2.2.

2.3.

1.2. 2.1.

1.1.
1.3.

2.1.

# 1. 2.4. # 2.

3.6.
3.1. 3.7.
3.2. 3.8. 4.2.
3.9. 4.1. 4.3.
3.10.
3.3.

3.4. 3.4. # 4.

3.5. 3.11.

# 3.

5.1. 5.2. 5.3.

# 5.

7.1. 7.2. 7.3. 7.4.

Max 2.5 mm² # 7.

3-Phase 1-Phase
2 Q x 1000 2 Q x 1000
C/k= x C/k= x
3 3x U x k 3 Uxk

C/k: 3-Ph/400V
CT Ratio k Capacitor step rating (kvar)
5 10 15 20 30 40 50 60 70 90 100 120
10/1 50/5 10 .447 .895 1.34 1.79 2.68
# 6. 20/1 100/5 20 .224 .447 .671 .895 1.34 1.79 2.24 2.68
30/1 150/5 30 .149 .298 .447 .597 .895 1.19 1.49 1.79 2.09 2.68 2.98
Linear Circular 40/1 200/5 40 .112 .224 .336 .447 .671 .895 1.12 1.34 1.57 2.01 2.24 2.68
60/1 300/5 60 .075 .149 .224 .298 .447 .597 .746 .895 1.04 1.34 1.49 1.79
80/1 400/5 80 .056 .112 .168 .224 .336 .447 .559 .671 .783 1.01 1.12 1.34
100/1 500/5 100 .045 .089 .134 .179 .268 .358 .447 .537 .626 .805 .895 1.07
120/1 600/5 120 .037 .075 .112 .149 .224 .298 .373 .447 .522 .671 .746 .895
160/1 800/5 160 .028 .056 .084 .112 .168 .224 .280 .336 .392 .503 .559 .671
200/1 1000/5 200 .022 .045 .067 .089 .134 .179 .224 .268 .313 .403 .447 .537
# 8. 300/1 1500/5 300 .015 .030 .045 .060 .089 .119 .149 .179 .209 .268 .298 .358
400/1 2000/5 400 .011 .022 .034 .045 .067 .089 .112 .134 .157 .201 .224 .268
600/1 3000/5 600 .015 .022 .030 .045 .060 .075 .089 .104 .134 .149 .179
# 9.
 10.1.
AUTO

10.2.
MAN

10.3.
AUTO
SET

10.4.
MAN
SET

... ... ...

PROTECTION
FEATURE

# 10.

L1 L1 L1 L1 L1
L1
L1
L2 L2 L2 L2 L2
L2
L2
L3 L3 L3 L3 L3
L3

Phase 90° Phase 270° Phase 330° Phase 150° Phase 210° Phase 30° Phase 0°
L1

L2

Phase 0° Phase 180° Phase 240° Phase 60° Phase 120° Phase 300° Phase 180°
3 Phase 1 Phase
# 11.

2GCS201086A0050 1/2 2005-11-10

Before use, ensure that you have in hands both parts of the manual

en
(2GCS201086A0050 1/2 & 2/2).
Avant utilisation, assurez-vous d'avoir les 2 parties du manuel

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(2GCS201086A0050 1/2 & 2/2).
Prima dell’uso assicurarsi di avere entrambe le parti del manuale

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(2GCS201086A0050 1/2 & 2/2).
Antes de usar este manual asegúrese de que posee sus dos partes

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(2GCS201086A0050 1/2 y 2/2).
Antes de ligar o equipamento, assegure que você tem em mãos ambas

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as partes do manual (2GCS201086A0050 1/2 & 2/2).
Vergewissern Sie sich vor der Benutzung, das Ihnen beide Teile der

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Перед началом работы проверьте наличие обеих частей

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 Thanks for selecting RVC range of PF controllers for your automatic
en

capacitor bank.

READ THIS FIRST

About this instruction manual
This Instruction Manual is designed to help you quickly install and
operate the RVC Controller. Before installation and operation of the
RVC Controller, read this notice carefully. Keep it at the disposal of
people in charge of installation, maintenance and operation.

