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How to Calculate the Suitable Capacitor Size in Farads & kVAR for
Power factor Improvement (Easiest way ever)

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Posted by: Electrical Technology 11/04/2013

in Basic/Important Electrical Formulas, Capacitors, Controlling, Generation Transmission and
Distribution, How To , Over Head Lines, Power factor, Power System, Questions/Answers (Electrical),
Single Phase AC Circuits, Three Phase AC Circuits

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8 Comments

How to Calculate the Suitable Capacitor Size in Farads & kVAR for Power factor Improvement (Easiest
way ever)
Hi there! With a very important tutorial.. I hope you will find it very useful because I have already spent two days
to prepare this article. I think all of those who have sent messages and mails about the topic will never ask again if
they follow these simple methods to calculate the proper Size of Capacitor bank in kVAR and micro-farads for
power factor correction and improvement in both single phase and three phase circuits. I think its too much..
Now lets begin
Consider the following Examples.
Example: 1
A 3 Phase, 5 kW Induction Motor has a P.F (Power factor) of 0.75 lagging. What size of Capacitor in kVAR is
required to improve the P.F (Power Factor) to 0.90?
Solution #1 (By Simple Table Method)
Motor Input = 5kW
From Table, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.75 to 0.90 is .398
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.75 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table 1 Multiplier of 0.75 and 0.90
= 5kW x .398
= 1.99 kVAR
And Rating of Capacitors connected in each Phase
1.99/3 = 0.663 kVAR
Solution # 2 (Classical Calculation Method)
Motor input = P = 5 kW
Original P.F = Cos1 = 0.75
Final P.F = Cos2 = 0.90
1 = Cos -1 = (0.75) = 41.41; Tan 1 = Tan (41.41) = 0.8819
2 = Cos -1 = (0.90) = 25.84; Tan 2 = Tan (25.50) = 0.4843
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.75 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan 1 - Tan 2)
= 5kW (0.8819 0.4843)
= 1.99 kVAR
And Rating of Capacitors connected in each Phase
1.99/3 = 0.663 kVAR

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The following tables have been prepared to simplify kVAR calculation for power factor improvement. The size of
capacitor in kVAR is the kW multiplied by factor in table to improve from existing power factor to proposed power
factor. Check the others Examples below.
Table from 0.01 to 0.09 (Click image to enlarge)
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Table from 0.10 to 0.30 (Click image to enlarge)

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Table from 0.31 to 0.49 (Click image to enlarge)

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Table from 0.50 to 0.74 (Click image to enlarge)

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Table from 0.75 to 1.00 (Click image to enlarge)

The whole Table from 0.10 to 1.0 (Click image to enlarge)

Example 2:
An Alternator is supplying a load of 650 kW at a P.F (Power factor) of 0.65. What size of Capacitor in kVAR
is required to raise the P.F (Power Factor) to unity (1)? And how many more kW can the alternator supply
for the same kVA loading when P.F improved.
Solution #1 (By Simple Table Method)
Supplying kW = 650 kW
From Table 1, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.65 to unity (1) is 1.169
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.65 to unity (1)
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table 1 Multiplier of 65 and 100
= 650kW x 1.169

= 759.85 kVAR
We know that P.F = Cos = kW/kVA . . .or
kVA = kW / Cos
= 650/0.65 = 1000 kVA
When Power Factor is raised to unity (1)
No of kW = kVA x Cos
= 1000 x 1 = 1000kW
Hence increased Power supplied by Alternator
1000kW 650kW = 350kW
Solution # 2 (Classical Calculation Method)
Supplying kW = 650 kW
Original P.F = Cos1 = 0.65
Final P.F = Cos2 = 1

1 = Cos -1 = (0.65) = 49.45; Tan 1 = Tan (41.24) = 1.169

2 = Cos -1 = (1) = 0; Tan 2 = Tan (0) = 0
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.75 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan 1 - Tan 2)
= 650kW (1.169 0)
= 759.85 kVAR

How to Calculate the Required Capacitor bank value in both kVAR and Farads?
(How to Convert Farads into kVAR and Vice Versa)
Example: 3
A Single phase 400V, 50Hz, motor takes a supply current of 50A at a P.F (Power factor) of 0.6. The motor
power factor has to be improved to 0.9 by connecting a capacitor in parallel with it. Calculate the required
capacity of Capacitor in both kVAR and Farads.
Solution.:

(1) To find the required capacity of Capacitance in kVAR to improve P.F from 0.6 to
0.9 (Two Methods)
Solution #1 (By Simple Table Method)
Motor Input = P = V x I x Cos
= 400V x 50A x 0.6
= 12kW
From Table, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.60 to 0.90 is 0.849
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.60 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table Multiplier of 0.60 and 0.90
= 12kW x 0.849
= 10.188 kVAR
Solution # 2 (Classical Calculation Method)
Motor Input = P = V x I x Cos
= 400V x 50A x 0.6
= 12kW
Actual P.F = Cos1 = 0..6
Required P.F = Cos2 = 0.90
1 = Cos -1 = (0.60) = 53.13; Tan 1 = Tan (53.13) = 1.3333
2 = Cos -1 = (0.90) = 25.84; Tan 2 = Tan (25.50) = 0.4843
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.60 to 0.90
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan 1 - Tan 2)
= 5kW (1.3333 0.4843)
= 10.188 kVAR

