Power Factor Correction (PFC)

Initials And surname CA Oosthuizen BG Douberendt CT Hitchcock CF Jacobs Student number 210002786 210019891 210503459 209503467

Table of contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Definition of PFC Theory Behind PFC Power Triangle Improving PF Disadvantages of PFC Advantages of PFC Methods of PFC PFC Example Conclusion

Definition of PFC
Power factor is simply a name given to the ratio of active power to the power which is apparently being drawn from the mains. Power Factor correction therefore is the adjustment of the power factor of a system to the desired typical industrial power factor of 0.65-0.8. The ideal power factor is 1. Power factor correction is usually done by adding capacitance to the system.

Theory behind PFC

Two basic categories of load are encountered in alternate current (AC) networks. 1. Resistive Loads Devices containing only resistance e.g. incandescent lamps, heaters. The current drawn from the supply is directly converted into heat or light. The power factor is therefore unity or 1. In these purely resistive circuits, the current and voltage sine wave peaks occur simultaneously and are said to be in phase .

Pure Resistive Load

 2. Inductive Loads In AC motors and transformers a permanent magnet cannot be used and the necessary magnetism is produced by electrical means. Having produced the magnetic force, the current flows back to the power station again. The current drawn from the supply is made up of two separate kinds of current power producing current and magnetizing current . In inductive circuits the current and voltage sine wave peaks occur 90 apart and are said to be out of phase .

Pure Inductive load

What does Cos

mean?

Power Triangle

KVA Apparent Power

KVAR Inductive reactive Power

KW Active power

Improving Power Factor

The most practical and economic power factor improvement device is the capacitor. As stated previously, all inductive loads produce inductive reactive power (lagging by a phase angle of 90). Capacitors on the other hand produce capacitive reactive power, which is the exact opposite of inductive reactive power. In this instance, the current peak occurs before the voltage peak, leading by a phase angle of 90. By careful selection of capacitance required, it is possible totally cancel out the inductive reactive power when placed in circuit together.

Phasor diagram of PFC

Cos 1 Cos 2 Capacitor kVAr Required

Disadvantages of Low Power Factor

Increased authorities cost since more current has to be transmitted Causes overloaded generators, transformers and distribution lines within a plant, resulting in greater voltage drops and power losses, all representing waste, inefficiency and needless wear and tear on industrial electrical equipment. Reduces load handling capability of the plants electrical system

Advantages of Low Power Factor

Reduced kVA charges Improved plant efficiency Additional loads can be added to the system Reduced overloading of cables, transformers, switchgear, etc. Improved starting torque of motors Reduce fuel requirements to generate power due to lower losses.

Types of PFC

Synchronous condensers Phase advancers Static capacitors

Power Factor Correction using phase advancers

Phase advancers are used to improve the PF of induction motors. Phase advancers are mounted on the shaft of the main rotor. By providing more Ampere-turns than needed the motor can be made to run on leading current. Thus improving the PF

Power Factor Correction using synchronous Condensers

A synchronous motor takes leading current when over excited, therefore behaving like a capacitor. An over excited synchronous motor running on no load is known as a synchronous condenser.

Power Factor Correction using Capacitors

According to the location modalities of the capacitors, the main methods of power factor correction are: distributed power factor correction; group power factor correction; centralized power factor correction; combined power factor correction; automatic power factor correction.

Calculations of PFC

Power Factor example

Facility has peak demand of 1000 kW Load, Power Factor is 0.707 lagging, Calculate kVAR? Calculate amount of capacitance in kVAR needed to correct to a 0.9 PF, How much is capacitance in microfarads?

Power waves before PFC

Combined power triangle

Power waves after PFC

Capacitance needed

C = ( kVAR103) / (2 f ) (kV)2 = ( 500 103) / (2 60 ) (0.480)2 = 5,759 microfarads

Note: 480 volts was the assumed voltage.

What is the reduction in amps supplied by the utility?

kVA before was 1414 kVA after pf correction is 1111 Reduced kVAis 303 kVA Reduced amps is 303 / ( 0.480 1.732 ) = 364 amps

Conclusion
Power factor correction proves to be more advantageous to both consumer and supplier. Theoretical data refers to the reducing of reactive current and practical calculations proved the theory. Power factor correction pays for itself in time