EECA assignment 2
EECA assignment 2
Ans:
Power factor:
Power factor is an important parameter for the calculation of active and reactive power in electrical
circuit. It has significance only for AC circuit.
a) Static Capacitor
b) Synchronous Condenser
c) Phase Advancer
a) Static Capacitor:
• Most industries and power system loads are inductive, which causes a decrease in the system
power factor due to lagging current.
• To improve the power factor, static capacitors are connected in parallel with these devices
operated on low power factor.
• These static capacitors supply leading current, which balances out the lagging inductive
component of the load current.
• This effectively eliminates or neutralizes the lagging component of the load current and corrects
the power factor of the load circuit to enhance the overall efficiency.
• To enhance system or device efficiency, these capacitors are installed near large inductive
loads, like induction motors and transformers, to improve the load circuit power factor.
• Advantages:
➢ Low losses
➢ No moving parts, subsequently requiring low maintenance
➢ Capacity to work in ordinary atmospheric conditions
➢ No requirement for an foundation for installation
➢ Lightweight, making them simple to install
• Disadvantages:
➢ Less lifespan for static capacitor banks (around 8-10 years)
➢ The need to turn the capacitor bank ON or OFF when there is an adjustment of burden,
which can cause switching surges in the system.
➢ When it was damaged it's repairing cost is high.
b) Synchronous Condenser:
• When a synchronous motor operates at no-load and is over-excited, it is called a synchronous
condenser.
• When a synchronous motor is over-excited, it provides leading current and works like a
capacitor.
• In a synchronous motor, a separate DC source is used to excite the field winding.
• Therefore, the input supply only provides current to energize the stator, i.e., the current provided
is in-phase with the supply voltage. So the power factor remains unity.
• The power factor can be adjusted by varying the DC excitation.
• By increasing the DC excitation, the power factor varies from lagging to unity and leading
power factor.
• When the DC excitation increases, the field windings are over-magnetized.
• The input supply provides a current component to the stator to compensate for this over-
magnetization.
• This current leads to the supply voltage, causing a leading power factor or generating reactive
power.
• The synchronous motor used specifically for power factor improvement without any
mechanical load is called a synchronous condenser.
• Advantages:
➢ Long lifespan (up to 25 years)
➢ High reliability
➢ Faults can be easily removed
➢ Is not affected by harmonics
➢ Requires low maintenance (only periodic bearing greasing is necessary)
• Disadvantages:
➢ High cost (including high maintenance costs), therefore it is mostly used by large power
users
➢ Produces noise.
c) Phase Advancer:
• The Phase Advancer is a simple AC exciter that connects to the main shaft of a motor and
operates with the motor’s rotor circuit to improve power factor.
• It is commonly used in industries to improve the power factor of induction motors.
• Since the stator windings of an induction motor take lagging current 90° out of phase with
voltage, the power factor of the motor is low.
• By supplying exciting ampere-turns from an external AC source, the current does not affect the
stator windings, and the power factor of the induction motor improves.
• This process is done by the Phase Advancer.
Ans:
Advantages:
Cost Benefits:
i. Lower Electricity Bills
ii. Reduction in Demand Charges
iii. Avoidance of Infrastructure Upgrades
iv. Energy Savings
v. Increased Equipment Utilization
vi. Reduced Line Losses
3) Explain with a neat sketch the importance of capacitor location for power factor improvement.
Ans:
• The primary purpose of capacitors is to reduce the maximum demand. Additional benefits are
• derived by capacitor location.
• At this location, its kVAr are confined to the smallest possible segment, decreasing the load current.
This, in turn, will reduce power losses of the system substantially.
• Power losses are proportional to the square of the current.
• When power losses are reduced, voltage at the motor increases; thus, motor performance also
increases.
• Locations C1A, C1B and C1C indicate three different arrangements at the load.
• In all three locations extra switches are not required, since the capacitor is either switched with the
motor starter or the breaker before the starter.
• Case C1A is recommended for new installation, since the maximum benefit is derived and the size of
the motor thermal protector is reduced.
