What is power factor?

Power factor is the relationship between working (active) power and total power consumed (apparent power). Essentially, power factor is a measurement of how effectively electrical power is being used. The higher the power factor, the more effectively electrical power is being used. A distribution system's operating power is composed of two parts: Active (working) power and reactive (non-working magnetizing) power. The ACTIVE power performs the useful work - the REACTIVE power does not. It's only function is to develop magnetic fields required by inductive devices.

Why improve low power factor?

Low power factor means poor electrical efficiency. The lower the power factor, the higher the apparent power drawn from the distribution network.

When low power factor is not corrected, the utility must provide the nonworking reactive power in addition to the working active power. This results in the use of larger generators, transformers, bus bars, wires, and other distribution system devices that otherwise would not be necessary.

As the utility's capital expenditures and operating costs are going to be higher, they are going to pass these higher expenses to industrial users in the form of power factor penalties and higher utility bills.

ABB's Power Factor Correction Capacitors Solve the Problem

Solve low power factor problems by adding power factor correction capacitors to your electrical network. As illustrated below, power factor correction capacitors work as reactive current generators "providing" needed reactive power (kvar) to the power supply. By supplying their own source of reactive power, the industrial user frees the utility from having to supply it; therefore, the total amount of apparent power (kVA) supplied by the utility will be less. Power factor correction capacitors reduce the total current drawn from the distribution system and subsequently increase system capacity.

Who can benefit?

Many industrial and commercial applications can benefit from improving power factor levels. These include: manufacturers, hospitals, shopping malls, office building & institutions, pulp & paper mills, saw mills, textile mills, printing plants, Dlastic manufacturers. etc.

How much can be saved?

In the following example, if power factor correction is applied to the electrical network, increasing power factor to 90%, the potential annual savings on utility bills would be $4,322.23, or an average of $360 per month, a savings of up to 15%!

Typical installations will pay for themselves within 18 months, and in many cases, within 1 year!

Not only will Power Factor Correction Capacitors save you money, they will:

• Reduce heat loss of transformers and distribution equipment
• Prolong the life of distribution equipment
• Stabilizes voltage levels
• Increase your system's capacity, etc.