RE: How large can the capacitance be in parallel AC filter?

Posted by Jon Risch (B) on November 30, 2014 at 21:32:56

In Reply to: How large can the capacitance be in parallel AC filter? posted by dave789 on November 28, 2014 at 18:48:56:

There are several points of different sizes for different mile-posts.

Step one: stay within UL and other Safety agency requirements for leakage currents, and avoid any issues with insurance being denied, etc.

This would be some where on the order of 0.01 uF (10,000 nF).

This value would also avoid tripping GFI type outlets, and so is a safe bet for universal usage.

Step two: a reasonable amount of capacitance that is not decidedly dangerous, but still violates UL, etc.
This would be from several to 1 uF of capacitance, and should only be used if you know the consequences of doing so.

Step three: so much capacitance that the current draw is enough to trip the breaker when the equipment is turned on.

This is going to vary due to how much current the equipment plugged into that outlet draws, steady state as well as turn on surge.
With no equipment plugged in or turned on, the maximum capacitance is approx. 300 uF, which will draw approx. 15 amps at 120 VAC.
So if the equipment draws 7.5 amps, then the total capacitance can not exceed approx. 150 uF.

Going to the extreme of step three is NOT recommended or any sort of a good idea, step two is risky enough.

Jon Risch

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - How large can the capacitance be in parallel AC filter? - dave789 18:48:56 11/28/14 (18)

check out - unclestu 00:28:10 12/09/14 (10)

could not find the web site - dave789 16:33:17 12/13/14 (0)

RE: check out - beautox 00:48:06 12/09/14 (8)

RE: check out - dave789 16:31:38 12/13/14 (3)

RE: check out - beautox 17:22:03 12/13/14 (2)

RE: check out - dave789 18:35:29 12/13/14 (1)

RE: check out - beautox 20:00:00 12/13/14 (0)

RE: check out - unclestu 05:56:04 12/09/14 (3)

RE: check out - beautox 13:09:30 12/09/14 (1)

RE: check out - unclestu 18:35:09 12/09/14 (0)

RE: check out - beautox 13:04:41 12/09/14 (0)

RE: How large can the capacitance be in parallel AC filter? - Jon Risch 21:32:56 11/30/14 (2)

danger depends on where the caps are (?) - Tweaker456 14:20:54 12/15/14 (0)

Errata - djk 23:29:45 12/01/14 (0)

The need to bleed - Tweekeng 11:24:59 11/30/14 (0)

Going the wrong way aren't you? - Uncle Mike 05:47:44 11/29/14 (2)

RE: Going the wrong way aren't you? - dave789 08:23:16 11/29/14 (1)

yea..ok...nt - Uncle Mike 13:11:03 11/29/14 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: How large can the capacitance be in parallel AC filter? - Jon Risch 21:32:56 11/30/14 (2)

danger depends on where the caps are (?) - Tweaker456 14:20:54 12/15/14 (0)

Errata - djk 23:29:45 12/01/14 (0)

RE: How large can the capacitance be in parallel AC filter?

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