Capacitors for power factor correction

TDK has created two series of capacitors specifically for power factor correction (PFC).

Jointly-branded PhaseCap Energy Plus, the series are:

Lifetime is up to 240,000 hours in temperature class -40/D, the terminals are class IP20 touch-proof, and ceramic-based discharge resistors are pre-mounted.

Operated is possible at 60°C for short periods, and hot spots can be up to 85°C. Switching operations are doubled from previous parts to 15,000 per year

"Robust winding design with wave-cutting allows the capacitors to be subjected to in-rush currents equivalent to 500 times the rated current.," according to the company. The capacitors are "self-healing and CE and UL certified. In the event of an overload, all three phases are disconnected from the mains via an internal overpressure disconnector".

Typical applications of the robust components are automatic PFC systems, capacitor banks, individual and group compensation, fixed and switched compensation systems as well as dynamic PFC systems.