Capacitor Protection with Semiconductor Fuses

The primary responsibility of a capacitor fuse is to isolate a shorted capacitor before the capacitor can damage surrounding equipment or personnel. Typical capacitor failure occurs when the dielectric in the capacitor is no longer able to withstand the applied voltage. A low impedance current path results. The excessive heat generated builds pressure and can cause violent case rupture. A fuse will isolate the shorted capacitor before case rupture occurs.

Fuse Placement

In applications, code requires that an overcurrent device be placed in each ungrounded conductor of each capacitor bank (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Fuse placement (NEC)

Code further requires that the rating or setting of the over-current device be as low as practicable. A separate overcurrent device is not required if the capacitor is connected on the load side of a motor-running overcurrent device.

Fusing per the code provides reasonable protection if the capacitors are the metallized film self-healing type. If not, each capacitor should be individually fused as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Preferred Fuse Placement

Fusing each individual capacitor is especially important in large banks of parallel capacitors. Should one capacitor fail, the parallel capacitors will discharge into the faulted capacitor and violent case rupture of the faulted capacitor can result. Individual capacitor fusing eliminates this problem.

If the capacitors are to be placed in banks comprised of both series and parallel combinations, the capacitor manufacturer must be consulted for fuse placement recommendations. The opening of improperly placed fuses can cause overvoltage and result in damage to other capacitors in the network.

Ampere Rating of Fuses

How much overcurrent can a capacitor withstand? What effects do neighboring capacitors have on the inrush of a given capacitor? These and other questions influence fuse selection. Circuit analysis can be very complex. It is best to consult the capacitor manufacturer for specific recommendations.

Capacitor fuses are selected for their ability to provide short circuit protection and to ride through capacitor inrush current. Inrush current is affected by the closing angle, capacitance, resistance and inductance of the circuit, and varies from one application to another. Inrush lasts for less than 1/4 cycle and is typically less than 25 timess the capacitor’s current rating.

Steady state capacitor current is proportional to the applied voltage and frequency. Since voltage and frequency are fixed in power factor correction applications, the capacitor is not expected to be subjected to an overload. Therefore, capacitor fuses are not selected to serve as overload protectors for the capacitor.

For more information, please read:

Semiconductor Fuses: Terms and Explanations

How To Read A Fuse Time-Current Curve

Introduction to Current Rating and I²t for Fuses

I²t Curves and Operating Times for Fuses