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Power Factor Definition: Power factor is the ratio between the KW and the KVA drawn by an electrical load where the KW is the actual load
power and the KVA is the apparent load power. It is a measure of how effectively the current is being converted into useful work output and more
particularly is a good indicator of the effect of the load current on the efficiency of the supply system.
All current flow causes losses both in the supply and distribution system. A load with a power factor of 1.0 results in the most efficient loading of
the supply. A load with a power factor of, say, 0.8, results in much higher losses in the supply system and a higher bill for the consumer. A
comparatively small improvement in power factor can bring about a significant reduction in losses since losses are proportional to the square of the
current.
When the power factor is less than one the ‘missing’ power is known as reactive power which unfortunately is necessary to provide a magnetizing
field required by motors and other inductive loads to perform their desired functions. Reactive power can also be interpreted as wattles,
magnetizing or wasted power and it represents an extra burden on the electricity supply system and on the consumer’s bill.
A poor power factor is usually the result of a significant phase difference between the voltage and current at the load terminals, or it can be due to
a high harmonic content or a distorted current waveform.
A poor power factor is generally the result of an inductive load such as an induction motor, a power transformer, and ballast in a luminary, a
welding set or an induction furnace. A distorted current waveform can be the result of a rectifier, an inverter, a variable speed drive, a switched
mode power supply, discharge lighting or other electronic loads.
A poor power factor due to inductive loads can be improved by the addition of power factor correction equipment, but a poor power factor due to
a distorted current waveform requires a change in equipment Design or the addition of harmonic filters.
Some inverters are quoted as having a power factor of better than 0.95 when, in reality, the true power factor is between 0.5 and 0.75. The figure of
0.95 is based on the cosine of the angle between the voltage and current but does not take into account that the current waveform is discontinuous
and therefore contributes to increased losses.
An inductive load requires a magnetic field to operate and in creating such a magnetic field causes the current to be out of phase with the voltage
(the current lags the voltage). Power factor correction is the process of compensating for the lagging current by creating a leading current by
connecting capacitors to the supply.
P.F (Cos Ǿ)= K.W / KVA Or
P.F (Cos Ǿ)= True Power / Apparent Power.
KW is Working Power (also called Actual Power or Active Power or Real Power).
It is the power that actually powers the equipment and performs useful work.
KVAR is Reactive Power.
It is the power that magnetic equipment (transformer, motor and relay)needs to produce the magnetizing flux.
KVA is Apparent Power.
It is the “vectorial summation” of KVAR and KW.

An induction motor draws current from the supply that is made up of resistive components and inductive components. The resistive components are:
1) Load current.
2) Loss current.
And the inductive components are:
3) Leakage reactance.
4) Magnetizing current.

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The current due to the leakage reactance is dependent on the total current drawn by the motor, but the magnetizing current is independent of the
load on the motor. The magnetizing current will typically be between 20% and 60% of the rated full load current of the motor. The magnetizing

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current is the current that establishes the flux in the iron and is very necessary if the motor is going to operate.
The magnetizing current does not actually contribute to the actual work output of the motor. It is the catalyst that allows the motor to work
properly. The magnetizing current and the leakage reactance can be considered passenger components of current that will not affect the power
drawn by the motor, but will contribute to the power dissipated in the supply and distribution system.
Take for example a motor with a current draw of 100 Amps and a power factor of 0.75 The resistive component of the current is 75 Amps and this
is what the KWh meter measures. The higher current will result in an increase in the distribution losses of (100 x 100) /(75 x 75) = 1.777 or a 78%
increase in the supply losses.
In the interest of reducing the losses in the distribution system, power factor correction is added to neutralize a portion of the magnetizing current
of the motor. Typically, the corrected power factor will be 0.92 – 0.95
Power factor correction is achieved by the addition of capacitors in parallel with the connected motor circuits and can be applied at the starter, or
applied at the switchboard or distribution panel. The resulting capacitive current is leading current and is used to cancel the lagging inductive
current flowing from the supply.

