Current Flowing in a

Shunt Capacitor Bank

The current flowing in a shunt Various standards address this

connected capacitor bank, and
therefore in any device connected
in series with this capacitor
bank, is directly affected by the
magnitude and shape of the
voltage wave form, and the
manufacturer's capacitance
tolerance.
situation.
In particular the following can be referred to:
ANSI C55.1 Shunt Power Capacitors
ANSI C37.0731 Application Guide for Capacitance Current Switching for
AC High Voltage Circuit Breakers
Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis (IEF-E Std 342)

IEC 70 Power Capacitors

Trench is not in a position to I1 = kVAr

define the current flowing in a
specific capacitor bank, but the √3xVs
following guidelines may be where, I1 = fundamental current in kA
useful to the engineer who is
trying to arrive at the current
flowing in a Trench Capacitor kVAr = nominal three phase rating of capacitor bank
Reactor connected in series
with a Shunt Capacitor Bank. Vs = nominal line supply voltage in volts

Ieff = I1 x Fv x Ft x Fh

where, Ieff = effective current in reactor in series with a shunt capacitor

bank

Fv = voltage factor and is the maximum positive voltage excursion

Ft = tolerance factor and is the manufacturer's capacitance tolerance

Fh = harmonic factor and is a function of the voltage

waveform distortion and the capacitor bank grounding

E 610.31
1. Capacitors manufactured to ANSI standards
Fv is normally at least 1.05 and can be much greater
If in doubt a value of at least 1.1 should be used

Ft is normally 1.15, but the capacitor manufacturer should be consulted on tolerance

Fh should be at least 1.075 for an ungrounded capacitor bank, or at least 1.18 for a grounded capacitor bank

Guideline for ungrounded capacitor bank

Ieff = I1 x 1.36

Guideline for grounded capacitor bank

Ieff = I1 x 1.49

2. Capacitors manufactured to IEC standards

Fv is normally as for ANSI Standards

Ft is normally 1.10, but the capacitor manufacturer should be consulted on tolerance

Fh is normally as for ANSI Standards

Guideline for ungrounded capacitor bank

Ieff = I1 x 1.30

Guideline for grounded capacitor bank

Ieff = I1 x 1.43