230-10-1
!
SAFETY
FOR LIFE
!
!
!
!
Provided by Northeast Power Systems, Inc.
www.nepsi.com
Installation
1. De-energize the circuit.
2. Install the rack or frame in which the capacitors are to
be mounted.
3. Hoist each capacitor into position in the rack or frame
using the capacitor’s hanger brackets.
hanger brackets.
Never use the hanger brackets of the capacitor when
lifting a complete capacitor installation. Never walk on an
installed capacitor unit or its bushing(s).
4. Install each capacitor in the rack or frame so that heat
from other equipment is minimal and air can circulate
freely around each capacitor in the installation.
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electrical contact without arcing.
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5. If switches are to be installed, hoist them into position
on the rack or frame.
6. Ground the mounting frame and ground each capacitor
tank to the frame or to the ground.
7. Make all electrical connections.
8. Re-energize the circuit.
Maintenance
Periodic inspections and maintenance are recommended
to check capacitance, bushing contamination, or fuse
operations.
1. De-energize the capacitors.
2. Clean all bushings.
3. Make sure all electrical connections are tight.
4. Inspect all capacitor tanks for leaks.
without rst making sure that the capacitor has not failed.
All-lm capacitors may fail without being severely bulged
and may rupture on re-energization.
Checking the capacitance of a capacitor is the best way
to determine if the capacitor is sound or has completely
or partially failed.
CAUTION: Never use a bushing as a handle when
lifting or moving a power capacitor; use only the
The capacitor terminals accept single-conductor
sizes from no. 12 to no. 1 solid or stranded or twoconductor sizes from no. 8 to no. 2 stranded.
CAUTION: It is important to use a properly sized
conductor with the connector to assure good
The recommended torque on a terminal clamp nut is
16–19 ft-lb.
WARNING/DANGER: Do not re-energize a
capacitor that has experienced a fuse operation
5. Inspect all fuse cutouts, and if a fuse cutout has
operated—or if the capacitors have been subjected
to unusual operating conditions—use a low-voltage
capacitance meter to check the condition of all
capacitors.
Note: Shorting one internal series group in a capacitor
Note: Not applicable to internally fused capacitors.
work area must be properly ventilated when handling a
ruptured (failed) capacitor tank. Be extremely careful in
removing a ruptured tank from a frame or rack and while
transporting the tank to a disposal site.
If uid dielectric spills or splashes onto the skin,
immediately wipe the liquid from the skin, then wash the
affected skin area thoroughly with soap and water.
If uid dielectric splashes into the eyes, immediately
ush the eyes with large amounts of clear water. Call a
physician immediately.
If uid dielectric is ingested, administer 2 to 4 oz.
of vegetable or olive oil and 1 to 2 oz. of activated
charcoal. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Call a physician
immediately.
results in a predictable increase in the capacitance
level. See Handling a Partially-failed Capacitor Unit
section below for the formula to verify if an internal
series group within the capacitor has failed in a non internally fused capacitor.
WARNING/DANGER: Proper skin, eye, and
respiratory protection must be worn and the
Handling a Failed Capacitor
1. Ensure power is removed from the capacitor.
2. Allow the capacitor to discharge for at least ve (5)
minutes, then short the failed capacitor.
3. Remove the capacitor from the frame or rack.
Handling a Partially-failed Capacitor Unit
The following formula for detecting partially failed capacitor
unit is for non internally fused capacitor units only:
1. Measure capacitance of the unit with a capacitance
meter. This is the C
2. If C
measured
Groups - 1)), then the capacitor is partially-failed and
should be removed from the circuit.
≥ C
measured
rated
value.
(# of Series Groups/(# of Series
Disposal of Capacitors
The impregnating uid dielectric in Cooper Power Systems
power capacitors is a non-PCB biodegradable, Class
IIIB, combustible liquid. Disposal of these capacitors by
incineration or other means must be in accordance with all
applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
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Medium-Voltage, Single-Phase Capacitor Installation and Maintenance Instructions