VarCom® 3600 SERIES
Controls and System Monitoring | Communicating Capacitor Controls
VarCom 3600 Series Capacitor Controls have been designed to
control Smart Grid capacitor banks using Volt/VAR management
systems with backup control based on local parameters of time of
day, ambient temperature, kVAR, current and system voltage.
3600 Series controls monitor three phase voltages and currents
allowing utilities to more precisely switch their capacitor banks
for optimal efficiency and system performance. In addition to
monitoring three phase voltages and currents, the 3600 provides
the ability to switch banks on a single phase basis for applications
requiring this capability. This optional single phase switching
capability also enables the new CapCheck HV feature, providing in
situ testing of a bank’s capacitor units with test results data logged
and provided by the communications network with other analog
information. The control also has optional auxiliary switch inputs
to monitor the status of each capacitor switch.
The controls can be programmed from the front panel or by
computer, where a quantity of controls can be programmed
quickly and identically. Data can be collected and stored for up
to 3 months which can be downloaded to analyze further. With
field-ready upgradeable firmware capabilities, VarCom Capacitor
Controls feature ComFlex® Flexible Communications Technology,
allowing the user the option of deploying the control initially as a
local control and later upgrading it with communications.
Smart Grid Ready
Full Integration with VAR Management Systems (VMS)
and Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) Capable
VarCom controls with ComFlex support DNP3.0/IEEE 1815 protocol
as a standard feature for integrating with SCADA Systems,
Distribution Management Systems (DMS), VAR Management
Systems (VMS), Volt/VAR Management Systems (VVMS) and
Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) applications. HDE’s
DNPFlexSM enables remapping as well as the addition and
deletion of DNP points, allowing controls to work with a variety
of substation or system-wide VAR management strategies. HDE’s
DNPFlex solution strikes at the heart of successfully integrating
smart capacitor controls into advanced Smart Grid systems.
• Two way communications for command and control
• Near real time control and monitoring for closed loop VMS
• Add or remove local VARs to meet overall system demands
• Control status reporting including trouble indicated by high
neutral current
• Monitoring and control of other system parameters including
three phase voltages and currents along with real time
power factor
• Backup local control and override functions
ComFlex® Communications ready
ComFlex offers an uncompromised selection of many different
communications vendors. ComFlex design provides the user with
‘plug and play’ capability, assuring that everything required for
supporting various communications devices is already installed and
ready to use. From built in power supplies to a flexible DNP Points
List, the control is never obsolete even if installed initially without a
communications device.
VarCom controls are also available with communications hardware
factory installed and ready to use out of the box. Should the choice
of communications technology change after deployment, VarCom
controls easily accommodate the upgrade, maintaining the value
of the asset. VarCom controls can be provided with an Ethernet
port (multi-session capable) and Bluetooth along with the standard
RS-232 serial SCADA port and USB configuration port maximizing
future communications flexibility.
Features
• Monitors three phase voltages and currents
• CapCheck HV in situ capacitor unit testing, optional
• Single phase switching, optional
• Cap switch status inputs, optional
• Based on existing, field-proven design
• Best-in-class VarWare® control software user interface
• Multi-schedule local functionality Time / Voltage / Temperature/
kVAR / Current
• Local control default mode switches capacitor bank even when
communications or Volt/VAR applications are off-line
• Easy to use, field friendly control panel
• Faceplate test points for line voltages and phase currents, optional
• DNP3.0/IEEE 1815 protocol
• ComFlex design - select the communications of your choice
• Field upgradeable at a later date with communications
– Cellular Modem/Router
– AMI Networks
– Mesh Radio
– Fiber Optics
– Wide Area Networks
– WiMAX
• Control provides 12VDC power to communications hardware
Features (continued)
Mechanical
• Built in 5 minute reclosing delay
• USB and RS-232 serial communication ports are standard
• Ethernet (multi-session capable), optional
• R-Comm™ Bluetooth® for short range wireless communications,
optional
• Data logging
• Mounting options available – pole mount with Amphenol™
connectors
• Neutral current sensor option available to detect switch failures,
blown fuses and other malfunctions (Supports HD Electric,
Fisher Pierce® and Lindsey™ sensors)
Mounting: Pole mount bracket and Amphenol connectors
Enclosure: NEMA 3R weatherproof fiberglass; 9.25” x 11.5” x 7”
(235mm x 292mm x 178mm)
Hinged left, lock hasp on right side
Weight: 8.5 lbs. without communications (3.9 kg)
ENVIRONMENTAL
Temperature: -40°F to +185°F (-40°C to +85°C)
Humidity: 5 – 95%, non-condensing
SETTINGS
VarWare® Control Software
HDE’s VarWare control software manages, configures and
interfaces with VarCom Capacitor Controls. VarWare software
provides a powerful tool for configuring controls with customized
switching protocols while providing an easy platform for
changing settings and extracting data profiles held in the logging
function of the controls. It also provides the means to update the
firmware in controls using the USB, Bluetooth or Ethernet ports.
