1.

INTRODUCTION or Definition:
The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the real power that is working power flowing to the load to the apparent power that is total power consumed by the circuit, and is a dimensionless number between 0 and 1. Basically power factor is a measurement of how effectively electrical power is being used. The higher the power factor, the more effectively electrical power is being used and vice versa. A distribution systems operating power that is apparent power is composed of two parts: 1. Real Power or (working power), measured in watts. 2. Reactive or (non working power), measured in reactive volt amperes. The REAL power performs the useful work where as the REACTIVE power does not as its only function is to develop magnetic fields required by inductive devices.

Formula and Power triangle:

In an electric power system, a load with a low power factor draws more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred. The higher currents increase the energy lost in the distribution system, and require larger wires and other equipment.

2. LOW POWER FACTOR:

Low power factor means poor electrical efficiency. The lower the power factor the higher the apparent power drawn from the distribution network. When low power factor is not corrected, the utility must provide the non-working reactive power IN ADDITION to the working active power. This results in the use of larger generators, transformers, bus bars, cables, and other distribution system devices, that otherwise would not be necessary. As the utilitys capital expenditures and operating costs are going to be higher, they are going to pass these higher expenses down the line to industrial users in the form of power factor penalties.

Advantages of high Power Factor:

1. It eliminates utility power factor penalties. 2. It reduces the I2R losses of transformers and distribution equipment. 3. It stabilizes voltage levels.

Linear loads with low power factor (such as induction motors) can be corrected with a passive network of capacitors or inductors. Non-linear loads, such as rectifiers, distort the current drawn from the system. In such cases, active or passive power factor correction may be used to counteract the distortion and raise the power factor.

3. Use of Power Factor correcting capacitors:

For Power Factor correction in AC motors we use Power Correction Capacitors (PFCs). They absorb the reactive current of AC motors and in so doing, prevent this current from going back to the sub-station and thus adding to the current that the plant transformer must handle. By keeping the reactive current down, overall plant power factor is improved. PFCs are beneficial in keeping kVAR demand charges down. Power factor correction brings the power factor of an AC power circuit closer to 1 by supplying reactive power of opposite sign, adding capacitors or inductors which act to cancel the inductive or capacitive effects of the load, respectively. Now how this works in industries? An automatic power factor correction unit is used to improve power factor. A power factor correction unit usually consists of a number of capacitors that are switched by means of contactors. These contactors are

controlled by a regulator that measures power factor in an electrical network. To be able to measure power factor, the regulator uses a current transformer to measure the current in one phase. Depending on the load and power factor of the network, the power factor controller will switch the necessary blocks of capacitors in steps to make sure the power factor stays above a selected value (usually demanded by the energy supplier), say 0.9.

4. Benefits:
Power factor correction may be applied by an electrical power transmission utility to improve the stability and efficiency of the transmission network. Correction equipment may be installed by individual electrical customers to reduce the costs charged to them by their electricity supplier. A high power factor is generally desirable in a transmission system to reduce transmission losses and improve voltage regulation at the load. Many industrial and commercial applications can benefit from improving power factor levels. These include: manufacturers, hospitals, shopping malls, office building & institutions, pulp & paper mills, saw mills, textile mills, printing plants, Dlastic manufacturers. etc.

Not only will Power Factor Correction Capacitors save money, but they will also:

Reduce heat loss of transformers and distribution equipment Prolong the life of distribution equipment Stabilizes voltage levels Increase your system's capacity, etc.

So this was a brief presentation on Power Factor and its correction.