Adaptive Automatic Power Capacitor for Controlling Controller a Capacitor Bank of a Power Distribution System

1. An adaptive power capacitor controller system for adjusting the reactive power of an electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line, said controller system comprising sensor means for sensing at least a reactive current condition of the line, switching means for coupling the capacitor bank to the line, said switching means establishing a first line state when the capacitor bank is connected to the line and establishing a second line state when the capacitor bank is disconnected from the line, and control means associated with said switching means and with said sensor means for selectively operating said switching means to connect and to disconnect the bank relative to the line, said control means including means for actuating said switching means for attaining a selected succession of said first and second line states, means for determining a change in said reactive current of the line in response to at least said sensed reactive current during said selected succession of said first and second line states, first threshold determination means for automatically determining a first threshold value of at least said sensed line condition at which said control means operates said switching means to establish said first line state in response to said change in reactive current, and second threshold determination means for automatically determining a second threshold value of at least said sensed line condition at which said control means operates said switching means to establish said second line condition in response to said change in reactive current.

2. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 1, wherein said first threshold determination means includes means for determining said first threshold when said control means connects the capacitor bank to the line, and said second determination means includes means for determining said second threshold when said control means disconnects the capacitor bank from the line.

3. An adaptive power capacitor controller system for adjusting the reactive power of an electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line, said controller system comprising a sensor for sensing at least one of a reactive current condition of the line and a voltage condition of the line, a switching element for coupling the capacitor bank to the line, said switching element establishing a first line state when the capacitor bank is connected to the line, and establishing a second line state when the capacitor bank is disconnected from the line, and control means associated with said switching element and with said sensor for selectively operating said switching element to connect the bank relative to the line, said control means including means for actuating said switching means for a selected succession of said first and second line states, means for determining a change in said reactive current of the line in response to at least one of said sensed reactive current and said sensed voltage between said first and second states during said selected succession, first threshold determination means for automatically determining a first threshold of at least one sensed line condition at which said control means operates said switching means to establish said first line condition in response to said change in reactive current, and second threshold determination means for automatically determining a second threshold of at least one sensed line condition at which said control means operates said switching means to establish said second line condition in response to said change in reactive current.

4. An adaptive power capacitor controller of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line carrying a selected voltage by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line with a switching element in response to a selected reactive current condition in the line, said capacitor controller comprising programmed control means for automatically actuating the switching element for coupling the capacitor bank to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing a program for operating the switching element to connect and alternatively to disconnect the capacitor bank relative to the line according to a predetermined sequence to determine at least said reactive current of the line during said sequence, and parameter selection means coupled to said memory means for automatically determining a first set point corresponding to a first reactive condition at which said control means operates the switching element to connect the capacitor bank to the line and for automatically determining a second set point corresponding to a second reactive condition at which said control means operates the switching element to disconnect the capacitor bank from the line.

5. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 4, wherein the capacitor bank has a selected size, and wherein said control means includes means for determining the size of the capacitor bank in response to at least said reactive current in the line.

6. An adaptive power capacitor controller of the type for adjusting the reactive power of at least one electrical line in a set of multi-phase power lines by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line, the electrical lines carrying reactive current having a phase angle relative to a particular line voltage, said capacitor controller comprising control means coupled to at least one of said lines for coupling the capacitor bank to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including phase determination means for automatically determining the phase of said reactive current in said line relative to the voltage in a further line.

7. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 6, wherein said control means further comprises compensation means for automatically compensating for said phase of said reactive current in said line to attain a selected phase relative to the voltage on a further line.

8. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 6, wherein the electrical line carries real power and reactive power, said phase determination means further including power determination means for determining at least one of said reactive power of the electrical line and the magnitude of said real power of the electrical line, memory means for storing selected phase compensation values associated with at least one of said real power and with said reactive power determined by said power determination means, and means coupled to said memory means for comparing said reactive power and said real power with said stored phase compensation values to determine the appropriate phase compensation value indicative of said phase angle of said reactive current relative to said line voltage.

9. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 8, wherein said control means further includes compensation means for automatically compensating for said phase of said reactive current determined by said phase determination means by said selected phase compensation value corresponding to at least one said real power and said reactive power.

10. An adaptive power capacitor controller of the type for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line, wherein the electrical line carries real power and reactive current having a phase angle relative to the line voltage, by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line with a switching element, said capacitor controller comprising programmed control means for automatically actuating the switching element for coupling the capacitor bank selectively to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing a program for operating the switching element to connect the capacitor bank to the line according to a predetermined sequence to determine changes in at least said reactive current of the line and said real power of the line, first determination means for automatically determining a change in said reactive current of the line during said predetermined sequence, said first determination means including means for generating a first value corresponding to a change in said reactive current, second determination means for automatically determining said change in said power of the line during said predetermined sequence, said second determination means including means for generating a second value corresponding to a negative change in said power, and adjustment means responsive to said first and second values for automatically compensating for said phase angle of said reactive current relative to the line voltage by a selected phase compensation value stored in said memory means and which value corresponds to at least one of said first and second values, whereby said first and second values indicate a reverse current condition in the line.

11. An adaptive power capacitor controller of claim 10, wherein said selected phase compensation value is about 180 degrees.

12. An adaptive power capacitor controller of the type for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line, wherein the electrical line carries reactive current and a selected voltage, by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line with a switching element, the switching element disconnecting the capacitor bank from the line when the line voltage exceeds a first selected voltage level, and connecting the bank to the line when the line voltage falls below a second selected voltage level, said capacitor controller comprising programmed control means for automatically actuating the switching element for coupling the capacitor bank selectively to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing a program for operating the switching element to connect the capacitor bank relative to the line according to a predetermined sequence to determine changes in said reactive current of the line and said voltage of the line, first determination means for automatically determining said change in said reactive current of the line during said predetermined sequence, said first determination means including means for generating a first value when said change in said reactive current is about equal to zero, second determination means for automatically determining said change in said voltage of the line during said predetermined sequence, said second determination means including means for generating a second value corresponding to a change in said voltage, and predetermined parameter selection means, responsive to said first and second values and coupled to said memory means, for automatically establishing a first predetermined set point stored in said memory means as said first voltage level, and for automatically establishing a second predetermined set point stored in said memory means as said second voltage level, whereby said first and second values indicate a reverse power condition in the line.

13. An adaptive power capacitor controller of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line carrying a selected voltage by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line with a switching element, the switching element connecting the capacitor bank to the line in response to a selected reactive current condition in the line, said capacitor controller comprising programmed control means for automatically actuating the switching element for coupling the capacitor bank selectively to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing a program therein, said stored program being adapted to operate the switching element to connect the capacitor bank relative to the line according to a predetermined sequence, first determination means for automatically determining at least said reactive current of the line during said predetermined sequence, parameter selection means coupled to said memory means and said first determination means for automatically determining a first set point corresponding to a first reactive current condition at which said control means operates the switching element to connect the capacitor bank to the line, and for automatically determining a second set point corresponding to a second reactive current condition at which said control means operates the switching element to disconnect the bank from the line, and adjustment means for automatically adjusting at least one of said set points when said reactive current condition in the line attains one of said reactive current conditions within a selected time of a previous reactive current condition, said previous reactive current condition corresponding to one of said first and second reactive current conditions.

14. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 13, wherein said adjustment means automatically adjusts at least one of said set points when said control means disconnects the bank from the line within a selected time after said control means connects the capacitor bank to the line.

15. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said set points is said second set point, and wherein said control means further includes means for inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line when the line attains said first and second reactive current conditions within a preselected time, said preselected time being stored in said memory means.

16. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 13, wherein said adjustment means is adapted to increase said second set point a selected amount between about 10% and about 35%.

