Cosine table

Example: 1
A 3 Phase, 5 kW Induction Motor has a P.F (Power factor) of 0.75 lagging. What size of
Capacitor in kVAR is required to improve the P.F (Power Factor) to 0.90?
 
Solution #1 (By Simple Table Method)
 
Motor Input = 5kW
From Table, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.75 to 0.90 is .398
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.75 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table 1 Multiplier of 0.75 and 0.90
= 5kW x .398
= 1.99 kVAR
And Rating of Capacitors connected in each Phase
1.99/3 = 0.663 kVAR
 
Solution # 2 (Classical Calculation Method)
 
Motor input = P = 5 kW
Original P.F = Cosθ1 = 0.75
Final P.F = Cosθ2 = 0.90
θ1 = Cos-1 = (0.75) = 41°.41; Tan θ1 = Tan (41°.41) = 0.8819
θ2 = Cos-1 = (0.90) = 25°.84; Tan θ2 = Tan (25°.50) = 0.4843
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.75 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan θ1 – Tan θ2)
= 5kW (0.8819 – 0.4843)
= 1.99 kVAR
And Rating of Capacitors connected in each Phase
1.99/3 = 0.663 kVAR
 
Tables (Capacitor sizing in kVAr and Farads for PF correction)

The following tables have been prepared to simplify kVAR calculation for power factor improvement.
The size of capacitor in kVAR is the kW multiplied by factor in table to improve from existing power
factor to proposed power factor. Check the others Examples below.
Table – from 0.01 to 0.09 (Click image to enlarge)

Tabl
e – from 0.10 to 0.30 (Click image to enlarge)
 Tabl
e – from 0.31 to 0.49 (Click image to enlarge)

Tabl
e – from 0.50 to 0.74 (Click image to enlarge)

Tabl
e – from 0.75 to 1.00 (Click image to enlarge)

The
whole Table – from 0.10 to 1.0 (Click image to enlarge)
Example 2:
 
An Alternator is supplying a load of 650 kW at a P.F (Power factor) of 0.65. What size of
Capacitor in kVAR is required to raise the P.F (Power Factor) to unity (1)? And how many more
kW can the alternator supply for the same kVA loading when P.F improved.
 
Solution #1 (By Simple Table Method)
 
Supplying kW = 650 kW
From Table 1, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.65 to unity (1) is 1.169
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.65 to unity (1)
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table 1 Multiplier of 65 and 100
= 650kW x 1.169
= 759.85 kVAR
 
We know that P.F = Cosθ = kW/kVA . . .or
kVA = kW / Cosθ
= 650/0.65 = 1000 kVA
When Power Factor is raised to unity (1)
No of kW = kVA x Cosθ
= 1000 x 1 = 1000kW
Hence increased Power supplied by Alternator
1000kW – 650kW = 350kW
 
Solution # 2 (Classical Calculation Method)
 
Supplying kW = 650 kW
Original P.F = Cosθ1 = 0.65
Final P.F = Cosθ2 = 1
θ1 = Cos-1 = (0.65) = 49°.45; Tan θ1 = Tan (41°.24) = 1.169
θ2 = Cos-1 = (1) = 0°; Tan θ2 = Tan (0°) = 0
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.75 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan θ1 – Tan θ2)
= 650kW (1.169– 0)
= 759.85 kVAR
 
How to Calculate the Required Capacitor bank value in both  kVAR  and  Farads?
(How to Convert Farads into kVAR and Vice Versa)
 
Example: 3
 
A Single phase 400V, 50Hz, motor takes a supply current of 50A at a P.F (Power factor) of 0.6.
The motor power factor has to be improved to 0.9 by connecting a capacitor in parallel with it.
Calculate the required capacity of Capacitor in both kVAR and Farads.
 
Solution.:
 
(1) To find the required capacity of Capacitance in kVAR to improve P.F from 0.6 to 0.9 (Two
Methods)
 
Solution #1 (By Simple Table Method)
 
Motor Input = P = V x I x Cosθ
                              = 400V x 50A x 0.6
                              = 12kW
 
From Table, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.60 to 0.90 is 0.849
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.60 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table Multiplier of 0.60 and 0.90
= 12kW x 0.849
= 10.188 kVAR
 
Solution # 2 (Classical Calculation Method)
 
Motor Input = P = V x I x Cosθ
                              = 400V x 50A x 0.6
                              = 12kW
Actual P.F = Cosθ1 = 0..6
Required P.F = Cosθ2 = 0.90
θ1 = Cos-1 = (0.60) = 53°.13; Tan θ1 = Tan (53°.13) = 1.3333
θ2 = Cos-1 = (0.90) = 25°.84; Tan θ2 = Tan (25°.50) = 0.4843
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.60 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan θ1 – Tan θ2)
= 5kW (1.3333– 0.4843)
= 10.188 kVAR
 
