Power Factor Improvement
Two Kinds of Power
Active
Power
Reactive
Power
Resistive and Inductive loads
• Resistive
loads have
unity
power
factor and
inductive
loads have
lagging
power
factor and
capacitive
loads have
leading
power
factor.
What is Power factor
Most loads in modern electrical distribution systems are
inductive. Examples include motors, transformers,lighting
ballasts, and induction furnaces. Inductive loads need a
magnetic field to operate. Inductive loads require two kinds of
current:
• Working power (kW) to perform the actual work of creating
heat, light, motion, machine output, and so on.
• Reactive power (kVAR) to sustain the magnetic field
Working power consumes watts and can be read on a wattmeter.
It is measured in kilowatts (kW). Reactive power doesn’t perform
useful “work”. Reactive power is measured in kilovolt-amperes-
reactive (kVAR). Working power and reactive power together
make up apparent power. Apparent power is measured in
kilovolt-amperes (kVA).
What is Power factor
• Power factor is the ratio of working power to
apparent power. It measures how effectively
electrical power is being used. A high power
factor signals efficient utilization of electrical
power, while a low power factor indicates poor
utilization of electrical power. To determine
power factor (PF), divide working power (kW) by
apparent power (kVA). In a linear or sinusoidal
system, the result is also referred to as the
cosine θ.
Power Factor Triangle
High and Low Power Factor
• At 0.70
Low power
power factor, factor
it requires
142 kVA to
produce 100
kW. At 0.95
power factor,
High power
it requires factor
only 105 kVA
to produce
100 kW.
Why Improve Power Factor?
• Reduced electric utility bills
• Increased system capacity
• Improved voltage
• Reduced losses
Why Charge for Maximum Demand
How to Improve Power Factor
When inductive load is connected to the supply
the utility must supply the excess reactive
current plus the working current. Power
capacitors act as reactive current generators. By
providing the reactive current, they reduce the
total amount of current your system must draw
from the utility.
How to Improve Power Factor
Capacitor
Reduction of Bills - Ex
• Assume a 460 kVA demand, 480V, three-phase
at 0.87 power factor. If the power factor is
now improved to 0.97 what could be the
saving if the charge for maximum demand is
Rs. 1200 per kVA
EX
Linear and Non Linear Loads
What are non linear loads
Current Drawn by Nonlinear Loads
Due to non linear (NON SINUSOID) currents there is
a power factor is introduced to the system . This
power factor is due to harmonics. Harmonics are
introduced due to non sinusoidal currents rwan from
supply.
Harmonics True power
factor
should be
calculated
when
harmonics
are
present.
There are
Total Power Factor when Harmonics
Normal
power are Present
factor
Distortion
power
factor
Total
Power
Factor
Total
harmonic
distortion
Note:Just for
knowledge
Benefits of Power Factor Improvement
• Reduced Electricity Bills
Your electric utility provides working (kW) and
reactive power (kVAR) to your factory in the
form of apparent power (kVA). While reactive
power (kVAR) doesn’t register on kW demand or
kW hour meters, the utility’s transmission and
distribution system must be large.
enough to provide the total power including
reactive power. Utilities have various ways of
passing the expense of larger generators,
transformers, cables, switches, and the like,
along to the consumer. In Sri Lanka they charge
for maximum demand (kVA) once a month for
maximum value of kVA used. But in some
countries electricity supply authority charge a Maximum Demand meter
penalty for low power factors as well.
Benefits of Power Factor Improvement
Increased system capacity
• Power factor correction
capacitors increase system
current-carrying capacity.
Raising the power factor on a
kW load reduces kVA.
Therefore, by adding
capacitors, you can add
additional kW load system
without having large kVA
equipment like transformers
and power cables .
Benefits of Power Factor Improvement
Improved voltage
• Low voltage, resulting from excessive current
(high reactive current) draw, due to low power
factor causes motors to be overheated. As
power factor decreases, total line current
increases, causing further voltage drop. By
adding capacitors to your system and
improving voltage, you get more efficient
motor performance and longer motor life also.
Benefits of Power Factor Improvement
Reduced losses
• Losses caused by poor power factor are due to
reactive current flowing in the system. This
current can be reduced through power factor
correction. Power loss (watts) in a distribution
system is calculated by squaring the current and
multiplying it by the circuit resistance (I2R).
Reduction in currents due to improving power
factor will reduce transmission losses as well.
Types of Capacitor Banks
Fixed
• Switched ON and OFF manually with the load.
The capacitor value does not change
• Automatic
Switch different capacitors according to the
reactive power requirement.
• Anti resonant Automatic Capacitor Banks
Excess Reactive Power Good or Bad?
• Excess reactive power will
reduce power factor. Therefore
optimum value of capacitance
should be selected.
https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=Q_pC8Zi7jFo&t=493s
Anti resonant Automatic Capacitor
Banks
Anti-resonance hybrid power factor correction capacitor banks are
used in low-voltage industrial power systems. Conventional power
factor correction capacitors are prone to failure due to high voltage
and current caused by parallel and series resonance with the system
inductance. Load current harmonics and source voltage harmonics are
causes of resonance when they match the system resonance
frequency.
Resonance current flowing through the capacitor, as well as through
the power source can be damped by using an anti resonance hybrid
capacitor system.
The main objective here is to suppress resonance current by applying a
simple and effective control scheme to the hybrid power factor
correction capacitor system. Simulation results verify the viability and
effectiveness of the proposed system for reactive power compensation
and any harmonic resonance elimination.
