Today we are going to discuss very important devices called Power Factor correction controllers; what is the need of these devices and how it works that is we are going to speak about.
Our scope will be for the common VarPlus-Logic device that is represented by Schneider.
Power Factor Controller (PFC)
These types of devices are used to monitor the power consumption of your plant and by its role, it will regulate the steps of your capacitors (automatically) in order to enhance and improve the power factor in your plant.
With the efficient use of this device, the industry can improve the efficiency of the system by reducing losses and reduced apparent power demand charges.
How Does the Power Factor Controller Work?
The idea behind the power factor correction by the use of the Capacitors. The capacitors are connected in parallel with the Power-incoming network as shown in the next Figure.
Capacitors contained in most power factor correction equipment draw a current that leads the voltage, thus producing a leading power factor.
If capacitors are connected to a circuit that operates at a nominally lagging power factor, the extent that the circuit lags is reduced proportionately.
Electrical Installation
The VarPlus controllers are able to control six stages (6L) or twelve stages (12L), which depends on your needs and your device version, the device can be connected to either 220V/400V AC that depends on your selection.
For the next figure, we can see it is a phase to phase connection (480 VAC) the two phases are connected to (U1 . U2).
Note
In case of disconnecting the current transformer (CT) because of rewiring or panel maintenance, you have to ensure that the CT terminals are shorted, because an open circuited CT makes a huge amount of volt across the secondary winding, and that could make a series danger for the Technician that is dealing with.
Steps for Commissioning
This device has two modes for commissioning:
- Quickstart menu (commonly used).
- Advanced menu setup for this mode you have to enter each parameter of your device by yourself, which makes it a kind of complex in most situations.
Steps for Quick Commissioning
You can enter the quick start menu by selecting the 100 sub-menu from the PARAMETER menu.
- At first you need to enter the Ph-Ph voltage, the default value is 400V but you have to define the exact value of your station.
- Then the device asking for (CT) the current transformer factor that is written on the CT itself.
- If you are adjusting your device with the power network for the first time, you have to turn on the AUTO initializing that switches all outputs, during the test the controller determines the outputs that are working. It can also correct the voltage and current connections when the phases are swapped.
- Then you have to adjust the PFC power factor control parameter as following:
ON control is in Automatic mode.
OFF control stops and active steps will be disconnected.
Hold control stops and active steps remains in.
- Here you can set the desired value of the power factor by adjusting CP1, the default value is 0.95 but you have the option to change it.
- Finally, you have to set the time for the Switch Interval that is the time delay between switching steps in regulation.
Note
You will not find the setting of the cooling fan at the Quick start menu so, if you are using a cooling fan, you have to enter the desired temperature set point on parameter 511.
When the temperature drops under the set point the contact of the fan will be energized to turn the fan ON until it can achieve the set point again.
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