1.5.1.1.3.01-Rev.

Capacitor Banks

LIST OF CONTENT FOR CAPACITOR BANKS

INDEX
SECTION

TITLE

1.

SCOPE

2.

APPLICABLE STANDARDS

3.

DESIGN CRITERIA

4.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

5.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

6.

QUALITY ASSURANCE OF EQUIPMENT AND WORKS

7.

SYSTEM CONDITIONS AND STANDARD SIZES OF CAPACITOR

BANKS

8.
8.1.
8.2.
8.3.
8.3.1.
8.4.
8.5.
8.6.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
General
Interchangeability
Capacitor Banks
Surge Arrestors
33,22 or 11 kV Switchgear
Protection, Control
Maintenance

9.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

10.
10.1
10.1.1
10.1.2
10.1.3
10.1.4.
10.1.5.
10.2.
10.3.

TESTS
Capacitor Banks
Type Tests
Routine Tests
Acceptance Tests
Endurance Tests
Commissioning Tests
33,22 and 11kV Switchgear
Protection & Control

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1.5.1.1.3.01-Rev.5

Capacitor Banks

1.

SCOPE

Para (1)

This section details the requirements for indoor Shunt Capacitor Banks, including
Switchgear, Control and Protection for 33 kV, 22 kV or 11kV Systems.

2.

APPLICABLE STANDARDS

Para (2)

Except where modified by this specification, the Capacitor Banks shall be designed,
manufactured and tested in accordance with the latest version of the following International
Standards and other publications quoted in this Standard:
IEC 60871-1 & 4

Shunt Capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage

above 660V

IEC 60099-4

Metal Oxide Surge arrestors without gap for A.C. system

IEC 60099-5

Surge
Arrestors
recommendation

IEC 60289

Reactor

Part-1,

Selection

and

application

3.

DESIGN CRITERIA

Para (3)

The Capacitor Banks shall be designed to ensure satisfactory operation under the site and
system operating conditions as per design criteria described in document 1.1.0.0.0.01.

4.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Para (4)

The Capacitor Banks shall be designed to ensure satisfactory operation under the
environmental conditions as specified in this specification.

5.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Para (5)

General design, material and manufacturing techniques used shall generally conform to
General Technical Requirements specified in document 1.2.1.0.0.01.

6.

QUALITY ASSURANCE OF EQUIPMENT AND WORKS

Para (6)

Quality Assurance of Equipment and works shall generally conform to general QA

Standard for Electrical Equipment, Quality Standard for Project, and Capability Standard
for Manufacturers of Electrical Equipment specified in documents 1.3.1.0.0.01,
1.3.2.0.0.01, and 1.4.1.0.0.01.

7.

SYSTEM CONDITIONS AND STANDARD SIZES OF CAPACITOR BANKS

Para (7)

System Conditions and Standard Sizes of Capacitor Banks are as follows: Nominal System
Voltage
(kV)
33
22
11

System Fault Level

System Voltage
(kV)

25 kA 3 sec
25 kA 3 sec
25 kA 3 sec

36
24
12

8.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

8.1.

General

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Standard Size of
Capacitor Bank
(Mvar)
12 or 18(at 36kV)
6(at 24 kV)
6 (at 12kV)

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Capacitor Banks

Para (8)

The design of the plant shall be fully complaint with the specified standards and in
accordance with the latest sound engineering practice(s). All parts shall be of ample
strength to withstand without failure or injury the maximum mechanical, thermal and
electrical stresses to which they may be subjected to in the course of operation of the plant.

Para (9)

Each of the several parts of the plant to be supplied by the Contractor shall be of such
construction and design as to ensure long and continuous service with high economy and
low maintenance cost.

Para (10)

All workmanship is to be of the highest class throughout and the design, dimensions and
materials of all parts are to be such that the stresses to which they are subjected shall not
render them liable to distortion or damage under the most severe conditions encountered in
service. Welding, filling, plugging or cutting of defective parts will not be permitted
without the sanction in writing of DEWA.

Para (11)

The Contract Works shall be designed to facilitate inspection, cleaning, ease of

maintenance and operation in which continuity of service and reliability is first
consideration. The design shall incorporate every reasonable precaution and provision for
the safety of all concerned in the operation and maintenance of the plant.

8.2.

