How Power Factor Correction Devices Can Reduce Your Electricity Costs
Electrical costs are among the highest operating expenses incurred by most industrial and commercial businesses. Additionally, it is estimated that electricity costs will double over the next 10 years. These increases will have a significant impact on your business’ profitability and viability.
At Alpha Power Solutions, we provide customisable power solutions to assist businesses to optimise the power factor of their electrical systems for long-term benefits and profitability. Discover more about how power factor correction (PFC) and other offerings can help you cut down on your business’ electrical costs by up to 25% with our range of customisable solutions.
Why power factor correction matters
Your electrical system consumes both active and reactive power. While you use mostly active power, which is the “real power” or “working power”, you also get charged for the reactive power you consume.
It is possible to reduce the amount of reactive power your system draws from the grid to decrease your electricity costs. Power factor correction devices generate most of the reactive power used by your electrical system. Investing in these devices can significantly decrease your plant’s electricity costs.
We supply a range of power factor correction devices to help you save on electricity costs.
Difference between power factor (PF) and PFC
Power factor is the ratio between the active power (KW) and the apparent power (kVA) drawn by an electrical system. It measures how efficiently the current drawn by the load is being converted into useful output.
PF is a number between 0 and 1, with 1 indicating that all the power is being used effectively, while 0 indicates that a significant portion of power is wasted in the circuit. Ideally, your system’s PF should be as close to 1 as possible.
Power factor correction is the process of improving the power factor of an electrical system through the installation of power factor correction equipment. These devices help to increase the ratio of active power to apparent power, resulting in a reduction of wasted energy, increased efficiency of the system, and fewer system failures.
PFC benefits:
Reduction in apparent power (also known as maximum demand)
Increased system capacity (frees up capacity on your supply transformer)
Reduced voltage drops on the supply transformer and supply cables
Reduced transmission losses
Alpha Power Solutions supplies, installs, repairs, and services power factor correction devices to help industrial and commercial clients significantly reduce their power costs and free up capacity in their electrical systems.
Power factor correction capacitor
Power factor correction capacitors, which are installed in power factor correction devices, are used in an electrical system to improve the power factor of the system. They are often installed in electrical systems, such as industrial and commercial facilities with significant amounts of electrical motors. These facilities often have a poor power factor, which means that they draw more power from the grid than is necessary.
How our PFC capacitors benefit you:
Our single-phase capacitors provide high-quality heat dissipation characteristics and in the event of a failure, they affect the performance of the compromised capacitor bank to a lesser extent
We also use three-phase capacitors that have been designed for quick and easy assembly into existing bank arrangements
Our IP 40 aluminium casings allow for optimum heat dissipation and the connector blocks are manufactured from self-extinguishing insulation material
Our capacitors comply with CEI 33-5/670, CEI EN 60 831 1 & 2, UL 810, and IEC 831-1-2 standards to ensure that quality is guaranteed
Alpha Power Solutions supplies high-quality power factor correction capacitors to improve the power factor of your electrical installations and free up capacity on your electrical supply to help you reduce your electricity costs.
How does having a PFC system with a capacitor save me money?
Having a PFC system with capacitors installed in your electrical system will improve the power factor of your system and save you money.
Reduced energy costs: Installing a power factor correction device improves your electrical system, resulting in reduced reactive power drawn from the grid. Commercial and industrial clients are often charged based on their active power and reactive power consumption by the municipality. Poor power factor means that your plant is drawing more reactive power, leading to higher charges and penalties. You can reduce these penalties and lower your overall electricity bill by improving your power factor with capacitors.
Increased efficiency: A poor power factor can lead to wasted energy and reduced efficiency of your electrical system. A power factor correction device assists you in mitigating these losses, leading to a more efficient electrical distribution system. This increased efficiency translates into cost savings.
Long-term cost saving: The investment payback period of a PFC solution offered by Alpha Power Solutions is typically around 12 months and the minimum life expectancy of our equipment is at least 10 years. The long-term cost savings from reduced energy bills and improved efficiency make an investment in our PFC equipment very attractive. We also offer a 12-month warranty on all new equipment and repairs with an extended warranty option upon request.