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As a large proportion of the inductive or lagging current on the supply is due to the magnetizing current of induction motors, it is easy to correct
each individual motor by connecting the correction capacitors to the motor starters.
With static correction, it is important that the capacitive current is less than the inductive magnetizing current of the induction motor. In many
installations employing static power factor correction, the correction capacitors are connected directly in parallel with the motor windings.
When the motor is Off Line, the capacitors are also Off Line. When the motor is connected to the supply, the capacitors are also connected
providing correction at all times that the motor is connected to the supply. This removes the requirement for any expensive power factor
monitoring and control equipment.
In this situation, the capacitors remain connected to the motor terminals as the motor slows down. An induction motor, while connected to the
supply, is driven by a rotating magnetic field in the stator which induces current into the rotor. When the motor is disconnected from the supply,
there is for a period of time, a magnetic field associated with the rotor. As the motor decelerates, it generates voltage out its terminals at a
frequency which is related to its speed.
The capacitors connected across the motor terminals, form a resonant circuit with the motor inductance. If the motor is critically corrected,
(corrected to a power factor of 1.0) the inductive reactance equals the capacitive reactance at the line frequency and therefore the resonant
frequency is equal to the line frequency. If the motor is over corrected, the resonant frequency will be below the line frequency. If the frequency of
the voltage generated by the decelerating motor passes through the resonant frequency of the corrected motor, there will be high currents and
voltages around the motor/capacitor circuit. This can result in severe damage to the capacitors and motor. It is imperative that motors are never
over corrected or critically corrected when static correction is employed.
Static power factor correction should provide capacitive current equal to 80% of the magnetizing current, which is essentially the open shaft
current of the motor.
The magnetizing current for induction motors can vary considerably. Typically, magnetizing currents for large two pole machines can be as low as
20% of the rated current of the motor while smaller low speed motors can have a magnetizing current as high as 60% of the rated full load
current of the motor
Where the open shaft current cannot be measured, and the magnetizing current is not quoted, an approximate level for the maximum correction
that can be applied can be calculated from the half load characteristics of the motor. It is dangerous to base correction on the full load
characteristics of the motor as in some cases, motors can exhibit a high leakage reactance and correction to 0.95 at full load will result in over
correction under no load, or disconnected conditions.
Static correction is commonly applied by using on e contactor to control both the motor and the capacitors. It is better practice to use two
contactors, one for the motor and one for the capacitors. Where one contactor is employed, it should be up sized for the capacitive load. The use of
a second contactor eliminates the problems of resonance between the motor and the capacitors.

Induction motors, transformers and many other electrical loads require magnetizing current (kvar) as well as actual power (kW). By representing
these components of apparent power (kVA) as the sides of a right triangle, we can determine the apparent power from the right triangle rule: kVA2
= kW2 + kVAR2.
To reduce the kva required for any given load, you must shorten the line that represents the kvar. This is precisely what capacitors do. By supplying
kvar right at the load, the capacitors relieve the utility of the burden of carrying the extra kvar. This makes the utility transmission/distribution
system more efficient, reducing cost for the utility and their customers. The ratio of actual power to apparent power is usually expressed in
percentage and is called power factor.

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Since power factor is defined as the ratio of KW to KVA, we see that low power factor results when KW is small in relation to KVA. Inductive
loads. Inductive loads (which are sources of Reactive Power) include:

1. Transformers
2. Induction motor
3. Induction generators (wind mill generators)
4. High intensity discharge (HID) lighting

These inductive loads constitute a major portion of the power consumed in industrial complexes.
Reactive power (KVAR) required by inductive loads increases the amount of apparent power (KVA) in your distribution system .This increase in
reactive and apparent power results in a larger angle (measured between KW and KVA). Recall that, as increases, cosine (or power factor)
decreases.

