EE204

Basic Electronics and Electrical Power

Module 3: Alternating Current Electrical Circuits

Presentation 3.5: AC Power Factor Correction

Andrew Kostiuk
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
Power Factor Correction
• A load impedance, 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 , in an AC circuit
that has a significant phase angle, can have
a higher current than what is needed to
provide the real power required
• This extra current must often be “pushed” 𝑆
through long transmission lines where 𝑄
losses occur
• The power company has an interest in
making all the current it “provides” does
real work for the end customer
𝑃
• For this reason, we usually try to “correct” Same real power,
the Power Factor by adding additional half the current
current draw at a phase angle that
“cancels” other reactive current and 𝑆
reduces the overall current requirement 𝑃

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 3

Example 3.5.1
Consider the circuit below: • Calculate load impedance:
• 𝑉1 is adjusted until the voltage across the load 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝑍𝑅𝐿 ฮ𝑍𝐿1
is 120 𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 𝑍𝐿1 = 𝑗2𝜋 60 Hz 1 mH = 𝑗0.377 Ω
• 𝑅𝑆 is the source resistance, any power 10 Ω 𝑗0.377 Ω 3.77∠90o Ω2
dissipated here is “lost” power 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = =
10 Ω + 𝑗0.377 10.007∠2.16o Ω
• 𝑅𝐿 is the load resistance, any power dissipated
here is doing useful “work” 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 0.377∠87.84o Ω
a) What is the source current? • Calculate source current:
b) How much power is “lost” in 𝑅𝑠 ? 120∠0o 120∠0o
𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 = =
𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 0.377∠87.84o Ω
𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 318.3∠ −87.84o A
• Calculate power lost in 𝑅𝑆 :
2
𝑃𝑅𝑆 = 𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝑅𝑆
2
𝑃𝑅𝑆 = 318.3 A × 1 Ω = 101.3 kW

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 4

Example 3.5.2
Consider the circuit below: • Calculate load impedance:
• 𝑉1 is adjusted until the voltage across the load 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝑍𝑅𝐿 ቛ𝑍𝐿1 ฮ𝑍𝐶1
is 120 𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆
𝑍𝐿1 = 𝑗2𝜋 60 Hz 1 mH = 𝑗0.377 Ω
• 𝑅𝑆 is the source resistance, any power
1
dissipated here is “lost” power 𝑍𝐶1 = −𝑗 = −𝑗0.379 Ω
2𝜋 60 Hz 7 mF
• 𝑅𝐿 is the load resistance, any power dissipated −1
here is doing useful “work” 1 1 1
𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = + +
a) What is the source current? 𝑍𝑅𝐿 𝑍𝐿1 𝑍𝐶1
−1
b) How much power is “lost” in 𝑅𝑠 ? 1 1 1
𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = + +
10 Ω 𝑗0.377 Ω −𝑗0.379 Ω
−1
1
𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 0.1 − 𝑗2.65 + 𝑗2.64
Ω
−1 −1
1 1
𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 0.1 − 𝑗0.01 = 0.100∠ − 5.71
Ω Ω
𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 10∠5.71o Ω
U of S Added from Example 3.5.1 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 5
Example 3.5.2 (cont.)
Consider the circuit below: • Calculate source current:
• 𝑉1 is adjusted until the voltage across the load 120∠0o 120∠0o
𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 = =
is 120 𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 10∠5.71o Ω
• 𝑅𝑆 is the source resistance, any power 𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 12.0∠ −5.71o A
dissipated here is “lost” power
• Calculate power lost in 𝑅𝑆 :
• 𝑅𝐿 is the load resistance, any power dissipated 2
here is doing useful “work” 𝑃𝑅𝑆 = 𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 × 𝑅𝑆
a) What is the source current? 𝑃𝑅𝑆 = 12.0 A 2 × 1 Ω = 144 W
b) How much power is “lost” in 𝑅𝑠 ?
Compared to
101.3 kW in
Example 3.5.1

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 6

Complex Power Summary

Impedance angle

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 7

Power Factor Correction Procedure
1. Determine the original “power triangle” (𝑃 and 𝑄)
2. Using the new desired Power Factor, 𝐹𝑃𝑁𝑒𝑤 ,
determine the new apparent power, 𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤 :
𝑆 𝑄
𝑃
𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤 =
𝐹𝑃𝑁𝑒𝑤
3. Determine the new reactive power, 𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 :
𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 = 𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤 2 − 𝑃2 𝑃

Note: 𝑃 does NOT change

4. Calculate the reactive power, ∆𝑄, that must be
added:
∆𝑄 = 𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 − 𝑄 𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤
𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 8

