When the source inductance interacts with power factor correction capacitors, a  resonance can result creating many issues such as voltage distortion, equipment overheating and failures.

The resonance condition can be approximated based on the capacitor size and source short circuit MVA.  More detailed calculations can provide a more exact value. 

What if the utility short circuit current changes due to a new configuration, transformer additions or other changes?  That will cause a shift in the resonance frequency that the facility owner does not know about – until things fail!

In this video take from Jim Phillips’ 4 Hour on-demand training program, he discusses this issue as well as one specific case where the utility made such a change with the service to a facility leading to serious harmonic issues.

The Power Factor and Harmonic on-demand training program contains 23 modules, and a certificate with 4 hours of continuing education credit upon passing a short quiz.

The class is also Module 5 of the 32 Hour Electrical Power System Engineering Class.