Development of Gas-Insulated Compact Capacitor Banks

The basic parameters involved in the design of a dead tank, gas insulated compact capacitor bank are described and prospective economy and space saving are discussed. The development project, jointly sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, ASEA, and Gould, is intended for a-c shunt capacitor applications and for a-c harmonic filters required in HVDC convertor stations. It is shown that substantial benefits can be obtained by operating capacitors in a controlled temperature and pressure environment. Extra costs for enclosure and cooling equipment are balanced by improvements in capacitor performance. The required volume for a compact 362 kV shunt bank is about 10% of a corresponding air installation.