Guys can you help me out with this?List down methods of improving power factor and explain why.Thanks in advance.I need it in my take home exam. TY
Methods Of Improving Power Factor
Maintain the reactive function of the unit.
First - power factor cannot be corrected. The reason for this is that power factor cannot be incorrect. Power factor is what it is. It is the instantaneous angular relationship between voltage and current and is a consequence of the load being served. Power factor can be improved by adding power factor capacitors. That is usually the best and least expensive solution. But there are other options: - replace induction motors with synchronous motors. Induction motors typically have relatively low power factors, while synchronous motors can have very good power factors - up to unity in some cases. - select induction motors that more closely match the requirements of the driven load. Induction motors are typically oversized for the application, and therefore operate at a fraction of their true rating. Operating induction motors below their rating aggravates their already low power factor. - elevate system voltage. This is a relatively inexpensive solution that will result in a small increase in power factor. - replace overhead, open-wire circuits with cable circuits.
by using capacitor banks try to research more about capacitor banks.
Power factor correction capacitors can be connected to supply the reactive current locally rather than drawing reactive current from the utility.Capacitor can be installed for each individual motor and arranged to be connected only when the motor is running or they can be installed in one or more banks that supply reactive power to groups of motors or to all of the loads in the installation. Capacitor banks can also be arranged to switch n automatically when low power factor is detected. If there are synchronous motors in use, their excitation can be adjusted so that they have a leading power factor to compensate for the lagging power factor of other loads. A synchronous motor could be purchased for use as a synchronous condenser, but adding capacitor banks is likely to be a less expensive alternative.