17. An adaptive power capacitor controller of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line carrying a selected voltage by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line with a switching element, the switching element disconnecting the capacitor bank from the line when the line voltage exceeds a first selected voltage level, and connecting the bank to the line when the line voltage falls below a second selected voltage level, said capacitor controller comprising programmed control means for automatically actuating the switching element for coupling the capacitor bank selectively to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing a program for operating the switching element to connect the capacitor bank to the line according to a predetermined sequence to determine at least a change in line voltage due to connection of the capacitor bank, said memory means including means for storing a first predetermined set point corresponding to said first voltage level and a second predetermined set point corresponding to said second voltage level, said first and second set points defining a selected voltage range, voltage selection means for automatically establishing a selected voltage level in response to at least said change in line voltage according to said predetermined sequence resident in said memory means, and inhibit means for automatically inhibiting said control means from operating the switching element to connect the bank relative to the line when a selected combination of said line voltage and said selected voltage level is outside of said selected voltage range.

18. An adaptive capacitor controller according to claim 17, wherein said inhibit means includes first prevention means for inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank to the line when said first selected voltage level is smaller than the arithmetic sum of the selected voltage level and the line voltage, and second prevention means for inhibiting disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line when said second selected voltage level is greater than the arithmetic difference between the line voltage and the selected voltage level.

19. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 17, wherein said selected voltage range is between about 114 volts and about 126 volts.

20. A power capacitor controller of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line carrying a selected voltage by selectively applying a capacitor bank to the line with a switching element, the switching element disconnecting the capacitor bank from the line when the line voltage exceeds a first selected voltage level, and connecting the bank to the line when the line voltage falls below a second selected voltage level, said capacitor controller comprising control means for automatically coupling the capacitor bank to the line to adjust said reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing a first predetermined set point corresponding to said first voltage level and a second predetermined set point corresponding to said second voltage level, and means for switching the capacitor bank relative to the line when the line voltage attains one of said first and second set points.

21. A power capacitor controller system for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line carrying reactive current and voltage by selectively applying reactive capacitance thereto from a capacitor bank, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current line condition in the electrical line and for generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage line condition in the electrical line and for generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed voltage, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and programmed control means in electrical communication with said switch means for automatically actuating said switch means to couple the capacitor bank selectively with the electrical line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing at least one of said line conditions, and automatic parameter selection means coupled to said memory means for automatically establishing a first parameter determining connection of the capacitor bank to the electrical line and for automatically establishing a second parameter determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line in response to at least said reactive current output signal, said first and second parameters being established according to a programmed sequence resident in said memory means, whereby said controller system is adaptive and operates with programmed intelligence.

22. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, wherein said control means further includes measurement means for measuring a change in said reactive current of the electrical line over a selected period in response to at least said reactive current output signal, and means for generating a value indicative of said reactive power in response to said reactive current output signal, and determination means responsive to said reactive power value for automatically determining the size of the capacitor bank.

23. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, further comprising signal conditioning means coupled to at least said current sensing means for removing electrical noise from said current output signal.

24. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, further comprising signal conditioning means coupled to at least said voltage sensing means for amplifying said voltage output signal.

25. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, further comprising selection means coupled to said control means and to at least one of said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively inputting to said control means at least one of said current output signal and said voltage output signal.

26. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, further comprising converter means for converting at least one of said current output signal and said voltage output signal to an output digital signal, said converter means including means for transmitting said output digital signal to said control means.

27. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, for use with at least one electrical line of a set of multi-phase power lines having a selected phase angle relative to the sensed line voltage, said control means further comprising automatic phase measuring means for automatically determining the phase angle of said reactive current relative to the sensed line voltage.

28. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 27, wherein said control means further comprises compensation means for automatically compensating for the phase angle of the reactive current in said electric line to attain a selected phase relative to said sensed line voltage.

29. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 27, wherein the electrical line carries real power and reactive power, and wherein said automatic phase measuring means includes power measurement means for determining said reactive power of the electrical line and for determining said real power of the electrical line in response to at least one of said current and voltage output signals, said power measurement means generating a first value indicative of said reactive power and a second value indicative of said real power, said memory means further including means for storing one of said first and second values, each said value having associated therewith one or more selected phase angle compensation values stored in said memory means and corresponding to an amount by which said control means compensates for said phase angle of said current relative to said voltage, and means for determining the appropriate phase angle compensation value in response to said first and second values corresponding to said measured reactive power and said measured real power, respectively, whereby said control means automatically compensates for the phase angle of said reactive current by said appropriate phase angle value.

30. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, wherein said program is adapted to operate said switch means to connect the capacitor bank relative to the line according to said programmed sequence to determine changes in said reactive current of the line and said voltage of the line, said reactive current having a selected phase angle relative to said line voltage, and wherein said programmed control means further includes first determination means responsive to said reactive current output signal for automatically determining said change in said reactive current of the line during said programmed sequence, said first determination means including means for generating a first value corresponding to said change in said reactive current, second determination means responsive to said voltage output signal for automatically determining said change in said voltage of the line during said programmed sequence, said second determination means including means for generating a second value corresponding to a negative change in said voltage, comparison means for comparing one of said first and second values with at least one of a predetermined voltage value stored in said memory means and a predetermined reactive current value stored in said memory means, each said one predetermined value having a selected phase angle compensation value associated therewith, and adjustment means for automatically adjusting said phase angle of said reactive current by said selected phase angle compensation stored in said memory means and associated with said one selected value, whereby said first and second values indicate a reverse current condition in the line.

31. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 30, wherein said selected compensation phase angle value is about 180 degrees.

32. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, wherein said program is adapted to operate said switch means capacitor to connected bank capacitor bank relative to the line according to said programmed sequence to determine changes in said voltage and said reactive current of the line, and wherein said control means further comprises first determination means responsive to said current output signal for automatically determining said change in said reactive current of the line during said programmed sequence, said first determination means including means for generating a first value when said change in said reactive current is about equal to zero, and second determination means responsive to said voltage output signal for automatically determining said change in said voltage of the line during said programmed sequence, said second determination means including means for generating a second value corresponding to said change in said voltage, whereby said first and second values indicate a reverse power condition in the line.

33. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 32, wherein said control means further comprises inhibit means, coupled to said memory means and responsive to said first and second values, for inhibiting switching of the bank relative to the line in response to said reactive current signal, and voltage switching means, responsive to at least one of said first and second values and coupled to said memory means, for establishing a first predetermined voltage switching level corresponding to said first parameter and a second predetermined voltage switching level corresponding to said second parameter, said first and second voltage switching levels being stored in said memory means, said first switching level determining connection of the capacitor bank to the line when said line voltage falls below said first level, and said second switching level determining disconnection of the bank from the line when the said line voltage exceeds said second voltage level.

34. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, wherein said program is adapted to operate said switch means to connect the capacitor bank relative to the line according to said programmed sequence to determine at least said change in said reactive current of the line, and wherein said control means further comprises determination means for automatically determining said change in said reactive power of the line in response to one of said current output signal and said voltage output signal during said programmed sequence, said automatic parameter selection means determining said first and second parameters in response to said change in reactive current, time determination means for determining a first time interval between successive switching operations of said switch means, comparison means for comparing said first selected time interval with a predetermined time interval stored in said memory means, and connection inhibit means for inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line when said first time interval is less than said predetermined time interval.

35. An adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 34, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting said time interval between successive switching operations by adding a selected switching inhibit time amount to one of said predetermined time interval and said first time interval to increase the time interval between successive switching operations.

36. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 21, wherein said program is adapted to operate said switch means to connect the capacitor bank to the line according to said programmed sequence to determine a change in line voltage due to connection of the capacitor bank, said control means further comprising voltage selection means for automatically establishing a selected voltage value in response to at least said change in line voltage determined according to said programmed sequence, and inhibit means for automatically inhibiting said control means from operating said switch means when a combination of said line voltage and said selected voltage value is outside of a predetermined voltage range stored in said memory means.

