Power Factor Correction

Engr. Noor Nabi Shaikh

.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MUET
Power flow without power factor correction

Power flow with power factor correction

Why power factor correction is important?

▬ 100 A @ 480 V
▬ 480 X 100 = 48kVA
POWER FACTOR
IT is defined as the ratio of active power (P) & apparent power (S).

Power factor = P / S = P/VI

FOR sinusoidal waveforms the PF is cosine of the phase angle ϕ between voltage and current.

Power factor = cos ϕ

cos ϕ = P / VI

P = V I cos ϕ

I = P / V cos ϕ …… (1)

Equation (1) shows that, the current is affected by PF. As the supply voltage V is kept fairly constant.
Hence, for a given power P required by the load, current I taken by the load varies inversely as the load
power factor cos ϕ. Thus, a given load takes more current at a low PF than it does at a high PF.
Disadvantages of a Low Power Factor
1. Higher currents require larger cables, switchgears, transformers, alternators, etc. Resulting increased
capital cost.
2. Higher currents means higher copper losses in the system and so the efficiency of the system is
reduced. Also the cost of energy loss (running cost) increased.
3. Higher currents produces larger voltage drops in cables and other apparatus. Resulting in poor voltage
regulation.

▬ Tariff of a large consumer consists of two parts.

Total cost = cost for maximum demand + cost for energy used
C = C1 (kVA) + C2 (kVA) ….. (2)
Where C1 = cost per maximum demand in kVA

C2 = cost per kWh used

C = Total cost paid by the consumer
 As kW  kVA cos  ... (3)
kW
kVA  ... ( 4)
cos 

▬ Equation shows, if cos ϕ is large, kVA is small. Hence, to reduce kVA taken from the supply, the
consumer is forced to operate at a high PF, near to unity.
▬ In practice, the PF is usually between 0.9 to 0.95 lagging.
CAUSES OF LOW POWER FACTOR
The usual cause of low PF is due to inductive loads. Current in an inductive load lags the voltage. PF is
therefore lagging. Following are the loads responsible for low PF:
1. Induction Motors: 3 – phase induction motors operate at a PF of about 0.8 lagging at full load. At
light loads these motors work at very small PF of the order of 0.2 to 0.3 lagging. Single phase
induction motors operates at PF of around 0.6 lagging.

2. Transformer: it draws magnetizing current form the supply. At normal load, the current does not affect
the PF much, but at light loads the primary current PF is low.

3. Arc Lamps, Electric discharge lamps, industrial heating (i.e., induction furnace), welding equipment
operates at low PF.
Remember:
Pay-back period for investments in well-designed power factor correction systems are usually between 3
and 18 months. Power factor correction equipment of good quality, has a life expectancy of at least 10
years.
Power Factor Improvement (Correction)
The basic principle of PF improvement is to inject a leading current into the circuit so as to neutralize the lagging
current. The PF may be improved by the following methods:
1. Static Capacitors
2. Phase Advancers
3. Synchronous Motors / Synchronous condenser
Power Factor Correction by Static Capacitors

► Consider RL circuit and its phasor diagrams as shown in the circuit.

Let V = supply voltage

I1 = Load current
ф1 = phase angle
cos ф1 = original power factor
Let a capacitor C be placed in parallel with the load. It will take a leading current Ic from the supply as
shown in the phasor.

I2 Ic
I1
Ic
c V
O ф2
V
ф1
I2 b
Ic
I1
a

Total current I2 drawn from the supply will be:

I 2 = I1 + I c
1. Phase angle of I2 is ф2 , which is less than ф1 and hence cos ф2 is greater than cos ф1 . In other words, the power
factor is improved from cos ф1 to cos ф2 .

2. Form the phasor diagram Ic

Oc  I1 cos 1  I 2 cos  2
Therefore , c V
O
cos 1 ф2
I 2  I1 ф1
cos  2 I2 b
Ic
Since cos  2  cos 1 , I 2  I1 I1
a

Hence new current drawn from the supply is less than the load current I 2 . See phasor diagram.