(2) To find the required capacity of Capacitance in Faradsto improve P.F from 0.6 to 0.9 (Two
Methods)
 
Solution #1 (Using a Simple Formula)
 
We have already calculated the required Capacity of Capacitor in kVAR, so we can easily convert it into
Farads by using this simple formula
Required Capacity of Capacitor in Farads/Microfarads
C = kVAR / (2 π f V2) in microfarad
 
Putting the Values in the above formula
 = (10.188kVAR) / (2 x π x 50 x 4002)
= 2.0268 x 10-4
= 202.7 x 10-6
= 202.7μF
 
Solution # 2 (Simple Calculation Method)
 
kVAR = 10.188 … (i)
 
We know that;
IC = V/ XC
 
Whereas XC = 1 / 2 π F C
 
IC = V / (1 / 2 π F C)
IC = V 2 F C
= (400) x 2π x (50) x C
IC = 125663.7 x C
 
And,
kVAR = (V x IC) / 1000 … [kVAR =( V x I)/ 1000 ]
= 400 x 125663.7 x C
IC = 50265.48 x C … (ii)
 
Equating Equation (i) & (ii), we get,
 
50265.48 x C = 10.188C
C = 10.188 / 50265.48
C = 2.0268 x 10-4
C = 202.7 x 10-6
C = 202.7μF
 
Example 4
What value of Capacitance must be connected in parallel with a load drawing 1kW at 70%
lagging power factor from a 208V, 60Hz Source in order to raise the overall power factor to
91%.
 
Solution:
 
You can use either Table method or Simple Calculation method to find the required value of
Capacitance in Farads or kVAR to improve Power factor from 0.71 to 0.97. So I used table method in
this case.
P = 1000W
Actual Power factor = Cosθ1 = 0.71
Desired Power factor = Cosθ2  = 0.97
From Table, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.71 to 0.97 is 0.783
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.71 to 0.97
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table Multiplier of 0.71 and 0.97
= 1kW x 0.783
=783 VAR (required Capacitance Value in kVAR)
Current in the Capacitor =
 
IC = QC / V
= 783 / 208
= 3.76A
 
And
XC = V / IC
= 208 / 3.76 = 55.25Ω
C = 1/ (2 π f XC)
C = 1 (2 π x 60 x 55.25)
C = 48 μF (required Capacitance Value in Farads)
 
Good to Know:
Important formulas which is used for Power factor improvement calculation as well as used in
the above calculation
 
Power in Watts
kW = kVA x Cosθ
kW = HP x 0.746 or (HP x 0.746) / Efficiency … (HP = Motor Power)
kW = √ ( kVA2– kVAR2)
kW = P = VI Cosθ … (Single Phase)
kW = P =√3x V x I Cosθ … (Three Phase)
 
Apparent Power in VA
kVA= √(kW2+ kVAR2)
kVA = kW/ Cosθ
 
Reactive Power in VA
kVAR= √(kVA2– kW2)
kVAR = C x (2 π f V2)
 
Power factor (from 0.1 to 1)
Power Factor = Cosθ = P / V I … (Single Phase)
Power Factor = Cosθ =  P / (√3x V x I) … (Three Phase)
Power Factor = Cosθ = kW / kVA  … (Both Single Phase & Three Phase)
Power Factor = Cosθ = R/Z … (Resistance / Impedance)
 
XC = 1/ (2 π f C) … (XC = Capacitive reactance)
IC = V/ XC  … (I = V / R)
 
Required Capacity of Capacitor in Farads/Microfarads
C = kVAR / (2 π f V2) in microfarad
 
Required Capacity of Capacitor in kVAR
kVAR = C x (2 π f V 2)

 
You May Read More:
 Power Factor improvement Methods with Their advantages & Disadvantages
 How to calculate the value of resistor for LED’s (with different types of LED’s circuits)
 How to Calculate/Find the Rating of Transformer in kVA (1 Phase and 3 Phase)?
 How To Calculate Your Electricity Bill. Easy and simple Explanation
 How to Find The Suitable Size of Cable & Wire for Electrical Wiring Installation (SI & Metric)
 How to Convert Capacitor Farads into kVAR & Vice Versa (For Power factor improvement)
THREE PHASE POWER FACTOR FORMULAS & TERMS

USEFUL FORMULAS
(Three Phase)
POWER FACTOR
and the
POWER TRIANGLE
 VOLTAGE CONSTANTS

For 208 Volts 61.31 MFD / KVAR

For 240 Volts 46.05 MFD / KVAR

For 480 Volts 11.51 MFD / KVAR

For 600 Volts 7.37 MFD / KVAR

Power Losses due to the transmission of current can be significantly lowered with the
improvement of Power Factor. This benefit is mainly realized where there are long
conductor runs to motors or electrical distribution systems are heavily loaded. Known
as I2R losses, the formula for calculating the reduction of these losses is shown as
follows: