ETI PFC 6 RS Troubleshooting guide

ETI d.d., Obrezija 5, SI-1411 Izlake
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www.etigroup.eu/support
PFC 6 RS, PFC 8 RS
Power factor correction controller
User and service manual
version 3.5

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1. Control and signal elements 3
2. Device description 4
3. Instruction manual for connection and operation 4
4. Description of the function 5
5. Installation of the device 5
6. Controller parameter setting 6
6.1. Target cosφ setting (CoS) 8
6.2. Current transformer ratio setting (Itr) 8
6.3. Automatic detection of compensation stages (Aut) 8
6.4. Deceleration of regulation at over compensation (Sht) 8
6.5. Manual setting of compensation stages (StP) 8
6.6. Discharging time (dit) 9
6.7. Delay for disconnection (diP) 9
6.8. Fixed capacitor stages (FSt) 9
6.9. Connection configuration (Con) 9
6.10. Regulation to average or instantaneous power factor (_CS) 10
6.11. Averaging time for APFR (tAC) 10
6.12. Recording of number of operations and maximum values (CSt) 10
6.13. De-compensation steps settings (EIC) 10
6.14. Alarms 11
6.15. Configuration of RS485 communication port 11
6.16. Password for entering configuration mode (Cod) 11
6.17. Restart (rES) 12
7. Displayed values 12
7.1. Cosφ 13
7.2. Apparent current 13
7.3. Voltage 13
7.4. Powers 13
7.5. De-compensation delay 13
7.6. Step operation number and time 13
8. Manual operation 13
9. Alarm notification 13
10. Technical features 14

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1 Control and signal elements
Picture 1. Description of front control panel
1. LED ind –it is ON in the case of inductive cosφ
2. LED cap –it is ON in the case of capacitive cosφ
3. LED cosF –it is ON when instantaneous or average value of cosφ is shown on the display
4. LED amp/volt –it is ON when value of measured current/voltage is shown on the display
5. LED alarm –it is ON when alarm is present
6. LED STAGES –those LEDs indicate status of each stage individually
7. Buttons for regulator control
Picture 2. Device terminal connection PFC 6 RS and PFC 8 RS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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2 Device description
Power factor correction regulator PFC 6 and PFC 8 are designed for reactive power control in low and medium
voltage girds 50/60 Hz. PFC 6 and PFC 8 allows to control compensation cabinets with 6 (PFC 6) respective 8
(PFC 8) contactor steps.
PFC 6 and PFC 8 controllers do not have independent alarm output but the last step can be set as an alarm output
and this case it is not used for capacitor step operation but only for alarm purposes.
PFC 6 and PFC 8 controller measures also following parameters:
Parameter
Display
Maximum
Instantaneous cosφ, average cosφ (capacitive, inductive)
●
Measuring voltage
●
●
Current in the measured phase
●
●
Apparent three-phase power
●
●
Active three-phase power
●
●
Reactive three-phase power
●
●
Allowed reactive power
●
●
Odd current harmonics (1 ... 19) in %
●
●
Total harmonic distortion of current THDI
●
●
Odd voltage harmonics (1 ... 19) in %
●
●
Total harmonic distortion of voltage THDU
●
●
Number of connections of each stage
●
Total time of step usage of each step
●
Temperature
●
Table 1. Measured and displayed parameters
Power factor correction controllers PFC 6 and PFC 8 are produced in following variants.
Regulator variant
Number of all stages
Supply and measuring voltage
Panel mounting
PFC 6
6
400 VAC
●
PFC 8
8
400 VAC
●
Table 2. Controller variants according to power supply and measuring voltage
3 Instruction manual for connection and operation
Default parameters are set to the device in production, according to the table 3. Supply voltage has to be taken
from regulated network, because it is used also for voltage measuring circuit. Value of this supply voltage is on the
product label. Current for current measuring circuit can be taken from any phase. By default the connection of the
regulator is that voltage is connected between phase L2 –L3 and current transformer to the phase L1. The
connection of device is shown at picture 4 and 5.
Commissioning procedure:
1. Make connection according to connection diagram at picture 5.
2. Connect supply voltage. In the case that the value of current is lower than 5 mA, the display will show ‘---‘. If not,
the display will show instantaneous value of power factor.
3. Hold button SET for at least 5 seconds. After that device will switch to the service menu and on the display will
appear parameter CoS.
4. By pressing the button SET once again display will show target cosφ. Setting the targeting values of cosφ is done
via buttons ▲ (+) and ▼ (-).
5. Confirmation of the set value CoS is done by pressing the button SET.
6. Press the button ▲ until the parameter Itr will appear on the display. This parameter means transformer ratio of
current transformer.
7. Press the button SET and on the display will appear set value of transformer ratio (default value is 1).
8. Using the buttons ▲, ▼ set known value of transformer ratio.
9. By pressing button SET confirm set value. On the display will appear again the parameter Itr.
10.Now again, by using the buttons ▲, ▼ move to the parameter Aut and by pressing button SET confirm it. Via
button ▲ switch to the value on and via button SET confirm set value. Device automatically perform phasing of
measured voltage, current and detection of connected compensation stages. All parameters will be saved to the
internal memory. When the detection is finished, parameter Aut will be automatically changed to the value oFF.
11.Verify if detection of power of all stages was done correctly. Press button SET for time of 5 seconds to enter
service mode. By pressing button ▲ move to the parameter StP. Press again button SET and LED 1 of first stage

