Power Factor and Power Factor Correction
Power Factor and Power Factor Correction
Power Factor and Power Factor Correction
It is not always the case that the amount of electricity you receive is equivalent to the amount of
electricity you use –in fact many consumers are billed on “wasted” electricity. A simple analogy
can be made to the froth on a glass of beer. Although you pay for the entire glass the froth
represents a wasted portion which you can’t do much with. The same can be said for the
consumption of electricity – you are liable to pay for the amount supplied even if you aren’t able
to utilise all of it. Power Factor is a measure of this inefficiency and Power Factor Correction is
the solution used to minimise these inefficiencies.
Power factor is the relationship between Working Power and Reactive Power. Most loads are
inductive and require an electromagnetic field to operate. Inductive loadsrequire two kinds of
power:
Working power:Performs the actual work in creating heat, light, motion, or whatever
else is required. It is measured in kilowatts (kW)
Reactive power:Doesn't do useful "work" but rather sustains the electromagnetic field. It
is measured in kilovolt-amperes-reactive (kVAr),
These two types of power combine to create the Apparent Power. It is measured in kilovolt-
amperes (kVA).
These three type of power are related though the “Power Triangle” – illustrated below:
Simple trigonometry gives us the relationship between all three Powers.
For example, if the working power is 400 kW and the apparent power is 500 kVA, the Power
Factor would be 0.8 which is a relatively poor Power Factor. The closer the Power Factor is to 1,
the better.
For the same working power (kW) you can reduce the reactive power (kVAr) and the apparent
power (kVA) as shown below:
The technology is compact, reliable, safe, low in maintenance and well proven across Australia,
and implemented in literally thousands of businesses in your neighbourhood
Energy Action can coordinate the quoting through to the supply and installation of Power Factor
Correction at your site.
To obtain the estimated savings, a quote or for further information please contact Energy
Action’s Projects & Advisory Services team on [email protected] or (02) 9633
6400.
Energy Action can arrange financing for Power Factor Correction projects so that the repayments
are less than the savings and the project is cash flow positive immediately.