|
1.00
CONTROLLER MANUAL
1.1 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
 |
Digital microprocessor power factor controller. |
 |
3-phase voltage measurement input, separate from the power supply. |
 |
2 serial interfaces (1 RS232 and 1 RS485 ports) for set-up, remote
control, supervision and automatic testing via PC. |
 |
Internal temperature sensor. |
 |
Programmable input for external temperature sensor (NTC) or for
digital input. |
 |
Clock/calendar with event log. |
 |
Advanced functions (measurement of capacitor overload current, FFT (harmonic
spectrum) on current and voltage up to 31st harmonic, average weekly
power factor, saving of maximum values, saving of harmonic events). |
 |
2 relays programmable as alarm and/or fan control. |
1.2 FRONT PANEL

1.3
INSTALLATION
Install the controller according to the wiring diagrams, taking care to
connect the CT on the correct phase.
The controller automatically recognizes the CT current flow. In case of
co-generation systems, disable this function (refer to “Advanced menu
set-up” section) and connect the CT correctly.
The CT secondary must be earthed/grounded.
1.4 CONNECTIONS CONTROL
At
the first power up, the PFCS displays view
---
which means no parameter has been programmed yet.
In
these conditions, a manual test of the steps can be conducted to check
the connections.
By
pressing the
+
or
-
key, the steps are connected or disconnected.
WARNING! During this phase, the step control is totally manual and the
unit does not control the reconnection time to consent the capacitor
discharge.
1.5
PARAMETER SET-UP
There
are a number of ways to set up the parameters and commission the
controller to operate properly, as follows:
 |
Section 1.6 MANUAL KEYPAD SET-UP |
 |
Section 1.9 QUICK SET-UP VIA PC |
 |
Section 1.11 AUTOMATIC SET-UP |
1.6
MANUAL KEYPAD SET-UP
 |
Place the unit in manual mode and press the
MODE
key for 5 consecutive seconds. |
 |
The wording
SEt
appears on the display to confirm access to the basic menu parameters. |
 |
Press the
MAN/AUT
key to enter the subsequent parameter. |
 |
Press the
MODE
key to return to the previous parameter. |
 |
The identification code of the parameter is shown on the upper display
while the present setting is shown on the lower display. |
 |
Press the
+
and
-
keys to modify the setting of the parameter selected. |
 |
For high values, the k and M LEDs are used combined with the lower
display to indicate x1000 o x 1 million respectively. |
 |
The setup exit is automatic once the last parameter is exceeded or by
keeping pressed
MAN/AUT
for 2 seconds. |
1.7 TABLE OF BASIC MENU PARAMETERS

1.8 DESCRIPTION OF BASIC MENU PARAMETERS
P.01
- CT primary current
CT
primary current.
P.02 - Smallest kvar step
Rated power in kvar of the smallest installed capacitor bank.
Example: For 10 kvar, set
10.00
P.03
- Rated capacitor voltage
Rated voltage (nameplate) of the capacitors.
Example: For 460V, set
0460
P.04
- Reconnection time
Minimum time needed for the capacitor to discharge and be ready to used
again.
Example: For 60 seconds, set
0060
P.05
- Sensitivity
Power factor regulator PFCS serie
The sensitivity is a coefficient, which consents to adjust the
controller tripping speed. A low sensitivity provides for faster
adjustments but with a greater number of switchings. With high
sensitivity, the adjustment is slower but with fewer switchings.
The sensitivity value corresponds to the time in which the controller is
delayed before taking action to a reactive power demand equivalent to
the smallest step. For higher power demands, the time will be quicker
according to the criteria of inverse proportion.
Example: For 60 s/step, set
060
In
this case with the smallest bank of 10kvar (P.02
=
10.0) and a system demanding 20kvar to achieve the set cospφ (Δkvar
=20), the controller will attend 60/2 = 30seconds before beginning the
capacitor connection procedure (indicated by the flashing AUT LED).
Power factor regulator PFCST serie
The parameter
P.05 Sensitivity
is
used to set the number of subsequent averages, from 1 to 8, that are
carried out on the needed reactive power value. Setting this parameter
to 1, the device will react immediately, while setting to values from 2
to 8 the regulation is proportionally smoother.