Specifications
ELECTRICAL
Power Requirement: 100 – 140 or 200 – 260VAC, 10W
Mounting: Pole Bracket with Amphenol connector
Output Contactor: 30A, 120/240VAC. 15 second “on” duration for
motor and solenoid operated switches
Fuse: 15A SLO-BLO®
Surge / Lightning Protection: ANSI C37.90.1
Voltage Accuracy: ±0.4%, 0.1VAC Resolution
Current Accuracy: ±1.0%, 0.5A Resolution
Temperature Accuracy: ±1°F, 1°F Resolution
Time Accuracy: Temperature compensated oscillator, ±0.001%
Clock Back-up: Capacitor – 21 days
Display: OLED, 2 x 16 , -22°F to +176°F (-40°C to +80°C)
Computer Interface: USB port using VarWare. R-Comm Bluetooth
wireless (200 ft range), optional
Communications Interface: RS-232 serial interface for DNP3.0
Ethernet with dual port, multisession capability for DNP3.0 and
configuration with VarWare control software, optional
Communications Power Supply: 12VDC, 3A
Communication Protocol: DNP3.0/IEEE 1815, level 2
User Interface: Front panel user interface with visible access to
most local control settings via rotary and rocker switches
Voltage: Close: 105 – 127 / 210 – 254VAC; Max. Setting = Open
Volts – 3VAC
Open: 108 – 130 / 213 – 260VAC; Min. Setting = Close Volts + 3VAC
Time averaged voltage response. Setting in 0.1 volt increments
Emergency Voltage: 120 - 140VAC
Open/Close Temperature: 0 –125°F, minimum spacing 5 degrees
Open: 0 – 120°F, no closer than 5°F to Close temperature
Manual Time Delay: 3 – 600 seconds, 1 second increments
Voltage, kVAR, Ampere Sensing Time: 3 - 300 seconds, 1 second
increments
Max Operations/Day: Configurable from 2 – 24
Manual Trip: Close and Open operations delayed by user
selected Time Delay. 5 minute reclose delay following Open
for capacitor discharge
Neutral Amps Trip: 3 – 99A, harmonic filtered, 5-minute time
averaged response, manual reset, 5-minute minimum trip time
PT Ratio Set: 1– 500 in 0.5 increments
Control Modes: Time / Voltage / Temperature / kVAR / Current with
overrides of Voltage and Temperature as applicable
Compatible Line Post Sensors: Lindsey™ CVMI, Fisher Pierce® 1301
and Piedmont
Phase Angle Accuracy: ±1° lead or lag
Current: Open: 5A to 595A; Max Setting = Close Amps – 5A
Close: 5A to 600A; Min Setting = Open Amps + 5A
Time averaged current response. Settings in 0.5 Amp increments
kVAR Open: 280 lagging to 1000 leading (single phase); at least
20kVAR greater than kVAR Close
kVAR Close: 2000 lagging to 10 lagging (single phase)
• Contact HDE for mounting and wiring options
All sales are subject to the terms and conditions of the Limitation of Warranty and Liability set forth in the product
Instruction Manual and at www.HDElectricCompany.com. Users must read and agree to the Limitation terms, as stated,
before using the product.
1475 Lakeside Drive
Waukegan, IL 60085 USA
T 847 473 4980
F 847 473 4981
HDElectricCompany.com
Bluetooth®, Amphenol™, SLO-BLO®, Fisher Pierce® and Lindsey™ are trademarks of their respective owners.
HDE is committed to ongoing review and improvement of its product lines, and thus reserves the right to modify product
design and specifications without notice. HDE products are available through HDE sales representatives worldwide.
Printed in U.S.A.
© HD Electric Company 2014 • Bulletin No. VarCom3600Datasheet-100a