Capacitor bank switching transient analysis using frequency dependent network equivalents

Medium-Voltage capacitor banks are widely used in distribution network applications such as power-factor correction, reducing energy consumption and power losses. However, using a switched capacitor bank can generate excessive transients to the electrical system. In this paper, the transients following the energization and de-energization of a capacitor bank are obtained using frequency dependent models of the distribution network. Furthermore, a detailed breaker model is employed to enhance the accuracy of the results since the effects of restrikes or prestrikes can wear the contacts of breaker leading to failure. Finally, a recently proposed diode based transient limiter is modeled to study its effectiveness on limiting the switching transients and its ability in eliminating risk of failure in the bank and its associated circuit breaker.