Power Factor Improvement
Power factor improvement is the fastest way of achieving energy conservation and improving the bottom line. Some of the techniques included for the purpose are as follows :
- Study of various types of loads.
- Determination of the percentage of inductive loads.
- Determination of transformer capacity.
- Determination of power factor under full load conditions of transformer by calculating impedance
- From the data collected the KVAR required to improve the power factor to the desired value can be determined or calculated.
- After this, it would be to determine the capacitor-banking pattern in the electrical system, depending upon whether the loads are major or minor.
- Then, capacitors are installed at all major loads and finally to install capacitors for the fine turning of power factor, preferably with the minimum banking pattern.
- Effects of current voltage, harmonics and temperature are to be considered as they produce degradations in capacitors and contactors, but they remain unnoticed because the equipment operate silently in a corner, until a severe breakdown occurs.