What is Power Factor Correction Maintenance?
Power Factor Correction equipment is an important part of many businesses’ electrical infrastructure, and ensures they are complying with current regulations and utilising their power as efficiently as possible. It is usually found connected to the main incoming LV supply and reacts automatically to load fluctuations, reducing demand and ensuring an efficient electrical supply.
It is therefore important to regularly maintain your Power Factor Correction equipment to ensure you are maximising the benefits.
As with any piece of electrical equipment, components such as contactors, cooling fans and fuses can fail but as Power Factor Correction capacitors contain stored energy it is vital regular checks are carried out to ensure the safe operation of the equipment.
Maintenance & Inspection
Power Efficient Solutions carry out nationwide maintenance on all makes and models of Power Factor Correction equipment, to ensure you are achieving the maximum benefit from your equipment. Our service vehicles carry a vast array of spare parts to ensure your equipment is fully operational and achieving maximum output during our initial maintenance visit and before leaving site.
Maintenance & Inspection of Power Factor Correction is normally carried out on an annual basis or a biannual basis for sites that rely heavily on their Power Factor Correction due to a potential for overload. There is no disruption to the electrical supply during the maintenance visit and therefore, most maintenance visits are carried out during normal working hours, with no disruption to the clients’ operations.
Free Full Thermal Imaging
We also include full thermal imaging within our PFC maintenance visit, at no extra charge! Thermal Imaging can act as an ‘early warning system’ by identifying any overheating components/cables/terminations that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye and ensures any potential issues are addressed before they result in component failure and loss in electrical efficiency.
Checks & Procedures
- The unit is observed during normal operation on arrival for any apparent malfunction of controls
- The unit is then subjected to a full thermal imaging survey
- The unit is then switched off and tested for isolation
- The capacitors are tested for discharge to ensure safe working and for the condition of discharge resistors
- General Inspection for deterioration of insulation, individual components, evidence of loose connections, excessive heat and assess for likelihood of failure
- Capacitance test of each capacitor element (uF measurements for output and early evidence of likely failure)
- Tightness check of all electrical connections
- Insulation test of power circuits, capacitors, and control circuits
- Inspection, cleaning, and possible replacement of ventilation filters to avoid excessive deterioration due to high ambient temperatures within the enclosure
- Full operational check to include the power factor control relay, capacitor switching contactors, ancillary controls, and general control circuitry
- Current measurements for detection of harmonic distortion and signs of deterioration
- System power factor check
- Replacement of any failed components, subject to client approval
- Any shrouds previously removed are replaced and the site left clean and tidy
- PFC maintenance report presented, with any further recommendations
Benefits
- Detection & Removal on Reactive Power Charges
- Ongoing assurance of utility tariff financial savings and reduction in power usage
- Reduction in circuit currents
- Reduction in kw/h losses
- Reduction in Carbon Emissions re: CRC initiatives (Carbon Reduction Commitment)
- Compliance with fixed testing requirements
- Compliance with general insurance requirements
- Reduced duty on the distribution system & plant
- Protection of your investment on an energy saving product
- Compliance with environmental quality standards
Contact us by phone
For general enquiries or to arrange a site visit, get in touch by phone between 8am – 5pm weekdays.
Contact us by email
For general enquiries or to arrange a site visit, get in touch by email anytime. All emails are responded to within 48 hours.