Safety
Installation, maintenance and operation of the PF controller
must be performed by qualified electricians. Disconnect all
power connections before working on the PF controller.
For cleaning, remove the dust with a dry cloth. Do not use abrasives,
solvents or alcohol. Before cleaning please turn off the power supply.
Do not open the PF controller’s housing. There are no user
serviceable parts inside.
The PF controller is connected to a current transformer. Do not
unplug the current transformer connections before making sure it is
short-circuited or connected to another parallel load of sufficiently
low impedance. Failure to do so can create dangerous over
voltages.
Do not use this product for any other purpose than its original aim.
All cables connected to the PF controller must conform to the local
regulations. They should be able to withstand at least 60°C ambient
temperature. External disconnection devices (e.g. a switch) and
external overcurrent protection devices (e.g. fuses) must be
provided for the protection of the PF controller (refer to # 6, F1 and
F2) and for the protection of the capacitor bank (refer to # 6, F3, F4
and F5). These devices must be installed in the same cubicle as the
PF controller. The typical protection level of the disconnection
circuits for the PF controller is 6A. For the capacitor bank, the
protection level depends on its rating.

4
Electromagnetic compatibility

en
This PF Controller has been verified for compliance with EU
(European Union) directives for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility)
for operation at 50 Hz and bears the CE marking to this effect.
When an apparatus is used in a system, EU directives may require
that the system be verified for EMC compliance.
The following guidelines are helpful in improving the EMC
performance of a system:
1. Metallic enclosures generally improve EMC performance.
2. Run cables away from apertures in the enclosure.
3. Run cables close to grounded metallic structures.
4. Use multiple ground straps for doors or other panels parts as
required.
5. Avoid common ground impedances.

FIGURES (refer to doc n° 2GCS201086A0050 1/2)

# 1. Front view 3.8. Capacitive PF
1.1. Mounting brackets 3.9. Alarm indication
1.2. LCD display 3.10. Measurement unit
1.3. Keypad 3.11. Refer to § Feature

# 2. Rear view # 4. Keypad

2.1. Mounting brackets 4.1. Mode button
2.2. L2 & L3, voltage 4.2. - button
connection inputs 4.3. + button
2.3. k & I, current connection
inputs # 5. Mounting
2.4. Steps outputs 5.1. Slide the controller into the
capacitor bank cubicle.
# 3. LCD display 5.2. Insert the mounting brackets
3.1. Activated outputs in the corresponding fixation
3.2. Overtemperature indication holes of the controller. Pull the
3.3. Disconnection indication mounting brackets backwards.
3.4. User settable parameters 5.3. Turn the screw into the
3.5. Modes mounting brackets and tighten
3.6. Demand for switching on or until the controller is fixed.
off capacitor steps
3.7. Inductive PF

5
 # 6. Wiring diagram 7.2. Insert the wire in the
en

k, I: leads of the current corresponding connection hole

transformer while keeping the pressure on
L2, L3: 2 of the 3 phases the lever.
M1, M2: leads of the normally 7.3. Release the screwdriver.
open alarm contact 7.4. The wire is properly
A: output relay common source connected.
1-12: outputs
If the connections (CT and
# 7. Leads connection voltage) are done properly, the
7.1. Push the lever of the RVC will display the PF
connector backwards with a measurement screen, in the
screwdriver. Auto mode (refer to # 10.)
Note: wire size U 2.5 mm²

SWITCHING STRATEGY
Reactive power requirement is calculated based on average reactive
load during a switching delay time (40 sec. recommended).
RVC decides on the number of steps based on above and switches
on the biggest step first to avoid intermediate switching. During this
switching sequence, a fixed 12-second delay time between each
step is introduced in order to avoid transient problems and to fulfill
EMC requirements. The default switching is circular (# 8.) which
increases lifetime of capacitors/contactors.

MODES
AUTO mode (default)
RVC decides on the number of steps required to reach the target PF
based on user setting (target PF, C/k, ...)
Display of cos ϕ, Vrms, Irms, THDV, THDI. (refer to 10.1)

MAN mode
This mode allows the user to control the power factor manually.
Display of cos ϕ, manual switching of steps. (refer to 10.2.)

6
AUTO SET mode

en
Automatic setting of PHASE, C/k, DELAY, STEPS of outputs 1, 2,
3, ... RVC makes the commissioning easy with its AUTO SET mode.
The user only needs to set the desired PF (default factory setting is
1.0) by going to MAN SET mode. This process may take several
minutes to complete. Please refer to 10.3.

