Performance Assessment of Power Factor Capacitors.

Performance Assessment of Power Factor Capacitors.

Voltage effects: Ideally capacitor voltage rating is to match the supply voltage. If the supply voltage is lower, the reactive kVAr produced will be the ratio V1 2 /V2 2 where V1 is the actual supply voltage, V2 is the rated voltage. On the other hand, if the supply voltage exceeds rated voltage, the life of the capacitor is adversely affected.

Material of capacitors: Power factor capacitors are available in various types by dielectric material used as; paper/ polypropylene etc. The watt loss per kVAr as well as life vary with respect to the choice of the dielectric material and hence is a factor to be considered while selection.

Connections: Shunt capacitor connections are adopted for almost all industry/ end user applications, while series capacitors are adopted for voltage boosting in distribution networks.

Operational performance of capacitors: This can be made by monitoring capacitor charging current vis- a- vis the rated charging current. Capacity of fused elements can be replenished as per requirements. Portable analyzers can be used for measuring kVAr delivered as well as charging current. Capacitors consume 0.2 to 6.0 Watt per kVAr, which is negligible in comparison to benefits. 

    • Related Articles

    • Comparison Between Leading and Lagging Power Factor in iPFC.

      Comparison Chart Basis for Comparison Leading Power Factor Lagging Power Factor Basic The load current leads the supply voltage by certain phase angle. There is a phase difference between voltage and current where load current lags the supply ...

    • How to select Capacitor size in KVAR for Power factor improvement.

      Please find the attachment of PF improvement Table. Example: Supplying load of 650Kw at a PF of 0.65. What size of capacitors is required to raise the PF to unity(1)? And how many more KW can connect for the same kVA loading when P.F improved. ...

    • Article 4.6.2K : What is Leading and Lagging power factor?

      Lagging and Leading power factor When the current ‘I’ lags the voltage ‘V’ by an angle ‘θ’ is said to be as ‘Lagging power factor’ When the current ‘I’ leads the voltage ‘V’ by an angle ‘θ’ is said to be as ‘Leading power factor’. The figure which ...

    • Causes of low Power Factor.

      Following are the causes of low Power factor: 1.  Single-phase and three-phase induction Motors. 2. Varying Load in Power System. 3. Industrial heating furnaces. 4. Electrical discharge lamps. 5. Transformers. 6. Harmonic Currents.

    • Disadvantages of low power factor.

       In case of Low Power Factor, Current will be increased, and this high current will cause to the following disadvantages. 1. Large Line loss. 2. Large KVA rating and size of Electrical Equipments 3. Greater Conductor Size and cost. 4. Poor voltage ...