37. An adaptive capacitor controller system according to claim 36, wherein said first parameter corresponds to a first predetermined voltage value stored in said memory means, and said second parameter corresponds to a second predetermined voltage value stored in said memory means, said inhibit means further comprising first prevention means for inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank to the line when said first predetermined voltage value is generally less than the arithmetic sum of the voltage guard voltage value and the line voltage, and second prevention means for inhibiting disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line when said second predetermined voltage value is generally greater than the arithmetic difference between the line voltage and the voltage guard voltage value.

38. An adaptive capacitor controller system according to claim 36, wherein said voltage range defined by said first selected voltage value and said second selected voltage value is between about 90 volts and about 140 volts for a 120 volt line, and between about 180 volts and about 280 volts for a 240 volt line.

39. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 36, wherein said selected voltage level is in the range of about 0.1 volts and about 10 volts.

40. An adaptive power capacitor controller system for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line carrying reactive current and voltage by selectively applying reactive capacitance thereto from a capacitor bank, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current condition in the line, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage condition in the line, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting and disconnecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and programmed control means in circuit with said switch means for automatically actuating said switch means to couple the capacitor bank selectively relative to the electrical line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing at least one of said line conditions and for storing a program sequence that operates said switch means in a selected manner to connect or disconnect the capacitor bank relative to the line, and automatic parameter selection means coupled to said memory means for automatically establishing a first selected voltage level that determines the connection of the capacitor bank to the electrical line in response to one of said stored line conditions according to said program sequence.

41. An adaptive power capacitor controller system of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of a set of multi-phase electrical lines by selectively applying a capacitor bank thereto, the electrical lines carrying reactive current having a selected phase angle relative to the voltage of any of the electrical lines, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current condition in a selected line and for generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage condition in a selected line and for generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed voltage, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and programmed control means in circuit with said switch means and the line for automatically actuating said switch means selectively to couple the capacitor bank relative to the line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including phase determination means for automatically determining the selected phase of said sensed reactive current relative to the sensed line voltage in response to at least one of said output signals.

42. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 41, wherein said control means further comprises compensation means for automatically compensating for said phase of said sensed reactive current relative to said sensed voltage.

43. An adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 41, wherein the electrical line carries real power and reactive power, said phase determination means further including power determination means for determining at least one of said reactive power and said real power of the set of lines in response to at least one of said current output signal and said voltage output signal, said power determination means further including means for generating a first value indicative of said reactive power and a second value indicative of said real power, memory means for storing predetermined phase compensation values associated with predetermined values of said real power and of said reactive power, means responsive to at least one of said first and second values and coupled to said memory means for automatically comparing said first and second values representative of said reactive power and of said real power, respectively, with said stored predetermined power values to determine an appropriate one of said stored phase angle compensation value, and adjustment means for automatically adjusting said phase angle of said reactive current by said appropriate phase angle compensation value.

44. An adaptive power capacitor controller system of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of a set of electrical lines by selectively applying a capacitor bank thereto, each electrical line carrying reactive current having a selected phase relative to a voltage in any of the lines, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current condition in one of the lines and for generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current of that line, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage condition in one of the lines and for generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage of that line, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and control means in circuit with said switch means and the line for automatically actuating said switch means selectively to couple the capacitor bank relative to the line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing at least one of said line conditions and for storing a program sequence that operates said switch means in a selected manner to couple selectively the capacitor bank relative to the line, first determination means for automatically determining a change in said reactive current of the line in response to said current output signal during said program sequence, said first determination means including means for generating a first value corresponding to said change in reactive current, second determination means for automatically determining a change in said voltage of the line in response to said voltage output signal during said program sequence, said second determination means including means for generating a second value corresponding to a negative change in said voltage, comparison means for comparing at least one of said first and second values with one of a predetermined voltage value stored in said memory means and a predetermined reactive current value stored in said memory means, each said one predetermined value having a selected compensation phase angle value associated therewith and wherein said comparison determines an appropriate phase angle value indicative of an amount by which said control means compensates for said phase angle, and adjustment means for automatically adjusting said phase angle of said sensed reactive current by said appropriate phase angle value, whereby said first and second values indicate a reverse current condition in the line.

