creative uses for a HUGE capacitor

Aug 21, 2006 9 Replies
I

I have a new unused, Aerovox - Cornell Dubilier 216 F capacitor



480 Volts- 3 phase- 60 hz- 40 kvar - Ser# 02 cat ics7040f33 date 06/93

I know absolutely nothing of it's use - I got it in a shipment of electronic salvage years ago in its original shipping package from Aerovox in Mass.



I have an elementary knowledge of electronics , but I have been building a few small photovoltaic systems for my cabin.



I also have this possibly crazy idea that a capacitor might possible be useful in a battery storage system.



Where can I find information on this big capacitor - its uses value, and danger ?



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M

I suspect it isn't 216 farads ... can you tell us a little more about it? 2 terminals or more than 2?

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B

No magic, it is a power factor correction capacitor, used to correct PF on industrial power distribution systems. I contains 3 oil-filled units connected in delta. Unit will draw 48 amps when connected to 480 volt, 60 hz.

Just doing the math in my head, I think each of the internal caps will be 150 microfarads or so. Not really that big, but designed for continuous AC sevice and able to take lots of abuse.

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E

That's an electroincs question FFS !

Keep it out of here whilst I for one lambast Bush/Cheney and their neo-imperialist aims !

Graham

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J

In message , dated Mon, 21 Aug 2006, mc writes

I'd like to see a 3-phase cap with two terminals! 480 V and 40kVAr is enough data to calculate the capacitance. I expect it's 216 uF.

OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk 2006 is YMMVI- Your mileage may vary immensely. John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK
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R

If they can be electrically seperated, then they could be wired in parallel and put on your power line going into the house. Should decrease the cost of power used due to a phase shift that the power company loves.

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M

I'm sure there are a lot of them in landfills after one terminal burnt off.

Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I\'ve got my DD214 to prove it. Member of DAV #85. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida
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R

I thought household power factors were being inherently shited toward capacitive by the switching power supplies in today's electronics gear.

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J

In message , dated Tue,

22 Aug 2006, Robert Baer writes

It's a 40 kVAr capacitor. With three in parallel, it would correct a 1 MW load at 53 degrees!

OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk 2006 is YMMVI- Your mileage may vary immensely. John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK
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K

...

The power company doesn't charge for power factor for residential users. The meter measures true-power and that's what you pay for.

kevin

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