3. Again,
I 2 cos  2  I1 cos 1
 VI 2 cos  2  VI1 cos 1
Or P2  P1

4. What This Relation Shows ??? P ? Q ? IL ? IS ?

Class Conversation
CAPACITOR RATING CALCULATIONS
From the phasor diagram.
Ic
ab  ac  bc
I C  I1 sin 1  I 2 sin  2 ..... (3)
c V
Multiplyin g both sides of eq (3) by V O ф2
ф1
V I C  V I1 sin 1  V I 2 sin  2 I2 b
Ic
Or Qc  Q1  Q 2 ..... ( 4) I1
a
Where Q1  V I1 sin 1 .... . (5)
 reactive voltampere taken by the load
Q 2  V I 2 sin  2 ...... ( 6)
 reactive voltampere taken from the supply
Qc  V Ic ...... (7)
 leading reactive voltampere s drawn by the capacitors
from supply
From the power diagram

OA  P P A
O
O C  S1  V I1 ф2
ф1
A C  Q1 Q2
S2
O B  S2  V I 2 B
Q1
A B  Q2 S1
Q1  P tan 1
Q2  P tan  2
QC  Q1  Q2 C

QC  P ( tan 1  tan  2 ) .... . . (8)

Equation (8) used to determine the VAr rating of the capacitor. If P is expressed in kW, then Qc
is obtained in kVAr
 For Capacitance C calculation
The value of C can also be calculated.
Since Qc  V Ic
V
Ic   V C
XC
 Qc  V 2 C
Qc
And C  .... . (9)
V 2
Equation (9) shows that the capacitance required for power factor correction is inversely
proportional to V2 .
Special Case
If the overall power factor is to be improved to unity

2  0 , sin  2  0 , tan  2  0
The phasor diagram is shown in figure
From equation
IC  I1 sin 1  I 2 sin  2
Since sin  2  0
IC  I1 sin 1 . ... (10)
V
But IC   V C
XC
IC I1 sin 1
 C   , From eq (8) , since tan  2  0
V V
QC  P tan 1
PROBLEM
A fluorescent lamp takes 0.75 A when connected across 240 V, 50 Hz ac supply. The power consumed by
the lamp is 80 W. Calculate the value of capacitance to be connected in parallel with the lamp to improve
power factor to (a) unity (b) 0.95 lagging.

SOL
I1  0.75 A , V  240 V , P  80 W
V I1 cos 1  P
P 80 1
I1 cos 1   
V 240 3
1 1
cos 1    0.44
3 I1 3  0.75
 1  63.61O , tan 1  2.0155
(a) Capacitance for unity power factor

cos  2  1,  2  0 , tan  2  0
Ic  I1 cos 1 ( tan 1  tan  2 )
1

( 2.0155  0 )  0.6718 A
3
IC 0.6718
C    8.9110  6  8.91  F
V 240  2   50
(b) For power factor 0.95 lagging
cos  2  0.95 ,  2  18.19 o , tan  2  0.3287
Ic  I1 cos 1 ( tan 1  tan  2 )
1
 ( 2.0155  0.3287 )  0.5623 A
3
I 0.5623
C  C   7.457 10  6  7.457  F
V 240  2   50
PROBLEM 2
A single phase 50Hz motor takes 20A at 0.75 power factor lagging from 230V ac. Calculate the kVAr and
capacitance of a capacitor to be connected in parallel to raise the power factor to 0.9 lagging. What is the
new supply current?

SOL

I1  20 A , f  50 Hz
cos 1  0.75 , 1  41.4 o , tan 1  0.8819
cos  2  0.90 ,  2  25.84 o , tan  2  0.4834
IC  I1 cos 1 ( tan 1  tan  2 )
 20  0.75 ( 0.8819  0.4834)
 5.9637 A
IC 5.9637
C    82.53  10  6 F  82.53  F
V 2   50  230
 Q C  V I C  230  5.9637  1371.65 VAr
 Let I2 be the new supply current, since the active component of supply current remains unchanged,

I 2 cos  2  I1 cos 1
cos 1 0.75
I2  I1  20
cos  2 0. 9
 16.67 A
 Power Factor Correction In 3 – Phase Systems

In 3 – phase system it is convenient to use the per phase basis.