45. An adaptive power capacitor controller system of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank relative to the line, the electrical line supporting a voltage and carrying reactive current, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current condition in the line and for generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage condition in the electrical line and for generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and control means in circuit with said switch means and the line for automatically actuating said switch means selectively to couple the capacitor bank relative to the line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing at least one of said line conditions and for storing a program sequence that operates said switch means in a manner to couple selectively the capacitor bank relative to the line, first determination means for automatically determining a change in said reactive current of the line in response to said current output signal during said program sequence, said first determination means including means for generating a first value when said change in said reactive current is about equal to zero, and second determination means for automatically determining a change in said voltage of the line in response to said voltage output signal during said program sequence, said second determination means including means for generating a second value corresponding to said change in said voltage, whereby said first and second values indicate a reverse power condition in the line.

46. Adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 45, wherein said memory means has stored therein a first selected voltage level determining connection of the capacitor bank to the line and a second selected voltage level determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line, and wherein said control means further comprises means, responsive to said first and said second values and to said voltage output signal, and coupled to said memory means, for determining connection of the capacitor bank to the line when said line voltage is below said first selected voltage level and determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line when the line voltage exceeds said second selected voltage level.

47. Adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 45, wherein said control means further includes bank connection inhibit means for automatically inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line in response to said first value.

48. An adaptive power capacitor controller system of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank relative to the line, the electrical line carrying reactive current and supporting a selected voltage, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current condition in the line and for generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage condition in the electrical line and for generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the line, and programmed control means in circuit with said switch means and the line for automatically actuating said switch means selectively to couple the capacitor bank relative to the line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing at least one of said line conditions and for storing a program sequence that operates said switch means in a selected manner to selectively couple the capacitor bank relative to the line, determination means coupled to said memory means for automatically determining a change in said reactive current of the line during said program sequence in response to at least one of said stored line conditions, parameter selection means for automatically establishing a first selected level determining connection of the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line in response to said change in reactive current and for automatically establishing a second selected level determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the electrical line in response to said change in reactive current, time determination means for determining a first time interval between successive switching operations of said switch means, and comparison means for comparing said first time interval with a predetermined time interval stored in said memory means.

49. Adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 48, further comprising inhibit means for inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line when said first time interval is less than said stored predetermined time interval.

50. Adaptive power capacitor controller according to claim 49 further comprising adjustment means for adjusting said time interval between said successive switching operations of said switch means by adding a selected time adjustment amount to increase the time interval between said successive switching operations.

51. An adaptive power capacitor controller system of the type arranged for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank relative to the line, the electrical line carrying reactive current and supporting a selected voltage, said controller system comprising current sensing means for sensing a reactive current condition in the line and for generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage condition in the electrical line and for generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage, switch means in circuit with said current sensing means and said voltage sensing means for selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and control means in circuit with said switch means and the line for automatically actuating said switch means selectively to couple the capacitor bank relative to the line to adjust the reactive power thereof, said control means including memory means for storing at least one of said voltage condition and said reactive current condition, and for storing a program sequence that operates said switch means in a manner to selectively couple the capacitor bank relative to the line, and determination means coupled to said memory means for automatically determining a change in said line voltage of the line in response to at least said stored voltage condition during said program sequence, voltage selection means for automatically establishing a selected voltage value in response to at least said change in line voltage determined according to said program sequence, and inhibit means for automatically inhibiting said control means from operating said switch means when a combination of said line voltage and said voltage guard value is outside of a predetermined voltage range stored in said memory means.

