The NOVAR 315 is a 6-stage capacitor controller designed for power factor correction. It is accompanied by commissioning instructions, with the issue date being March 2005.

Function Description:

The NOVAR 315 automatically connects or disconnects capacitors to correct the load and maintain the desired power factor. It operates in both AUTO and MANUAL modes. In AUTO mode, it continuously monitors the system's power factor, voltage, and current, and switches capacitor stages as needed. An additional 'c' displayed alongside the power factor indicates a leading power factor. If input lagging vars exceed the c/k setting, "IND" will be displayed, and capacitors will be connected. If input leading vars exceed the c/k setting, "CAP" will be displayed, and capacitors will be disconnected. The device also features a harmonic alarm (optional) to detect harmonic resonance.

Important Technical Specifications:

Stages: 6-stage capacitor controller.
Electrostatic Discharge Susceptibility: 8 kV air discharge / 4 kV contact. This specification applies for direct contact with the terminals and via air discharge.
Current Operational Limits: Functions correctly as a capacitor controller if the current is below 10% of nominal rating. If the current is higher than 120% of nominal rating, "A-HI" will be displayed, and relay switching will stop until the current falls below 120%.
Fuses: Requires 0.5 A rated fuses in the voltage inputs.
Electromagnetic Compatibility:
- Emissions standard: EN50081-2 1994 Industrial environment.
- Immunity standard: EN50082-2 1995 Industrial environment (IEC801 parts 2, 3 and 4).
Low Voltage Directive: Designed to EN61010-1 1993 safety requirements.
Front Case Classification: IP52.

Usage Features:

Modes of Operation:
- AUTO Mode: The default mode after power-up, where the controller automatically manages capacitor switching. Displays power factor, % system voltage (Vn), and % system current (In).
- MANUAL Mode: Allows manual control of capacitor switching. Capacitors can be switched on or off one after the other, respecting the safety lockout time. The alarm output, if fitted, is switched on when the set limit is reached and off when the required number of capacitors are connected.
Settings: Accessible via the controller fascia, these include:
- Sequence: 00 to 07, defining the step ratios for capacitor stages (e.g., S 00 for equal stages, S 02 for 50, 100, 100, 100 kvar).
- Safety Lockout Time: Adjustable from 10 to 600 seconds in 10-second increments, allowing capacitors to discharge before further switching.
- Stage Limit: Sets the number of capacitor stages to be controlled (from 1 to 6).
- c/k Setting: Range 0.03 to 1, calculated based on the smallest capacitor step size, nominal primary system voltage, and primary rating of the current transformer.
- Target cosφ: Range from 0.80 lagging to 0.95 leading.
- Harmonic Alarm: Optional, with detection levels from 1% to 5% in 1% increments, or can be disabled ("hOFF").
- Switching Type: Rotational or Linear.
- Stepping Type: Single or Double.
- Phase: Three-phase (P3) or single-phase (P1) connection.
Display: High Definition liquid crystal display (LCD) showing current status, settings, and error messages.
Navigation: Uses 'Fn' (Function) button and arrow buttons (up/down) for menu navigation and setting adjustments.
Security Code: Required to enter the change settings mode, located on the rear label.
Connection Error Indication: If voltage or current connections are incorrect, the device displays the phase angle by which the current leads the voltage (e.g., 270° for a reversed CT at unity power factor).

Maintenance Features:

Commissioning Instructions: Detailed steps for installation, wiring, and initial setup.
Safety Precautions:
- Installation, commissioning, and maintenance should only be carried out by suitably qualified personnel.
- Terminations may present a hazard unless the equipment is electrically isolated.
- The equipment should only be operated within specified electrical and environmental limits.
- Appropriate ESD precautions (e.g., earthing oneself, using a wrist strap connected to earth through a 1 MΩ resistor) must be taken if the device is opened.
- High voltage capacitors require setting a safety lockout time before applying current.
- DANGER: Open circuit current transformers are dangerous. The current transformer secondary should be short-circuited before the controller inputs are disconnected.
Automatic Reset: If no settings are changed for five minutes in the change settings mode, the NOVAR 315 will automatically reset and return to normal operation with all new settings applied.
Capacitor Discharge: All capacitor stages are switched off automatically before entering the change settings mode, and a safety lockout time is imposed to allow capacitors to discharge.

Novar 315 - Page 6

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