• In Case C1B, as in Case C1A, the capacitor is energized only when the motor is in operation.
• Case C1B is recommended in cases where the installation already exists and the thermal protector
does not need to be re-sized.
• In position C1C, the capacitor is permanently connected to the circuit but does not require a separate
switch, since capacitor can be disconnected by the breaker before the starter.
• It should be noted that the rating of the capacitor should not be greater than the no-load magnetizing
kVAr of the motor.
• If this condition exists, damaging over voltage or transient torques can occur.
• The next preference for capacitor locations at locations C2 and C3.
• In these locations, a breaker or switch will be required. Location C4 requires a high volt age breaker.
• From energy efficiency point of view, capacitor location at receiving substation only helps the utility
in loss reduction.
4) Explain the operation principle of automatic power factor controller.
Ans:
• An Automatic Power Factor Controller (APFC) is a device used to improve the power factor of
an electrical system by automatically switching capacitors on or off based on the system's reactive
power requirements. It ensures optimal power factor by continuously monitoring and adjusting the
system.
• The APFC works by using reactive power compensation to balance the inductive and capacitive loads
in the system. Here’s how it operates:
• The APFC continuously monitors the power factor (cosϕ) of the system using current and
voltage sensors.
• These sensors measure the phase angle (ϕ) between current and voltage, from which the
power factor is calculated.
• The measured power factor is compared with a preset target (e.g., 0.95 or higher).
• If the actual power factor falls below the target, the controller identifies the amount of
reactive power (VAR) required to bring the system back to the desired level.
• Based on the requirement, the APFC switches capacitor banks on or off to supply or absorb
reactive power:
o Leading Power Factor (capacitive loads): Capacitors are switched off to avoid
overcompensation.
4. Dynamic Adjustment
• The APFC performs real-time dynamic adjustments to maintain a stable and efficient power
factor even as the load fluctuates.
5) Write a note on energy efficient motors.
Ans:
• An energy efficient motor (EEM) is a motor that gives you the same output strength by consuming
lesser amounts of power.
• EEM is manufactured using the same frame as a standard motor, but they have some differences:
• In the future, the cost of energy will increase due to environmental problems and limited resources.
• The electric motors consume a major part of the electric energy in industries.
• Thus, implementing energy efficient motor could save a significant amount of electricity.
• It would also reduce the production of green-house gases and push down the total environmental
cost of electricity generation.
• Also, these motors can reduce maintenance costs and improve operations in industry. Efficient
energy use is achieved primarily by means of a more efficient technology or process rather than by
changes in individual behavior.
6) Explain the working of soft starter and its advantages over the conventional starters.
Ans:
• When starting, AC Induction motor develops more torque than is required at full speed. This stress
is transferred to the mechanical trans mission system resulting in excessive wear and premature
failure of chains, belts, gears, mechanical seals, etc.
• Additionally, rapid acceleration also has a massive impact on electricity supply charges with high
inrush currents drawing +600% of the normal run current.
• The use of Star Delta only provides a partial solution to the problem. Should the motor slow down
during the transition period, the high peaks can be repeated and can even exceed direct on line
current. Soft starter provides a reliable and economical solution to these problems by delivering a
controlled release of power to the motor, thereby providing smooth, stepless acceleration and
deceleration.
• Motor life will be extended as damage to windings and bearings is reduced.
• Soft Starter Soft Start & Soft Stop is built into 3 phase units, providing controlled starting and
stopping with a selection of ramp times and current limit settings to suit all applications.
Advantages over the conventional starters:
7) Explain why centrifugal machines offers the greatest savings when used with variable speed drives.
Ans:
• Variable torque loads include centrifugal pumps and fans, which make up the majority of HVAC
applications.
• In variable torque applications, the torque required varies with the square of the speed, and the
horsepower required varies with the cube of the speed, resulting in a large reduction of horse power
for even a small reduction in speed.
• The motor will consume only 25% as much energy at 50% speed than it will at 100% speed.
• This is referred to as the Affinity Laws, which define the relationships between speed, flow, torque,
and horsepower.