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will turn On. Another pressing the button SET will make the value of the power of the first stage be shown on the
display. If the value is not correct, it should be changed by pressing buttons ▲, ▼ until the correct value. In the
case of capacitor stage, LED cap, placed at the left side of display, has to light. If the power is correct press again
button SET and on the display will appear again parameter StP. Via button ▲ move to another stage and LED 2
will turn On. Repeat the same procedure the same way like for the first stage. Following the same control or
setting of all stages should be done. At the end press button SET until value of power factor will appear on the
display.
12.If everything is set correctly, on the display is shown real instantaneous value of power factor. Regulator PFC 6 or
PFC 8 is ready for operation.
Other parameters may remain on having the default values, that were made by the manufacturer. In the case that
further changes are necessary, the user should follow detailed manual given in chapter 6.
4 Description of the function
Device digitizes measured phase to phase voltage between two phases and current in the measured phase. Then,
from those values, parameters like: power factor, effective values of voltage and current, harmonic distortion of
voltage and current, are being counted. Calculation of the needed compensation power is done by using the value
of allowed reactive power, which is set in the device in the form of requested power factor. According to its size,
regulator will switch on or switch off appropriate capacitor stages.
Within the scope of each power level, regulator uses method of circle switching. All the time connects this stage at
appropriate power level which was switched off for longest time. Everything is made so that regulator will reach
optimal compensation in one regulation cycle with minimum number of switched stages.
The regulator makes harmonics analysis of current and voltage up to 19th harmonics and counts THD factor of
voltage and current.
5 Installation of the device
Regulators PFC 6 and PFC 8 are designed in metal box, which provides perfect EMC shielding. Controller's design
also provides panel mounting, into the hole 91 x 91 mm. The connection of the wires is from the back side of
regulator, to the terminal box. Measuring and auxiliary voltages are being taken from supply voltage, which must be
protected by gG fuse 6A(recommended).
Picture 3: Connection of measuring circuits Picture 4: Position of PFC controller in the system
Location of the current transformer has to allow both current of the load and the current of the capacitor to be
measured together. Correct location is shown on the picture 4 as well as examples of wrong location.
The complete connection is shown at the picture 5. There is only one rule that should be considered. Stages with
the same power have to be connected side by side. For example:
1st stage
2nd stage
3rd stage
4th stage
5th stage
6th stage
6,25 kVAr
6,25 kVAr
12,5 kVAr
-
25 kVAr
25 kVAr
However, ranging the powers in accordance is not necessary. There could be even gaps between particular power
levels. For example, stages 1 and 2 could be connected, then stage 3 disconnected, stages 4 and 5 connected
and so on.

