Capacitor Banks, Batteries and DC Systems

Overview

Capacitor banks, batteries and DC systems play vital roles in industrial electrical networks. Capacitor banks improve power factor and voltage, reduce losses and lower electricity costs, but they can also create harmonic resonance, switching transients and safety hazards from stored energy. Batteries and DC systems supply protection relays, switchgear tripping, control systems, emergency lighting and UPS systems, and they must work perfectly at the moment when normal power is lost. A failed battery bank or DC supply can prevent breakers from tripping during a fault, turning a minor problem into a major incident.

This course provides a practical understanding of capacitor banks, batteries and DC systems in oil, gas and industrial facilities. Participants learn power factor correction principles, capacitor bank design and protection, switching, harmonics and the use of detuned filters. The course covers battery technologies including lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion, battery sizing, chargers and rectifiers, DC distribution and earth fault detection, and UPS system configurations. It also explains installation, ventilation and safety requirements for battery rooms, testing and maintenance of capacitors and batteries, capacity testing, monitoring systems and the troubleshooting of common problems.

Objectives

• Explain power factor correction and the benefits of capacitor banks
• Design and protect capacitor banks and manage switching and harmonics
• Compare lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion battery technologies
• Size batteries and chargers for DC and UPS loads correctly
• Understand DC distribution, earth fault detection and UPS configurations
• Apply battery room installation, ventilation and safety requirements
• Test, maintain and troubleshoot capacitor banks, batteries and DC systems

Who should attend

Training methodology

The course combines explanation of capacitor and battery principles with real single-line diagrams, load profiles, battery data sheets, test reports and maintenance records. Participants calculate capacitor ratings for power factor correction, check for harmonic resonance, size batteries and chargers for typical DC and UPS load profiles, review battery room designs and interpret capacity test and monitoring results. Photographs of failed capacitors and batteries help participants recognise warning signs. Case studies of DC system failures that prevented protection from operating are analysed in groups. Each day ends with a short quiz and discussion.

Programme outline

Dates and fees

Certificate

Frequently asked questions