Power Factor Correction

Syed Muhammad Munavvar

Hussain
B. SC. Electrical Engineering
Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan.
WHAT IS POWER FACTOR?
 The ratio of the real power (P) to
apparent power (S).
power factor = active power (W)/ apparent power (VA)
OR
 The cosine that represents the phase
angle between the current and voltage
waveforms.
power factor = cos ø
Contd..

W = Active Power
VA = Apparent Power
VAr = Reactive Power
Contd..
 CAUSES OF LOW POWER
FACTOR
 Low power factor is caused by inductive loads
(such as transformers, electric motors, and
high-intensity discharge lighting).
 The total or apparent power required by an
inductive device is a composite of the following:
1. Real power (measured in kilowatts, kW)
2. Reactive power, the nonworking power caused by the
magnetizing current, required to operate the device
(measured in kVAR)
 WHY TO IMPROVE POWER
FACTOR?
 Utility bill will be smaller
 Branch capacity of the electrical system
increases (i.e. power losses due to voltage
drop decreases)
 Most of the Utilities impose low power
factor penalties. By correcting the power
factor, this penalty can be avoided.
 High power factor reduces the load currents.
Therefore, a considerable saving is made in
the hardware cost, such as cables,
switchgear, substation transformers, etc.
CORRECTING POWER FACTOR

Some strategies for correcting power factor are as

follows:
 Minimize operation of idling or lightly loaded
motors.
 Avoid operation of equipment above its rated
voltage.
 Install capacitors in your AC circuit to
decrease the magnitude of reactive power.
Contd..
 Calculation for Power Factor
Improvement

Existing power factor=0.723

Desired power factor=0.85
Maximum demand of
University=1800Kw
Contd..

KVAR = Kw * (tanФ2 – tanФ1)

Where Ф2 = existing load angle
Ф1 = required load angle

KVAR = 1800 * (0.955 – 0.6197)

= 605 KVAR (capacitive)