Power Factor Correction
Power Factor is the measure of how effectively electricity is used,it is calculated as a ratio of kilowatts to kilovolt amperes (kW/kVa). Power factor compares the power available at your switchboard to the power used. If the power factor is poor, more power is required to do the work.
Power factor can be likened to a garden hose. If the hose has no leaks, then the water entering and leaving the hose is the same. If, however, there is a leak, you would need to turn up the tap to maintain the same output.
What is Power Factor Correction?
Automatic Power Factor Correction Systems are vital building tools of any energy management plan. Through multi-step capacitor bank implementation, significant kVA power reduction and energy savings can be achieved. Correctly implemented, Power Factor correction systems can achieve on average a real dollar saving of 15-25% each month on Maximum Demand charges.
The Automatic Power Factor Correction Systems are designed to provide up to 12 steps and therefore achieve very smooth power factor control without hunting for capacitors. Since the Automatic Power Factor Correction system features modules as building blocks, it is considered to be the most efficient method of utilizing space in retrofit applications.
It also has a Total Harmonic Distortion current alarm output to warn of abnormal harmonics in the power system. This type of control is suitable for customers who are on kV A or kV AR rate structures.
Power factor is expressed as a number. Perfect is 1.0; good is 0.9, any power factor less than 0.9 may benefit from a Power Factor Correction System.
Poor power factor will be identified when Best1 conduct an energy audit. Poor Power Factor increases your energy consumption resulting in overloading the system. This will lead to decreased life of equipment increased energy consumption and costs and increase in greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.