P.06 LED 1...n Step coefficients
The coefficients of the steps represent the power of each step in
relation to the smallest capacitor bank, which value is programmed at
P.02.
If a step has the same power rating of the smallest step, then its
coefficient will be 1, while if it is double it will be 2 and so on up
to a maximum of 16. By setting 0, the step will be disabled and will
never be considered or used by the controller.
The last two steps can be programmed to operate as normal steps or as
alarm relay or again as fan control.
If
the second last step is linked to a function then the last step cannot
be used as a normal step. To select these functions, press
-
until the following codes are viewed:
noA
= Normally open alarm (contact open in absence of alarm)
ncA =
Normally closed alarm (contact closed in absence of alarm)
FAn
=
Fan control
Example: With a PFCS8 installed in a control panel with 6 capacitor
banks, respectively 5,10, 20, 20, 20, 20 kvar at rated 460V and needing
to use the last step as alarm, the parameters must be programmed as
follows:
P.02 = 05.00
(Smallest
step = 5kvar)
P.03 = 0460
(Rated
voltage 460V)
P.06
LED 1 = 0001 (5 kvar = 1 times P.02)
P.06
LED 2 = 0002 (10 kvar = 2 times P.02)
P.06
LED 3 = 0004 (20 kvar = 4 times P.02)
P.06
LED 4 = 0004 (20 kvar = 4 times P.02)
P.06
LED 5 = 0004 (20 kvar = 4 times P.02)
P.06
LED 6 = 0004 (20 kvar = 4 times P.02)
P.06
LED 7 =
noA
(Normally
open alarm)
1.9
QUICK SET-UP VIA PC
For
quick set-up via PC, it is necessary to use the apposite setting kit,
that includes the PC software and the connection cable. For this reason
all the PFCS models are provided with a communication port in the rear
of the enclosure.
All of the parameters are viewed on the PC monitor. The settings can be
transmitted and stored with a few simple clicks of the mouse.
In
case a number of controllers must be programmed with the same setting,
the set-up can be downloaded to a file and then later reused by
programming all of the parameters with maximum ease and security.
1.10
RAPID CT SET-UP
In circumstances when the CT value is not known and only used at the
moment of the installation, the
P.01
parameter for CT primary can remain set at
OFF
while all the others can be programmed.
In
this case during the system installation and once the controller is
powered up, the display will view a flashing
Ct
(Current
Transformer). By pressing
+
and
-,
the CT primary can be directly set.
Once programmed, press
MAN/AUT
to
confirm. The unit will store the setting and directly restart in
automatic mode.
1.11
AUTOMATIC SET-UP (available only on PFCS)
CAUTION!
Never use if a complete panel has been purchased.
The setting is useful if it is not possible to access the C.T. or else
when the characteristics of the capacitor banks are not known.
The automatic set-up of parameters provides for the unit to be set
working without programming any parameter.
To
activate the automatic set-up, simultaneously press the
MODE
and
MAN/AUT
keys for at least 5 seconds.
The wording
ASE
(Automatic
Setup) flashes indicating the automatic setup of the parameters, has
been implemented.
The procedure will last a few minutes during which the controller
measures the power rating of the connected steps. This measurement will
then be continuously updated during the normal operation.
If
the load of the system varies frequently, the same step may have to be
measured several times. In this case, the procedure may last longer.
At
the end of the automatic set-up, the controller is restored for
automatic operation.
IMPORTANT!
It
is recommended to avoid substantial current variations during the
automatic set-up as much as possible. During this automatic set-up, the
controller does not intentionally have particular elements, such as:
 |
The current is viewed as a percentage instead of Ampere value. |
 |
It is not possible to use VT for the voltage signal. |
 |
No power measurements are available. |
 |
No capacitor overload measurements and protection are available. |
 |
All of the relays are considered as normal capacitors banks. So no
alarm relay or fan control configuration is possible. |
 |
The wiring diagram must be the type “A” (see wiring diagrams). |
 |
The capacitors installed must be with a power ratings multiple of 1,
2, 4, 8 or 16 times the smallest capacitor step. |
 |
The unused steps must be positioned at the higher step numbers. |
Note: After the automatic set-up is terminated, by manually changing the
setting of parameters, the controller will implement all the parameter
programming. Therefore, all of the measurements and functions will be
available once again.