Note: the default time delay is set at 40 sec. If a different delay time
is needed, please do it before starting the AUTO SET procedure.

MAN SET mode

Manual setting of COS ϕ, PHASE, C/k, DELAY, STEPS of outputs 1,
2, 3, ..., Vrms Max, Vrms Min, THDV Max.
Please refer to § Programmable parameters and to 10.4.

Apart from these parameters, RVC has some special features like
target PF in regenerative mode, linear or circular switching mode,
overvoltage and undervoltage threshold limit. (refer to 10.4.)

Note: any parameter set automatically by the controller can later be

overwritten by the user by using MAN SET mode.

PROGRAMMABLE PARAMETERS
Following are the user programmable parameters with acceptable
values indicated.

COS ϕ
The controller has to reach the target cos ϕ by switching steps.
0.7 ind U cos phi U 0.7 cap.

PHASE
Used to correct the phase shift due to all possible connections of CT
and voltage circuit (refer to # 11.)

7
 C/k
en

It is the sensitivity of the controller which is set to about 2/3 of the

current of the smallest switched step. C/k is related to the power of
smallest step (Q in kvar), V (nominal voltage in V), k (CT ratio).
0.01 U c/k U 3.00 (refer to # 9. C/k table for a 3-phase / 400V
system, or use formula given in # 9. for other cases).

DELAY
1 sec U switching delay U 999 sec. Default setting is 40 seconds.

STEPS
There are max. 12 outputs, each can be set from 0 (disabled), 1...9,
or F (fixed).
‘1’ represents the smallest switched step (refer to c/k ratio). A typical
sequence could be 1:1:2:4... for a 200 kvar bank with 25 kvar as
smallest (represented by ‘1’) and 100 kvar as biggest (‘4’) steps.
‘0’ means that the output is never connected.
‘F’ means that the output is always connected unless a protection
event arises.

FEATURE 1: Linear / circular (refer to # 8.)

Linear: last in first out Circular: first in first out

FEATURE 2: Generative / regenerative target cos ϕ

An alternative target cos ϕ is activated when power flow is reversed
(P < 0).
- 0.7 U cos phi U - 1.0.
The negative sign indicates regenerative mode.

Protection 1 & 2: Overvoltage (Max Vrms)/undervoltage (Min Vrms)

User settable parameter for protection of capacitor bank.
Recommended values: 0.9 Vnom < Vmin ; Vmax < 1.1 Vnom.
If the system voltage exceeds this limit, all steps are disconnected
one by one. In case of undervoltage, the disconnection is faster (< 1
network period).
Below certain specified voltage, these protections are disabled. This
condition is shown by a “ “ display on the screen.

8
Protection 3: Over THDV (Max THDV)

en
If the THDV exceeds this over THDV limit set by the user, all steps
are disconnected. The reset delay time (default 40 sec) is
automatically doubled each time this event takes place.
Below certain specified THD level, this protection is disabled. This
condition is shown by a “ “ display on the screen.

ALARM AND PROTECTION

RVC controller has a Normally Open (NO) type of alarm contact.
This contact activates (OPEN) when the following situation arise:
Alarm
relay
Reset blinking closed disconnected
(40s)
Alarm ON open all connected
cos ϕ since more than
6 min.
Over- ON blinking ON open disconnected when
temperature T internal > 85°C
Over- ON blinking ON open disconnected
voltage
Under- ON blinking ON open fast disconnection
voltage <1 network period
Over ON blinking ON open disconnected
THDV

9
 TROUBLESHOOTING
en

Fault Solution
The controller does not switch • Check that the controller is in
on or off steps although there is automatic Mode.
a considerable variable inductive • Check setting of phase shift
load. and C/k.
• Check that the CT short-circuit
bridge is removed.
The controller does not seem to Wait for the delay time between
activate any steps. switching and/or the power
outage delay time.
One of the arrow indicators Normal situation when the actual
flashes. inductive current varies around
the set sensitivity (C/k).
The preset power factor is not At low or no load, a low power
achieved. factor can correspond to a very
small inductive current. The
corresponding capacitor steps
are too large for compensation.
If the average cos ϕ over a
period of time is too low, the
preset cos ϕ may be increased.
All capacitors are switched on Check settings of phase and C/k
although the required reactive values.
power is relatively low.
The controller is connected but Check the voltage protection
does not work (nothing on settings, fuses and voltage
display). supply.
The AUTO SET procedure stops Please identify the meaning of
and the controller displays an the error message (see table on
error message “FXX”. next page) and act accordingly.
All capacitors are switched off Check the network voltage and
and the alarm icon is on for more Vmax / Vmin / THDV max
than 40 sec. protection parameters.