52. Adaptive capacitor controller system according to claim 51, wherein said inhibit means further comprises first prevention means for inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank to the line when the arithmetic sum of the selected voltage value and the line voltage is greater than a first selected voltage level stored in said memory means, and second prevention means for inhibiting disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line when the arithmetic difference between the selected voltage value and the line voltage is less than a second selected voltage value stored in said memory means.

53. Adaptive capacitor controller system according to claim 52, wherein said voltage range defined by said first selected voltage value and said second selected voltage value is between about 90 volts and about 140 volts for a 120 volt line, and between about 180 volts and about 280 volts for a 240 volt line.

54. Adaptive power capacitor controller system according to claim 51, wherein said selected voltage level is between about 0.1 volts and about 10 volts.

55. Adaptive power capacitor controller system for adjusting the reactive power of an electrical line by adding a capacitor bank thereto, said system comprising a sensor for sensing one or more electrical parameters of the line, switching means coupled to the capacitor bank for connecting the bank to the line, said switching means establishing a first line condition when the capacitor bank is connected to the line and establishing a second line condition when the capacitor bank is disconnected from the line, and means for automatically determining a first threshold value indicative of the capacitor bank connected to the line and a second threshold value indicative of the capacitor bank disconnected from the line in response to said electrical parameters sensed by said sensor when said switching means attains said first line condition and when said switching means attains said second line condition.

56. A power capacitor controller system, comprising sensor means for sensing one or more electrical parameters of an electrical line, switching means coupled to a capacitor bank for connecting the bank to the line, the switching means establishing a first line condition when the capacitor bank is connected to the line and establishing a second line condition when the capacitor bank is disconnected from the line, wherein the capacitor bank has a selected size, means for automatically determining a first threshold value indicative of the capacitor bank connected to the line and a second threshold value indicative of the capacitor bank disconnected from the line in response to the electrical parameters sensed by the sensor means when the switching means attains the first line condition and when the switching means attains the second line condition, and size determination means for determining the size of the capacitor bank in response to the sensed electrical parameters in the line.

57. A method for adaptively and automatically adjusting the reactive power of an electrical line by adding a capacitor bank thereto, the method comprising the steps of sensing one or more electrical parameters of the line, selectively connecting the bank to the line to establish a first line condition when the capacitor bank is connected to the line and to establish a second line condition when the capacitor bank is disconnected from the line, and automatically determining a first threshold value indicative of the capacitor bank connected to the line and a second threshold value indicative of the capacitor bank disconnected from the line in response to the sensed electrical parameters when the first line condition is attained and when the second line condition is attained.

58. A method for adjusting the reactive power of a set of multi-phase electrical lines by selectively applying a capacitor bank thereto, the electrical lines carrying reactive current having a selected phase angle relative to the voltage of any of the electrical lines, the method comprising the steps of sensing a reactive current condition in a selected line and generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, sensing a voltage condition in a selected line and generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed voltage, automatically and selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and automatically determining the selected phase of the sensed reactive current relative to the sensed line voltage in response to at least one of the output signals.

59. The method of claim 58 further comprising the step of automatically compensating for the phase of the sensed reactive current relative to the sensed voltage.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein the step of automatically determining the phase further includes the steps of determining at least one of the reactive power and the real power of the set of lines in response to at least one of the current output signal and the voltage output signal, generating a first value indicative of the reactive power and a second value indicative of the real power, storing predetermined phase compensation values associated with predetermined values of the real power and of the reactive power, comparing the first and second values representative of the reactive power and of the real power, respectively, with the stored predetermined power values to determine an appropriate one of the stored phase angle compensation value, and automatically adjusting the phase angle of the reactive current by the appropriate phase angle compensation value.