You want to improve your power factor for several different reasons. Some of the benefits of improving your power factor include:

1) Lower utility fees by:

(a). Reducing peak KW billing demand:

Inductive loads, which require reactive power, caused your low power factor. This increase in required reactive power (KVAR) causes an increase
in required apparent power (KVA), which is what the utility is supplying. So, a facility’s low power factor causes the utility to have to increase its
generation and transmission capacity in order to handle this extra demand.
By lowering your power factor, you use less KVAR. This results in less KW, which equates to a dollar savings from the utility.

(b). Eliminating the power factor penalty:

Utilities usually charge customers an additional fee when their power factor is less than 0.95. (In fact, some utilities are not obligated to deliver
electricity to their customer at any time the customer’s power factor falls below 0.85.) Thus, you can avoid this additional fee by increasing your
power factor.

2) Increased system capacity and reduced system losses in your electrical system

By adding capacitors (KVAR generators) to the system, the power factor is improved and the KW capacity of the system is increased.
For example, a 1,000 KVA transformer with an 80% power factor provides 800 KW (600 KVAR) of power to the main bus.
By increasing the power factor to 90%, more KW can be supplied for the same amount of KVA.
1000 KVA = (900 KW)2 + ( ? KVAR)2
KVAR = 436
The KW capacity of the system increases to 900 KW and the utility supplies only 436 KVAR.
Uncorrected power factor causes power system losses in your distribution system. By improving your power factor, these losses can be reduced.
With the current rise in the cost of energy, increased facility efficiency is very desirable. And with lower system losses, you are also able to add
additional load to your system.

3) Increased voltage level in your electrical system and cooler, more efficient motors

As mentioned above, uncorrected power factor causes power system losses in your distribution system. As power losses increase, you may
experience voltage drops. Excessive voltage drops can cause overheating and premature failure of motors and other inductive equipment. So, by
raising your power factor, you will minimize these voltage drops along feeder cables and avoid related problems. Your motors will run cooler and
be more efficient, with a slight increase in capacity and starting torque.

Power Factor Improving:

1. Please check if required kVAr of capacitors are installed.

2. Check the type of capacitor installed is suitable for application or the capacitors are de rated.
3. Check if the capacitors are permanently ‘ON’. The Capacitor are not switched off
4. when the load is not working, under such condition the average power factor is found to be lower side.
5. Check whether all the capacitors are operated in APFC depending upon the load operation.
6. Check whether the APFC installed in the installation is working or not. Check the CT connection is taken from the main incomer side of
transformer, after the fix compensation of transformer.
7. Check if the load demand in the system is increased.

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8. Check if power transformer compensation is provided.

Thumb Rule if HP is known.

The compensation for motor should be calculated taking the details from the rating plate of motor Or
the capacitor should be rated for 1/3 of HP

Kvar Required For Transformer Compensation:

Transformer Required Kva

<= 315 kVA T.C = 5% of KVA

315kVA To 1000 kVA = 6% of KVA
>= 1000 kVA = 8% of KVA

Where to connect capacitor:

Fix compensation should be provided to take care of power transformer. Power and distribution transformers, which work on the principle of
electro-magnetic induction, consume reactive power for their own needs even when its secondary is not connected to any load. The power factor
will be very low under such situation. To improve the power factor it is required to connect a fixed capacitor or capacitor bank at the LT side of the
Transformer. For approximate kVAr of capacitors required
If the installation is having various small loads with the mixture of large loads then the APFC should be recommended. Note that APFC should
have minimum step rating of 10% as smaller step.
If loads are small then the capacitor should be connected parallel to load. The connection should be such that whenever the loads are switched on
the capacitor also switches on along with the load.
Note that APFC panel can maintain the power factor on L.T side of transformer and it is necessary to provide fix compensation for Power
transformer.
In case there is no transformer in the installation, then the C.T for sensing power factor should be provided at the incoming of main switch of the
plant.

Suppose Actual P.F is 0.8, Required P.F is 0.98 and Total Load is 516KVA.
Power factor = kwh / kvah
kW = kVA x Power Factor
= 516 x 0.8 = 412.8
Required capacitor = kW x Multiplying Factor
= (0.8 x 516) x Multiplying Factor
= 412.8 x 0.547 (See Table to find Value according to P.F 0.8 to P.F of 0.98)
= 225.80 kVar

Multiplying factor for calculating kVAr

Target PF

0.6 0.9 0.91 0.92 0.93 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 1
0.6 0.849 0.878 0.907 0.938 0.970 1.005 1.042 1.083 1.130 1.191 1.333
0.61 0.815 0.843 0.873 0.904 0.936 0.970 1.007 1.048 1.096 1.157 1.299
0.62 0.781 0.810 0.839 0.870 0.903 0.937 0.974 1.015 1.062 1.123 1.265
0.63 0.748 0.777 0.807 0.837 0.870 0.904 0.941 0.982 1.030 1.090 1.233
0.64 0.716 0.745 0.775 0.805 0.838 0.872 0.909 0.950 0.998 1.058 1.201
0.65 0.685 0.714 0.743 0.774 0.806 0.840 0.877 0.919 0.966 1.027 1.169
0.66 0.654 0.683 0.712 0.743 0.775 0.810 0.847 0.888 0.935 0.996 1.138
0.67 0.624 0.652 0.682 0.713 0.745 0.779 0.816 0.857 0.905 0.966 1.108
0.68 0.594 0.623 0.652 0.683 0.715 0.750 0.787 0.828 0.875 0.936 1.078
0.69 0.565 0.593 0.623 0.654 0.686 0.720 0.757 0.798 0.846 0.907 1.049
0.7 0.536 0.565 0.594 0.625 0.657 0.692 0.729 0.770 0.817 0.878 1.020
0.71 0.508 0.536 0.566 0.597 0.629 0.663 0.700 0.741 0.789 0.849 0.992
0.72 0.480 0.508 0.538 0.569 0.601 0.635 0.672 0.713 0.761 0.821 0.964
0.73 0.452 0.481 0.510 0.541 0.573 0.608 0.645 0.686 0.733 0.794 0.936
0.74 0.425 0.453 0.483 0.514 0.546 0.580 0.617 0.658 0.706 0.766 0.909
0.75 0.398 0.426 0.456 0.487 0.519 0.553 0.590 0.631 0.679 0.739 0.882
0.76 0.371 0.400 0.429 0.460 0.492 0.526 0.563 0.605 0.652 0.713 0.855
0.77 0.344 0.373 0.403 0.433 0.466 0.500 0.537 0.578 0.626 0.686 0.829

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0.78 0.318 0.347 0.376 0.407 0.439 0.474 0.511 0.552 0.599 0.660 0.802
0.79 0.292 0.320 0.350 0.381 0.413 0.447 0.484 0.525 0.573 0.634 0.776
0.8 0.266 0.294 0.324 0.355 0.387 0.421 0.458 0.499 0.547 0.608 0.750
0.81 0.240 0.268 0.298 0.329 0.361 0.395 0.432 0.473 0.521 0.581 0.724
0.82 0.214 0.242 0.272 0.303 0.335 0.369 0.406 0.447 0.495 0.556 0.698
0.83 0.188 0.216 0.246 0.277 0.309 0.343 0.380 0.421 0.469 0.530 0.672
0.84 0.162 0.190 0.220 0.251 0.283 0.317 0.354 0.395 0.443 0.503 0.646
0.85 0.135 0.164 0.194 0.225 0.257 0.291 0.328 0.369 0.417 0.477 0.620
0.86 0.109 0.138 0.167 0.198 0.230 0.265 0.302 0.343 0.390 0.451 0.593
0.87 0.082 0.111 0.141 0.172 0.204 0.238 0.275 0.316 0.364 0.424 0.567
0.88 0.055 0.084 0.114 0.145 0.177 0.211 0.248 0.289 0.337 0.397 0.540
0.89 0.028 0.057 0.086 0.117 0.149 0.184 0.221 0.262 0.309 0.370 0.512
0.9 0.029 0.058 0.089 0.121 0.156 0.193 0.234 0.281 0.342 0.484
0.91 0.030 0.060 0.093 0.127 0.164 0.205 0.253 0.313 0.456
0.92 0.031 0.063 0.097 0.134 0.175 0.223 0.284 0.426
0.93 0.032 0.067 0.104 0.145 0.192 0.253 0.395
0.94 0.034 0.071 0.112 0.160 0.220 0.363
0.95 0.037 0.078 0.126 0.186 0.329

Measurement of Voltage:

Check the voltage using multi meter at capacitor terminals.

Please note that the current output of 440 volt capacitor connected to a system of 415 volt will be lesser than rated value.
Table no -1 & 2give you the resultant kVAr output of the capacitor due to variation in supply voltage.
The kVAr of capacitor will not be same if voltage applied to the capacitor and frequency changes. The example given below shows how to calculate
capacitor current from the measured value at site.

Example :
1. Name plate details – 15kVAr, 3 phases, 440v, and 50Hz capacitor.
Measured voltage – 425v , Measured frequency – 48.5Hz
Kvar = (fM / fR) x (VM / VR)2 x kvar
Kvar = (48.5/50) x (425 / 440)2 x 15
= 13.57kVAr.

2. Name plate details – 15kVAr, 3 phases, 415v, and 50Hz capacitor.

Measured voltage – 425v, Measured frequency – 48.5Hz
Kvar = (fM / fR) x (VM / VR)2 x kVAr
Kvar = (48.5/50) x (425 / 415)2 x 15
= 15.26kVAr

Three Phase 440V Capacitor

kVAr 440V Measured capacitance

Line current Line Current at across two terminals with
kVAr at415V
440V 415V third terminal open.(Micro
farad) 440V
5 6.56 4.45 6.188 41.10
7.5 9.84 6.67 9.28 61.66
10 13.12 8.90 12.38 82.21
12.5 16.4 11.12 15.47 102.76
15 19.68 13,34 18.56 123.31
20 26.24 17.79 24.75 164.42
25 32.80 22.24 30.94 205,52
Three Phase 415V Capacitor

kVAr 415V Measured capacitance

Line current Line Current at across two terminals with
kVAr at440V
415V 415V third terminal open.(Micro
farad) 415V

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5 6.55 5.62 7.38 46.21

7.5 10.43 8.43 11.06 69.31
10 13.91 11.24 14.75 92.41
12.5 17.39 14.05 18.44 116.51
15 20.87 16.86 22.13 138.62
20 27.82 22.48 29.50 184.82
25 34.78 38.10 36.88 231.03

The capacitor current can be measured using Multi meter.

Make a record of measurement data of individual phase and other parameter.
Check whether the current measured is within the limit value with respect to supply voltage & data given in the name plate of capacitor Refer
formulafor calculation
Formula for calculating rated current of capacitor with rated supply voltage and frequency.

l = kvar x 103 / ( 3 X V ) L L
Example:
15kVAr, 3 phase, 440v, 50Hz capacitor.
l = kVAr x 103 / ( 3 X V ) L L
l = (15 x 1000) / (1.732 x 440) L
l = 19.68AMPs L
15kVAr, 3 phases, 415v, 50Hz capacitor
l = kVAr x 103/ ( 3 X V ) L L
l = (15 x 1000) / (1.732 x 415) L
l = 20.87 Amps

L.T power capacitors are provided with discharge resistor to discharge the capacitor which is limited to one min. The resistor are provided as per
clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993.
Switch off the supply to the capacitor and wait for 1 minute and then short the terminals of capacitor to ensure that the capacitor is completely
discharged.
This shorting of terminals ensures the safety while handling the capacitor
Discharge of capacitor also becomes necessary for the safety of meter used for capacitance measurement.

