Performance characteristics of the Atlas 60 kV, 60 kJ plastic capacitors

This paper provides the performance data of Atlas plastic capacitors as supplied by Maxwell Technologies and Aerovox Corporation. The fiberglass cases are 13" high by 29" wide and 28" in depth with a 2" by 18" bushing on each end. Two styles of the 33.5 uF capacitors have been evaluated for Atlas use, a conventional paper-foil and a self-healing metalized-paper and plastic dielectric design. A test program to capacitor failure, is being used to evaluate capacitor lifetime at full voltage (60 kV) and a nominal 15% reversal. With the Atlas parameters, peak currents of /spl sim/340 kA are realized. In anticipation of faults, capacitors are capable, specified, and tested for 700 kA performance. Accurate methods are also utilized to determine capacitor inductance, less than 20 nH. The results of the various capacitor testing programs are presented in addition to future directives for our R&D efforts.