Power Factor Correction Procedure (cont.)
5. Determine the type and value of the component that
needs to be added in parallel with the load for the
required ∆𝑄 VARs:
a) For a negative ∆𝑄, need to add a capacitor:
𝑉2
∆𝑄 = Inductive
𝑋𝐶
Load
1
𝑋𝐶 = (𝑄 > 0)
𝜔𝐶
∆𝑄
𝐶=
𝜔𝑉2
b) For a positive ∆𝑄, need to add an inductor:
𝑉2
∆𝑄 = Capacitive
𝑋𝐿
Load
𝑋𝐿 = 𝜔𝐿
(𝑄 < 0)
𝑉2
𝐿=
𝜔 ∆𝑄
U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 9
Why Component in Parallel?
• Power Factor Correction components
should always be added in parallel
• If they were added in series, they would
result in different voltages and currents
in the load, resulting in different load
power 𝑃
• When added in parallel, they do not
affect load impedances, voltages or
currents

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 10

Example 3.5.3
A capacitor is used to correct the power 1. Determine the original “power triangle” (𝑃
factor of the 100 kW and lagging pf = 0.7 and 𝑄):
load below. 𝑃 = 100 kW
Determine the capacitance required to 𝑝𝑓 = cos 𝜃
correct to pf = 0.9 lagging. 𝜃 = cos −1 0.7 = 45.57o
𝑄
tan 𝜃 =
𝑃
𝑄 = 100 kW × tan 45.57o
𝑄 = 102 kVAR
100 kW
𝑝𝑓 = 0.7
lagging 𝑄

𝜃
𝑃

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 11

Example 3.5.3 (cont.)
A capacitor is used to correct the power 2. Determine the new apparent power:
factor of the 100 kW and lagging pf = 0.7 𝑃
𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤 =
load below. 𝐹𝑃𝑁𝑒𝑤
Determine the capacitance required to 100 kW
𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤 = = 111.1 kVA
correct to pf = 0.9 lagging. 0.9
3. Determine the new reactive power:
𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 = 𝑆𝑁𝑒𝑤 2 − 𝑃2
𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 = 111.1 kVA 2 − 100 kW 2

100 kW 𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 = 48.4 kVAR

𝑝𝑓 = 0.7 4. Calculate the reactive power to be added:
lagging
∆𝑄 = 𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑤 − 𝑄
∆𝑄 = 48.4 kVAR − 102 kVAR
∆𝑄 = −53.6 kVAR

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 12

Example 3.5.3 (cont.)
A capacitor is used to correct the power 5. Determine the type and value of the
factor of the 100 kW and lagging pf = 0.7 component :
load below. Since ∆𝑄 = −53.6 kVAR, we need a capacitor
(which matches the question)
Determine the capacitance required to
∆𝑄
correct to pf = 0.9 lagging. 𝐶=
𝜔𝑉2
53.6 kVAR
𝐶=
2𝜋 60 Hz 480 V 2
𝐶 = 617 μF
100 kW
𝑝𝑓 = 0.7
lagging

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 13

Example 3.5.4
A capacitor is used to correct the power Determine reactive power of load:
factor of the 100 kW and lagging pf = 0.7 • Lagging power factor, so load reactive power
load below. will be positive
Determine the reactive power of the load • Determine power triangle angle:
alone and compute the capacitance 𝑝𝑓 = cos 𝜃
required to correct to pf = 1. 𝜃 = cos −1 0.7 = 45.57o
• Determine reactive power 𝑄:
𝑄
tan 𝜃 =
𝑃
100 kW 𝑄 = 100 kW × tan 45.57o
𝑝𝑓 = 0.7
lagging 𝑄 = +102 kVAR 𝑄

𝜃
𝑃

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 14

Example 3.5.4 (cont.)
A capacitor is used to correct the power Compute the capacitance required to correct
factor of the 100 kW and lagging pf = 0.7 to pf = 1:
load below. • Need to add −102 kVAR, determine 𝑋𝐶 :
Determine the reactive power of the load 𝑉1 2
𝑄𝐶 =
alone and compute the capacitance 𝑋𝐶
required to correct to pf = 1. 480 V 2
𝑋𝐶 = = 2.259 Ω
102 kVAR
• Determine 𝐶:
1
𝑋𝐶 =
100 kW 𝜔𝐶
𝑝𝑓 = 0.7 1
lagging 𝐶=
2𝜋 60 Hz 2.259 Ω
𝐶 = 1.17 mF