Use suitable size lugs for connecting the cable to the terminals of capacitor.
Ensure that there is no loose connection: As loose connection may lead to failure of capacitor / insulation break down of cable.
Use proper tools for connection / tightening.
Ensure that the capacitor is mounted vertically.
The earthing of capacitor should be done before charging.
The applied voltage should not exceed more than 10%. Refer technical specification of capacitor.
The capacitor should be provided with the short circuit protection device as indicated in following Table

KVAr HRC Fuse Cable Amps

5 12 Amps 12 Amps
7.5 25 Amps 25 Amps
10 32 Amps 32 Amps
12.5 32 Amps 32 Amps
15 50 Amps 50 Amps
20 50 Amps 50 Amps
25 63 Amps 63 Amps
50 125 Amps 125 Amps
75 200 Amps 200 Amps
100 200 Amps 250 Amps

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The capacitor should be provided with suitable designed inrush current limiting inductor coils or special capacitor duty contactors. Annexure d
point no d-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
Once the capacitor is switched off it should not be switched on again within 60 seconds so that the capacitor is completely discharged. The
switching time in the relay provided in the APFC panel should be set for 60 seconds for individual steps to discharge. Clause No-7.1 of IS
13340-1993
If the capacitor is switched manually or if you are switching capacitors connected in parallel with each other then “ON” delay timer (60sec) should
be provided and in case of parallel operation once again point No 1 should be taken care. Clause No-7.1 of IS 13340-1993
The capacitor mounted in the panel should have min gap of 25-30 mm between the capacitor and 50 mm around the capacitor to the panel
enclosure.
In case of banking a min gap of 25mm between the phase to phase and 19mm between the phases to earth should be maintained. Ensure that the
banking bus bar is rated for 1.8 times rated current of bank.
The panel should have provision for cross ventilation, the louver / fan can be provided in the care Annexure d point No d-3.1 IS 13340-1993
For use of reactor and filter in the panel fan should be provided for cooling.
Short circuit protection device (HRC fuse / MCCB) should not exceed 1.8 x rated current of capacitor.
In case of detuned filter banks MCCB is recommended for short circuit protection.

Supply voltage to capacitor should be checked for any over voltage. This can be verified of voltage stabilizers are connected in the installation, light
fitting are regularly replaced, this indicates the over voltage.
It is generally found that i.c. base APFC relays are big in size as compared to microprocessor relays. These ic based relays are found to be
malfunctioning. The capacitors are switched “OFF” & “ON” very fast without discharge of capacitor, leading to high current drawn by capacitors.
Such operation leads to failure of capacitor.
Check the time set in APFC relays connected for the operation, as various make of relays are preset for 15-20 sec. This setting of time should be
verified in presence of customer at panel with operation of relay. The switching of capacitor from one step to another should have min time gap of
60 second. This should be physically watched. No replacement shall be considered in such cases where in the time is set below 60sec.
The chattering of contactor can also lead to failure of capacitor. This chattering may happen due to low voltage or loose connection to contactor
coils etc. If the capacitors are operated in manual mode using push button, check whether the on delay timer is provided in the individual steps.
Verify whether the time set of 60sec or not. No replacement should be considered in such cases where in the timer is set below 60sec. or it is not
provided.
Check whether capacitor duty contactor is provided or if the inrush limiting inductor coils are used. This becomes important in case the capacitors
are switched ‘ON’ with the other capacitor connected in the same bus. Parallel switching of capacitor is generally found in capacitor panels having
APFC and push buttons for switching “on” & “off”.
Check whether the harmonic is present. For this take a fresh capacitor, charge the capacitor and then calculate whether the current drawn by
capacitor is within the limit. If the current is more, then it may be due to over voltage. If not then it is clear that the capacitor is drawing high
current due to presence of harmonics.
The harmonics in the plant can be easily found If the plant has loads using power electronic components such as ups, drives and furnace. Loads
such as are welding, cfl tubes and electronic controlled machines also generate harmonics. Note that neighboring plant connected to the grid may
also affect the capacitors by importing the harmonic. (Harmonic voltage easily travels through the grid from one installation to another, the effect
of such voltage leads to failure of capacitor).
Check other points given in installation guide line of capacitor.
In case the installation is having MD-XL capacitors with connected loads generating harmonics then the capacitor may be drawing additional 30%
current. In such conditions the fuses may blow out cable will heat up and Temperature of capacitor will be also increased. Ensure that the fuse
rating should not be increased. The switchgear and cable size should be suitably increased. The capacitor will continue to work but the life of
capacitor may not be longer. This clearly indicates that the capacitor is over loaded and if required the reactor Should be provided for controlling
the over current.
Check the short circuit protection device. Please note that you may come across the customer using fuses almost double the current rating of
capacitors. This is generally found in the plants having harmonic problems and the installations having hired local electricians for maintenance.
Check the date of installation of capacitor and type of additional load being connected after installation of capacitors. As it is observed in certain
cases that the type of capacitor was selected without considering future expansion of machineries in the plant. Some time these machines are
found to be generating harmonic affecting the life of capacitor.
No replacement should be considered if capacitor is failed due to harmonics and customer has used normal capacitors without consulting
Engineers.