Interchangeability

Para (12)

The plant shall be designed to ensure the maximum interchangeability of components that
are likely to be replaced during the life of the plant. If required, the contractor shall prove
this quality by actually interchanging parts.

8.3.

Capacitor Banks

Para (13)

The capacitor units shall be all film type. The capacitor banks will be mounted indoors and
shall be complete with all necessary racks, insulators, interconnecting bus work, current and
voltage measuring devices, circuit breakers, surge arresters, and all associated control,
protection and cabling.

Para (14)

Capacitor units shall be free from ionizations, voids, air pockets and corona discharge
resulting in high stable characteristics and long life. The construction shall be to a high
degree of long-term reliability. Connections should be such that it enables easy and
inexpensive repair at site. The capacitor banks shall be connected in such arrangement to
facilitate unbalance detection within the bank.

Para (15)

Capacitor unit rated capacity shall not exceed 600kVAr at the rated voltage.

Para (16)

Capacitor units/banks shall be fully compliant with IEC 60871.

Para (17)

The capacitor banks shall be suitable to operate continuously satisfactorily in systems with
rated system voltages 12 kV, 24 kV and 36kv as applicable and shall be capable to
withstand the permissible overloads specified in IEC 60871.

Para (18)

The capacitor units shall be accommodated in welded steel cases and fitted with
hermitically sealed bushings.

Para (19)

Each bank shall be provided with the necessary current damping reactor to limit the inrush
current and any other transient over currents when capacitor banks are switched in to
acceptable levels. These reactors shall be inserted in the supply circuits to each bank. The
tenderer shall specify in his offer the technical data and calculations of the reactor in
particular its inductance.

Para (20)

The contractor shall ensure that it is not possible to switch capacitor bank on until voltage at
the terminals of the capacitor bank is less than 10% of its rated voltage.

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Capacitor Banks

Para (21)

Capacitors shall be capable of continuous operation at least 130 percent of the fundamental
sinusoidal current.

Para (22)

Capacitors shall be suitable for continuous operation at rated reactive power at rated system
voltage as per specified ambient air temperature category.

Para (23)

Capacitor banks within the same room shall be separated using earthed fencing with wire
mesh of less than 25 x 25mm square at all the sides. The same to be provided at the top, in
case it is not possible to extent the fence up to the roof. In the case of requirement of
fencing up to the roof, a minimum of 1000mm gap to be provided between the upper unit
and fence for the purpose of replacement. The supports shall be strong enough and there
shall be no sagging of fence at the top.

Para (24)

Capacitor bank fencing door shall be electrically interlocked with circuit breaker and earth
switch status with suitable time delay timer in addition to the normal lock.

Para (25)

In case of any insulation boards are required to be used in between banks for improving
clearance safety factor, it shall be mechanically strong enough to withstand the effect of
bursting of capacitor unit and shall be inflammable.

Para (26)

Flammable parts including cable shall be suitably protected with metallic/inflammable

covers and all metallic parts, fence and doors shall be painted with fireproof paints.

Para (27)

The access door to the capacitor bank room shall be from outside and there shall not be any
access door from the side rooms.

Para (28)

The capacitor bank rooms shall be air-conditioned.

8.3.1.

Surge Arrestors

Para (29)

Capacitor banks shall be protected by suitable surge arrestors from voltage surges. The
surge arrestors shall be metal oxide type, high-energy absorption capacity with proper class
(to be submitted for DEWA approval) and the housing shall be silicon polymer rubber. It
shall have a proven pressure relief performance, i.e. design to achieve non-explosive failure
mode. The selection of the ratings of the surge arrestors has to be accounted for the reactive
power rating of the capacitor bank with at least three discharges sequentially without time
for cooling between discharges.

8.4.

33kV, 22 kV or 11kV Switchgear

Para (30)

The contractor shall supply and install compatible switchgear, which must be suitable for
switching and application of capacitor banks and shall be installed as specified separately.

Para (31)

The circuit breakers shall have been type tested for capacitor bank switching as detailed in
the specification.

Para (32)

Switchgear shall be designed, manufactured and tested in accordance with DEWAs

specification 1.5.1.2.4.03 for 11kV, 1.5.1.2.7.01-Rev 0 for 22 kV and 1.5.1.2.3.02 for
33kV.

8.5.

