Automatic Capacitor Controls and Sensors
Capacitor controls benefit utilities by reducing unused capacity, regulating voltage, monitoring line conditions, and protecting capacitor banks. S&C’s capacitor control products offer you reliable, easy to use, and flexible ways to add effective automation to your system today. Optional neutral current/voltage sensing reports blown fuses and stuck switches, so your banks can always be productive.
The answer to which model is right for you depends on your particular system and application.
Comparison Chart
| IntelliCap | IntelliCap Plus |
|---|---|
| Non-communicating | Available with communications |
| No neutral current/voltage sensing option | Neutral current/voltage sensing option available |
| No computer required for most typical installations | All setpoints can be adjusted from the faceplate |
| Toggle switches on the faceplate | Tactile-feedback membrane switches on the faceplate |
| Does not accept a current transformer input | Accepts a current transformer input |
| 6.5" x 6.5" x 4.375" | 9.5" x 14.5" x 8.1" (includes space for internal radio mounting) |
| Cannot be accessed via WinMon® Graphical User Interface |
Can be accessed via WinMon® Graphical User Interface |
IntelliCap® Automatic Capacitor Controls
IntelliCap Automatic Capacitor Controls are designed to control pole-mounted and pad-mounted, switched capacitor banks in electric distribution systems. They’re ideal for applications where an interface with SCADA isn’t required (communicating-type IntelliCap Plus® Automatic Capacitor Controls are especially well suited in those instances).
Reliable, microprocessor-based IntelliCap Controls are easy to set up, operate, and troubleshoot using IntelliLink® Setup Software. Or you can use the faceplate switches and liquid-crystal display to monitor real-time data, view alarms, and adjust most set points without a computer.
Features:
- Wide range of control strategies: Voltage, time, temperature, time-biased voltage, and time-biased temperature control strategies are standard; VAR and current control strategies are optional
- Voltage/temperature override
- Automatic calculation of the voltage change (and kVAR change, if applicable) due to capacitor bank switching
- Daily limit on switching operations
- User-enabled automatic daylight savings time and holidays
- Faceplate setup for most installations using faceplate LCD
- Four-jaw or six-jaw meter base mounting or bracket mounting
- Compact size: 6.5" x 6.5" x 4.375"
Extensive Data Access, Logging, and Graphing
A wide range of parameters are logged at the selected interval and can be downloaded as tables or graphs, including:
- Temperature, voltage, current, power factor, kVAR, and kW. Logging intervals can be adjusted from 1 to 60 minutes, for 2 to 120 days of voltage and temperature data.
- Time and reason for the last 14 switching events, as well as the voltage (and VARs, if applicable) before and after bank switching. Date and time of the last 15 power outages.
For IntelliCap Controls with VAR and current control strategies, S&C offers CS Line Post Sensors. These economical, easy-to-install sensors require no calibration.
IntelliCap Plus® Automatic Capacitor Controls
IntelliCap Plus Automatic Capacitor Controls are specifically designed to control pole-mounted and pad-mounted switched capacitor banks in electric distribution systems, to regulate reactive power or line voltage. These reliable, easy-to-use, microprocessor-based controls normally operate autonomously, based on the control strategy selected.
With a one-way communication device installed, an IntelliCap Plus Control can also operate in response to switching commands from SCADA or other centralized control. With a two-way communication device installed, local status information and feeder data are additionally available remotely, and remote configuration is possible.
IntelliCap Plus Controls are superior to other two-way communicating capacitor controls — which only operate in response to centralized control commands based on measurements at the substation. With the normal stand-alone operation of IntelliCap Plus Controls:
- A communication problem won’t compromise VAR support,
- A problem at one capacitor bank won’t affect other capacitor banks,
- Multiple contingencies are handled automatically, and
- System changes and expansion don't require extensive reprogramming.
Fulfill Major Smart Grid Goals
With two-way-communication-equipped IntelliCap Plus Controls, there’s no need for your crews to periodically inspect each of your distribution capacitor banks. Any problems will be reported immediately. So you can be confident your capacitor banks are functioning properly.
Your T&D losses and O&M costs will be significantly decreased too, through asset optimization and heightened efficiency — major goals for the Smart Grid.
Provide a Full Range of Automatic Functions
IntelliCap Plus Controls offer a wide range of software-selectable functions, including:
- Voltage, time, temperature, time-biased voltage, and time-biased temperature control strategies. VAR and current control strategies are optionally available.
- Voltage/temperature and SCADA override strategies. When enabled, the control returns to its regular control strategy after receiving a SCADA command.
- Automatic calculation of voltage change (and kVAR change, if applicable) due to capacitor bank switching.
- Automatic adjustment for daylight savings time and holidays.
- Daily limit on automatic switching operations.
- Undervoltage and overvoltage protection.
Neutral input sensing is optionally available and can lock out the capacitor bank if blown fuses or stuck switch poles are detected.
Flexible Communication and Protocol Options
IntelliCap Plus Controls are available with a variety of factory-installed communication devices, including:
- S&C SpeedNet™ Radios,
- MDS 9710A, 9810, and TransNET 900 Radios,
- Telemetric DNP-RTM GPRS Radios,
- Landis+Gyr Series 4 Radios,
- Data Remote CDS-9022 CDMA Modems,
- Dymec 5843SHRT and 5843HRT Fiber-Optic Modems, and
- Sixnet VT-Modem-1.
