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TABLE 16-1 (cont.) Troubleshooting Reactors, Capacitors, and Rectifiers

Condition

Possible Cause

Suggested Remedy

| Gassing of rectifier (from excessive load) Air leak in rectifier |

Reduce load and check gauges.

| Remove load from unit and check for leak. Repair. Heat out before putting back in service. |

Anode misfire | Igniter misfire | Replace with new igniter.

Arc back

Temperature
Vacuum
Tank problem

Check cooling systems.
Check vacuum system.

| Check tank for leaks, dirt, or impurities. Clean tank, heat out, and restore to service, or replace. |

Vibration

Vacuum pump

| Water circulating pumps |

Loose bolts, clamps, etc.

| Check pump and mounting. Repair or replace if necessary. |

| Check pumps and mounting. Repair or replace if necessary. Tighten. |

| Overheating of contact-disc rectifier |

Overload
Dirt or dust

| Defective unit or units in stack |

| Reduce load or increase capacity. Clean; ventilate. Replace stack. |

| Review.. |

| 1. Reactors are principally used to limit short-circuit currents (Fig. 16-1); capacitors to reduce current flow and maintain voltage by improving power factor (Fig. 16-3); and rectifiers to change alternating current into direct current. |

| 2. A reactor consists of a coil of wire. Current flowing through it produces a magnetic field which in turn produces a counter-voltage in the coil that acts to limit the flow of current. They are normally connected in series with the line or equipment. |

| 3. Reactors may have an air-core or an iron-core; some may also be immersed in oil (as are transformers). They are built ruggedly to withstand the heavy mechanical strains imposed on them when heavy short-circuit currents flow through them. They require little maintenance. |

| 4. Capacitors counteract the effect of inductance in a circuit, thereby reducing the voltage drop and improving power factor (Fig. 16-3). By reducing the current required to supply a given load, they decrease the losses in a circuit. |

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