Electric Circuits 3

MODULE 5

POWER FACTOR CORRECTIONS

Dr. GABRIEL M. SALISTRE, JR

Ilioilo Science and Technology University

College of Engineering anf Architecture.

Definitions

Power factor is the measure of how effectively the
electrical equipment converts electric power (supplied
by power utility) into useful power output.

It is a measure of how effectively the current is being
converted into useful work output. A good indicator
of the effect of the load current on the efficiency of
the supply system.

In technical terms, it is the ratio of Active Power
(kW) to the Apparent Power (kVA) of an electrical
installation.
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Definitions

KW is Working Power (also called Actual Power or
Active Power or Real Power). It is the power that actually
powers the equipment and performs useful work.

KVAR is Reactive Power. It is the power that magnetic
equipment (transformer, motor and relay) needs to
produce the magnetizing flux.

KVA is Apparent Power. It is the product of the voltage and
the current . It comprises both active and reactive power .
 It is the “vectorial summation” of KVAR and KW.

Causes of Low Power Factor

A poor power factor can be the result of either a significant
phase difference between the voltage and current at the load
terminals or it can be due to a high harmonic content or
distorted/discontinuous current waveform.

Poor load current phase angle is generally the result of an
inductive load such as:
 induction motor
 power transformer
 lighting ballasts,
 welder or induction furnace
 Induction generators
 Wind mill generators
 high intensity discharge lightings 4

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Causes of Low Power Factor

A distorted current waveform can be the result of a rectifier
variable speed drive, switched mode power supply, discharge
lighting or other electronic load.

Thus, Low power factor results when KW is small in relation
to KVA.
KVAR

Ø
KW

Causes of Low Power Factor

Reactive power (KVAR) required by inductive loads increases
the amount of apparent power (KVA) in distribution system.

The increase in reactive and apparent power results in a larger
angle measured between KW and KVA. As θ increases, cosine
θ (or power factor) decreases.
KVAR
KVAR

Ø
KW 6

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Unwanted Effects of Low Power Factor

For a given load, the current will increase which
means larger size of wire is needed. Also increases
the losses and decreases the efficiency of the system.

Generators, transformers, switches and transmission
conductors becomes overloaded due to high current.

Voltage drop in transmission lines increases due to
increase in current.

Reasons for Improving Power Factor

Power Cost Reduction
 Utility companies in many areas include a penalty charge in
the electrical rate for low power factor.
 The increase in required reactive power (KVAR) causes an
increase in required apparent power (KVA), which is what
the power utility is supplying. Thus, a facility’s low power
factor causes the utility to have to increase its generation
and transmission capacity in order to handle this extra
demand.

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Reasons for Improving Power Factor

Increase System Capacity
 When the power factor is improved and the KW capacity of the
system is increased.
 The amount of reactive current flowing is lowered thus reducing
transformer and distribution circuit loads, and releasing system
capacity.

Reasons for Improving Power Factor

Voltage Improvement and Power Loss Reduction
 Uncorrected power factor causes power losses in
distribution system. Excessive voltage drops can cause
overheating and premature failure of motors and other
inductive equipment.
 By raising power factor, it minimizes voltage drops along
feeder cables and avoid related problems. Electric motors
will run cooler and be more efficient, with a slight increase
in capacity and starting torque.

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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Power factor correction is the process of increasing the power
factor without altering the voltage or current to the original load

A system to a desired Power Factor level is the difference
between the amount of KVAR in the uncorrected system and
the amount of desired KVAR in the corrected system.

One way to increase power factor is to add capacitive powers to
the system by installing a capacitors in parallel with the load.

The introduction of Power Factor Correction (PFC) capacitors
is a widely recognised method of reducing an electrical load,
thus minimising wasted energy and hence improving the
efficiency of a plant and reducing the electricity bill.
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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Effects of Power Factor Corrections in Electrical Network 12

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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Effect of Adding a Capacitor in Parallel with the Inductive Load

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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Static VAR Compensator (SVC)
 It is a shunt device of the Flexible
AC Transmission Systems
(FACTS) family using power
electronics to control power flow
and improve transient stability on
power grids.
 The SVC regulates voltage at its terminals by controlling the
amount of reactive power injected into or absorbed from the
power system. When system voltage is low, the SVC
generates reactive power (SVC capacitive). When system
voltage is high, it absorbs reactive power (SVC inductive).
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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Fixed Capacitor Systems
 Ideally suited for power factor
correction in applications where
the load is constant or where the
capacitor is switched with the
load, such as the load side of a
motor starter.
 Fixed capacitor assemblies can be
designed for application at the
load, branch panel, or service
entrance.

