What is Power Factor Correction?
Power Factor Correction, or PFC as it is often referred to is designed to reduce reactive power (kVAr) and improve the ratio between true power (kW) and apparent power (kVA). In most cases, poor power factor is caused by inductive loads, such as motors. This can be compensated by introducing electrical devices called capacitors into the circuit.
Power Factor Correction is normally installed on the incoming electrical supply and reacts to load fluctuations, bringing capacitors into circuit as the load requires. You simply set a target power factor and the automatic controls do the rest, ensuring the best possible power factor is achieved regardless of how the load fluctuates.
Power Factor Correction is connected in parallel to the main incoming supply meaning there is no need for a shutdown of your supply for installation and no disruption to your day-to-day business.
Think of your electrical power like a team of workers. Active Power (kW) is the core team doing the actual work – running your machines and keeping the lights on. Reactive Power (kVAr) is like extra support staff that some equipment (like motors and certain lights) needs to function, but these support staff aren’t directly contributing to the output. Apparent Power (kVA) is the total size of the team you’re paying for, including both the core workers and the support staff.
The Power Factor (PF) is simply a measure of how efficiently your ‘team’ is working. A power factor of 1.0 means everyone you’re paying for is directly contributing to your business’s output. A low power factor means you’re paying for a larger ‘team’ (more apparent power) even though only a portion of them (active power) are directly driving your operations. The rest (reactive power) are necessary for some equipment to function but don’t directly generate revenue or output.
Power Factor Correction is like optimising your workforce. By installing specific equipment, we can help your core ‘working team’ (active power) operate more effectively without needing such a large ‘support staff’ (reactive power). This means your total ‘team size’ (apparent power) decreases, leading to:
- Lower overall energy bills: You’re not paying for as much ‘unused’ power.
- Reduced strain on your electrical system: Your existing infrastructure can handle your needs more efficiently.
- Avoidance of potential penalties: Energy suppliers often charge businesses for having an inefficient ‘workforce’ (low power factor).
In essence, Power Factor Correction ensures your business is getting the most ‘bang for its buck’ from its electricity supply, maximising efficiency and minimising unnecessary costs.
Why should I install Power Factor Correction?
Poor Power Factor has negative implications on businesses because it:
- Draws more current from the network – costing more to achieve the same task
- Can incur a ‘power factor penalty’ from your supplier, sometimes called a ‘reactive power charge’
- Can lead to a business exceeding their arranged supply capacity and attracting penalties called ‘excess capacity charge’
- Causes losses at transformers and other devices leading to unwanted heat gains, causing increased kWh consumption and carbon emissions
- Reduces the effective capacity of the electrical infrastructure
- Can cause excessive volt drops in the supply network
- Can reduce the life expectancy of electrical equipment
What will I save?
Savings vary depending on how much power a business consumes and the existing power factor. A typical uncorrected power factor for a commercial or industrial client would be between 0.70 – 0.80 and offers an excellent opportunity to achieve significant savings through the installation of Power Factor Correction.
The average payback for a Power Factor Correction project is around 2-years and savings can be many thousands of pounds per year. There are also significant system benefits to your electrical infrastructure in reducing current draw on your electrical supply and freeing up capacity to add more electrical equipment.
What next?
If you’re looking to reduce your electricity costs or free up capacity for new equipment, Power Efficient Solutions offer a free of charge, no obligation survey into the potential benefits from installing Power Factor Correction. Leaving you free to run your business.
To hear more about how we can help your business improve power factor and energy efficiency, contact our offices today, for a free of charge desktop survey.
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For general enquiries or to arrange a site visit, get in touch by phone between 8am – 5pm weekdays.
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What our customers are saying about our work
PES were incredibly helpful, informative, and professional while on site. After an initial survey we were clearly advised of what was required to get us back up and running. Within a week Steve was back on site stripping out our old unit while upgrading and reconfiguring it to our needs. The work was done with no disruption to production and to a very high standard. We are very happy with the value for money and quality of work
Power Efficient Solutions have been servicing our PFC for several years. We had an issue with an old PFC unit, explained in detail by Steve. From receiving the detailed quotation to installation, Steve kept us fully informed with updates and lead times for project completion.
This project did come with some challenges, which Steve’s team over came with no impact to the company, production, or delay on project completion.
I would recommend Power Efficient Solutions to companies looking for solutions on energy saving.
``Demma Group engaged with PES to assist in supporting our high-end clients. The work they carried out was completed swiftly and as described. The results speak for themselves, great service, great team, highly recommended.``
``We first used Power Efficient Solutions when we had a problem with one of are power factor correction panels. I was so impressed with both the professional attitude and depth of knowledge that their Engineer showed, that we signed an ongoing service contract with them and can honestly say that we have secured the services of a reliable and efficient business``.
``The results are that with the work carried out by PES our clients have saved thousands on avoided kWH usage, reduced KVA charges, maintenance costs, and most importantly reduced their carbon footprint. Our overall experience has been fantastic.``
``Power Efficient Solutions put together a detailed cost benefit analysis detailing what we needed to spend and what this could save us. The process with Power Efficient Solutions was simple and didn’t cause any disruption to our operation.``
``Power Efficient Solutions broke all the parts down individually by cost and timescale to replace and spent time with us to explain the benefits and total cost including labour which was beneficial for me to budget and plan the work in.``
``I have used PES for many years for any installs and annual servicing to my power factor correction units. They have never let me down, turn up as promised, always give good advice and are very knowledgeable, very professional from start to finish.``
``We worked with Steve at PES to look for improvements in our PFC Controller and found him to be very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. As a direct result, we have seen significant efficiencies in our energy usage, leading to savings in our electricity bills of around 10-15%”