Power Factor Correction:
What is Power Factor
and how does it affect me and my business?If you are a UK
electrical consumer, it would benefit you to know about your
power factor, as most utility companies charge a penalty
tariff
for using electrical energy inefficiently. This penalty
tariff is based
around the power factor value calculated from your
electricity usage.
Power factor in simple terms is a measure of electrical
efficiency, a typical uncorrected power factor in most
industrial & commercial organisations is around 0.8pf which
in real terms means a 1000kva transformer can only supply an
800kw load, a reduction in utilisation by 20% which could
also be applied to the switchgear and cables.
Power factor can be restored with the use of
Power factor correction units containing Power factor
capacitors.
Why improve my Power Factor ?
Improving a systems power factor will reduce the total power
consumed by an electrical installation and will provide the
following benefits:
Financial saving - By reducing power consumed electricity
costs are reduced.
Extended equipment life - Reduced electrical burden on
cables and electrical components.
Increase load capacity - Provide additional capacity for
other loads to be connected.
Environmental benefit - Reduced power consumption means less
“Greenhouse” gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion by
power stations.
How can RWTS help?
RW Technical Services have wide experience of the
installation and maintenance of power factor correction
units. To find out more or obtain a quotation please
contact us.
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