For example, in the electric motor part of booster pump of a water purifier, some portion of the power drawn is utilized to set up a magnetic field, required for the operation of the motor. This is seen as no useful work from the outside by the end consumer, but electricity is still utilized.
Now, power factor is simply the ratio of Real Power and Apparent Power and ranges between 0 and 1. If the power factor is low close to zero , it implies that very little power out of the total drawn power by a device is used to perform actual, useful work. Power factor is a way to find out how effectively you are using your electrical power. A high-power factor indicates effective utilization of electrical power, whereas low power factor signifies inefficient use of electrical power.
The device is considered to be very efficient if the power factor is close to 1. The analogy below can be used to explain the components of power. The chips we eat represents the real power. The air nitrogen in the packet represents the reactive power. We however pay for the entire packet, even though we consume only some portion of it. The nitrogen in the packet is to prevent the chips from going stale and any damage during transit, so it has to be present in the packet.
Similarly, the reactive power maintains the system voltage. Here is what each one is doing. We express this as kW or kilowatts. Common types of resistive loads are electric heating and lighting. An inductive load, like a motor, compressor or ballast, also requires Reactive Power to generate and sustain a magnetic field in order to operate.
Every home and business has both resistive and inductive loads. The ratio between these two types of loads becomes important as you add more inductive equipment. Working power and reactive power make up Apparent Power, which is called kVA, kilovolt-amperes.
A high PF benefits both the customer and utility, while a low PF indicates poor utilization of electrical power. Because Laurens Electric must supply both the kW and kVA needs of all customers, the higher the PF is, the more efficient our distribution system becomes. Improving the PF can maximize current-carrying capacity, improve voltage to equipment, reduce power losses, and lower electric bills. The simplest way to improve power factor is to add PF correction capacitors to the electrical system.
Power factor is a measure of how effectively you are using electricity. Various types of power are at work to provide us with electrical energy. Here is what each one is doing. We express this as kW or kilowatts. Like the analogy above, a greater amount of kVA energy is needed to get to Waiheke due to strong winds and ocean currents. Power Factor can be corrected through the installation of capacitor banks, traditionally these consisted of a control unit and a series of capacitors that would filter the power used on site as required.
Modern units are evolving quickly as technology advances where sophisticated software can deliver granular correction with less capacitors to ensure that power factor remains above 0. Fully active systems delivering electronic real time correction are also becoming more accessible but remain very expensive and only suitable for specific situations. Hybrid systems are also available, but again, these are suited to specific situations. There are numerous businesses out there offering power factor correction, many companies only offer off the shelf type products.
The danger here is that they are not specifically designed to a customers requirements and can be either under sized i. Standard step sizing of the capacitor banks may be too large which means correction only works at large loading as the unit lacks the granularity to correct smaller loadings.
Depending on the age and design, most units can be repaired or upgraded. However older units may need to be replaced as it would be a case of just throwing good money after bad. Unfortunately Power Factor Correction Units are not a set and forget product, just like a car they need a regular annual inspection.
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