Given the high cost of electricity and the pressure for businesses to reduce their carbon footprints, power factor correction has been gaining traction as a way of improving the efficiency of electrical systems.
When an electrical system has a low power factor, it means that more energy is being wasted somewhere in the system. These losses add up quickly, leading to bigger electricity bills and increased strain on the electrical network.
With power factor correction, you can help reduce this waste, making your energy consumption more efficient and less expensive.
What Is Power Factor?
Power factor is a measure indicative of how effectively electrical power is being used. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. Therefore, a power factor of 1 (or 100%) means that all the electricity supplied is being used productively, while a lower power factor means that some energy is being wasted.
While it is just about impossible to achieve a power factor of 1, an energy-efficient system should have a power factor of above 0.95. In reality, many systems range between 0.85 and 0.95, with anything below 0.85 considered unacceptably inefficient.
What Could Cause A Low Power Factor?
A low power factor is usually caused by inductive loads, which create a phase difference between voltage and current. To put it simply, inductive devices, like electric motors and coils, can reduce power efficiency by causing the current to lag behind the voltage.
This inefficiency leads to higher electricity bills and increased demand on the power grid. Eskom charges an additional reactive power (kVAR) fee when a system’s power factor is less than 0.96 because it is forced to supply extra power to compensate for the inefficiencies.
How Power Factor Correction Works
Power factor correction works by adding capacitors or synchronous condensers to the electrical system. These components generate reactive power that counteracts the inductive effects of machinery, bringing the power factor closer to 1.
Capacitors store and release energy as needed, helping to align the current with the voltage waveform.
Simply put, improving the power factor allows you to reduce wasted energy, thereby lowering your electricity costs and improving the overall reliability of your electrical systems.
Interested in boosting the efficiency of your electrical systems through power factor correction? Contact us at Energy Management Solutions today. We offer power factor correction services.
FAQs and Answers
- What is power factor correction?
Power factor correction improves the efficiency of an electrical system by reducing wasted energy and aligning current with voltage. - Why is a low power factor inefficient?
A low power factor leads to energy wastage, higher electricity bills, and increased demand on the power grid due to inefficient energy use. - What causes a low power factor?
Inductive loads like motors and transformers cause a phase difference between voltage and current, reducing power efficiency. - How does power factor correction work?
It uses capacitors or synchronous condensers to counteract inductive effects and bring the power factor closer to 1. - What are the benefits of correcting power factor?
Benefits include lower electricity costs, improved energy efficiency, reduced strain on the grid, and fewer penalties from suppliers. - When should power factor correction be considered?
It should be considered when your facility has many inductive loads or faces high kVA charges due to poor power factor. - What is the ideal power factor for efficiency?
An efficient system should aim for a power factor above 0.95. Below 0.85 is considered unacceptably inefficient. - Does Eskom penalise for low power factor?
Yes, Eskom applies reactive power (kVAR) charges for systems with power factors below 0.96 to offset additional supply costs.