Power Factor & APFC

What is power factor?

Power Factor = Active Power (kW)/Apparent Power (kVA)
PF1.0
Usually P.F is always Lag (Inductive)
Some time P.F can be Lead (Capacitive).

Origin of Low Power Factor

Electrical Equipment need Reactive Power
Inductive loads draw Reactive Power
Phase difference between current & Voltage

reduces Displacement PF.

Reactive Power to maintain magnetic fields
in Motors.
Non-Linear loads reduces Distortion PF.
True PF, being product of displacement and
distortion PF is lower than both.

Capacitors can only improve displacement PF.

3

Disadvantages of low power factor

Inefficient use of Electrical Energy:

Overloading of Transformer/Generator;
Overloading of Cable, Switchgear, Busbar
Higher temperature due to increased losses
Imposes larger kVA demand
Limits No. of loads that can be connected
Reduced revenue to Electrical Utilities
Poor Voltage regulation

Power Factor
Correction
Reactive Current
(capacitive) IR(C)

I=Active Current

1
Reactive Current
(inductive) IR(L)

V= Line Voltage

2
I2

I1

Advantages of P.F
Correction

Reduction in
Switchgear
Rating

Reduction in KVAR
Demand

Reduction in
Cable / Bus-bar
size

Reduction in KVA
Demand

Reduction in KVA
Demand

Reduction in Line
Current

Avoid power factor

penalties

Reduction in
Transformer Rating

Reduction in Line
loss

ESTIMATION OF kVAr REQUIRED

for New Electrical Installations
500kVA, 11kV/415V,
%Impedance = 4.25%

75 HP, Other loads,

30 HP,
(415V, (total of 25
(415V,
3ph,
Kw)
3ph, I M pf
compressor
0.7)
pf. 0.7)

20 HP,
50 kVA,
75 HP,
(415V,
(440V,
(415V,
3ph,
3ph,
3ph,
UPS)
compressor) Pump,
PF =0.70
Lag)

M
Lighting
(Load
10kW)

Let us assume that the target Power Factor as desired by the Customer is
0.95.

Kvar For The Supply TransformerFor 500 kVA transformer, kVAr = 30 kVAr
Kvar For Induction Motorrating of motor = 200 HP x 0.746
= 150 kW
Kvar for motor = 150*[tan(cos-1(0.95)- tan(cos-1(0.99)]
= 104 Kvar
Kvar For UPSrating of UPS = 50 KVA* 0.7
= 35 Kw
Kvar for UPS = 35 [tan(cos-1(0.70)- tan(cos-1(0.99)]
= 25 Kvar
Kvar For Others & lighting loadKvar for UPS = 24 [tan(cos-1(0.70)- tan(cos-1(0.99)]
= 17 Kvar
Total kvar requirement = (30+104+35+25+17)kvar =211 Kvar
Assuming 15% design assumption and contigency = 221*0.15=31.65 Kvar
Total kvar = 242.65 kvar
Kavr recommended= 250 kvar

Capacitor req. (c) = Qc/V2(2f)

Hence Capacitor req. for UPF=106*250/(2302*100)
8

= 150.51F.

Type of compensation
1. Individual compensation
2. Group compensation
3. Central compensation

Fixed compensation
- Steady Loads
No load compensation of Induction Motors
No load compensation of Transformers

Variable compensation(for varying loads)- APFC

Svc

Disadvantages of fixed capacitor

Manual operation(on/off)
Not meet the require kvar under varying
loads.
Can result leading power factor
Cause over voltage
Mal-operation of relays, diesel generators
Saturation of transformer
Penalty by electricity authority

10

NEED FOR AUTOMATIC POWER FACTOR

CORRECTION
varying power demand on the supply system.
power factor also varies as a function of the load requirements.
difficult to maintain a consistent power factor by use of Fixed
Compensation i.e. fixed capacitors.
leading power
compensation)

factor

under

light

load

conditions(fixed

This result in over voltages, saturation of transformers, maloperation of diesel generating sets, penalties by electric supply
authorities.

automatically variation, without manual intervention, the compensation to

suit the load requirements.
Automatic Power Factor Correction(APFC) system provide this facility.
leading power factor will be also prevented.

11

Benefits of APFC

Consistently high power factor under fluctuating loads

Prevention of leading power factor
Eliminate power factor penalty
Lower energy consumption by reducing losses.
Continuously sense and monitor load
Automatically switch on/off relevant capacitors steps for
consistent power factor.
Ensures easy user interface
Protect under any internal fault
Advance - relay with communication facility
Used MPP-H/MD-XL/FF(APP) type capacitors
User friendly, aesthetecally designed enclosure, dust and vermin
proof.

12

Automatic Power Factor Correction

(APFC):

Capacitors grouped into several steps.

Suitable switching devices with coupled with
inrush current limiting devices are provided for
each step
Power Factor sensed by CT in line side
kVAr required to achieve target PF is computed
by the Microprocessor based APFC relay
APFC relay switches appropriate capacitor steps
CT senses improved PF and gives feedback
Thus target PF is achieved
13

How to Improve Power Factor Without

Causing Harmonic Problem ?
Conventional capacitors should not be used.
Capacitors should be replaced by harmonic suppression filters

(series combination of suitable series reactor & capacitors) so

that,

It offers capacitive reactance at fundamental frequency for

necessary power factor correction.

