4.1.- DEFINITIONS
This section provides a number of definitions that may be useful for understanding the operation of 
the device.
4.1.1. Four-quadrant regulator
The regulator is capable of performing the measurement and regulation functions when the active 
power is transferred from the mains to the loads (common case in a consumer installation) or when 
the load is transferred to the mains (in the case of installations with generators that not only allow the 
consumption of energy, but can also export and sell energy).
4.1.2. Stages and steps
A distinction must be established between stages and steps. In this manual, a Stage is described as 
each group of capacitor banks into which the power factor compensation device is divided, which may 
have different power ratings, usually in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:2:4, etc.
A step is each one of the total power fractions (power of the first step) that can be regulated by using 
stages with different weights.
4.1.3. FCP system (FAST Computerized Program)
This system controls the connection sequence of the various stages, tending to minimise the number 
of operations and to match the usage times of the various stages in order to achieve a pre-determined 
required final power. The operations are carried out such that, in the case of stages with identical pow-
er, the stage that has been disconnected the longest is connected when there is demand and the stage 
that has been connected the longest is disconnected when there is a surplus.
4.1.4. Regulation program
The power ratings of the various groups or stages usually follow certain patterns called "programs”.
The program indicates the power ratios between the various stages. The most frequent programs are:
Program 1.1.1.1 . All stages have the same power. For example: a 100 kvar unit with 5 steps would be 
made up of 5 identical 20 kvar stages, and would be described as a (5 x 20) kvar unit.
Program 1.2.2.2 . Every stage after the first stage has twice as much power as the first stage. For ex-
ample: a 180 kvar unit with 5 stages would be made up of a first 20 kvar stage and 4 identical 40 kvar 
stages, and would be described as a (20 + 4 x 40) kvar unit.
Program 1.2.4.4 . The second stage has twice as much power as the first stage and the remaining stag-
es after the second stage have four times as much power as the first stage. For example: a 300 kvar 
unit with 5 stages would be made up of a first 20 kvar stage, a second 40 kvar stage and 3 identical 80 
kvar stages. It would be described as a (20 + 40 + 3 x 80) kvar unit.
Other Programs. Other programs can be used, such as 1.2.2.4, 1.2.4.8, 1.1.2.2, etc. The meaning of the 
numbers, as can be deduced from the preceding cases, gives the power ratio between the first stage, 
which receives a value of 1, and the subsequent stages (2 means twice as much power, 4 means four 
times as much power, etc.).
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Instruction Manual
Computer SMART III