Power Factor Correction
Efficiency is crucial in industrial electrical systems but you could be losing a large amount of power without even knowing it. This leads to reduced efficiency, financial losses, and poor sustainability.
There are many reasons for this but it is often due to the power factor of the system. When the power introduced into the system is not being used effectively, it is called a lagging power factor. To combat this, you can use a Power Factor Correction device which will improve the power factor of the system. This will help to ensure that the system is running as efficiently as possible and reduce any losses that may be occurring.
At AF Switchgear, we provide a wide range of high-quality equipment to help you improve the efficiency of your system and save money. Read on to learn more about Power Factor Correction (PFC) and how it can help you.
What is Power Factor Correction?
Power Factor Correction (PFC) is the process of improving the power factor of an electrical circuit. It does this by using passive or active components to add VAR to the circuit, which helps to reduce the kVA demand from the supply. This improves the efficiency of the system, and can also help to reduce wear and tear on components. Ultimately, PFC can save you money by reducing electricity costs.
The Power Factor of a circuit means the ratio of the real power to the apparent power. In inefficient systems, the Power Factor can be as low as 0.5, meaning that only half of the power supplied is being used to do useful work. PFC can improve this so more of the supplied power is being put to use.
There are several benefits of using Power Factor Correction:
- Improved efficiency: By improving the Power Factor, PFC can improve the efficiency of the system. This can lead to lower electricity costs and a reduction in wear and tear on components.
- Reduced heat generation: PFC can also help to reduce heat generation in electrical systems. This is because it helps reduce the current drawn from the supply, which leads to less power being wasted as heat.
- Reduced harmonic distortion: in some instances PFC can also help to reduce harmonic distortion in electrical systems. Harmonic distortion can cause a number of problems, such as increased system noise and a reduction in system capacity.
- Reduce the Carbon Footprint of the system. Introducing and maintaining PFC equipment will lessen the carbon emitted by reducing the current required to be generated to support the load.
If you’re looking to improve the power factor of your electrical system, then Power Factor Correction is a great option. By using passive or active components, PFC can help to improve the efficiency and power quality of your system.
Power Factor Correction (PFC) Equipment
If you are concerned about the efficiency of your electrical systems, investing in PFC equipment could be the solution to your problems.
Power Factor Correction works by using capacitors and inductors. A capacitor is a device that stores energy in an electric field, while an inductor is a device that stores energy in a magnetic field. By adding these devices to circuits alongside your switchgear, PFC can help to improve the power factor.
There are two main types of Power Factor Correction: passive and active. Passive PFC uses only passive components, such as capacitors and inductors, to improve the power factor. Passive PFC is well suited to electrical systems with traditional loadings. It is an affordable option that can be managed with simple components.
Benefits of passive PFC:
- Affordable
- Efficient
- Simple installation
For electrical systems with more sophisticated equipment such as variable speed drives, computer loads, UPS and large LED loads, you will need active PFC equipment. Active PFC uses components, such as thyristors, to improve the power factor. This equipment actively adjusts the input voltage to ensure optimal performance. Active PFC uses more complex components, but it works over a range of different Power Factors (lagging and leading) and drastically increases efficiency. In some cases, you can achieve a power factor of more than 0.99. Although it comes at a slightly higher price, active PFC equipment has many benefits.
Benefits of active PFC:
- Achieve power factor of 0.99 or higher
- Offers load balancing
- Flexible solutions give you more control
- Usually offered in combination with harmonic filtering
We stock a range of different PFC equipment for use in different systems. If you’re looking for a way to improve the power factor of your electrical system, then our PFC equipment is a great option. We have a wide range of capacitors, inductors and current source filters for use in both passive and active PFC systems. For more information, please contact us today.
Detuned PFC Equipment
Harmonic distortion is caused when the current waveform doesn’t match the ideal sine wave. This can lead to a number of problems, such as increased system distortion and a reduction in system capacity. Harmonic distortion can be caused by a number of factors, including background harmonics and harmonic distortion from other devices in the system.
Detuned capacitors and inductors are designed to improve the power factor of an electrical system in harmonic rich environments where non-detuned PFC would be inappropriate.
Real-Time PFC Equipment
With our real-time PFC equipment, you can drastically increase the power factor of your electrical systems. This equipment uses active components, such as thyristors, to improve the power factor in real-time. This allows you to maintain a high power factor even when other devices are introduced into the system.
We can offer the perfect real-time PFC equipment for use in your electrical systems so you can improve efficiency and save money.
Need a Power Factor Correction (PFC) Solution?
If you are looking for a Power Factor Correction (PFC) solution, AF Switchgear is here to help. We stock a wide range of equipment for use in both passive and active PFC systems. Using our expert knowledge, we will help you find the ideal solution for your system and install it for you.
Get in touch today to learn more about our products and services and we will answer any questions you might have. You could be wasting a lot of money with inefficient electrical systems, so don’t delay in contacting us!
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