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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Switched Capacitors System
 It is suited for centralized power
factor correction in applications
where plant loading is constantly
changing
 The capacitors are controlled by
controller which continuously
monitors the relative power demand.
 These systems can be a fixed amount of capacitance with
a disconnect, a number of switched capacitance stages, or
a combination of both.

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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

Synchronous Condenser
 It is a salient pole synchronous
generator without prime mover.
 Synchronous condenser
stabilizes power system voltage
by supplying reactive power to
the power system and use for
power factor correction.
 It is more economical than
capacitors.

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Methods for Power Factor Corrections

The Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM)
 It is a shunt device of the Flexible AC Transmission
Systems (FACTS) family using power electronics to
control power flow and improve transient stability on
power grids.
 The STATCOM regulates voltage at its terminal by
controlling the amount of reactive power injected into or
absorbed from the power system.
 When system voltage is low, the STATCOM generates
reactive power (STATCOM capacitive).

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Evaluation of Capacitor Ratings

Power triangle Illustrating Power Factor Correction

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Evaluation of Capacitor Ratings

QC = Q1 − Q 2 = P(tan θ1 − tan θ2 )
2
Vrms 2
QC = = ωCVrms
XC
Value of required shunt capacitance :

QC P(tan θ1 − tan θ2 )
C= 2
= 2
ωVrms ωVrms

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Applications

Pole Mounted Capacitor Bank Capacitor Bank at the Sub-Station

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Drill Problems
1. EE/Oct’90] A single phase inductive load takes 50 kVA at 0.6
power factor lagging. Solve for kVAR of a capacitor required
to improved the power factor to unity.
2. [EE/Apr’84] A plant has a load of 290 kW with an average
power factor of 70%. The owner requires you to correct the
power factor to reduce its consumption. How much capacitor
kVAR is required to increase the power factor to 90%.
3.[EE/Oct’96] A single phase, 60 Hz, 5 hp squirrel cage induction
motor draws a current of 53 A at 117 V. If it has a 78.5%
electrical to mechanical conversion efficiency, what capacitance
should be connected at the terminal of the motor in order to
increase the power factor of the load combination to 92%?
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Drill Problems
4. [EE/Oct’96] A 132 kV line 3-∅ system delivers 70.7 MVA of a
balanced delta load of power factor 70.70 % lagging. Determine
the reactance necessary to attain unity power factor.
5. [EE/Oct’90] A balanced, 500 kVA, 3-∅, 440 V, 60 Hz, inductive
load operates at a power factor of 75%. Determine the total
capacitor kVAR required improving the power factor to 95%.
6. [EE/Mar’98] A single phase induction motor is rated 5 Hp, 75%
power factor and 220 V. What approximate size of capacitor is
necessary to raise the power factor about 95%?
7.[EE/Oct’84] a balanced 3-∅ loads draws 150 A phase current at 7.5
kV phase to neutral, 0.891 power factor lagging. It is desired to
raise the power to 0.96 leading. Solve for the amount of capacitor
kVAR needed to achieve such power factor.
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Drill Problems
8. [EE/Apr’81] A 3-∅, 3-wire, short transmission line has a resistance
of 3 Ω and a reactance of 8 Ω per wire. At the receiving end, a
balanced 3-∅ load draws a line current of 60 A, at 13,500 V line
to line, 0.90 power factor lagging. Assuming the receiving end
voltage is maintained at 13,500 V, solve the kVAR of the
capacitors needed to raise the power factor at the receiving end to
0.95 leading.
9. [EE/Oct’95] An inductive load consumes 10 kW at 0.75 lagging pf.
A synchronous motor with a pf of 0.90 leading is connected in
parallel with the inductive load. What is minimum required kW
size of the synchronous motor so that the combined load will
have a pf of 0.8 lagging?

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Drill Problems
10. [EE/Apr’92] An industrial plant draws 500 kW at 0.6 power factor
from a 3-∅ system. In order to raise the power factor to 0.866
lagging and to supply needed additional power, a synchronous motor
is added. This motor draws 300 kW, bringing the new total to 800
kW. Neglecting the losses of the synchronous motor, calculate its
exact required kVA rating.
11. An alternator rated 530 kVA, is operating at 0.6 pf lagging. A
synchronous condenser is in parallel to improve the pf to 90%
lagging. Determine the operating power factor of the synchronous
condenser. Assume the alternator is not supposed overloaded.
12. An overexcited synchronous motor is connected across a 150 kVA,
0.70 lagging power factor load. The motor takes 12 kW while
running on no load. Calculate the kVA rating of the motor required
in order to bring the overall pf of the motor-inductive load
combination to unity. 25

Thank You!

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