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Picture 5. Connection of PFC 8 controller for standard supply voltage 400 VAC
6 Controller parameter setting
Considering various usage of controllers PFC 6 and PFC 8, there is a number of programmable parameters. For
easy start, regulator is set to default parameters, made by manufacturer. Set parameters are stated in the following
table.
For fast start, the parameters that should necessary be set are cosφ and transformer ratio of current transformer.
Eventually, transformer ratio of voltage transformer could also be set. Furthermore, there are also other parameters
that could be set, in accordance to the customer request.
In order to avoid any unwanted reprogramming of the device, it is possible to protect access to service mode by
setting the three digits password. By default, new controller does not have any password protection activated. It is
recommended to activate password protection after setting all parameters. After the protection has been activated,
it is possible to see all set parameters, but not to change any of them.
For checking respective setting set parameters follow those instructions:
1. Press the button SET for 5 seconds. Device switches to the service mode and parameter CoS will appear on the
display. This is a symbol of parameter whose currently set value will appear after another pressing of button SET.
2. Via buttons ▲, ▼is possible to set the requested value of specified parameter.
3. By pressing the button SET again, regulator will save changed value to the internal memory and on display
symbol of the set parameter will appear again. Via buttons ▲, ▼ it is possible to move to another parameter (see
the table below).
4. If the offered parameter is not the one, which is requested to be modified, follow via buttons ▲, ▼ to the
requested parameter.
5. Regulator turns back automatically from service mode after 1 minute without any keyboard action, or by repeated
pressing of button SET during returning from parameter value setting.
Important
While service mode is activated, device is not regulating. Controller will not react to the power factor changes, neither to
the changes of other monitored variables. Alarm output will not operate as well.
Parameter
Description
Factory setting
Setting range
CoS
target cosφ
ind 0,98
0,80 cap. ... 0,80 ind. in steps of 0,01
Itr
current transformer ratio
1
1 ... 999 in steps of 1
Utr
voltage transformer ratio
1
1 ... 300 in steps of 1
Aut
automatic detection of compensation stages and control circuit
oFF
on / oFF
SHt
deceleration of regulation in the case of over-compensation
60
0 ... 999 s in steps of 1 s

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StP
manual setting of compensation stages
0
999 kVAr C ... 999 kVAr L in step of 0,1kvar
dIt
discharging time for contactor stage, read chapter 6.6 !
120
5 ... 900 s in step of 5 s or overdrive of 50 s
dIP
delay for disconnection of contactor stage
15
5 ... 900 s in step of 5 s or overdrive of 50 s
rSt
number of circuit closing of contactor stage –triggers alarm
when one of contactors reaches the set value.
999
1 ... 999 (x100 operations)
FSt
fixed capacitor stages
Aut
Aut / oFF / on
Con
connection configuration –not needed to set up if “Aut”
Parameter was used –automatic detection
90
0° ... 330° in steps of 30°
orP
reactive power offset for regulation
0
999 kVAr C ... 999 kVAr L
_CS
regulation to the average power factor
on
on / oFF / Aut –off regulates on instant. cosφ
tAC
averaging time for APFR regulation
60
15, 30, 45, 60 minutes
CSt
saving the step operations and maxim to non volatile memory
oFF
on / oFF
EIC
activation of inductive steps for de-compensation
oFF
on / oFF
uLA
under-voltage alarm
oFF
on / oFF
uL
voltage trigger value for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 750 V
tuL
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
ouL
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
uHA
over-voltage alarm
oFF
on / oFF
uH
voltage trigger value for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 750 V
tuH
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
ouH
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
ILA
under-current alarm
oFF
on / oFF
IL
current trigger value for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 5 A
tIL
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
oIL
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
IHA
over-current alarm
oFF
on / oFF
IH
current trigger value for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 8 A
tIH
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
oIH
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
CoA
alarm for cosφ, that is permanently over set limits
oFF
on / oFF
_Co
cosφ level value for an alarm activation
0
0,80 cap. ... 0,80 ind.
tCo
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
oCo
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
HuA
alarm of voltage harmonic distortion
oFF
on / oFF
Hdu
THDU trigger value for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 50 %
tHu
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
oHu
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
HIA
alarm of current harmonic distortion
oFF
on / oFF
HdI
THDI trigger value for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 300 %
tHI
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
oHI
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
otA
alarm for high ambient temperature
oFF
on / oFF
tEA
temperature level for alarm
55
10 ... 80°C
ttE
minimum event duration for an alarm activation
0
0 ... 900 s
otE
alarm event disconnects compensation steps
oFF
on / oFF
rSA
alarm for exceeding of maximum number of step closing
oFF
on / oFF

