A stylized assembly of the VectorQ5 built from its drawings. Interior parts are approximate.
VectorQ5
The VectorQ5 is a solid-state power controller. It measures all three phases at once and builds a model of what it measures. From that model it corrects power factor, harmonics, phase balance and impedance together, many times in every cycle of the sine wave, with at least 97% efficiency. Others say efficiency up to a number. We say at least 97%.
For 480-volt three-phase networks with neutral.
What is inside
Each step below names one part of the VectorQ5.
Mounting bracket
The unit mounts indoors, on a wall or on its optional stand.
Power router board
The power router board is the controller’s motherboard. It is high-voltage and optically isolated. It samples 26 parameters on every phase at once. Silicon carbide transistors sit on its liquid-cooled plate. Two air-cooled processors sit on the board as well.
Electrical modeling board
FPGAs, GPUs and processors on this board build a model of the electricity. The board processes over 1 TB of equivalent data per minute.
Correction board
The correction board computes the corrections that balance the electricity. It responds within a few microseconds. A microsecond is one millionth of a second (10⁻⁶, or 0.000001).
Channel boards
Three more boards sit on top of the stack, one per channel. Each carries its own processor on its own water block. They vectorize the data and give the controller redundancy.
Water cooling
A sealed liquid loop cools the processing and power components. Fixed tubing connects each water block to the loop. Two pumps drive the loop. The loop does not leak and needs no servicing.
Compliance filters and safety
The metal boxes around the boards are the compliance filters and the safety components.
Circuit breakers
The main power breaker sits on the front panel. A second breaker sits inside the unit.
Fans and status LEDs
Three exhaust fans sit in the right side panel. Three status LEDs on the front show the state of the unit.
Enclosure
The enclosure is powder-coated aluminum, rated IP20 and non-flammable. It measures 26 by 22 by 10 inches and weighs 160 lb.
Bottom connections
The power and current sensor connections sit under the unit. The supply cable carries three lines, one neutral and one ground.
Current transformers
Three split-core current transformers measure current up to 200 A per phase. The standard cable is 6 ft long, and other lengths are available on request. Each transformer is calibrated to its own controller and cannot be exchanged between units.
Supply breaker
A dedicated breaker in the panel feeds the controller. The supply cable runs in parallel with the electric network.
Panel installation
A qualified, licensed electrician does all the work. The controller mounts beside the panel, with conduit between them. The dedicated breaker goes into the panel, switched off. The three current transformers go on the incoming phase conductors, and their cables run in their own conduit. With the panel cover back on, the dedicated breaker turns on first, then the front breaker.
Running
The three LEDs show the state: green for power, blue for correction, red for an alert.
- Blue steady on: correction active
- Blue slow blink: self-test or delay before correction
- Red fast blink: limiting parameter reached
- Red steady on: network or device issue
Specifications
Electrical
| Parameter | VectorQ5 |
|---|---|
| Operating Voltage | 3ϕ + N / 480 VAC |
| Voltage Tolerance | ±15% |
| System Frequency | 60 Hz (USA mainland) |
| Frequency Tolerance | ±0.5% |
| Correction Power Rating | Up to 120 kW |
| Typical Power Consumption | < 150W |
| Max Current / Phase | 60 A |
| Round-Trip Efficiency | > 97% at full load |
| Connection to panel | 3L + 1N + 1G cable, Parallel to the electric network |
| CT Rating, included | 3 current transformers, rated to 200 A per phase max (call for custom) |
| CT Cable Length | 6 ft standard (other lengths on request) |
| Electrical Supply System | TN-C/S |
Correction
| Parameter | VectorQ5 |
|---|---|
| Reactive Correction | 60 kVAR (20 kVAR/ϕ) |
| PF Correction Range | ±90° to Unity (capacitive & inductive) |
| Harmonic Measurement | Dynamic, up to 53rd order |
| Harmonic Correction | Dynamic, up to 23rd order |
| THD Correction Target | < 5% on all phases, real-time |
| Phase Load Balancing | Dynamic, within 20% of average |
| Neutral Current | Reduced to near zero via active phase balancing |
| Compensation Effectiveness | > 97% harmonic reduction at rated capacity |
| Sensing Speed | < 10 ns measurement resolution |
| Correction Response | < 5 µs (microsecond regime) |
| PF & THD Sensing Method | Fuzzy logic, dynamic, 1,000+ samples per sine wave |
| Operating Modes | Automatic: simultaneous PF + THD + balance + impedance matching |
| Topology | Digital solid-state, full-bridge per phase |
| Switching Frequency | Adaptive, DSP-controlled |
| Overload Behavior | Current-limited; automatic derating at thermal threshold |
| Parallel Unit Capability | Multiple units; no master/slave configuration required |
| Surge Protection | Continuous, non-degrading, unlimited events |
Mechanical
| Parameter | VectorQ5 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 26 × 22 × 10 in |
| Weight | 160 lb (73 kg) |
| Enclosure | Powder-coated aluminum, IP20, non-flammable |
| Installation | Indoor, Wall-mounted or standalone (optional stand) |
| Cooling Method | Forced air (internal fans) |
| Heat Dissipation | < 3.6 kW at full load |
| Noise Level | < 65 dB(A) at 1 m |
Environment and standards
| Parameter | VectorQ5 |
|---|---|
| Operating Temp. | 23°F to 108°F (−5°C to +42°C) |
| Humidity | 85% max, non-condensing |
| Storage Temp. | 14°F to 158°F (−10°C to +70°C) |
| Max Altitude | 3,300 ft (1,000 m); consult factory for higher elevations |
| Pollution Degree | 2 (non-conductive pollution only) |
| Vibration Class | 3M1 (indoor use, per IEC 60068-2-6) |
| Applicable Standard | IEC 62477-1:2012 + A1:2016 (PECS) |
| CE-LVD Standard | EN 62477-1:2012/A1:2017/A12:2021 |
| Harmonic Standard | Designed to meet IEEE 519-2022 at point of common coupling |
| Protective Class | II (double / reinforced insulation) |
| Overvoltage Category | OVC II (300 V system voltage) |
| Impulse Withstand (Reinforced) | 4.0 kV |
| EMC Classification | Class A (industrial / commercial environments) |
| Surge Classification | Class B: continuous, non-degrading over time and events |
| Min Clearance (Air) | 1.5 mm (PD2, OVC II) |
| Safety Certification | CE conformity assessment per IEC 62477-1; UL field evaluation required |
| Country of Origin | Manufactured in USA (Pittsboro, NC) with global components |
CE conformity assessment per IEC 62477-1. UL compliance by field evaluation.
Specifications subject to change. Custom voltages available upon request. Contact 3DFS for application engineering support.
The pilot program
Buying a VectorQ controller starts with a pilot, not a cart.
We help set up the pilot.
- Baseline. Before the controller. The pilot opens with a baseline at the panel, before the controller goes in.
- Cycling. Controller on and off. Next, the controller cycles on and off in turns. The instruments record the whole time.
- Result. Set against the baseline. The pilot closes on an instrumented result, good or bad. That result names who measured it.