--- title: Faulty Capacitor Bank Switching description: Read this case study to learn how to analyze and investigate events related to faulty capacitor bank switching. image: https://library.powermonitors.com/hubfs/White_Papers/White%20Paper%20Header%20Images/Faulty%20Capacitor%20Bank%20Switching.png --- [![PMI\_Logo\_White\_Slogan](https://library.powermonitors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Branding%20-%20Logos%20and%20Designs/PMI_Logo_White_Slogan.png?width=655&height=175&name=PMI_Logo_White_Slogan.png "PMI_Logo_White_Slogan")](https://powermonitors.com) [![PMI Logo: Tools you Need. People you Trust.](https://library.powermonitors.com/hubfs/PMI_Website/logo.svg "PMI Logo: Tools you Need. People you Trust.")](http://powermonitors.com) [![PMI Logo: Tools you Need. People you Trust.](https://library.powermonitors.com/hubfs/PMI_Website/logo.svg "PMI Logo: Tools you Need. 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[Join Our Team!](https://info.powermonitors.com/join-pmi) - [Receive our Newsletter](https://info.powermonitors.com/email-subscribe-page) - [PQ Resources](https://info.powermonitors.com/power-quality-resources) - [Power Quality Solutions](https://powermonitors.com/power-quality-solutions/) - [Who We Serve](https://powermonitors.com/sales-representatives/) - [Account](https://powermonitors.com/account/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![PMI-Logo-Phone-Site-2023-900px](https://library.powermonitors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PMI-Logo-Phone-Site-2023-900px.png?width=113&name=PMI-Logo-Phone-Site-2023-900px.png "PMI-Logo-Phone-Site-2023-900px") # Faulty Capacitor Bank Switching   |   , ## **Catch faulty capacitor-bank switching before it takes down customer equipment** Unexpected failure of two industrial chillers at Gainesville Regional Utilities led engineers on a “crime-scene” style hunt for the culprit. A pre-installed PMI Eagle 330 recorder captured the moment of truth: brief, high-energy surges on phases B and C coincident with a 12.47 kV capacitor-bank operation two blocks away. By matching waveform evidence with the utility’s capacitor-control logs, investigators proved that faulty vacuum switches and blown arresters in the bank launched a transient powerful enough to pop both motor-control fuses and shut down cooling in the middle of a workday. The paper reconstructs the sequence—from first fuse blow to post-mortem equipment inspection—and explains why earlier events had eluded diagnosis. Clear strip-chart captures, field photographs, and step-by-step reasoning show how a single mis-switch can ripple through medium-voltage feeders, damage customer assets, and expose the utility to six-figure claims. **Key topics include:** \- Initial Conditions \- Review of Evidence **Why utilities should care:** Capacitor banks are everywhere on distribution feeders, yet degraded switches or arresters can inject steep-front transients that look harmless unless you’re recording at high resolution. This case study delivers unmistakable PQ fingerprints of a bad-acting bank, demonstrates how portable monitors turn anecdotal complaints into defensible facts, and quantifies the downtime, revenue loss, and repair costs a utility ultimately shoulders. Reading it equips engineers and managers with the evidence chain and monitoring practices needed to spot, verify, and correct faulty switching events before they escalate—protecting reliability metrics and customer trust. You may also enjoy...   - - - - ## Speakers ### [Alvin Rogers](https://library.powermonitors.com/faulty-capacitor-bank-switching#inline-content-1speakers)[Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/apex-alvinrogers) Director of Sales Omnicorp Alvin Rogers Director of Sales Omnicorp About Alvin Rogers Alvin Rogers is a highly accomplished and sought-after speaker, renowned for their expertise and captivating stage presence. With a diverse background in \[relevant field or industry\], they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every speaking engagement. Their dynamic and engaging style seamlessly combines powerful storytelling with actionable insights, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with practical strategies for success. Alvin has delivered impactful keynote addresses at prestigious conferences and corporate events worldwide, consistently receiving rave reviews for their ability to connect with and energize audiences. Whether addressing topics such as \[specific areas of expertise\], leadership, or innovation, Alvin is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/apex-alvinrogers) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-alvinrogers) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-alvinrogers) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-alvinrogers) ### [Lisa Smith](https://library.powermonitors.com/faulty-capacitor-bank-switching#inline-content-2speakers)[Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/apex-lisasmith) Creative Director Megacorp Lisa Smith Creative Director Megacorp About Lisa Smith Lisa Smith is a highly accomplished and sought-after speaker, renowned for their expertise and captivating stage presence. With a diverse background in \[relevant field or industry\], they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every speaking engagement. Their dynamic and engaging style seamlessly combines powerful storytelling with actionable insights, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with practical strategies for success. Lisa has delivered impactful keynote addresses at prestigious conferences and corporate events worldwide, consistently receiving rave reviews for their ability to connect with and energize audiences. Whether addressing topics such as \[specific areas of expertise\], leadership, or innovation, Lisa is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/apex-lisasmith) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-lisasmith) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-lisasmith) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-lisasmith) ### [James McGiven](https://library.powermonitors.com/faulty-capacitor-bank-switching#inline-content-3speakers)[Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/apex-jamesmcgiven) President Minicorp James McGiven President Minicorp About James McGiven James McGiven is a highly accomplished and sought-after speaker, renowned for their expertise and captivating stage presence. With a diverse background in \[relevant field or industry\], they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every speaking engagement. Their dynamic and engaging style seamlessly combines powerful storytelling with actionable insights, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with practical strategies for success. James has delivered impactful keynote addresses at prestigious conferences and corporate events worldwide, consistently receiving rave reviews for their ability to connect with and energize audiences. Whether addressing topics such as \[specific areas of expertise\], leadership, or innovation, James is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/apex-jamesmcgiven) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/apex-jamesmcgiven) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/apex-jamesmcgiven) [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/apex-jamesmcgiven) Power Monitors, Inc. is an industry-leading product design and manufacturing firm based in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. PMI strives to solve power quality problems by listening to our customers and working with them to design and manufacture products. Total customer satisfaction is the primary goal of all PMI staff. 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