1.12 MEASUREMENT VIEWING AND REQUIRED COSφ SETTING
Normally, the upper display shows the cosφ of the system together with
the IND and CAP LEDs. The flashing decimal point indicates the negative
quadrants (inverse energy flow). Various measurements can be shown on
the lower display, selecting these with the
MODE
and
SCROLL
keys.
Pressing the
MODE
key, the LEDs of the right-hand column (VOLTAGE, CURRENT, Δkvar, etc.)
switch on in sequence and the related measurement is shown on the lower
display.
Pressing the
SCROLL
key, the LEDs of the left-hand column (W, VA, V HARM, etc.) switch on in
sequence and the related measurement is shown on the lower display.
An
optional function is available for some of the LEDs , indicated on front
and viewable by pressing the
-
key; the LED flashes quickly thereafter.
For some measurements, a second optional function is displayable by
pressing the
+
key.
When the SET COSφ LED switches on, the set-point of the cosφ required
can be programmed, using the
+
and
-
keys to increase or decrease the value respectively. The cosφ set is
shown on the lower display and can be adjusted between 0.80 IND and 0.80
CAP. The capacitive set-point is highlighted by a flashing
C
in
the leftmost digit.

1.13 MAXIMUM VALUES CLEARING
The maximum Voltage, Current, Overload and Temperature values, the
average weekly power factor and also harmonic events can be cleared by
the user. To clear one value,
select the desired reading, then press the
+
and
-
keys atthe same time for 5 seconds. After clearing, the display shows
CLr.
1.14
HARMONIC EVENTS
A
harmonic event is a situation in which the presence of harmonics on the
voltage or current exceeds the user-set threshold and this situation
persists for a certain time.
The functions menu comprises various specific parameters (P.47, P.48 e P.49)
for definition of the tripping values (measurement to be checked,
threshold, delay time).
When this situation occurs, the PFCS can log the status of the signals
at that specific moment, saving the following data:
 |
Date and time of the event |
 |
Maximum value of the measurement |
 |
Total time during which the threshold is exceeded |
 |
Voltage and current harmonic spectrum (FFT) |
 |
Voltage and current waveform. |
The
controller is also equipped with a non-volatile memory able to maintain
the highest event of each day of the last week, in addition to the
highest event ever registered.
Harmonic events can be consulted on the display of the controller only
as regards the max value of the measurement and its total duration. To
display other data, a PC and specific software are required.
1.15
OPERATING MODE
The AUT and MAN LEDs indicate the automatic or manual operating mode.
To changing mode, press the
MAN/AUT
key for at least 1 second.
When
the SET COSφ LED is switched on, no mode change is possible.
The
operating mode remains stored evenif supply voltage is removed.
1.16
MANUAL OPERATION
When
the controller is manual mode, one of the steps can be selected and
manually connected or disconnected.
If
any type of measurement is shown on the lower display, press
MODE
or
SCROLL
until the display shows
----.
To
select one of the steps, use the
+
and
-
keys. The LED of the selected step starts flashing quickly.
Press
MODE
to
connect or disconnect the selected step.
If
the reconnection time of the selected step has not elapsed, the MAN LED
flashes to indicate the operation has been confirmed and will be
conducted in due time.
The
manual configuration of the steps is maintained even when voltage is
removed. When power returns, the original state of the steps is restored.
1.17
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
In automatic mode, the controller calculates the optimum configuration
of the reach to achieve the set cosφ value.
The selection criteria take into consideration many variables such as:
power of each step, the number of operations, the total time of usage,
reconnection time, etc.
The controller displays the imminent connection or disconnection of the
step by the AUT LED flashing. The LED flashing can last in cases when
the connection of a step is not possible because of the reconnection
time (i.e. capacitor discharge time).
1.18
KEYPAD LOCK
A
function to exclude all modification to operating parameters can be
enabled; measurement viewing is still provided in any case.
