4.1.- DEFINITIONS
This section provides a number of definitions that may be useful for understanding the opera-
tion of the unit.
4�1�1 FOUR-QUADRANT REGULATOR�
This means that the regulator is capable of performing the measurement and regulation func-
tions when the active power is transferred from the mains to the loads (common case in a con-
sumer installation) or when the load is transferred to the mains (in the case of installations with
generators that not only allow the consumption of energy, but can also export and sell energy).
4�1�2 STAGES AND STEPS
A distinction must be established between stages and steps. In this manual, a
Stage
is de
-
scribed as each group of capacitor banks into which the power factor compensation unit is
divided, which may have different power ratings, usually in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:2:4, etc.
A
step
is each one of the total power fractions (power of the first step) that can be regulated by
using stages with different weights.
4�1�3 FCP SYSTEM (FAST Computerized Program)�
This system controls the connection sequence of the various stages, tending to minimise the
number of operations and to match the usage times of the various stages in order to achieve
a pre-determined required final power. The operations are carried out such that, in the case
of stages with identical power, the stage that has been disconnected the longest is connected
when there is demand and the stage that has been connected the longest is disconnected
when there is a surplus.
4�1�4 REGULATION PROGRAM�
The power ratings of the various groups or stages usually follow certain patterns called "pro-
grams”.
The program indicates the power ratios between the various stages. The most frequent pro-
grams are:
Program 1�1�1�1
. All stages have the same power.
For example
: a 100 kvar unit with 5 steps
would be made up of 5 identical 20 kvar stages, and would be described as a (5 x 20) kvar unit.
Program 1�2�2�2
. Every stage after the first stage has twice as much power as the first stage.
For example
: a 180 kvar unit with 5 stages would be made up of a first 20 kvar stage and 4
identical 40 kvar stages, and would be described as a (20 + 4 x 40) kvar unit.
Program 1�2�4�4
. The second stage has twice as much power as the first stage and the re-
maining stages after the second stage have four times as much power as the first stage.
For
example
: a 300 kvar unit with 5 stages would be made up of a first 20 kvar stage, a second 40
kvar stage and 3 identical 80 kvar stages. It would be described as a (20 + 40 + 3 x 80) kvar
unit.
23
Instruction Manual
Controller MASTER control VAR FAST
