Power / KVAr (Apparent Power) and Poor Power Factor

The Problem – KVAr (Apparent Power) and Poor Power Factor

All systems that require electricity to work consume power, but not all consume this power efficiently. Our energy providers generate and supply us with electricity and bill us for the number of units we use. All being well, our electrical systems operate correctly and we pay for the Watts (unit of power) that we use. However, in many cases the systems we use do not work efficiently due to the high levels of Non-linear load such as capacitors, motors and inductors.

Circuits containing excessive amounts of non-linear equipment directly affect the power factor rating of an installation. In order to use the power fed into a system efficiently, a power factor of 1.0 (Unity) must be achieved. If a power factor of less than 1.0 is achieved, more energy is required to power equipment in an installation. The adverse of affect of this is that the electrical system in question will only use the required amount of power to function normally and the excess power generated will be wasted in the form of KVAr’s. As the supply authority has to generate more energy than necessary to power inefficient systems, it will not only charge for the wasted energy (KVAr’s) – it will often charge a premium.

The answer…

By simply having visibility of a recent energy bill, PHS Compliance Power Engineers can devise the best possible course of action to improve your power quality and consumption. This course of action may include a short period of monitoring of your electricity supply to establish critical power readings and ultimately lead to the installation of Power Factor Correction equipment where necessary. Regardless of the course of action chosen, the aim remains the same, to achieve a power factor reading of as close to 1.0 (Unity) as possible.

Once an improved power factor reading is achieved, you will begin to benefit from a more efficient system, prolonged life expectancy of equipment, reduced energy bills and significant cost savings.