(2) To find the required capacity of Capacitance in Faradsto improve P.F from 0.6 to
0.9 (Two Methods)
Solution #1 (Using a Simple Formula)
We have already calculated the required Capacity of Capacitor in kVAR, so we can easily convert it into Farads by
using this simple formula
Required Capacity of Capacitor in Farads/Microfarads
C = kVAR / (2 f V2 ) in microfarad
Putting the Values in the above formula
= (10.188kVAR) / (2 x x 50 x 4002)
= 2.0268 x 10-4
= 202.7 x 10-6
= 202.7F
Solution # 2 (Simple Calculation Method)
kVAR = 10.188 (i)
We know that;
IC = V/ XC
Whereas XC = 1 / 2 F C
IC = V / (1 / 2 F C)
IC = V 2 F C
= (400) x 2 x (50) x C
IC = 125663.7 x C
And,
kVAR = (V x IC) / 1000 [kVAR =( V x I)/ 1000 ]
= 400 x 125663.7 x C
IC = 50265.48 x C (ii)
Equating Equation (i) & (ii), we get,
50265.48 x C = 10.188C
C = 10.188 / 50265.48
C = 2.0268 x 10-4
C = 202.7 x 10-6
C = 202.7F
Example 4
What value of Capacitance must be connected in parallel with a load drawing 1kW at 70% lagging power
factor from a 208V, 60Hz Source in order to raise the overall power factor to 91%.
Solution:
You can use either Table method or Simple Calculation method to find the required value of Capacitance in Farads

or kVAR to improve Power factor from 0.71 to 0.97. So I used table method in this case.
P = 1000W
Actual Power factor = Cos1 = 0.71
Desired Power factor = Cos2 = 0.97
From Table, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.71 to 0.97 is 0.783
Required Capacitor kVAR to improve P.F from 0.71 to 0.97
Required Capacitor kVAR = kW x Table Multiplier of 0.71 and 0.97
= 1kW x 0.783
=783 VAR (required Capacitance Value in kVAR)
Current in the Capacitor =
IC = Q C / V
= 783 / 208
= 3.76A
And
XC = V / IC
= 208 / 3.76 = 55.25
C = 1/ (2 f XC)
C = 1 (2 x 60 x 55.25)
C = 48 F (required Capacitance Value in Farads)

Good to Know:
Important formulas which is used for Power factor improvement calculation as well
as used in the above calculation
Power in Watts
kW = kVA x Cos
kW = HP x 0.746 or (HP x 0.746) / Efficiency (HP = Motor Power)
kW = ( kVA2- kVAR2)
kW = P = VI Cos (Single Phase)
kW = P =3x V x I Cos (Three Phase)
Apparent Power in VA
kVA= (kW2+ kVAR2)
kVA = kW/ Cos
Reactive Power in VA
kVAR= (kVA2- kW2)
kVAR = C x (2 f V2)

Power factor (from 0.1 to 1)

Power Factor = Cos = P / V I (Single Phase)
Power Factor = Cos = P / (3x V x I) (Three Phase)
Power Factor = Cos = kW / kVA (Both Single Phase & Three Phase)
Power Factor = Cos = R/Z (Resistance / Impedance)
XC = 1/ (2 f C) (XC = Capacitive reactance)
IC = V/ XC (I = V / R)
Required Capacity of Capacitor in Farads/Microfarads
C = kVAR / (2 f V2 ) in microfarad
Required Capacity of Capacitor in kVAR
kVAR = C x (2 f V2 )

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8 comments
Anonymous
11/05/2013 at 11:22 am

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Reply

Siva Shankar
11/21/2013 at 5:54 pm
sir u have biven best examples<br /> and i have one dought how we r going to get 1.169 value<br /> From
Table 1, Multiplier to improve PF from 0.65 to unity (1) is 1.169
Reply

Electrical Technology
11/22/2013 at 8:11 am
Check in the table the existing PF is 0.65 and required one is unity (i.e, 1)<br />so the
connecting point number between these two numbers (i.e, 0.65 and 1) is 1.169. this is multilier
<br />or<br />you can find it easily by scientific calculator as;<br />1 = Cos-1 = (0.65) = 49.45;
Tan 1 = Tan (41.24) = 1.169<br />2 = Cos-1 = (1) = 0; Tan 2 = Tan (0) = 0<br />(Check solution
number
Reply

Electrical Technology
11/22/2013 at 8:15 am
Required Capacitor kVAR = P (Tan 1 Tan 2)
Reply

abba sarkinfawa
12/31/2013 at 8:05 pm
pls i need a simple circuit to try and see @fb.com/sarkinfawa
Reply

Anonymous
02/09/2014 at 10:40 pm
Terrific article. I was examining frequently this weblog and I am <br />amazed! Exceptionally useful details
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Anonymous
02/14/2014 at 12:46 pm

Nice Article.<br /><br />Can you also teach us on how to size up the capacitors in capacitor start
capacitor run motor?<br /><br />Thanks..
Reply

Er Parveer Singh
06/02/2014 at 12:07 pm
I am Mechanical Engineer But i love to do Electrical Job to, Love this Page
Reply

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