Power Factor (P.

F):

• Power factor : is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used in an AC circuit. It's
the ratio of real power (measured in kilowatts, kW) to apparent power (measured in kilovolt-amperes,
kVA).
• The figure below shows the different types of types of Electric Power:

DC Power

Electric Power

Active/Real Power

AC Power Apparent Power

Reactive Power

Eng. Bashar Akram

 • Apparent power (S) :
the total power in an alternating current (AC) circuit. It's the product of the root-mean-square (RMS) values of voltage and
current, without considering the phase difference between them.
• Measured in Volt-Amperes (VA)
• Includes Real and Reactive Power

• Real power also known as True power or Active power (P) :

is the actual power consumed by an electrical circuit to perform useful work. It's the portion of the total power that is
converted into other forms of energy, such as heat, light, or mechanical energy.
• Measured in Watts (W)

• Reactive power (Q) :

is the component of electrical power that oscillates between the source and the load in an AC circuit without performing any
useful work. It's associated with the energy stored in the magnetic fields of inductive loads (like motors and transformers)
and the electric fields of capacitive loads.
• Measured in Volt-Ampere-Reactive (VAR)

Eng. Bashar Akram

 The ideal power factor is unity, or 1.0

S= 𝑷𝟐 + 𝑸𝟐 Typically, the power factor should be maintained

between 0.9 and 1.0. Some jurisdictions impose
penalties for power factors below specified limits.

Eng. Bashar Akram

 Capacitive Load
Definition: A load that stores energy in an electric field.
Key Characteristics:
•Current Leads Voltage: In an AC circuit, the current
flowing through a capacitor leads the voltage across it by 90
degrees.
•Examples: Capacitors, some types of power supplies.
•Effect on Power Factor: Improves power factor (makes it
closer to 1).

Inductive Load
•Definition: A load that stores energy in a magnetic field.
•Key Characteristics:
•Current Lags Voltage: In an AC circuit, the current flowing
through an inductor lags the voltage across it by 90 degrees.
•Examples:
Motors, transformers, solenoids.

•Effect on Power Factor: Worsens power factor (makes it lower).

Eng. Bashar Akram

 • The importance of power factor lies in its significant impact on the efficiency and performance of
electrical systems. Here's a breakdown of its key importance:

1. Reduced Energy Losses:

Lower Current Flow:

A low power factor means a higher current flow in the system to deliver the same amount of real
power

Increased Heat Losses:

This higher current leads to increased heat losses (I²R losses) in the wiring and equipment, reducing
overall efficiency.

Energy Waste:
Essentially, you're paying for more electricity than you're actually using for useful work.

Eng. Bashar Akram

 • 2. Improved Voltage Regulation:

Voltage Drops:
Low power factor can cause significant voltage drops, especially during peak load periods.

Equipment Malfunction:
Voltage drops can affect the performance of sensitive equipment, leading to malfunctions or even
damage

Stable Operation:
Maintaining a high power factor helps ensure stable voltage levels, crucial for reliable operation of
electrical systems.

Eng. Bashar Akram

 3. Increased System Capacity:

▪ Reduced Apparent Power

▪ Higher Real Power Delivery

4. Lower Electricity Bills:

▪ Reduced Energy Consumption

▪ Avoidance of Penalties: Many utilities impose penalties on consumers with low power factors. Maintaining a high
power factor helps avoid these additional costs.

5. Improved Equipment Life:

▪ Reduced Stress
▪ Longer Lifespan

Eng. Bashar Akram

 Power Factor Correction (PFC):

(PFC) is a technique used to improve the efficiency of electrical systems by minimizing the reactive
power component of the current.

Why is it important?
1) Reduced Power Losses 2) Improved Voltage Regulation
3) Increased System Capacity 4) Reduced Electricity Bills

How does it work?

PFC typically involves adding capacitors to the electrical system. Capacitors store electrical energy in
an electric field, and their reactive power is opposite to that of inductive loads (like motors and
transformers). By introducing capacitors, the reactive power component is neutralized, bringing the
power factor closer to unity (1).

Eng. Bashar Akram

 Types of PFC (Power Factor Correction Solutions):

• Passive PFC: Uses fixed capacitors to improve the power factor. It's suitable for applications with relatively
constant loads.
a. Capacitor Banks:
The most common method. Capacitors are connected in parallel with the load, providing reactive power to counteract
the inductive load.

• Active PFC: Employs electronic circuits to dynamically adjust the reactive power compensation, providing
more precise control and better performance for varying loads.
a. Electronic Power Converters:
These devices actively generate reactive power to compensate for the load's reactive power demand

• Power Factor Correction Controllers

a. Monitor and Control: These devices monitor the power factor and automatically switch capacitors on and off
to maintain the desired power factor.

Eng. Bashar Akram

 Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
Feature Passive PFC Active PFC

Components Fixed capacitors Electronic circuitry (e.g., power

converters)
Cost Generally lower Generally higher

Complexity Simpler More complex

Flexibility Less flexible for varying loads More flexible for varying loads

Harmonic Distortion Can introduce harmonics Significantly reduces harmonics

Control Limited control Precise control over reactive power

Efficiency Lower efficiency compared to active PFC Higher efficiency

Eng. Bashar Akram

 Capacitor Bank Panel

Eng. Bashar Akram

 Determining Capacitor Bank Size for Power Factor Correction

To determine the appropriate size of a capacitor bank for power factor correction,
you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Gather Data
•Real Power (kW): Measure or estimate the total real power (kW) consumed by the load.
•Current Power Factor (PF1): Measure or estimate the current power factor of the load.
•Desired Power Factor (PF2): Determine the desired power factor (typically 0.95 or higher).

2. Calculate Required Reactive Power (kVAR)

•Formula:
•Qc = P * (tan(cos⁻¹(PF1)) - tan(cos⁻¹(PF2)))
•Where:
•Qc = Required capacitor bank size in kVAR
•P = Real power in kW
•PF1 = Current power factor
•PF2 = Desired power factor

Eng. Bashar Akram

 3. Select Capacitor Bank

• Choose appropriate capacitor bank size: Select a capacitor bank with a kVAR rating equal to
or slightly greater than the calculated Qc value.
• Consider voltage and frequency: Ensure the capacitor bank is rated for the correct voltage and
frequency of your system.

Example:
•Real Power (P): 100 kW
•Current Power Factor (PF1): 0.8
•Desired Power Factor (PF2): 0.95

•Calculate Qc:
•Qc = 100 * (tan(cos⁻¹(0.8)) -
tan(cos⁻¹(0.95)))
•Qc = 100 * (0.75 - 0.329)
•Qc = 42.1 kVAR

Eng. Bashar Akram

 ❖Important Considerations:

• Load Variation:
If the load varies significantly, consider using switched capacitor banks that can be adjusted to
maintain the desired power factor.
• Harmonic Distortion:
Ensure that the capacitor bank is designed to handle potential harmonic distortion generated by the
load.
• Voltage Regulation:
Consider the impact of the capacitor bank on voltage regulation, especially during periods of light
load.
• Safety:
Install the capacitor bank according to safety guidelines and ensure proper grounding and fusing.

Eng. Bashar Akram