Power Factor case studies

No.

Compensation for you if required (likely it will be since any way you are on inductive load) will be economical at the Input stage.

The difference between the compensated and uncompensated load is only in terms of the excess current drawn (ie the reactive portion)

This current we feed by the capacitor.

The capacitor must be equal to the inductor or

ωL = 1/ωC

since L (motor) is Load dependant and hence varying , so should be C.

This is carrying out automatically , the sensor portion senses the existing pf and the switching circuits switches the Capacitors on/off to effectively vary the C.

This as you see is not as cheap as a capacitor or the bank itself.

The additional value will be justified only when the reacttive current s so huge that it burns a hole in the pocket. And that can not be done by individual small loads.

Hence we sum up the loads such that the combined heat burns.

Perhaps it would help to state the simple fact that whether good PF or bad PF, the power used by your loads does not change with a changing power factor.

The only thing affected by power factor is the relatively small amperage in the circuit associated with the reactive (non work producing) part of the circuit. A very large system is required in order to have enough current associated with that component before there is any cost saving available, and is associated with I²R (heat) loss in your wiring. A properly designed wiring system is already designed to accommodate this amperage without excess heat.

You will notice that power supply authorities don't require PF correction or PF charge for homes and small businesses. Those values of loss due to PF are very small, too small to make correction of any cost-effective value. Of course some individuals with no conscience or (science) will try to assert differently if they can make a quick buck at your expense.

I suggest the rental of a metering set-up that records the load profile for a month, and have your system professionally evaluated from that detailed information. That would give you specific knowledge to answer your question, and will be much cheaper than installing PF regulation if not indicated by the evaluation.

Few case studies and examples here:

http://www.nokiancapacitors.com/cases.htm

Hi there,

You can get some case studies from the IEC white papers - unfortunately you have to be a member and you pay for this. But white papers might put you in the right direction. Google white papers on power factor correction.

Individual compensation is very expensive and takes up space. I have never used this method. I compensate for the total load. In other words - when I do my load list - I get the total power factor correction that I need for the complete load - and then put the capacitor banks there. It takes up less space and is much cheaper.

I do think there is a case for individual compensation (if you have one motor) - but never if you have more than one (my opinion).

Regards,

Craig