1. Capacitance connected in delta:

From equation
2. Capacitance connected in star
1
VP  VL
3
From equation
QC QC
CY  
 VP2  (VL / 3 ) 2
3 QC

 VL2
Combining equations for C & CY
CY  3 C

Note:
Capacitance required per phase in star connection is equal to 3 times the capacitance required per phase
connected in delta.
Capacitors for star – connected bank have a working voltage equal to 1/√ 3 times that for the delta –
connected bank. Therefore, capacitors are connected in delta for power factor improvement. Delta
connection is also better if the capacitors are designed for higher working voltage.
PROBLEM # 03
A 3 – phase load of 750kW at 400V, 50Hz, operates at a power factor of 0.7 lagging. Calculate the kVAr
rating per phase and capacitance per phase of a mesh connected capacitor bank to improve power factor to
0.95 lagging.

SOLUTION
750
Power per phase, Pp 
 250 kW
3
Original power factor , cos 1  0.7
 cos 1  45.57 o and tan 1  1.02
Improved power factor , cos  2  0.95
 cos  2  18.19 o and tan  2  0.32868
QC P  PP ( tan 1  tan  2 )
 250 ( 1.02  0.32868 )
 172.83 kVAr / phase
 V
QC  V I C ; IC   V C
XC
 QC  V 2 C
QC
C 
V 2
QC P 172.83 103 6
C    3438  10 F
VP2 ( 2  f ) ( 400)  2   50
2

C   3438   F

H.W PROBLEMS from “Electrical Power Systems” by “Ashfaq Husain”

EX. 26.4, 26.5, 26.6, 26.7
 ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS
OF STATIC CAPACITORS
Advantages
▬ They have low losses
▬ They require little maintenance as there are no rotating parts
▬ Easily installed as they are light and require no foundation
▬ They can work under ordinary atmospheric conditions
▬ They can be manufactured in very small sizes.

Disadvantages
▬ They have short service life ranging from 8 to 10 years
▬ They are easily damaged if the voltage exceeds the rated value
▬ Once the capacitors are damaged, their repair is uneconomical
▬ They tend to over compensate on light loads unless arrangements for automatic switching off the
capacitor bank .
Synchronous Condenser
A synchronous motor takes a leading current when over-excited and, therefore, behaves as a capacitor.
An over-excited synchronous motor running on no load is known as synchronous condenser. When such a
machine is connected in parallel with the supply, it takes a leading current which partly neutralizes the
lagging reactive component of the load. Thus the power factor is improved.
ADVANTAGES
1. By varying the field excitation, the magnitude of current drawn by the motor can be changed by any amount. This
helps in achieving step less control of power factor.
2. The motor windings have high thermal stability to short circuit currents.
3. The faults can be removed easily.

DISADVANTAGES

1. There are considerable losses in the motor.

2. The maintenance cost is high.
3. It produces noise.
4. Except in sizes above 500 kVA, the cost is greater than that of static capacitors of the same rating.
5. As a synchronous motor has no self-starting torque, therefore, an auxiliary equipment has to be provided for this
purpose.
Problem:
The infinite bus shown in figure. Operates at 480V. Load 1 is an induction motor consuming 100kW at 0.78 PF
lagging, and load 2 is an induction motor consuming 200kW at 0.8 PF lagging. Load 3 is a synchronous motor whose
real power consumption is 150kW.

a. If the synchronous motor is adjusted to operate at 0.85 PF lagging, what is the transmission line – current in this
system?
b. If the synchronous is adjusted to operate at 0.85 leading, what is the transmission line – current in this system?
c. Assume that the transmission line losses are given by, “PLL = 3IL2 RL”, how do the transmission losses compare in
the two cases?
Note:
In the 2nd case the transmission power losses are
28% less than the 1st case, while power supplied
to the load is same.
Pf Correction Methods
1. Individual Power Factor Correction

In the simplest case, an appropriately sized capacitor is installed in

parallel with each individual inductive consumer.
This completely eliminates the additional load on the cabling, including
the cable feeding the compensated consumer.

Applications:
 To compensate the no-load reactive power of transformers
 For drives in continuous operation
 For drives with long power supply cables or cables whose cross section allows no margin for error
Advantages:
 Reactive power is completely eliminated from the internal power distribution system.
 Low costs per kVAr.

Disadvantages:
• The PFC system is distributed throughout the entire facility
• High installation costs
• A larger overall capacitor power rating is required as the coincidence factor cannot be taken into
account.
2. GROUP POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
Electrical machines that are always switched on at the same time can be combined as a group and have a
joint correction capacitor. An appropriately sized unit is therefore installed instead of several smaller
individual capacitors.