10
ERROR MESSAGES

en
Description Recommended action
F1 Current too small. Check that the CT short-circuit is
removed and re-start AUTO SET.
F2 Phase not found Re-start AUTO SET procedure
after 10 trials. under more stable conditions.
Load is varying too quickly.
F3 Phase error: Check connections,
closest value is 0°. capacitors and fuses.
The controller could not find
a known configuration.
F4 ---closest value is 30°.--- ------
F5 ---closest value is 60°.--- ------
F6 ---closest value is 90°.--- ------
F7 ---closest value is 120°.--- ------
F8 ---closest value is 150°.--- ------
F9 ---closest value is 180°.--- ------
F10 ---closest value is 210°.--- ------
F11 ---closest value is 240°.--- ------
F12 ---closest value is 270°.--- ------
F13 ---closest value is 300°.--- ------
F14 ---closest value is 330°.--- ------
F15 C/k not found after 10 trials. Re-start AUTO SET procedure
The load is varying too under more stable conditions.
quickly.
F16 C/k too small (< 0.01). Adapt the step size or the CT
Step size too small ratio.
or CT too big.
F17 C/k too high (> 3.00). Adapt the step size or the CT
Step size too big ratio.
or CT too small.
F18 Sequence not found after Re-start AUTO SET procedure
10 trials. The load is varying under more stable conditions.
too quickly.
F19 Unknown sequence. The Check connections,
controller could not find a capacitors and fuses.
known sequence.

11
 TESTING
en

MAN mode: add one step, the power factor (cos ϕ) should improve
indicated by a value which is bigger in the inductive range as before.
AUTO mode: after setting the target cos ϕ, RVC should reach this
value after having switched steps.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Measuring system: Output contact rating:
Micro-processor system for • Max. continuous current: 1.5A.
balanced three-phase networks • Max. peak current: 5A.
or single-phase networks. • Max. voltage: 440 Vac.
• Terminal A is rated for a
Operating voltage: continuous current of 16A.
100V to 440V.
Alarm contact:
Voltage tolerance:
• Normally open contact.
+/- 10% on indicated operating
• Max. continuous current: 5A.
voltages.
• Rated/max. breaking voltage:
Frequency range: 250Vac/440Vac.
50 or 60 Hz +/- 5% (automatic Power factor setting:
adjustments to network From 0.7 inductive to 0.7
frequency). capacitive.
Measuring circuit terminals Starting current setting (C/k):
(L2, L3 and k, l):
• 0.01 to 3A .
CAT. III rated.
• automatic measurement of C/k.
Current input: Number of outputs:
1A or 5A (RMS). RVC 3: 3 RVC 10: 10
Current input impedance: RVC 6: 6 RVC 12: 12
<0.1 Ohm (recommended CT RVC 8: 8
class 1.0, 10 VA min). Switching time between steps:
Consumption of the programmable from 1s to 999s
controller: (independent of reactive load).
8 VA max. Switching sequences:
User defined.

12
Mode of switching: Operating temperature:

en
Integral, direct, circular or linear. -10°C to 60°C.

Saving-function: Storage temperature:

All programmed parameters and -30°C to 85°C.
modes are saved in a non-
Mounting position:
volatile memory.
Vertical panel mounting.
Power outage release:
Dimensions:
Quick automatic disconnection in
144x144x80 mm (hxwxd).
less than 20ms (50Hz) in case of
power outage or voltage drop. Weight:
0.4 kg (unpacked).
Power outage reset delay time:
40s. Connector:
Spring clamp terminal block,
Overvoltage and undervoltage max 2.5 mm².
protection.
Front plate protection:
Autoadaptation to the phase- IP 40.
rotation of the network and
the CT-terminals. Relative humidity:
Maximum 95%; non-condensing.
Not affected by the harmonics.
CE Marked.
Working with generative and
regenerative loads.
LCD contrast automatically
compensated with
temperature.

13