They’re also available “communication device ready” for user-furnished communication devices — including the ones listed above, plus radios and modems from AirLink, CellNet, FreeWave, Motorola, Prosoft, RFI, and TeleDesign.
Protocol options include DNP 3.0, PG&E SCADA (Cooper 2179), Landis & Gyr Telegyr 8979, and dial-up.
Easy to Install
IntelliCap Plus Controls are offered in a number of convenient mounting types: four-jaw electric meter base, six-jaw electric meter base, pole mounting bracket, and wall mounting bracket. Pre-wired plugs are available for bracket-mounted controls, eliminating the need for field wiring.
The compact, padlockable Lexan® enclosure is strong, light-weight, and UV-stable, for years of reliable operation in harsh environments. The communication device — when furnished — conveniently mounts inside the enclosure door. The associated antenna can be mounted on top of the door or on the pole.
IntelliCap Plus Controls accept a single-phase voltage signal from a voltage transformer, which is also used to derive control power. Models with VAR and current control strategies additionally accept a single-phase current signal from an S&C CS Line Post Current Sensor or a current transformer. The neutral input sensing feature, when specified, accepts a signal from a voltage transformer, S&C Outdoor Voltage Sensor, Lindsey Voltage Sensor, or current sensor.
Easy to Set Up and Configure
IntelliCap Plus Controls can be set up and configured with or without a computer. Connect your PC to the DB9 faceplate connector and run IntelliLink® Setup Software to view real-time data, manage set points, troubleshoot, and download historical reports. Or use the tactile-feedback buttons and two-line liquid-crystal display on the faceplate. The faceplate also includes test points for the sensor inputs and a manual override switch.
IntelliCap Plus Controls support IntelliLink® Remote Setup Software. This optional software allows you to remotely access all your S&C Automation Products that communicate using DNP 3.0 Protocol, from any personal computer connected to the DNP network. You’ll be able to configure controls, access historical and real-time data, and troubleshoot all the devices from a single location.
Extensive Data Access, Logging, and Graphing
IntelliCap Plus Controls provide real-time access to true RMS line voltages and currents, kWs, kVAs, kVARs, power factor, temperature, and harmonics.
IntelliCap Plus Controls offer extensive data logging and graphing capabilities too, for optimizing performance. A wide range of parameters are logged at the selected interval and can be downloaded as tables or graphs. They include:
- Temperature, voltage, current, power factor, kVAR, kW, and neutral current/voltage (if applicable). Logging intervals can be adjusted from 1 to 60 minutes, for 2 to 120 days of voltage and temperature data.
- Time and reason for the last 14 switching events, as well as the voltage (and VARs, if applicable) before and after bank switching. Date and time of the last 15 power outages.
- Daily minimum and maximum voltages, temperatures, currents, kWs, kVARs, power factors, neutral currents/voltages (if applicable), and number of switching cycles in the last month and since installation.
BankGuard Plus® Automatic Capacitor Controls
BankGuard Plus® Automatic Capacitor Controls offer superior protection for ungrounded or grounded, wye-connected substation capacitor banks. They have the sensitivity to detect and alarm on loss of individual capacitor units. And they can detect and compensate for system voltage and capacitor-bank unbalance resulting from manufacturing-tolerance variations among individual capacitor units. Such unbalance voltages can introduce significant errors in, or even overpower, the voltage signal created by the loss of individual capacitor units and prevent less-sophisticated controls from detecting the loss of a capacitor unit. BankGuard Plus Automatic Capacitor Controls are also suitable for protecting ungrounded, wye-connected shunt reactors from turn-to-turn winding faults — the most common mode of reactor failure.
BankGuard Plus Automatic Capacitor Controls are Smart Grid ready. They’re easily integrated into new or existing SCADA systems. Setup is simple using IntelliLink® Setup Software. With IntelliLink, you can view real-time data, manage set points, gather troubleshooting information, and download historical data for reports — all from screens that are easy to use and understand.
BankGuard Plus Automatic Capacitor Controls feature:
- Drop-in replacement for superseded S&C Types UP, GP, and UPR Automatic Control Devices
- Microprocessor-based technology
- Expanded timer ranges
- Previously optional features are standard
- SCADA communication port
- Supports DNP 3.0 protocol
- User-friendly faceplate with tactile-feedback switches, and two-line liquid-crystal display
- Full range of safety features
- Fast, easy, precise setup using the faceplate keypad or your PC running S&C IntelliLink® Setup Software.
Current and Current/Voltage Sensors
S&C CS Line Post Current Sensors and CSV Line-Post Current/Voltage Sensors provide an economical, effective way to measure current and voltage (optional) for your capacitor control and other applications. The CS/CSV Sensors are well-suited for working with our IntelliCap® or IntelliCap Plus® Automatic Capacitor Controls with VAR sensing. You can add current sensing to your system for a minimal cost, without sacrificing the accuracy you need.
Key features of the CS/CSV Sensors include:
- No sensor calibration required
- Hot stick installable
- Accommodates conductors between 0.25" and 1.25" in diameter
- Non-porcelain design
- Available for 15 kV, 25 kV, or 35 kV systems.
Product Support
Literature
Application and Technical Information
Voltage Sensor and Potential Device Information
Downloads
Visit S&C’s Automation Customer Support Portal for all automation product software support, including upgrades, patches, and additional technical documentation.