What must fixed capacitor banks be energized with?

Fixed capacitor banks must be energized with fused disconnect switches because these switches provide a critical safety mechanism to protect the electrical system. Fused disconnect switches are designed to isolate electrical circuits while also offering overcurrent protection. This is particularly important for capacitor banks as they can draw significant current under fault conditions, and the fuses will safely interrupt the circuit to prevent equipment damage and maintain system integrity.

In contrast, while circuit breakers and manual switches can be used for control and isolation, they may not inherently provide the same level of protection from overcurrent or fault conditions that fused disconnect switches do. Voltage regulators are not relevant in this context, as their primary function is to maintain voltage levels rather than serve as isolation devices for capacitor banks. Hence, the choice of using fused disconnect switches is the most appropriate for ensuring safe operation of fixed capacitor banks.