Power Factor Correction
Benefits of Power Factor Correction (PFC)
In many commercial and industrial settings, large machinery draws reactive power which doesn’t perform useful work, but contributes to the total load on the electrical supply.
By installing power factor correction equipment, your business can:
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Reduce demand charges: Power companies often charge extra when a business has a low power factor, as it places a heavier burden on the grid.
Increase energy efficiency: Less apparent power is needed to deliver the same amount of useful work, resulting in more efficient use of electricity.
Free up capacity: Improved power factor can reduce the load on transformers and distribution equipment, potentially avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades.
Reduce voltage drops and system losses: Improving the power factor help maintain stable voltage levels, which benefits sensitive equipment and overall performance.
What is Power Quality?
Power quality is an indication of how clean and reliable your electricity is and how efficiently your power is used. Power quality is calculated using a combination of measurements and tracking things like power factor, harmonic distortion, voltage levels, frequency stability and phase imbalances.
By assessing the data, the power quality will be determined as good or poor, and the areas of concern will be identified.
Poor power quality correction and why it is important
Poor power quality means that the electricity is unstable, inefficient, or has disturbances that prevent equipment from operating to its full potential. This can be caused by voltage dips or spikes, fluctuations in frequency, harmonic distortion, or low power factor. Essentially, it means the power supply isn’t clean or consistent enough, increasing the likelihood of machine malfunction, shortened lifespan, overheating, and increase in energy costs.
Solutions for correcting poor power quality
Improving poor power quality starts with identifying the cause of the unstable or inefficient electricity, and then installing solutions like power factor correction units and/or harmonic filters to stabilise and protect the equipment. Implementing these initiatives reduces energy waste and costs, while improving the overall health and efficiency of the system.
Power factor correction
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Devices like motors, pump and air conditioners create magnetic fields that draws extra current that is not useful, called reactive power. Capacitors and active correction units can be installed that acts as local suppliers of reactive power, reducing the amount of wasted current drawn from the utility.
Harmonic filters
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Equipment such as variable speed drives, computers, and certain types of lighting can cause unwanted electrical distortions (harmonics), resulting in interference with extra voltage or current waveforms. Harmonic filters act by removing unwanted distortions from the electricity, allowing the normal power to flow smoothly.