WHAT IS POWER FACTOR?
Simply put, it’s the measure of how efficiently the load current is converted into usefull work output and is a good indicator of the effect that the load current has on the efficiency of your supply system.
Power factor is the ratio between KW and the KVA drawn by an electrical load where the KW is the actual load power and the KVA is the apparent load power.
Imagine this…..if you order a mug of your favorite beer, the actual beer is your (KW) but unfortunately your mug is not full of beer because you have some foam on top, foam won’t quench your thirst but you are paying for the foam, the foam is your (KVAR). So the total content of your mug (KVA) is the (KW) plus the (KVAR). Power Factor Correction tries to give you more beer and less foam.
WHAT CAUSES BAD POWER FACTOR?:
There are many causes of bad Power Factor but inductive loads are the most common cause, namely:
- Induction motors
- HID Lighting
- Transformers
- Welding equipment
- And many more.
HOW DOES POWER FACTOR CORRECTION SAVE YOU MONEY?:
By installing properly sized switched capacitor banks into your power circuit, the power factor value is improved and this minimizes your energy wastage thus improving the efficiency of the plant which then frees up more (KW) from your available supply. This will reduce your Demand and save you money.
The purchase cost of a completely installed system is usually repaid in 12-18 months.
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