The benefits of Power Factor Correction and Power Harmonic mitigation
6 Benefits are described here:
- Reduce electricity bill
- Reduce power losses
- Reduce cable size
- Comply with power harmonic emission limits requested by Utilities
- Improve process quality
- Improve business performance
- Reduce electricity bill: Low power factor and power harmonics are resulting in increased power demand and reactive energy consumption. Both aspects are part of the electricity bill paid to the Electricity Utility that could be reduced by Power Factor Correction and Power Harmonic mitigation.
- Reduce power losses: By reducing the line currents necessary for transmission of a given active power to the loads, Power Factor Correction and Power Harmonic mitigation are reducing the power losses in the circuits.
- Reduce cable size: The cable size is determined according to the current requirements. In the following table is given the multiplying factor to be applied to the cable cross section which could result from a poor Power Factor value.
power factor and multiplying factor
- Comply with power harmonic emission limits requested by Utilities: in order to reduce the power losses in Transmission and Distribution networks, Electricity Utilities are fixing limits for harmonic distortion. The compliance to these limits is a requirement before connection of a new installation. Mitigation may also be requested in case of disturbance generated by an existing installation.
- Improve process quality: Process quality or machine operation can be optimized if voltage fluctuations and distortion are reduced by Power Factor Correction. Disturbances of sensitive electrical equipment (computer management system, sensors…) can be avoided.
- Improve business performance: A lower cost of electrical equipment such as transformer, cables, switchgear, will result in a reduced Capex. Opex is reduced by reduction of power losses, reduction of subscribed power, and elimination of reactive energy penalties. System availability and reliability are improved.
Jacques Schonek
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an interesting and useful piece of information for us electrical engineers.Thank you sir.