Kondensatorbänken

Kondensatorbänken, or capacitor banks, are assemblies of multiple capacitors connected to provide a higher overall capacitance and/or higher voltage rating than a single unit. They are used primarily for reactive power management in electrical power systems, allowing control of voltage levels and improvements in energy efficiency.

They are typically built from individual capacitor modules arranged in series, parallel, or a combination to achieve the required voltage and capacitance. Protective devices such as fuses, contactors, and disconnectors are included, along with balancing resistors or other means to ensure even voltage sharing. Thermal management and insulation are important design considerations, and enclosures may provide fire and oil containment for liquid-filled or oil-immersed units.

Applications include power factor correction in industrial plants, voltage regulation for feeders and transformers, and reactive power support in substations and renewable energy installations. When used with reactors and filters, capacitor banks can form detuned harmonic filters to mitigate unwanted harmonics. Modern systems may employ automatic switching and control to adjust bank output in response to measurements of reactive power or voltage.

Safety and maintenance considerations include preventing dielectric failure, monitoring insulation health, ensuring proper venting and fire protection, and periodic testing of capacitor units and switching gear. Standards address electrical safety, coordination, and performance but vary by region.