Optimizing your plant’s energy use is essential for cutting costs for your company and eliminating the issue of unnecessary overspending. Achieving optimal power factor is essential since the more effectively your equipment functions, the less electricity is used. Reactive power charges brought on by a poor Power Factor (PF) cause higher consumption and more expensive bills. Since the more electrical current is required to get the same results.
What is Power Factor Correction?
Power Factor (Cos), which measures how effectively an industrial or commercial site is running. It is the ratio of True Power (kW) to Apparent Power (kVA). A site is stated to be functioning more efficiently the closer the Power Factor is to unity (1). Anything above 0.95 is typically consider to have a healthy Power Factor and will usually be adequate to prevent extra fees on the electricity bill. To keep the current levels as low as feasible and prevent overloading breakers. It is often necessary to run as close to unity as reasonably practicable.
A reduced Power Factor results from the system having Reactive Power (kVAr). Traditional motors, chillers, induction heaters, fluorescent bulbs, and other devices that depend on a magnetic field to function will all draw current that is said to “lag” behind the voltage, producing a “lagging” Power Factor, also known as an inductive Power Factor. The higher the apparent power, which in turn increases the total current demanded from the network, the more inductive reactive power there is on the system. Power factor correction services attempt to get rid of reactive power (kVAr). A “leading” Power Factor, often refer to as a capacitive Power Factor, is naturally produce when the capacitors therein draw current that is consider to “lead” the voltage. The two essentially cancel each other out by having capacitors automatically shift into the circuit in proportion to the supposedly inductive site load.
The total amounts of reactive power are reduce as a result, and the power factor improves as a result.
Methods For Changing The Power Factor:
Surely all that needs to be done is to find a box of capacitors with the appropriate rating and install it after checking the kVAr levels on the main meter.
Regrettably, NO!
When network firms only worried about the average lagged power factor over the course of a month in the 1970s and 1980s, that may have been the best course of action. Now, they penalize not only lagging power factors but also leading power factors. Additionally, it happens every half-hour rather than over the course of a month! Therefore, in order to completely eliminate penalty charges—no more monthly average calculations—we need to not only take into account automatically switched capacitors to prevent a leading power factor, but also to be aware of what the power factor is at all times.
Okay, so now it’s a little more complicated, but can’t we just have a box of capacitors with various ratings to account for load variations?
Approaching, but NO!
That may have been the best course of action in the 1990s and 2000s when the lighting was mostly provided by fluorescent tubes and motors were simply motors. Power Quality & Harmonics must also be taken into account; fixing the power factor alone would be too straightforward.
Harmonic levels have never been greater due to the tremendous rise in non-linear loads over the past few years. Whether we like it or not, PFC capacitors can amplify harmonics and make underlying power quality problems worse if they are not properly set.
The Solution: We Can Assist:
Since 1976, SAS Powertech has been resolving problems with power factor correction services and power quality. We have the knowledge to determine your PFC needs and whether we need to account for high harmonic levels; in most situations, this is done at no cost to you. Here’s how we can assist, regardless of whether your only goal is to cut costs or whether you need to lighten your load:
Contact us in the first instance as you feel most comfortable doing so that we can talk about any issues you may be experiencing, what you hope to accomplish, and any questions you may have.
- For us to do an evaluation, please send us copies of your electricity bills and your half-hourly consumption statistics, both of which are accessible for free from your electricity provider. Note: If you need help with this in any way, we can make requests with your consent on your behalf.
- We’ll do the math and inform you of the current state of your power factor’s health as well as any potential improvements.
- We’ll go over potential savings with you before trying to set up a site survey so we can perform those crucial harmonic checks and consider the challenges of setting up new or replacement equipment.
- We compile all the data—costs, savings, suggestions, and specifics of any installation work—and include it in a formal quotation that you can see without incurring any obligation.
This introductory work would all be done for free.
Only if there is no prior information available and we have no other work booked in your area would we ever consider charging at this stage. If this is the case, we’ll offer a quote that covers all costs. For a comprehensive site survey as well as a report with specifics on load conditions. Power factor, a harmonic spot-check, and any recommendations we make in light of what we learn. The price of the preliminary survey would be entirely cover by any order that resulted from these recommendations.
Benefits of Power Factor Correction:
Understanding the power factor is essential since it helps businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprint. When an electrical system or piece of equipment has a low power factor, it is using much more energy than it is consuming. This demand raises the price of electricity and necessitates more energy coming from the grid.
Added advantages of power factor adjustment include:
- Energy is saved. Depending on the level of compensation provide by the capacitor, energy loss can be minimized by up to 30%.
- Makes energy use more effective. By increasing performance and eliminating unplanned outages, you may increase power quality, improve performance, and reduce the risk of harm to your electrical network.
- Cuts down on equipment expenditures. The dependability and longevity of the equipment are increase by using smaller transformers, switchgear, and cables. When the power factor is efficient.
- Cuts down on carbon emissions. Your carbon footprint is decrease by reducing heat and transmission losses. On equipment and systems as well as overall energy consumption.
What Makes Power Factor Important?
Unsatisfactory power factor regulation at your business might lead to a variety of problems for you and your utility. Your transformers or cables could overheat, your weak leading power factor will result in unstable generator operation. And utilities could fine you for your poor power use.
You can free up system capacity, improve voltage control, extend the longevity of power system components. Run cooler and more efficient motors, reduce your utility costs, and free up standby generator capacity if you can fix your power factor to a reasonable level.
Conclusion:
power factor correction services are provided impartially by SASPPL and have been for more than 20 years. In fact, it has collaborated with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). To help them comprehend the effects of overcorrection in their system. Once kVAh billing was introduce in the state of Maharashtra. Further, SASPPL played a key role in presenting the results to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). And this is note in the 2018 MREC Tariff Petition Order.
Please contact SASPPL if you would want to minimize your distribution losses and maintain pF while reducing your energy costs.