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tEV
temperature level for ventilator start
35
10 ... 80°C
Id
device ID number in RS485 network
0
0 ... 255
bAu
communication speed for data transmission
0
0 ... 38,4 kBd
PAr
communication control by parity checking
oFF
oFF / on / on_o
Man
manual mode activation
Cod
password for access to SET mode
000
any three digits number 001 ... 999
rES
reset to the factory setting
-
Table 3. Configuration menu
Note
Overdrive is activated by permanent pressing of button ▲or ▼.
6.1 Target cosφ setting (CoS)
Press the button SET at least for 5 second for entering service mode. On the display will appear parameter symbol
CoS. After another pressing of button SET display will show set value. Via buttons ▲, ▼ set new requested value
in the limits from 0,8 inductive to 0,8 capacitive. Another pressing of button SET saves new value to the memory
and on display it will appear again symbol CoS.
6.2 Current transformer ratio setting (Itr)
If service mode is activated, move by buttons ▲, ▼ to the parameter Itr. After pressing button SET, the set value
will appear on the display. Via buttons ▲, ▼ is possible to change value of transformer ratio. Another press of
button SET saves new value to the memory and on display, symbol Itr will appear again.
It is important to have in mind that the value which is set, is ratio itself. It means that, for example, if primary
nominal current of transformer is 50 A and secondary is 5 A then set parameter value is Itr = 10.
Caution
Measurement range of the current inputs is from 5 mA to 6 A. Maximum of the adjustable current transformer ratio is 5000
/ 5 A. If the secondary current value rises over 5,3 A, alarm will start, in the case it is enabled.
6.3 Automatic detection of compensation stages (Aut)
Another parameter in the menu is function Aut. After pressing of button SET, the display will show oFF. Via buttons
▲, ▼ change to the value on. After the pressing of button SET automatic detection will start to detect connected
stages. The symbol Con will appear on the display, and first capacitor stage will be switched on and off 6 times in
the cycle of 20 seconds.
Detection of controller connection to the system is followed by detection of power of connected capacitor stages.
During detection, the measured values of each stage are shown on the display. Measured values are being
rounded on 0,5 kvar. After the detection is finished, the regulator will switch parameter Aut back to oFF.
Important
In some cases controller is not able to make automatic detection and in place of measured power shows zeros. It can
happen in places with very fast changes of network parameters, where measured values will not be correct. In this case
regulator shows Er1 and it is necessary to set parameters manually, after detailed network measurements.
6.4 Deceleration of regulation at over compensation (Sht)
This parameter is represented by symbol Sht. This function is used for slowing down the regulation during over-
compensation. At under-compensation regulation is slowed down according to average power factor. This function
assures reduction of switch on/off operation of contactor stages. After pressing the button SET, display will show
set value of deceleration. By buttons ▲, ▼ it is possible to change value and button SET saves this into the
memory. Current situation of regulation deceleration during over-compensation is shown under parameter Sht, in
the menu of measured values.
6.5 Manual setting of compensation stages (StP)
Entering the parameter StP by pressing button SET will open sub menu, where it is necessary to select the step,

