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If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your business in order to curb the overhead expenses, then you may already be aware of power factor correction.

Power factor correction, if used the right way, can have a huge impact on energy consumption, and subsequently, your energy bills. However, this impact depends on your current factor and operational variables. You will be required to do some basic research to determine the right power factor correction that will be suitable for your condition.

In this article, you will find some of the most basic questions related to power factor correction, which can help you understand how to implement it to your situation practically.

What Is Power Factor?

Power factor can be defined as the amount of power flowing through the appliance, which is active power (kW), versus the amount required to perform the function, which is apparent power (kVA). The waste energy part of the apparent power is called reactive power, kVAR.

What Is Power Factor Correction?

Power factor correction refers to a piece of equipment that accommodates the apparent excess power, or reactive power, to improve the power factor ratio.

Why Is It Necessary To Improve Power Factor?

A facility or a household is charged for the electricity consumed by its facility. However, in the absence of power factor correction, not all power is used for constructive work. By correcting the power factor, you can reduce the wasteful reactive power portion of your consumption and reduce your energy bills in the process. Additionally, it is important to note that the savings level depends on the amount of reactive power in the electrical installation before corrective equipment was installed.

What Are The Factors Responsible For Poor Power Factor?

Inductive loads such as transformers, electric motors, etc. result in low power factors. Additionally, inductive loads that are not used near their capacity can also lead to low power factor.

How To Find Power Factor?

To find out your power factor, you would have to check your consumption in Kilovolt Ampere Hours (KVAh) and Kilowatt Hours (KWh). These figures are normally available on your energy bills, or you can also request your utility company to give that to you. In order to get an accurate number, it is recommended that you measure the figures over a period of time.

It is also important to note that understanding the consumption history to calculate the power factor can be highly complex and requires specialized engineering skills. Therefore, you must consult a professional to help provide this information.

What Is A Good And Bad Power Factor Score?

If the power factor is close to 1, then it is a good score because it means that very little energy is wasted. However, if the power factor is closer to 0, it indicates a lot of wasted energy. A general rule of thumb is to aim for a power factor above 0.8, which is considered as good. Anything lower than this number should be corrected to save on your power consumption.

How To Improve Power Factor?

There are several ways to achieve power factor correction. Some of these methods are mentioned below:

  • Consider replacing or upgrading inductive loads that are not operating close to their design capacity
  • Consider using Variable speed Drives to control electric motors
  • Local power factor correction

How Much Does It Cost To Correct The Power Factor?

The aspect influencing the cost of power factor correction depends on reactive power in your electrical equipment. The higher the reactive power, the more equipment you will need to compensate. It is also crucial to note that you will need expert intervention at every installation.  Thus, it is recommended you get in touch with a service provider or a licensed consultant to discuss all your electrical system or planning needs, including power factor correction!