61. A method for adjusting the reactive power of a set of electrical lines by selectively applying a capacitor bank thereto, each electrical line carrying reactive current having a selected phase relative to a voltage in any of the lines, the method comprising the steps of sensing a reactive current condition in one of the lines and generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current of that line, sensing a voltage condition in one of the lines and generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage of that line, selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line to adjust the reactive power thereof, storing at least one of the line conditions and for storing a program sequence that couples selectively the capacitor bank relative to the line, automatically determining a change in the reactive current of the line in response to the current output signal during the program sequence, and generating a first value corresponding to the change in reactive current, automatically determining a change in the voltage of the line in response to the voltage output signal during the program sequence, and generating a second value corresponding to a negative change in the voltage, comparing at least one of the first and second values with one of a predetermined voltage value and a predetermined reactive current value, each one of the predetermined values having a selected compensation phase angle value associated therewith and wherein the comparison determines an appropriate phase angle value indicative of an amount by which the control means compensates for the phase angle, and automatically adjusting the phase angle of the sensed reactive current by the appropriate phase angle value, whereby the first and second values indicate a reverse current condition in the line.

62. A method for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank relative to the line, the electrical line supporting a voltage and carrying reactive current, the method comprising the steps of sensing a reactive current condition in the line and generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, sensing a voltage condition in the electrical line and generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage, selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line, and to adjust the reactive power thereof, storing at least one of the line conditions and for storing a program sequence that couples selectively the capacitor bank relative to the line, automatically determining a change in the reactive current of the line in response to the current output signal during the program sequence, and generating a first value when the change in the reactive current is about equal to zero, and automatically determining a change in the voltage of the line in response to the voltage output signal during the program sequence, and generating a second value corresponding to the change in the voltage, whereby the first and second values indicate a reverse power condition in the line.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising the steps of storing a first selected voltage level determining connection of the capacitor bank to the line and storing a second selected voltage level determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line, and automatically determining connection of the capacitor bank to the line when the line voltage is below the first selected voltage level and determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line when the line voltage exceeds the second selected voltage level.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising the steps of automatically inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line in response to the first value.

65. A method for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank relative to the line, the electrical line carrying reactive current and supporting a selected voltage, the method comprising the steps of sensing a reactive current condition in the line and generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, sensing a voltage condition in the electrical line and generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage, selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the line to adjust the reactive power thereof, storing at least one of the line conditions, a program sequence that selectively couples the capacitor bank relative to the line, and a selected time interval, automatically determining a change in the reactive current of the line during the program sequence in response to at least one of the stored line conditions, automatically establishing a first selected level determining connection of the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line in response to the change in reactive current and automatically establishing a second selected level determining disconnection of the capacitor bank from the electrical line in response to the change in reactive current, determining a first time interval between successive switching operations, and comparing the first time interval with the predetermined time interval.

66. The method of claim 65 further comprising the step of inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line when the first time interval is less than the stored predetermined time interval.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of adjusting the time interval between successive switching operations of the capacitor bank by adding a selected time adjustment amount to increase the time interval between the successive switching operations.

68. A method for adjusting the reactive power of an AC electrical line by selectively applying a capacitor bank relative to the line, the electrical line carrying reactive current and supporting a selected voltage, the method comprising the steps of sensing a reactive current condition in the line and generating a current output signal indicative of sensed reactive current, sensing a voltage condition in the electrical line and generating a voltage output signal indicative of sensed line voltage, selectively connecting the capacitor bank relative to the electrical line to adjust the reactive power thereof, storing at least one of the voltage condition and the reactive current condition, and storing a program sequence that selectively couples the capacitor bank relative to the line, automatically determining a change in the line voltage of the line in response to at least the stored voltage condition during the program sequence, automatically establishing a selected voltage value in response to at least the change in line voltage determined according to the program sequence, and automatically inhibiting connection of the capacitor bank relative to the line when a combination of the line voltage and the voltage value is outside of a predetermined voltage range stored in the memory means.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the step of automatically inhibiting further includes the steps of preventing connection of the capacitor bank to the line when the arithmetic sum of the selected voltage value and the line voltage is greater than a first selected voltage level stored in the memory means, and preventing disconnection of the capacitor bank from the line when the arithmetic difference between the selected voltage value and the line voltage is less than a second selected voltage value stored in the memory means.