Adaptive control for pole-top capacitor banks

This paper investigates the timely operation of switched pole-top capacitor banks on distribution circuits and compares an innovative approach of capacitor-bank switching to those used by many conventional controls now in operation. This paper also reports on the actual field operation of an adaptive capacitor control being incorporated on distribution systems in North America. This control´s operation is independent of fixed relationships between circuit VAr requirements and other system quantities to the extent that no settings are required by the user. The value, in reduced losses and increased equipment capabilities, of installing capacitor banks as electrically close as possible to the distribution system VAr requirements is well-documented and will not be restated here. The importance of properly locating and sizing the banks will not be addressed by this paper either