Capacitor voltage rating is equal to the max voltage recorded in the installation.
Capacitor is mounted vertically.
Earthing at two different points is done.
Proper lugs are used for termination.
Proper size of cable is used.

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Ph- ph gap is 25mm and ph-earth is 19mm.

The bus bar used for banking is 1.8 x rated current of the bank.
Cross ventilation provision is provided in the installation area / in the panel.
The plant has the facility to trip the capacitor under over voltage conditions.(10%)
Capacitor is provided with suitable size of HRC fuse / MCCB rating for protection.
Suitable inrush current device is connected in series with contactor to limit the inrush current or capacitor duty contactor is used.
Capacitor is provided with suitable on delay timer to ensure that the capacitor is not switched on within 60sec. After it is switched off.
Capacitor is provided with insulating cover to ensure the safety.
Capacitor is installed in the area free from entry of dust, chemical fume and rain water.
APFC relay provided in the panel is set for 60 second. ‘On delay’ provided are also set for 60 second.
The filter banks are provided with MCCB for protection apart from above points.
The MCCB should be set for 1.3 x rated current of filter bank

Capacitor banks without reactor should not be permitted on the secondary size of transformer circuit which is having filter banks connected.
Please remove capacitors without reactors from the same network (as IEC- 61642).
Filter rated voltage is equal to the max voltage recorded in the installation.
Capacitor used with reactors is always of special voltage recorded in the installation.
Earthing should be done at capacitors and reactors separately.
Proper lugs are used for termination.
Proper size of cable is used.
Ph- ph gap is 25mm and ph-earth is 19mm.
The bus bar used for banking is 1.8 x rated bank current.
Forced cross ventilation should be provided in the installation area.
The plant has the facility to trip the filter banks under over voltage conditions. Set for 10% over voltage.
Filter banks are provided with suitable size of MCCB rating for protection.
The MCCB is set for 1.3 x rated current of filter bank. MCCB are recommended.
Filter is provided with suitable ‘on delay’ timer to ensure that the capacitor is not switched on within 60sec. After it is switched off.
Filter is installed in the area free from entry of dust, chemical fumes and rain water.
APFC relay provided in the panel for switching filters is set for 60 second.

FILED UNDER UNCATEGORIZED

About Jignesh.Parmar
Jignesh Parmar has completed his B.E(Electrical) from Gujarat University. He has more than 11 years experience in Power Transmission-Power
Distribution-Electrical energy theft detection-Electrical Maintenance-Electrical Projects(Planning-Designing-coordination-Execution). He is Presently
associate with one of the leading business group as a Assistant Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He is Freelancer Programmer of Advance Excel and
design useful Excel Sheets of Electrical Engineering as per IS,NEC,IEC,IEEE codes. He is technical Author for ʺElectrical Mirrorʺ and ʺElectrical Indiaʺ
Magazines. He is Technical Blogger and Familiar with English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He wants to Share his experience & knowledge and
help technical enthusiasts to find suitable solutions and updating themselves on various Engineering Topics.