To
lock and unlock the keypad, press and keep
MODE
key pressed. Then press the
+
key three times and the
-
key twice and after that release
MODE.
The display will view
LOC
when the keypad is locked and
UnL
when it is unlocked.
When
the lock is enabled, it is not possible to make the following operations:
 |
Operation between automatic and manual mode |
 |
Access to set-up menus |
 |
Change of cosφ set-point |
 |
Clearing of MAX values. |
By
attempting to conduct the above operations, the display will view
LOC
to
indicate the locked keypad state.
1.19 ADVANCED MENU SET-UP
With
the controller in MAN mode, press the
MODE
key for at least 5 seconds.
The wording
SEt
will be viewed to indicate the access to basic menu parameters. At this
point, simultaneously press the
+
and
-
keys for 5 seconds until
Ad.S
appears on the display to indicate the access to advanced menu
parameters.
1.20
ADVANCED MENU TABLE OF PARAMETERS

1.21 DESCRIPTION OF ADVANCED MENU PARAMETERS
P.11 - Type of connection
Selects the type of connection which may be:
Type A connection
Standard three-phase connection
Type B connection
Single-phase connection
Type C connection
Complete three-phase connection
Type D connection
Three-phase connection with reading of phase-neutral voltage on the
same phase of the current.
Type E connection
Connection with medium voltage measurement and low voltage phase
displacement.
See the wiring diagrams.
P.12
- CT connection recognition
When set to Automatic, the controller operates in 2 quadrants and at
power up the CT current flow will be recognised.
When set to Direct, the controller operates in 4 quadrants and can be
used both in normal or co-generation systems. It is however necessary to
che
ck
the correct CT connection by making sure the decimal point of the cosφ
measurement is not flashing with energy import conditions. Contrarily,
the CT connections (S1 and S2 terminals) must be inverted or more simply
set Inverse.
WARNING!
Before disconnecting the S1 andS2 terminals, check that the CT secondary
terminals are shorted.
P.13
- Capacitors rated frequency selection
Automatic selection, fixed 50Hz or fixed 60Hz. The controller perform
the mains frequency measurements. Fixed frequency setting is necessary
in case of capacitors rated frequency different from the mains.
P.14
- Step power adjustment (available only on PFCS)
When this function is enabled and during normal operation, the unit
provides to automatically measure the set power and modify the operating
parameters in case the steps are worn (i.e. make many operations).
Note: When this function is used, the time between the connection of one
bank and thenext is 20 seconds.
If
the automatic set-up is used, the functionis automatically enabled.
P.15
- Standard or Band adjustment mode
In
Standard mode, the controller adjusts the system cosφ to the set value.
In Band mode, the capacitors are connected when the system cosφ is lower
than the set value and are disconnected when in capacitive conditions.
The Band mode is used to additionally reduce the number of capacitor
connections and disconnections.
Note: The Band mode configuration does not consent to capacitive cosφ
programming.
P.16 - Standard or Linear connection mode
In
Standard mode, the regulator freely selects the steps according to the
logic described in the Automatic operation section above. In Linear
mode, the steps are connected in progression from left towards right
only following the step number and according to the LIFO (Last In First
Out) logic. The controller will not connect a step when the system steps
are of different ratings and by connecting the next step, theset-point
value would be exceeded.
P.17 - Co-generation cosφ set-point
This
parameter is programmed when a 4-quadrant operation is needed, that is
in conditions when the system is consuming the energy produced. When the
parameter is set to
OFF,
the cosφ set-point is the only one and corresponds to the value
programmed with SET COSφ (see page 37). On the other hand, when it is
set to a numeric value then the set-points are two: in normal conditions
(system consumes mains energy, positive cosφ), the set-point value is
considered as programmed by SET COSφ. With co-generation conditions
(system produces energy, negative cosφ), it is used as programmed at
P.17.
P.18 - Disconnection sensitivity (available only on PFCS)
With
this parameter at
OFF,
the sensitivity value set at
P.05
(see basic menu) adjust the reactive speed both during the connection
and disconnection phases.
|