Case Study on Automatic Power Factor Compensation for Industrial Power

In an electrical power grid, for an equal amount of usable power transmitted, a load with a coffee power factor draws more current than a load with a small power factor. The higher currents increase the loss of energy in the distribution network and require larger wires and other equipment. Due to the costs of larger equipment and waste energy, electrical utilities will usually charge a much higher cost to industrial or commercial customers where a low power factor is present. Low-power factor linear loads (such as induction motors) are often corrected with a passive condenser or inductor network. The present drawn from the system is distorted by non-linear loads, like rectifiers. In such cases, the correction of the active or passive power factor may also counteract the distortion and lift the factor of the facility. The facility factor correction devices may also be installed at a central substation, opened over a distribution grid, or built into power-consuming equipment.