rajesh says:
May 24, 2011 at 1:22 pm
how to improve the power factor from 0.98 to 099

Reply
Jignesh.Parmar says:
May 24, 2011 at 4:07 pm
I have make excel sheet for Calculation capacitor Bank Size for P.F Correction Download From

http://jiguparmar.wordpress.com/electrical-program-on-excel-base/electrical-excel-tools/

Reply
kc says:
August 28, 2011 at 7:32 pm
which is healthy value of power factor ? 0.85 or 1?

Reply
PRADEEP says:
February 17, 2012 at 7:00 am
hw much current fr 3.5kvar capacitor should absorb

Reply
ken kibera says:

8 of 10 11/26/2013 11:24 AM
Automatic Power Factor Correction | Electrical Notes & Articles http://electricalnotes.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/automatic-power-factor-correction/?blogsub=confirm...

February 18, 2012 at 3:36 pm

please help me, why does my regulator show low power factor even when the capacitors are connectedand the stage brakers are on? the utily
meter shows correction with good power factor but the regulator still shows low pf.

regards,
Ken

Reply
Mandeep Purohit says:
March 9, 2012 at 11:03 am
We are having APFC panel and maintaining a commulative PF of 0.985 average. There are some motors in the plant of (50 H.P. two nos, 30 H.P. 5
Nos. 15 H.P 2 nos.) which do not have any localized Capacitor installed with these motors. is there any benefit of adding local capacitors of motor?
can we achieve any power saving?

Reply
saddam ali says:
March 9, 2012 at 11:18 am
respected sir
i want to know about PMCC,MCC,SLDB PANEL&PLC
PLEASE GIVE ME ANSWER

Reply
vilas k says:
April 18, 2012 at 11:02 am
Dear Sir , if u can offer comments on method of connection of capacitor banks i.e which star or delta connection of capacitor banks which to prefer
& when to prefer

Reply
B S Raju says:
June 20, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Dear Mr.Jignesh parmar,
Really useful. Kindly give your contact details.
B S Raju

Reply
sabu.k.k says:
August 6, 2012 at 1:40 pm
thanks sir
it is a good effort to others

Reply
subash says:
October 21, 2012 at 7:08 pm
its good.

Reply
Ashish Pendharkar says:
December 11, 2012 at 10:47 am
Why it is advisable to disconnect APFC bank on DG?

Reply
Jignesh.Parmar says:
December 11, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Please Refer Question & Answer Page of this Blog

Reply
18inchwasher.livejournal.com says:
December 17, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Hi, I just came by to learn about this place. It seems to be
really full of great content and I had a good time viewing
it, thank you very much for the good article!

Reply
Mr Nkhil Mody says:
February 3, 2013 at 3:58 am
Hi,
Nice to read you such an excellent tips about KWH & kV arh,
i hv small question, by intalling any value kvarh capacitor on available load, does it take any Amp load as per value indicated on specification.

Reply
Rami Loya says:
May 20, 2013 at 7:54 pm
I am looking for an experienced designer to design a 3-5KVAR automatic power factor correction system for residential applications as well as a
similar system for commercial applications 10-30 KVAR. Systems will have optional harmonic filters typical to each environment

Reply
Ahammed says:
October 7, 2013 at 3:43 pm

9 of 10 11/26/2013 11:24 AM
Automatic Power Factor Correction | Electrical Notes & Articles http://electricalnotes.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/automatic-power-factor-correction/?blogsub=confirm...

Expecting an article on harmonic filters, applications, connections etc and also difference between harmonic filter and APFC

Reply
Ashish says:
November 9, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Sir,
We are maintaining power factor of 0.98 on HT bus(by using synchronous motor) but the LT side PF is around 0.85, whether improving PF on LT
side (by APFC) will give some economical advantage in billing.(except lower loading of transformer)

Reply

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