May 2018 – Power Factor Correction: The Benefits

Published on: 04/05/2018

Discover the reasons why you should improve your power factor

Power Factor Correction is the use of technology to restore the power factor as close to unity as possible, which is usually achieved by the additional use of capacitors to the electrical network. Capacitors compensate for the reactive power demand of the inductive load and will reduce the pressure on the supply, enabling no disturbance to the operation of the equipment. They are also added to neutralise as much of the magnetising current as possible.

Power Factor Correction: Advantages

• Increased load carrying capabilities in existing circuits
• Improved voltage
• Reduced power system losses
• Reduced demand charges
• Reduced carbon footprint

Reasons to improve power factor

• Environmental benefits – reduced power consumption due to improved energy efficiency which will result in less greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion by power stations
• Reduction of electricity bills
• Extra kVA available from the existing supply
• Reduction of voltage drop in long cables
• Extended equipment life – due to reduced pressure on cables and electrical components

How to improve power factor

• Add capacitors to your equipment
• Static power factor correction can be applied at each individual motor by connecting the correction capacitors to the motor starter
• Over-correction should not occur providing the the power factor correction is correctly sized
• Ensure that the capacitors are not subjected to rapid on-off-on conditions
• When bulk power factor correction is installed, other loads can be connected anywhere on the network

GD Rectifiers is an authorised distributor for the Enerdoor Group; an international leader in the development and production of electromagnetic solutions for automated and industrial machinery.

GD Rectifiers stocks Enerdoor’s FINSVG Active Static Var Generator designed for power factor correction. The FINSVG Active Static Var Generator features:

• Nominal voltage 400-600Vac
• High speed response
• Modular design
• Controls power factor compensation
• Compensates Kvar from 50A
• No capacitor bank

The FINSVG Active Static Var Generator is suitable for the following markets: soft start motor, DC motor, oil and water plant, process automation and end-user plant.

GD Rectifiers also distribute a wide range of various other electromagnetic solutions products from Enerdoor, including: Motor Protection, Harmonic Filters, Surge Arresters, Voltage Stabilisers and EMI Filters.

For further information on Enerdoor products please contact us on 01444 243 452 or email enquiries@gdrectifiers.co.uk.