Power Factor Correction

Zero downtime made possible with Himel Power Factor Correction

The term "power factor correction" refers to the process of improving the power factor by connecting capacitors to the main circuit, thus reducing the amount of reactive power circulating within the network. In practice, it consists of adding one or several capacitors to the supply voltage in parallel with the existing ones, thereby increasing the total capacity of the supply.

This allows you to reduce the reactance of the network, improving the power factor and making the flow of current smoother. As a result, the losses are lower, the consumption is decreased, and the cost of production is minimized.

Himel provides devices such as Reactive Power Compensation Controllers, Three-phase Serial Reactor Low-voltage Capacitors, and Capacitor Switching Contactors to reduce your operation's downtime. Read on to learn more about how each of these devices work.

Reactive Power Compensation Controllers

Reactive Power Compensation Controllers work with low voltage capacitors to reduce power loss and improve voltage quality. They control the automatic switching off of shunt capacitors. Himel reactive power controllers are easy to program and match your intelligent set-up. They also facilitate precise power factor measurement and give quick feedback.

Three-phase Serial Reactor

A three-phase serial reactor controls the standard voltage and current variations resulting from frequency changes. This is done by offering input impedance, which is the resistance of an electric circuit to alternating current. The lifetime of the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) also increases, ensuring an exemplary power factor over a long period.

Low-voltage Capacitors

The power consumed by an electric motor varies with the load. However, the motor’s reactive power remains constant. A low-voltage power factor correction capacitor generates reactive power to increase the power factor. This reduces the amount of reactive power the motor needs from the utility.

There are two types of capacitors, one is fixed, and the other is automatic or switched. Automatic capacitors vary the amount of correction, whereas fixed capacitors do not. Automatic capacitors have a microprocessor controller that switches the capacitor banks on and off based on the electrical load.

Fixed capacitors are more convenient for facilities with full-time operations and a constant load. Automatic capacitors are best where the load demand keeps shifting.

If you have multiple large motors, one capacitor per motor is ideal. When dealing with many small motors, you can use a single capacitor for a group of motors.

Capacitor Switching Contactors

There is a very high current peak during the capacitor switching application. Capacitor switching contactors have a damping resistor to handle the peaks without limitation. Himel capacitor switching capacitors perform exceptionally under peak current. They decrease the current closing impact of capacitors without any glitches.

When designing your power factor correction circuit, you can employ multiple devices depending on your needs. Before picking a power factor correction device, you should always consider your facility's size and load requirements.

Regular maintenance is also essential for the longevity of the devices. Devices like capacitors undergo a lot of stress, and the dielectric inside breaks down over time. This affects your power factor.

Explore Himel’s Power Factor Correction today.