Why improve power factor

Figure L8 shows the required increase in the size of cables as the power factor is reduced from unity to 0.

Losses in cables are proportional to the current squared, and are measured by the kWh meter of the installation. Power factor correction equipment reduce or even cancel completely the inductive reactive current in upstream conductors, thereby reducing or eliminating voltage drops. By improving the power factor of a load supplied from a transformer, the current through the transformer will be reduced, thereby allowing more load to be added.

In practice, it may be less expensive to improve the power factor [1] , than to replace the transformer by a larger unit. This matter is further elaborated in Compensation at the terminals of a transformer. This wiki is a collaborative platform, brought to you by Schneider Electric: our experts are continuously improving its content, as they were doing for the guide. Collaboration to this wiki is also open to all. Operating conditions have a great impact on the life expectancy of capacitors, so the following parameters should be taken into account:.

Some loads variable speed motors, static converters, welding machines, arc furnaces, fluorescent lamps, etc. It is therefore also necessary to consider the effects of these harmonics on the capacitors. Power factor correction eliminates penalties on reactive energy, decreases demand on kVA, and reduces power losses generated in the transformers and conductors of the installation.

A high power factor optimises an electrical installation by allowing better use of the components. Installing PFC equipment allows conductor cross-section to be reduced, as less current is absorbed by the compensated installation for the same active power. Installing capacitors allows voltage drops to be reduced upstream of the point where the PFC device is connected, therefore preventing overloading of the network and reducing harmonics. Power factor correction — What is it? Utility companies may charge customers a penalty on top of consumption charges when customer power factor is less than a determined value.

Fuseco offers the latest generation of advanced performance PFC solutions that do not need a capacitor bank and offer many advantages due to their compact and modular configuration. An electrical load with a poor power factor draws more current than a load with an improved power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred and can put unnecessary strain on the electricity distribution network. By improving your power factor, you can reduce your electricity bills through lower monthly demand and capacity charges.

Typically payback periods for power factor correction are between years. Given the life expectancy of power factor correction equipment and the potential savings, it can be a very worthwhile investment.

Poor power factor may cause power losses and voltage drops, which can contribute to overheating and failure of motors and other equipment. If your electrical system is near capacity, installation of power factor correction equipment may help avoid costly infrastructure upgrades by lowering the existing electrical demand on your system and improving efficiency stability.

A Brisbane contractor was asked by their client to investigate ways to reduce the cost of their electricity expenditure. The building is a typical multi-storey commercial building on Tank Street which houses three government departments.

The contractor teamed up with Fuseco and the results were impressive. The client and the tenants of the building wanted a professional investigation into possible technologies that may achieve a reduction in the increasing cost of electricity for the building.

This would improve the average power factor from 0. The SVG also supplies infinitely variable reactive compensation current without using steps of capacitors connected via contactors. The unit was installed and commissioned in December and as can be seen from the screenshot, the SVG is now maintaining a power factor of 0. The customer is well on the way to achieving the projected savings. These systems were designed many decades ago when electrical environments were a lot simpler than they are today.

They are common, very economical and suitable for linear load environments. Loads are being switched so fast that the traditional capacitor bank PFC systems struggle to maintain an effective compensation set-point.

Fuseco offers the latest generation of advanced performance PFC solutions that offer instantaneous, dynamic step-less compensation, ideal for the challenging demands of modern electrical environments. Power quality audits can be carried out on your site to assess your Power Factor and Harmonic Mitigation needs.

If you are not sure if your site will benefit from this technology, get in touch with one of our Power Quality experts. Read how it works. Thank you for choosing to make an enquiry with Fuseco. However, due to agreements with our suppliers we are unable to sell outside of Australia and New Zealand. At both sites our PF is now 0. The PFC units are now installed and running. They are doing a great job at maintaining a constant PF of 0.

Great product and excellent support from both of you. If your power factor is low, the percentage of the measured KVA will be significantly greater than the KW demand. Once again, increasing your power factor on this type of rate schedule will lower the KVA amount, which could help you save money on your demand charges.

Improving your power factor will reduce the current flow in your existing circuits. This reduction may allow your existing circuits to carry new loads, saving the cost of upgrading the distribution network when extra capacity is required for additional machinery or equipment.

In times of expansion, this could save your company thousands of dollars in unnecessary electrical upgrade costs. A lower power factor causes a higher current flow for a given load.