It offers inductive reactance at all higher order dominant

harmonic frequencies to avoid resonance.

Its self series resonance frequency fR do not coincide with

predominant harmonics.
14

Network With Harmonic

Filters
GRID

ZN

No resonance at harmonic frequencies

as filter is inductive at such
frequencies

ZT

Harmonic currents flow towards Grid ,

as it offers least impedance compared
to filter

BUS
L

Non Linear
Load

M
Equivalent Load
Impedance ZL

Predominantly fundamental current

flows through Capacitors
Moderate THD(V) in the Bus

No harmonic overloading of
Capacitors
Improvement in Power Factor
without Harmonic overload
15

Qkvar
Degree Of Protection IP20
Ambient temperature
Voltage rise should be 3.0% [% Vc = (Q kvar
*%X)/(kva)]
Voltage rise due to series reactor and harmonics
Size of individual capacitor banks (step requirement)
Directly connected Discharge Device(Resistor, VT)
to discharge the capacitor to reduce voltage to 50
Specification of capacitors in APFC
volts within one minute

16

Selection of switching equipment

FOR LT
Switch- fuse units/CBs/ Thyristers
Switch should be quick make and break type
Rating of CB, contactors, fuse and cable should be130% of
capacitor rated current.
For automatic switching, each step capacitor should be provided
with fuse and contactor.
FOR HT
Ht capacitor is connected to bus by CB
Cb rating should be maximum operating voltage of circuit
Continuous current rating of CB should be 135% of rated
capacitor bank current
17

H=Kp 1 (converter) where k= 1,2,3,4,.

p= pulsating index
High Harmonics current produces high harmonics
voltages.
When harminics current frequency and parrellel
resonance become equal than corrosponding
harmonics voltage produces over current in
capacitor.

Harmonics and parallel resonance

18

XT= Xc/h2
Supress high inrush current to safe value at
time of capacitor switching.
Improve voltage waveform
Reactor should be able to carry 135%of rated
contineous current.
Discharge VT
To discharge voltage of capacitor

Series reactor

19

TYPES OF CAPACITOR TECHNOLOGIES

MPP - METALLISED POLYPROPYLENE

MD - MIXED DIELECTRIC

FF/ALL PP - FILM - FOIL OR ALL POLY

PROPELENE
MD -XL - MIXED DIELECTRIC LOW LOSS
20

METALISED POLYPROPELENE CAPACITOR

MPP - METALLISED

POLYPROPELENE
METALLISED LAYER

METALISATION HAS BEEN DONE ON

ONE SIDE OF POLY PROPELENE
FILM AND USED FOR CAPACITOR
WINDING
ECNOMICAL AND COMPETITIVE
DESIGN
MPP-S - NORMAL DUTY
MPP-H - MEDIUM DUTY

PP FILM

21

MIXED DIELECTRIC TYPE

MD - MIXED DIELECTRIC
PP FILM, FOIL AND PAPER ARE USED TO

PAPER
FORM CAPACITOR WINDING

PP FILM
FOIL

22

FILM FOIL OR APP

FILM FOIL OR APP - ALL POLY

PROPELENE
METAL LAYER IS PLACED IN -

PP FILM

BETWEEN PP FILM TO FORM

CAPACITOR WINDING

PP FILM

FOIL

23

FILM FOIL OR APP

FILM FOIL OR APP - ALL POLY

PROPELENE
PP FILM

METAL LAYER IS PLACED IN -

BETWEEN PP FILM TO FORM

CAPACITOR WINDING
PP FILM

FOIL

24

MIXED DIELECTRIC - LOW

LOSS
MD-XL - MIXED DIELECTRIC LOW LOSS

DOUBLE SIDE METALLISED

PAPER

PP FILM AND DOUBLE SIDED

METALISED FILM ARE USED TO FORM

CAPACITOR WINDING

PP FILM

25

Film foil/APP verses Mixed

dielectric comparison
Film foil/APP

Mixed dielectric

low dielectric watt loss

High dielectric watt loss

Film not impregnable

Paper impregnable

More prone to Self healing

less prone to Self healing

Inferior long term stability

Superior long term stability

Moderate harmonic overload

Good harmonic overload

capability

capability
26

Mixed dielectric verses MDXL

Comparison
Mixed dielectric

MDXL

High dielectric watt loss

Lowest dielectric watt loss

Paper impregnable

Combines plus points of MD

less prone to Self healing

and APP types

Superior long term stability

Excellent long term stability

Good harmonic overload

Superior harmonic overload

capability

capability
27

APFC
28

29

30

percentage of Non linear loads in an

installation becomes greater than 20% of
connected load.

N/w Harmonics
Overloading cap
Conventional
capacitor

Current amp

Cap failure

Power factor correction in

Voltage distortion
harmonics enrich environment
Parallel resonance
31

solution
Use detuned filter circuit
Avoid parallel resonance by offering inductive impedance to specific
harmonics frequency.
The tuning frequency is generally lower than 90 % of the lowest
harmonic frequency whose amplitude is significant.
Protect capacitors from harmonics over loading
Reduces over loading of transformer and other rotating equipments.
Prevent current amplification
Achieve consistently high power factor.
Can be used as fixed or APFC

32

COMPONENTS
33

CONTROLLER
34

DRY TYPE RESIGN EMBADED

REACTOR
35

Circuit Diagram

36

THYRISTER CONTROLLED
VAR

STATCOM

37