Capacitors test requirements

One will appreciate that such tests are no guarantee of the minimum life of a capacitor unit. Moreover, it is not expected that such tests can predict the future of the capacitor units. They can, at best, suggest the compliance of the test requirements which should ensure a reasonably prolonged operating life of the capacitors, as envisaged. These tests do provide feedback to the manufacturer on the t uality of the dielectric and the process of insulation adopted and if iiny improvements are required. 

This part considers reactive power control with the use of shunt and series capacitors. The controls may be manual or automatic through electromagnetic or static devices. Protection of capacitors and capacitor banks as well as design, manufacturing and test requirements, installation and maintenance are also covered, the main thrust being on the application of power capacitors. 

Protection and safety requirements Installation and maintenance of capacitor units Test requirements... 

Flammability requirements are stringent for electrical meters and are covered by EN 62053. Capacitor housings require good thermal resistance and dimensional stability. Additionally, both meters and capacitor housings are frequently laser marked, so materials that are compatible with laser marking processes have an advantage. Materials for transformers and insulation systems are tested in accordance with UL 1446 and EN 60085. 

Shunt power capacitors of non self-healing types up to and including 1000 V General performance, testing and rating. Safety requirements. Guide for installation and operation 13585-1/1994 BS EN 60931-1/1996... 

In " Introduction of Ref 35, t>p 2- 3 tc is stated that spark (See its definition and distinction from arc given on pp 4 -5 and under item Vin of this section) sensitivity testing can provide an important measure of the electrostatic. hazards associated with the handling of primary expls The threshold (or minimum) energy required for initiation is of particular concern. The usual approach.to determine this minimum energy is to discharge a capacitor thru a spark gap in or neat the expl and... 

Although good-quality components (especially the capacitor) must be used for reasonable accuracy, only the reference need be an expensive, high-quality component. Speed is an obvious limitation because of the long count time required. (For example one must count to 2000 and effectively do 1000 successive comparison tests at the null detector to achieve 3-digit or 10-bit resolution.)... 

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