1.

When switching capacitors, whether they are low, medium or high voltage, precautions must be taken to

2. The vacuum contactors or switches, in-rush currents should be limited, to levels below the contact blow

3. It is well known that an uncharged capacitor bank offers practically zero impedance when energized, wh
(Typical - 20 times rated)

4. When two or more capacitor banks are paralleled within close proximity to each other, the peak transien
steady state capacitor current by several orders of magnitude. This high frequency explosive release of en
limited. (Typical - 180 times the rated)

5.Restrikes are the main problem associated in switching charged capacitor banks. This causes high over
the capacitor.

6. The contactor will have a habit of disappearing; the capacitor tank will swell and the capacitor fuses bein

7. This phenomenon is caused by the contactor contacts not being open far enough at the first current zero

8. It is crucial to have the contacts moving fast in opening, such that at the first zero crossing, the contacts
prevent a discharge from the energized capacitor.

Question: What are the effects of switching transients and are suppressors necessary?

In recent years many examples of contactors or vacuum interrupters being passed off as contactors have b
Motor failures have been the result of insulation failure occurring on the ends of the motor winding and wer
the switching device.

All switching devices will create some degree of voltage surge whether they are in air, vacuum, oil or SF6 m
because vacuum is such a good switching medium, it can create unacceptable voltage spikes. The control
contact face to determine voltage control. Joslyns USAVAC design has taken into account the specific req
designed for motor load applications. The motor is probably the most vulnerable piece of equipment to be
only 19kV.
Question: Why restrikes or reignition occurs?

If during an opening operation, the rising voltage across the opening contacts exceed the
dielectric strength of the contact gap, a restrike occurs

It occurs when the dielectric strength of the open gap, during contact parting is not great enough
to withstand the recovery voltage across the open gap

This phenomenon is caused by the contactor contacts not being open far enough at the first current zero o
It is crucial to have the contacts moving fast in opening, such that at the first zero crossing, the contacts ar
and the dielectric strength good enough to prevent a discharge from the energized capacitor.

Restrike: Resumption of current 1/4 cycle after current interruption

Reignition: Resumption of current less than 1/4 cycle
 Cycle

50
1
ot great enough

h at the first current zero on switch off.

crossing, the contacts are far enough apart
ed capacitor.
Time(s)

1
0.02