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Leading Power Factor and its E ect on Sizing a Generator

January 23, 2018 ///  By Kentech Admin ///  Generators (http://www.kentechpower.com/category/generators/), General
(http://www.kentechpower.com/category/general/)

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We’d like to start o by telling everyone Happy New Year! I hope this year brings you and your
family many Blessings and much happiness.

Let’s discuss various types of potential

loads and how to properly size your
generator for them.

Lagging power factor, where current lags

voltage, is normally the case. Power factor
is the ratio of kW to kVA and is typically .8
or 80% lagging power factor for 3-phase
systems and 1.0, or unity power factor, for
1-phase systems.

Loads that cause ‘leading power factor’ can

cause some issues.
Overexcited synchronous motors (elevators) and capacitive loads can cause leading power factor,
(http://www.kentechpower.com)
where current leads voltage. If not controlled these can lead to loss of voltage control and possible
damage to the generator.

Most generator sets now use digital automatic voltage regulators and excitation systems to
produce stable voltage and to better handle ‘non-linear’ loads. At the same time, manufacturers of
‘non-linear’ load equipment have added lters to limit harmonic current distortion. Some facilities
are also using capacitors to improve power factor when operating on the utility source to avoid
higher energy charges. While these scenarios provide positive impacts on the system for the
customer, they can cause serious problems for a generator.

Filter equipment is usually sized for the maximum load of the UPS or motor load. At the light loads
there may be excess lter capacitance, causing a leading power factor. Other loads need to be
applied to try and o set this issue. If there aren’t any other loads in the system, the generator
controller could trip out.

Utility supply can absorb the reactive power output because it is so large in relation to the lter
system and has many other loads that can consume this energy. A generator cannot handle the
rising voltage from the leading power factor. This rising voltage causes the voltage regulator (AVR)
to turn down and reduce the alternator eld strength. If the AVR turns all the way o it loses
control of system voltage, which can result in large increase in system voltage resulting in damage
to loads, as well as causing loads not to operate on the generator set. A UPS will automatically
switch o of its regulator if it sees high voltage, other loads cannot.

Solutions? Modify sequence of operation so loads that require reactive power are on the bus when
the UPS ramps on to the generator. Put mechanical loads on rst, then UPS. Or if the mechanical
loads are too large, break into smaller groups of loads.

Turn o the lters when operating on the generator set. There is no need for Power Factor
capacitors on the emergency side as they are only needed on the utility source to avoid higher
energy charges.

We hope you found this information helpful and look forward to posting more helpful tips soon.

Let us know what we can do, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 281-358-0980 or send us an email
at info@kentechpower.com (mailto:info@kentechpower.com).

All the best,

Kentech Sales Team

« Building Codes: The Biggest Driver to Install an Emergency Generator on a Facility

(http://www.kentechpower.com/2018/01/20/building-codes-are-biggest-driver-to-install-
emergency-generator-on-a-facility/)