Tests and analysis of circuit-breaker performance when switching large capacitor banks

THE increased kilowatt burden on generation and transmission equipments — occasioned by the existing national emergency — calls for a reduction in the use of these equipments for generating and transmitting reactive kilovolt-amperes. When operating conditions permit the use of either capacitors or synchronous condensers, the relatively shorter production time of capacitors is making them more and more justifiable as a reactive source in the range of kilovolt-ampere ratings where economics might normally dictate a synchronous condenser.¹ At the present time the use of capacitors in banks up to 10,000 kva is being given increased consideration, and several installations having steps in this range have already been made.