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 15

Examples 3.5.3 and 3.5.4 Waveforms
• Original Current (pf = 0.7):
𝑃 100 kW
𝑆 = = = 142.9 kVA
𝑝𝑓 0.7
𝑆 = 𝑉 × 𝐼∗
∗
142.9∠45.57o kVA
𝐼= o
= 298∠ −45.57o A
480∠0 V
• Corrected to pf = 0.9:
𝑃 100 kW
𝑆 = = = 111.1 kVA
𝑝𝑓 0.9
𝑆 = 𝑉 × 𝐼∗
∗
111.1∠25.83o kVA
𝐼= o
= 231∠ −25.83o A
480∠0 V
• Corrected to pf = 1:
∗
100∠0o kVA
𝐼= = 208∠0o A
480∠0o V

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 16

Example 3.5.5
The loading of a factory on a 1000 V, 60 Load 1 (𝑝𝑓 = 1):
Hz system includes: 𝑃1 = 20 kW
• 20 kW heating and incandescent lighting 𝑄1 = 0 kVAR
(unity power factor)
• 10 kW of induction motors (0.7 lagging Load 2 (𝑝𝑓 = 0.7 lagging):
power factor) 𝑃2 = 10 kW
• 5 kW fluorescent lighting (0.85 lagging 𝑄2 = 𝑃2 × tan cos −1 𝑝𝑓
power factor) 𝑄2 = 10 kW × tan cos −1 0.7
a) Determine the power triangle for the
𝑄2 = 10.2 kVAR
total loading on the supply
b) Determine the power-factor capacitor Load 3 (𝑝𝑓 = 0.85 lagging):
required to raise the power factor to 𝑃3 = 5 kW
unity
𝑄3 = 𝑃3 × tan cos −1 𝑝𝑓
c) Determine the change in supply current
d) Determine power difference (in percent) from 𝑄3 = 5 kW × tan cos −1 0.85
the uncompensated to the compensated 𝑄3 = 3.1 kVAR
system

U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 17

Example 3.5.5 (cont.)
The loading of a factory on a 1000 V, 60 Total Real Power:
Hz system includes: 𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3
• 20 kW heating and incandescent lighting 𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 20 kW + 10 kW + 5 kW
(unity power factor)
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 35 kW
• 10 kW of induction motors (0.7 lagging
power factor) Total Reactive Power:
• 5 kW fluorescent lighting (0.85 lagging 𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3
power factor)
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 0 kVAR + 10.2 kVAR + 3.1 kVAR
a) Determine the power triangle for the
total loading on the supply 𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 13.3 kVAR
b) Determine the power-factor capacitor Total Apparent Power:
required to raise the power factor to
unity 𝑆= 𝑃2 + 𝑄2
c) Determine the change in supply current 𝑆 = 35 kW 2 + 13.3 kVAR 2

d) Determine power difference (in percent) 𝑆 = 37.44 kVA

from the uncompensated to the
compensated system
U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 18
Example 3.5.5 (cont.)
The loading of a factory on a 1000 V, 60 a) Power Triangle:
Hz system includes:
• 20 kW heating and incandescent lighting 37.44 kVA
(unity power factor) 13.3 kVAR
• 10 kW of induction motors (0.7 lagging
power factor) 35 kW
• 5 kW fluorescent lighting (0.85 lagging
power factor) b) Power-factor compensation (capacitor):
a) Determine the power triangle for the Δ𝑄 = −13.3 kVAR
total loading on the supply ∆𝑄
𝐶=
b) Determine the power-factor capacitor 𝜔𝑉2
required to raise the power factor to 13.3 kVAR
unity 𝐶= 2
2𝜋 60 Hz 1000 V
c) Determine the change in supply current
d) Determine power difference (in percent) 𝐶 = 35.3 μF
from the uncompensated to the
compensated system
U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 19
Example 3.5.5 (cont.)
The loading of a factory on a 1000 V, 60 c) Determine current change:
Hz system includes: 𝑆𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔 = 𝑉 × 𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔 ∗
• 20 kW heating and incandescent lighting
37.44 kVA
(unity power factor) 𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔 = = 37.44 A
• 10 kW of induction motors (0.7 lagging 1000 V
power factor) 𝑆𝑛𝑒𝑤 = 𝑉 × 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑤 ∗
• 5 kW fluorescent lighting (0.85 lagging 35 kVA
power factor) 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑤 = = 35 A
1000 V
a) Determine the power triangle for the
total loading on the supply ∆𝐼 = 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑤 − 𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔 = −2.44 A
b) Determine the power-factor capacitor d) Determine Power Difference:
required to raise the power factor to
unity Power is a function of 𝐼2
c) Determine the change in supply current 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑤 2 − 𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔
2

d) Determine power difference (in percent) 2 = −0.126 = −12.6%

from the uncompensated to the 𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔
compensated system
U of S 3.5 AC Power Factor Correction 20
 Thank You!

andrew.kostiuk@usask.ca