Protection, Controls

Para (33)

Protection and control facilities shall be suitable for the system arrangement. Detail
diagram illustrating Protection, Metering and Control to be submitted by the Tenderer in his
offer. Control and relay equipment shall be mounted as per other such equipment in the
substation. Except where otherwise specified, control panels shall be segregated from
metering and protection panels. Unless otherwise approved, the order of the panels shall be
as specified reading from left to right facing the board.

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Capacitor Banks

Para (34)

Panels provided as extensions or for erection in the same room as existing panels shall be of
similar design and appearance to those existing. Equipment, meters, etc., mounted on such
panels shall likewise be of a style and scaling similar to the existing equipment.
Characteristics of relays, etc., and all connections of equipment to be associated with
existing equipment shall be such that they are fully compatible with and can operate
satisfactorily in conjunction with the other equipment. The

Para (35)

Characteristics and appearance of all such equipment shall be to the approval of DEWA.

Para (36)

Control panels shall incorporate VAR, Volt, Ampere, Power Factor, Frequency Meter and
all necessary control and indication facilities for the operation of the plant and equipment at
the associated substation. The switching of the Capacitor banks shall be made by power
factor control scheme. In addition, it should be possible to override the power factor
controller from supervisory and the plant may be remotely controlled and supervised from
the supervisory control centre located at Najma substation.

Para (37)

Over voltage relay shall also be provided to control the capacitor banks in case of rise of
voltage by giving the alarm and trip command.

Para (38)

The system control equipment will be supplied under this Contract and all necessary dc and
ac equipment connections including auxiliary switches, relays and changeover switches
shall also be provided. All circuits provided under this Contract whether or not they are
subject to the system control requirements at the present time, shall be designed and
constructed so that the standard facilities specified can be readily provided as required in
the future.

Para (39)

Other general requirements on protection and control are specified separately.

8.6.

Maintenance

Para (40)

Tenderers shall recommend the maintenance requirements for the capacitor banks and shall
state the interval between scheduled maintenance works. All tools and equipment required
as well as manuals for operations and maintenance shall be included in the appropriate price
schedule in the Tender. Tenderers shall state the method by which capacitor units can be
removed and replaced in a bank, and shall include, in the appropriate price Schedule in their
Tender, all auxiliary lifting equipment required for this purpose.

Para (41)

The tenderer shall also include a separate price schedule of 10% spare capacitor units,
insulation supports and other required maintenance spares, if the items are not specified
separately.

9.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Para (42)

The ratings, technical specifications and design shall comply with `Special Requirements
for Shunt Capacitor Banks, including Switchgear, Control and Protection' given below in
tabular form.

Para (43)

Special Requirements for Shunt Capacitor Banks including Switchgear Control and
Protection.

SN
A.

Ref. of
IEC-871
-

Item
Description
General
Rated Voltage
of Capacitor
Banks

Frequency

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To be considered By
Supplier

Requirements of Supply

36kV, 24 kV or 12kV

50Hz

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Capacitor Banks

SN

Ref. of
IEC-871
-

Item
Description
Connection

Design

Location

B.

Sect-1
4.

To be considered By
Supplier

Star-Star
protection.

with

unbalance

Internal Fuses and discharge

resistors built in the capacitor
units
Indoor

Service
Conditions

4.1

Ambient air
temperature

Sect-3

Insulation
Levels

Table
III-A

Design Criteria 1.1.0.0.0.01

and Environmental Conditions
as specified separately

Temperature
category
for
capacitor bank units shall be
5/D

12kV - - - -75kV/28KV
24 kV - - 125kV/50 kV
36kV - - -170kV/70kV

Sect-5

Safety
Requirements

21

Discharge
devices / time

10 min. per bank

23

Protection of
Environment

PCB not allowed

24

Other safety
requirements

Fireproof design preferred.

Other- wise fire protection
equipment
and
fireproof
ground covering are necessary.

Sect-7

Requirements of Supply

Other environmental aspects as

toxicity, poisonous gases by
burning, disposal considerations,
etc. to be advised by Supplier.

Guide for Inst.

& Operation

32.1

Continuous
Overcurrent

Reactor to be installed if
required (optional) to be
proved by analysis

Voltage wave form and capacitor

current to be measured by
Supplier

32.2

Transient
Overcurrent

Two or more banks in parallel.

Resistor or Reactor to be
installed in each bank

Peak value to be measured by

Supplier.

33.1

Withstand
Requirements

As per IEC requirement

Manual
and
Automatic
Control.

As per IEC requirement

Timing control and Inter-locking
to be proposed by Supplier.

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Capacitor Banks

SN
C.

D.

Ref. of
IEC-871
Additional
Requiremen
ts on
Capacitor
Switchgear

Item
Description

Control &
protection

To be considered By
Supplier
Refer to Technical
Specification 1.5.1.2.4.02,
1.5.1.2.7.01-rev 0 and
1.5.1.2.3.01 and their related
data sheets specific
requirements.

Requirements of Supply

Local
and
Supervisory
Control. Automatic Control
based on Var-demand, time
delayed and restricted by
voltage levels.
Protection Requirements are as
follows:1. Internal
fuse(s)
for
individual cap. Units
2. Overcurrent
&
E/F
Protection
3. Over voltage & under
voltage relay protection
4. Two stage (Alarm & Trip)
Out of balance current
protection scheme between the
neutral points of two stars.
For details refer to Technical
Specifications 1.5.1.5.9.01 and
its related data sheets/specific
requirements.

Para (44)

Tenderers are to provide with their tenders sufficient information, including outline
drawings and catalogues covering the details for compliance with these requirements and
specification, to enable the proposed installation of capacitor banks to be properly
evaluated.

10.

TESTS

10.1.

Capacitor Banks

Para (45)

The capacitors shall comply with the latest publications of IEC 60871, except where
modified by the requirements of this Specification.

10.1.1.

Type Tests

Para (46)

Type test reports for following tests performed on Capacitor unit as per IEC 60871,Part1 &
4, where applicable, shall be submitted. (Test voltage shall correspond to 36kV, 24 kV or
12kV capacitor bank rated voltage as applicable):

Thermal stability test.

Capacitor loss tangent (tan delta) measurement at elevated temperature
A.C. voltage test between terminals and container
Lightning impulse voltage test between terminals and container
Short-circuit discharge test
Disconnecting test on internal fuses

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Capacitor Banks

Para (47)

Type test reports for the tests performed on an identical surge arrestors as per IEC 60099-4
where applicable, shall be submitted.

Para (48)

Type test reports for the tests performed on an identical damping reactor as per IEC 60289
where applicable shall be submitted.

Para (49)

If test evidence of successfully carrying out the above tests on identical design unit is not
available, the above tests shall be carried out on one unit, on suppliers cost, in presence of
DEWAs engineer.

10.1.2.

Routine Tests

Para (50)

Routine tests shall be carried out in accordance with IEC 60871 on all capacitors and these
shall include the following tests, but not necessarily be limited to them:

Capacitance measurement
Capacitor loss tangent (tan delta) measurement in stabilized condition.
Voltage test between terminals
A.C. voltage test between terminals and container
Test of internal discharge device
Sealing test
Discharge test on internal fuses

Para (51)

Routine tests shall be carried out in accordance with IEC 60099-4 for all surge arrestors.

Para (52)

Routine tests shall be carried out in accordance with IEC 60289 for all damping reactors.

10.1.3.

Acceptance tests

Para (53)

In addition to the routine tests, the following tests shall be repeated by the manufacturer for
3 capacitor units: -

Para (54)

Lightning impulse voltage test between terminals and container (clause 16) of IEC
60871-1

Short-circuit discharge test (clause 17) of IEC 60871-1

All the above tests shall be carried out in the presence of DEWA's inspection engineer.

10.1.4.

Endurance Test (Special Test)

Para (55)

Applicable test certificate/report shall be submitted to DEWA on capacitor unit elements.

10.1.5.

Commissioning Tests

Para (56)

Capacitor banks shall be tested to the KVAr relevant for each circuit, including protection
and SCADA control system.

Para (57)

These tests shall demonstrate satisfactorily the operation of each monitoring and alarm
system, sequential and individual operation of capacitor banks. Contractor shall measure
the harmonics in the system before and after switching of capacitor banks and other
measurements necessary for special requirements under clause 9.0 above.

10.2.

Tests on 33KV, 22 kV OR 11KV SWITCHGEAR

Para (58)

Refer to Technical Specifications 1.5.1.2.3.01,1.5.1.2.7.01-rev-0 and 1.5.1.2.4.03

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Capacitor Banks

10.3.

Protection and Control

Para (59)

Refer to Technical Specification1.5.1.5.9.01

-oOo-

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