• The following laws illustrates these relationships:
Ans:
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Construction:
Operating Principle:
• There is no mechanical inter-connection between the impeller and the rotor and the power is
transmitted by virtue of the fluid filled in the coupling.
• When the impeller is rotated by the prime mover, the fluid flows out radially and then axially under
the action of centrifugal force.
• It then crosses the air gap to the runner and is directed towards the bowl axis and back to the impeller.
• To enable the fluid to flow from impeller to rotor it is essential that there is difference in head
between the two and thus it is essential that there is difference in RPM known as slip between the
two.
• Slip is an important and inherent characteristic of a fluid coupling resulting in several desired
advantages.
• As the slip increases, more and more fluid can be transferred.
• However when the rotor is at a stand still, maximum fluid is transmitted from impeller to rotor and
maximum torque is transmitted from the coupling.
• This maximum torque is the limiting torque.
• The fluid coupling also acts as a torque limiter.
Ans;
• Most energy loss in dry-type transformers occurs through heat or vibration from the core. The new
high-efficiency transformers minimise these losses.
• The conventional transformer is made up of a silicon alloyed iron (grain oriented) core. The iron
loss of any transformer depends on the type of core used in the transformer.
• However the latest technology is to use amorphous material - a metallic glass alloy for the core
• The expected reduction in energy loss over conventional (Si Fe core) transformers is roughly around
70%, which is quite significant.
• By using an amorphous core- with unique physical and magnetic properties- these new type of
transformers have increased efficiencies even at low loads – 98.5% efficiency at 35% load.
• Electrical distribution transformers made with amorphous metal cores provide excellent opportunity
to conserve energy right from the installation.
• Though these transformers are a little costlier than conventional iron core transformers, the overall
benefit towards energy savings will compensate for the higher initial investment.
• At present amorphous metal core transformers are available up to 1600 kVA.
12) Explain the role and functions of electronic ballasts.
Ans:
Role of Ballast:
Functions:
➢ To ignite the lamp
➢ To stabilize the gas discharge
➢ To supply the power to the lamp
Module 3
•
• The objective of Energy Management is to achieve and maintain optimum energy procurement and
utilisation, throughout the organization and:
➢ To minimise energy costs / waste without affecting production & quality
➢ To minimise environmental effects.
14) Define Energy Audit and explain the importance of energy audit in industry.
Ans:
Energy Audit:
Energy Audit is the key to a systematic approach for decision-making in the area of energy
management.
It attempts to balance the total energy inputs with its use, and serves to identify all the energy streams
in a facility.
b) Detailed Audit:
• A comprehensive audit provides a detailed energy project implementation plan for a facility,
since it evaluates all major energy using systems.
• This type of audit offers the most accurate estimate of energy savings and cost.
• It considers the interactive effects of all projects, accounts for the energy use of all major
equipment, and includes detailed energy cost saving calculations and project cost.
• In a comprehensive audit, one of the key elements is the energy balance.
• This is based on an inventory of energy using systems, assumptions of current operating
conditions and calculations of energy use.
• This estimated use is then compared to utility bill charges.
• Detailed energy auditing is carried out in three phases: Phase I, II and III.
Phase I - Pre Audit Phase
Phase II - Audit Phase
Phase III - Post Audit Phase
6. Enhances Competitiveness
• Reducing energy costs improves overall operational efficiency, making the organization
more competitive in the market.
• Demonstrates commitment to sustainability, which can be a differentiator for customers and
stakeholders.
8. Aids in Decision-Making
• Provides reliable data for making informed decisions about energy efficiency projects and
investments.
• Helps justify the need for upgrades or new equipment by demonstrating potential energy and
cost savings.
22) What is energy use profile? What are the audits required to construct energy use profile?
Ans:
Energy use profile:
An energy use profile is a detailed analysis of how energy is consumed within an organization,
building, or system over time.
It involves the collection and presentation of energy consumption data to understand patterns,
trends, and areas where energy is used most.
This profile helps in identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and cost
reductions.