Applications:
For several inductive consumers provided that these are
always operated together
Advantages:
Similar to those for individual power factor correction, but
more cost-effective
Disadvantages:
Only for groups of consumers that are always operated at
the same time
 3. CENTRAL POWER FACTOR CORRECTION

The PFC capacitance is installed at a central point, i.e., at the main low voltage distribution board. This
system covers the total reactive power demand. The capacitance is divided into several sections which are
automatically switched in and out of service by automatic reactive power control relays and contactors to
suit load conditions.

Applications:

• Can always be used where the user’s

internal power distribution system is not
under dimensioned
Advantages:

 Clear-cut, easy-to-monitor concept.

 Good utilization of installed capacitance.
 Installation usually relatively simple.
 Less total installed capacitance, since the coincidence factor can be taken into account.
 Less expensive for power distribution systems troubled by harmonics, as controlled devices are simpler
to choke.

Disadvantages:

• Reactive currents within the user’s internal power distribution system are not reduced.
• Additional costs for the automatic control system.
4. Hybrid Power Factor Correction
Economic considerations often show that it is advantageous to combine the three methods described
above.
Economics of Power Factor Improvement
Improved PF means reduction in maximum kVA demand. Improve PF involves capital investment on PF
correction equipment. That means an expenditure is to be made every year in the form of interest and
depreciation etc. on the initial cost of PF correction equipment.

The total annual saving will be equal to the annual saving on the maximum kVA demand charges minus
annual expenditure on PF correction equipment.

The most economical PF is that value of PF at which net annual saving is maximum.
Most Economical POWER FACTOR When kW Demand is Constant
P
▬ Consider a load having constant active C
power P kW at a PF of cos ф1 . O
ф2
ф1
▬ By installing PF correction equipment, S2
PF is improved to cos ф2 . B
S1

 Resulting reduction in kVA from S1 to S2. QC

FROM the phasor, the power triangle at the original PF cos ф1 is OAC and the power
triangle for improved PF cos ф2 is OBC. A

Original kVA demand, S1 = OA

Final kVA demand, S2 = OB
 P
C
Reduction in kVA demand O
ф2
ф1
S2
From cos 1 to cos  2  ( S1  S 2 ) B
S1
S1  S 2  O A  O B  P sec 1  P sec  2
QC
 P ( sec 1  sec  2 )
If x  annual cost per kVA of maximum demand then annual saving
in the kVA demand charges A
C D  x ( S1  S 2 )  x P ( sec 1  sec  2 )
Reactive kVAr of the PF correction equipment
QC  A C  B C  P tan 1  P tan  2
Or QC  P (tan 1  tan  2 )
If y  annual cost per kVAr of the PF correction equipment then
annual cost of the PF correction equipment
C PF  y QC  y P (tan 1  tan  2 )
Total annual saving, CS  C D  C PF
Or C S  x P (sec 1  sec  2 )  y P (tan 1  tan  2 )
It should be noted that x, y, P, and 1 are constant. The only variable is  2 .
For net saving to be maximum,
If 1st derivative = 0, means savings will be maximum or
dC S d 2C S minimum and if its 2nd derivative becomes –ve or less than
 0 and  0 zero, means savings are maximum. (maxima minima
d 2 d 22
theorem)
dC S
Now,  x P (0  sec  2 tan  2 )  y P (0  sec 2  2 )  0
d 2
1 sin  2 1
x    y  0
cos  2 cos  2 cos  2
2

x sin  2  y
y
sin  2  .... . (1)
x
annual saving per kVAr of PF correction equipment

annual cost per kVA of maximum demand
 Also ,
d 2C S d
 (  x P sec  2 tan  2  y P sec 2  2 )
d 22 d 2
  x P (sec  2  sec 2  2  tan  2  sec  2 tan  2 )  y P (2 sec  2  sec  2 tan  2 )
d 2C S
  0
d 22

Maximum saving is obtained when power factor is improved to cos ф 2 , where ф2 is given by the equation
(1).
The most economical PF is given by 2
 y
cos  2  1  sin 2  2  1  ..... ( 2)
x

Equation (2) shows, that the most economical PF depends upon x and y and is independent of original PF
cos ф1 .
H.W QUESTION
Derive expression for Most economical PF when kVA demand is constant.
HW QUESTIONS