Power Factor

Poor power factor adds to the facility inefficiencies, increases operating costs, increases plant breakdowns, and subsequently increases maintenance costs. Many electricity utilities charge an additional fee if a facility’s power factor is less than a specified nominal, for Eskom this is 0.96. Low power factor also reduces the electrical system’s distribution capacity by increasing current flow, thereby causing voltage drops.

Typical benefits of power factor correction

Basic overview

In areas where a kVA demand clause or some other form of low power factor penalty incorporated  in the electric utility’s power tariff structure removing system kVAR improves the power factor, reducing power bills by minimising the kVA.  Most utility bills are influenced by kVAR usage. The brochure has a detailed overview of Power Factor Power Factor Basic Overview Factsheet Final

Sizing guide

Reducing electricity costs with improved power factor:

A facility’s power factor will rarely be at 100% if the load is mainly uncompensated inductive loads. Improving poor power factor is not difficult and often a guaranteed mechanism of saving on expensive electricity supply upgrades and the existing electricity bill. 
Correctly sized power factor correction equipment would ensure optimal correction meaning you pay for exactly what you need and no more. POWER FACTOR – SIZING GUIDE final a detailed sizing guide. The calculator tool assist customers to calculate their power factor click here access the tool

Technical overview

A facility’s power factor will rarely be at 100% (unity) if mainly inductive loads with uncorrected power factor are operated. Poor power factor adds to the facility inefficiencies, increases operating costs, increases plant breakdowns, and subsequently increases maintenance costs. 

Eskom charges an additional reactive power (kVAR) fee where a facility’s power factor is less than 0.96 1. Low power factor also reduces the electrical system’s distribution capacity by increasing current flow, thereby reducing the distribution network voltage. The brochure has a detailed technical overview POWER FACTOR TECHNICAL OVERVIEW