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which is going to be set by capacitor power value. Via buttons ▲, ▼ select the appropriate step. The step is
signalized by green LED of the step number. By pressing button SET the value of the step will appear on display.
Via buttons ▲, ▼ change the value (LED ind and LED cap inform about definition of the capacitor or de-
compensation reactor operated by controller output) and confirm it by button SET. Via buttons ▲, ▼ select
another step and follow the same procedure until all steps are set. After setting of all steps, keep pressing button
SET until display will show StP and all step LED's will be off.
Maximum value of the step is 999 kVAr of inductive and capacitive type. Since the display has only three segments
to show the values up to 99,9 kVAr are shown with one decimal place. Values over 100 kVAr are shown as a
integer although step is still in 0,1 kVAr.
For activation of de-compensation steps study the parameter EIC.
6.6 Discharging time (dit)
For setting the absorption of steps, parameter dit is available in the menu. By this parameter, it is possible to set,
for each step separately, suitable time for capacitor discharge. Discharging time can be set from 5 to 900 seconds.
Default factory setting value is 120 seconds compatible with ETI capacitors type LPC. Default setting is optimal for
capacitors with built in discharge resistors, without using extra discharge resistors or inductors. For PFC systems
that have provided extra discharge resistors or inductors, which ensure quick discharge of capacitors, dit time can
be much lower, but not less than 60s. Discharging time influences on performance of PFC system, results in
invoice with use of reactive energy. Lower value makes system more responsive, but may cause capacitor
destruction!
6.7 Delay for disconnection (diP)
This parameter is represented on the display by symbol diP.It is the minimum time for contactor step operation. If
during this time the request for disconnection of the step comes the step will not be disconnected until the diP time
is counted down. It is possible to be set from 5 to 900 seconds.
6.8 Fixed capacitor stages (FSt)
On the display it is represented by symbol FSt.This parameter allows to set steps as a fixed ones. The regulator is
not counting those steps for regulation cycle. Each step can stay in three working modes.
•Aut –stage is normally regulated by controller
•oFF –always off (status indication LED blinks red)
•on –always on (status indication LED blinks green)
6.9 Connection configuration (Con)
Parameter Con defines mutual position between voltage and current measuring circuits in the three-phase
network. According to controller supply and measuring voltage variant the correction angle differs.
Table 4 shows all possible combination and its correction angles of voltage and current measuring circuits for
controllers PFC 6 and PFC 8.
Current transformer location and
position
Line voltage
L1 (4) - L2 (3)
L2 (4) - L1 (3)
L2 (4) - L3 (3)
L3 (4) - L2 (3)
L3 (4) - L1 (3)
L1 (4) - L3 (3)
L1
k (2) - l (1)
210°
30°
90°
270°
330°
150°
l (1) - k (2)
30°
210°
270°
90°
150°
330°
L2
k (2) - l (1)
330°
150°
210°
30°
90°
270°
l (1) - k (2)
150°
330°
30°
210°
270°
90°
L3
k (2) - l (1)
90°
270°
330°
150°
210°
30°
l (1) - k (2)
270°
90°
150°
330°
30°
210°

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Table 4. Phase shift setting for supply and measuring voltage 400 V AC
6.10 Regulation to average or instantaneous power factor (_CS)
This setting defines if regulator will regulate slow contactor stages to average or instantaneous power factor. If the
set value is on then usage of contactor stages is affected by average power factor. If the set value is off then
regulation is performed only according to instantaneous power factor. In configuration mode move via button ▲, ▼
to the item ˉCS. After pressing of button SET display will show set value on / oFF / Aut. Via buttons ▲, ▼it is
possible to change this value. Another pressing of button SET saves new value into the regulator memory.
Caution
Option Aut is a modification for Lithuanian market where there is not defined any area for cosφ(for example 0,96 ... 1)
but strict limit cosφ= 1. With enabled option Aut, controller is regulating symmetrically according to parameter SHt.
6.11 Averaging time for APFR (tAC)
This setting defines half-period of average cosφ calculation. There are available four times for average cosφ
calculation (15, 30 45 and 60 minutes). Default value of period for average cosφ calculation is 30 minutes which
refers to half-period set from factory on 15 minutes. It is suitable for most of applications.
After entering selected parameter currently set value of time period will appear. Via buttons ▲, ▼ it is possible to
change this value. Another pressing of button SET saves new value into the regulator memory.
6.12 Recording of number of operations and maximum values (CSt)
Activation of this parameters allows the controller to save maximums (the minimum value of frequency is being
recorded as well) of measured values into to internal memory.
Monitoring of measured parameters is being done in real time but recording to non-volatile memory is done 3 times
per 24 hours. Before recording the maximum (minimum) into the memory, this value is kept in standard operating
memory. In the case that power supply is lost before recording to non-volatile memory the maximum (minimum)
values will be lost.
6.13 De-compensation steps settings (EIC)
For application where there is a need of de-compensation by reactors it is necessary enable inductive steps setting
in parameter EIC. If the parameter is set on yes then particular step powers can be set in inductive or capacitive
power.
De-compensation by reactor steps is possible be done in two solutions. For application where there is only
capacitive load the all steps may be based on de-compensation reactors. For application where there is inductive