Compliance and penalties: In some countries, businesses may face penalties or fines for having a poor power factor that exceeds certain thresholds set by regulatory bodies. By investing in power factor correction devices like this one, you ensure compliance with regulations and avoid potential penalties.
Take the first step towards energy efficiency with our PFC solutions and save up to 25% on electricity costs. Contact us today!
Power factor correction controller
A power factor correction controller is a PFC management device that monitors the current and voltage of the electrical system and adjusts the performance of the PFC equipment to match the requirements of the electrical system it is connected to. In so doing, the desired power factor is achieved.
The controller also tracks and optimises capacitor usage to help improve the life expectancy of the PFC equipment by ensuring an even wear of the components installed in the device.
Benefits of a PFC controller:
We supply PFC controllers designed to facilitate the on-and-off switching of capacitor banks
Our PFC controllers can dynamically adjust the compensation level based on the electrical systems’ real-time requirements to ensure optimal power factor correction under varying load conditions
Our PFC device offers harmonic protection by disengaging banks when excessive harmonic levels are detected to prevent equipment damage
Our PFC controllers are designed with monitoring functions that determine the power factor and other parameters in an electrical system
The controllers can automatically adjust the compensation settings to ensure efficient power factor correction
Alpha Power Solutions supplies PFC controllers that optimise the performance of your electrical system, resulting in a reduction in your electricity costs and saving your business money.
Why consider an active harmonic filtration system:
Harmonics are a type of electrical pollution that causes distorted voltage and current waveforms in an electrical system. They increase the root mean square (RMS) of the voltage and current, lower the power factor of an electrical system, and worsen the quality of the electrical supply.
Harmonics cause significant operational problems in your electrical system because distortions can cause electrical surges that damage your electrical equipment and cost you more money.
Harmonic levels can be reduced to acceptable levels through the installation of active and/or passive harmonic filtration systems in specific locations in your electrical distribution system.
As a secondary benefit, active harmonic filters also improve a system’s power factor to some extent.
How elevated harmonics negatively affect electrical systems:
We supply PFC controllers designed to facilitate the on-and-off switching of capacitor banks
Increased energy consumption and a reduction in energy efficiency, leading to increased electricity costs
Increased peak-to-peak voltage, leading to overvoltage conditions which can result in damaged or malfunctioning electrical equipment
Overheating of electrical equipment which will cause a reduction in equipment lifespan and increased maintenance in the long run
Interference with communication systems and other electrical equipment
Increased neutral current which can cause overloading and overheating in an electrical system, becoming a potential fire hazard
All of these can cause your electrical equipment to operate ineffectively, leading to increased electrical costs and decreased equipment up-time.
At Alpha Power Solutions, we supply reliable and trusted active and passive harmonic filtration systems to assist you in preventing equipment malfunction, shutdown, and premature failure.
How does a harmonic filtration system save me money?
Installing harmonic filters in your business’s electrical system can potentially lead to cost savings in several ways:
Reduced equipment damage and downtime: Elevated harmonic distortion levels can result in overheating and failure of electrical equipment. Harmonic filters help protect electrical equipment from damage by removing harmonics. This saves you money on repairs and replacements and extends your equipment’s lifespan.
Improved energy efficiency: Harmonic distortion causes increased losses in electrical systems and higher energy consumption. Installing harmonic filters in your electrical system improves its efficiency, leading to lower energy costs over time.
Compliance with regulatory standards: Many countries and regions have regulations and standards governing the levels of harmonics that electrical systems can emit. Failure to comply with these standards can result in penalties and fines. Installing harmonic filters can help ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding potential financial penalties.
Extended equipment lifespan: Harmonic filters help reduce the strain put on electrical equipment, extending the lifespan of your equipment and saving you money from maintenance and repairs.
Take the first step towards energy efficiency with our harmonic filtration solutions and protect your electrical equipment. Contact us today!
