High Performance Power Factor Correction Capacitor Advantages

The standard application of Power Factor Capacitors for 480 Volt electrical systems is to utilize 480 Volt capacitor cells that have a rated case temperature of 70OC. These capacitors are designed to provide 60,000 hours of lifewith a 94% survival rate, when operated at full voltage and full rated case temperature. The 60,000 hours corresponds to 6.8 years of continuous operation or 20 years of 8 hour per day operations. This life expectancy is based on ideal power conditions, (i.e. constant rated voltage, no harmonic content, no transients). A 5% overvoltage and case temperature condition will result in a 50% reduction in the life expectancy of the capacitors. In applications where the capacitor operation will be intermittent with good voltage stability, standard capacitors are appropriate. However, in conditions where continuous duty operations (24 hours per day), are required or where the surging of electrical loads is common (i.e. sawmills, rock quarries, or heavy industrial plants), or where harmonic voltage distortion is present, the utilization of higher grade capacitors is recommended.

The Steelman Advantage option provides a boost to the performance characteristics and capacitor life by utilizing 600 Volt rated capacitors for these heavy duty 480 Volt applications. (For 240 Volt applications, the Steelman Advantage consists of 480 Volt capacitors). The life expectancy can be over 3 times the normal life expectancy of standard capacitors.

The Three-Phase Cells are for 480 Volt systems and provide a 525 Volt rating and a 130,000 hour life. This is twice the rated life of the standard capacitors. The cells have a safety margin of +10% voltage above their 525 Volt rating for up to 8 hours per day. Call for pricing.