RTPFC
RTPFC RTPFC Control System
   
Power Factor Correction Power Quality Management 

 

Real Time Power Factor Control

The RTPFC system, a thyristor switched power factor correction and harmonic filtration system, is capable of fully compensating the system’s reactive energy within 20 milliseconds (1 cycle) for close loop and 0-5 milliseconds for open loop applications

Its unique reaction time and built in protection and failure detection system ensures reliability. RTPFC being associated to remote measurement and control system software is a state-of-the-art system which solves flicker, voltage drop and harmonic filtration caused by spot welding operation, motor starting and injection molding machines, among others.

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ESTA Manufacturing & Sales Ltd is the official representative  of ELSPEC Engineering Ltd products, which include RTPFC and Dual Load Power Analyser for the UK and Ireland

 

This system, already installed at several car manufactures around the world and in the UK, is setting new frontiers in energy conservation and power quality

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 RTPFC Control System

The innovative control system incorporated within ESTA UK Limited’s RTPFC systems is unique in many respects compared to other available systems.
Uniquely and unlike any other available system the Elspec Control system is able to switch 3 phase delta connected capacitors for systems with balanced 3 phase loads (closed or open loop) making the equipment dimensionally more compact than standard PFC equipment and more cost effective. Single-phase capacitor groups may also be used for 3 phase-unbalanced loads. (Open loop)

 

Closed Loop operation Using voltage and current references (from C/T’s) the controller is able, within one electrical cycle (20ms), to measure all system parameters (including harmonic current and voltage distortion) and connect or disconnect as many capacitor groups that may be necessary to achieve the targeted level of power factor. Voltage flicker reduction is achieved in the same manner.

Applications:

  • Multiple welding plant e.g. Robots and manual
  • Multiple drive installations
  • Elevator supplies.
  • HVAC plant
  • All standard PFC applications

 

Open Loop operation Using a signal from the host machine the controller is able to reduce the connection time to zero seconds and the disconnection time to 10ms, on either three phase balanced or unbalanced systems

Applications:

  • Large drive compensation
  • Large welding plant

 

Remote Measurement & Control The controller(s) can be remotely controlled from a source computer via a RS232 connector. The system loading (all parameters) can also be monitored, graphical and tabular hard copy reporting facilities are also available. The necessity for separate load monitoring equipment within the switchboard is eliminated.

 

Protection system  In order to ensure connection and disconnection of the capacitor groups at zero current crossing the capacitor output is continuously monitored by the controller. During set up thresholds for over-current and over-voltage levels can be pre-set to prevent overloads on the capacitors. If the controller senses an increase in capacitor voltage or current (e.g. due to harmonic resonance) the capacitor groups will be disconnected from the system until overload levels decrease.

 
If failure occurs on any capacitor group the controller will immediately disconnect that group from the system and provide visual indication of the cause(s) of the failure, they include:
  • Fuse failure
  • Semiconductor failure
  • Under/over voltage
  • Low/high frequency
  • High temperature
  • Damaged cables
  • Asymmetric network. (Phase failure)
  • THD (total harmonic distortion)

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