Schneider Electric BLRCH285A342B44 28.5 kvar 440 V PFC Capacitor

BLRCH285A342B44: 28.5/34.2 kvar 440 V PowerLogic HDuty capacitor

The BLRCH285A342B44 is a Schneider Electric PowerLogic PFC capacitor of the HDuty (heavy duty) series. The datasheet gives its electrical parameters as 28.5 kvar at 440 V, 50 Hz and 34.2 kvar at 440 V, 60 Hz, in a cylindrical metal can 136 mm in diameter and 242 mm high. HDuty cans are intended for power factor correction banks that must tolerate network harmonic content up to 20 per cent and a high inrush, which is the main difference from the EasyLogic standard-duty cans in the same product family. Seven Star LLC supplies the BLRCH285A342B44 in Oman and the GCC as an independent supplier based in Muscat.

Reading the reference from the datasheet: BLRCH is the HDuty can family prefix, the digits 285 and 342 correspond to the 28.5 and 34.2 kvar ratings with the decimal point omitted, and the final 44 to the 440 V rating in tens of volts. Treat this only as a way to cross-check the order; the datasheet table is the reference.

Technical specifications of the BLRCH285A342B44

Reading the kvar and voltage data of the BLRCH285A342B44

Reactive power in a capacitor is proportional to frequency, so the same can is rated 28.5 kvar on a 50 Hz network and 34.2 kvar on a 60 Hz network at 440 V; the ratio is 1.2 as expected. Oman and the GCC run at 50 Hz, so the figure that matters is 28.5 kvar. If the capacitor is connected three-phase, the rated current can be estimated as kvar divided by 1.732 times the voltage, which gives roughly 37 A for this can; this is a calculation, not a datasheet value, and the connection type must be confirmed from the capacitor label and the bank design.

The rated voltage is 440 V AC 50/60 Hz and the maximum permissible voltage is 1.1 x Un (8 hours over 24 hours). Capacitor output rises with the square of voltage, so a 440 V can on a 415 V network delivers noticeably less than its nameplate kvar, while on a network that runs high it is stressed more. 440 V is the lower of the voltages in this group and suits networks that run close to 400 or 415 V with some margin.

Construction and mounting of the BLRCH285A342B44

The can measures 136 mm in diameter by 242 mm in height and weighs 3.2 kg. The terminal type is ClampTite terminal and the datasheet gives the type of installation as indoor installation, with upright/horizontal mounting. The protection degree is IP20, which gives finger-touch protection for the terminal area, but the can is still intended to sit inside a cabinet. The operating ambient range is -25…55 °C at up to 2000 m altitude and temperature class D.

BLRCH285A342B44 and the other PowerLogic PFC HDuty cans in this group

The table lists the HDuty cans found in the same batch with their rating, voltage, dimensions, terminals and weight, taken from each datasheet. Cans in this list share the HDuty construction but differ in size, terminals and protection degree, so a replacement must match the mounting, not only the kvar. By rating, the BLRCH285A342B44 is number 1 of 6 in this group; the others are BLRCH288A346B48 (28.8 kvar, 480 V), BLRCH315A378B48 (31.5 kvar, 480 V), BLRCH339A407B48 (33.9 kvar, 480 V), BLRCH344A413B52 (34.4 kvar, 525 V), BLRCH453A544B48 (45.3 kvar, 480 V).

Selection and installation of the BLRCH285A342B44

Check these points before ordering.

• Duty: HDuty; network harmonic content must stay within <= 20 %.
• Rating: 28.5 kvar at 440 V, 50 Hz.
• Voltage: rated 440 V AC 50/60 Hz; compare with the highest network voltage.
• Size: 136 mm x 242 mm, 3.2 kg.
• Terminals: ClampTite terminal; check the cable or busbar and the contactor and fuse sized for the inrush of 250 x In.
• Switching: use capacitor-duty contactors and a discharge arrangement; both are outside this datasheet.
• Switching frequency: no more than 7000 operations per year.

Mount the can upright/horizontal with free space around it for convective cooling; stacking cans tightly in a hot panel shortens life. Connect through a capacitor-duty contactor and short, correctly sized leads, tighten the terminal as the product instructions require, and keep the earthing of the metal can in line with the bank design. Before touching a de-energised bank, wait for the discharge period and verify that the terminals are discharged.

In service, check capacitance and current periodically with a clamp meter or the controller log. A falling capacitance or a swollen can indicates end of life.

Typical uses of the BLRCH285A342B44 in Oman and the GCC

Power factor correction cans are used in commercial buildings, workshops, water and desalination plants and industrial boards across Oman and the GCC, where utilities charge for low power factor and motor load is large. HDuty cans suit sites with variable-speed drives, welders and other harmonic sources, provided the filtering, detuning or harmonic study is done at the bank level. Summer panel temperatures need attention: the datasheet limit is -25…55 °C, so ventilation and a thermal cut-out in the bank are advisable.

Duty data of the BLRCH285A342B44: overcurrent, inrush and life

The continuous overcurrent capacity is 1.8 x In and the inrush current is 250 x In; the maximum number of switching operations per year is 7000. The service life is stated as 130000 h. The capacitance tolerance is – 5 % to 10 %, so measured capacitance on delivery can sit somewhat above nominal and should not be treated as a defect.

The dielectric is Metallized polypropylene film with Zn/Al alloy, special resistivity & profile, special; the impregnation is listed as Non-PCB dry PUR resin / Biodegradable.

Information to send with an RFQ for the BLRCH285A342B44

Please send with your request for the BLRCH285A342B44:

• Part number BLRCH285A342B44 and quantity.
• Network voltage, frequency and the number of steps in the bank.
• Harmonic data or the type of drives on the network, if known.
• Existing can model, if this is a replacement, with its nameplate photo.
• Delivery location and required documents.

Documents and quotation

The official Schneider Electric datasheet for the BLRCH285A342B44 is attached on this page, so the figures quoted above can be checked line by line against the manufacturer document. Please send the part number BLRCH285A342B44, the quantity and the delivery point in Oman or elsewhere in the GCC, and we will reply with availability and lead time.

Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier based in Muscat. We work independently of the manufacturer; we source, check the reference against the datasheet and quote. Ask for the BLRCH285A342B44 on your RFQ and mention any special packing, marking or documentation needed for the project file.