Implementación del banco automático de capacitores para la corrección del factor de potencia en la planta de producción El Salinerito.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to increase the power factor through the implementation and design of an automatic capacitor bank capable of controlling the reactive power demand required by the electrical system. To carry out the execution, it was necessary to perform measurements of electrical parameters. We proceeded to make use of the three-phase energy analyzer FLUKE 435 SERIES II, which was installed at the terminals of the main distribution board. The measurement period was seven days, 168 continuous hours taking samples every 10 minutes as stipulated in the regulation ARCONEL 005/18. The parameters obtained were: phase voltages, phase current, active, reactive and apparent power, power factor, current and voltage harmonics, total harmonic distortion of current and voltage. The electrical parameters analysis obtained, indicates that the “Salinerito” factory has a low power factor and is inadequate in the distribution of electrical energy. For this reason, we proceeded to perform maintenance of the main electrical panel, maintenance of the alternate electrical panels, installation of grounding to discharge harmonic currents, correction of poor electrical installations, correct conductor sizing, load balancing, analysis of voltage drops and loadability of the conductors due to bad performance in different areas of the factory, replacement of conductors with defective coating and overheated conductors. The maintenance performed and the automatic capacitor bank´s implementation reduces energy losses in the conductors, reduces voltage drops, increases power availability in the transformers and increases the installations´useful life.