Most of the commercial and Industrial installations in the country have large electrical loads which are severely inductive in nature, such as motors, large machines, air conditioners, drivers etc. Which results in a severely lagging power factor? This means loss and wastage of energy and heavy penalties by electricity boards. In case of fixed loads this can be taken care by manual switching of capacitors. However in case of rapidly varying and scattered loads it becomes difficult to maintain a high power factor by manually switching on/off the capacitors in proportion to variation of load within an installation. This drawback is overcome by using an APFC panel (Automatic Power Factor Correction Panel) which not only maintains a high power factor but also eliminates the need for constant manual intervention. Automatic Power Factor Control Panel is designed to maintain power factor of plant to unity. To maintain power factor of unity means to achieve demand in KVA on lower side. Power factor is maintained to set value using APFC relay in auto mode where as in case of failure of APFC relay push buttons are used. Auto as well as manual mode is provided for power factor control. Various types of capacitors are used depending on load conditions. Typically MPP, APP or mix dielectric types of capacitors are used. In case of non-linear loads like VFD, UPS thyrister switching, suitable reactors are used along with capacitors to filter harmonics.
| Type | Automatic power factor correction panel. |
| APFC Relay | Current sensing, KVAR sensing. |
| Capacitor Type | APP/MPP Heavy Duty/ Mix dielectric.Higher size of contact rating for better performance on capacitor switching. |
| Ventilation | Exhaust Fan of adogvate capacitor with levels. |
| Operation | Auto operation through APFC controller and manual through PBS. Time lag function is provided between switching of capacitor. |
| Entry | Top or Bottom. |
Harmonics means a component of a periodic wave having frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental power line frequency of 50 Hz causing distortion to pure sinusoidal waveform of voltage or current, and as governed by IEEE STD 519-1992, namely “IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems†and corresponding standard as may be specified in accordance with clause (c) of subsection (2) of section 185 of the Act. Harmonics caused by non-linear electrical loads are a growing problem both for electricity suppliers and users. As well as causing interference in communication networks, they can cause low efficiency, overheating and even failure in transformers and cables. We offer our APFC Panels with Harmonic Filters
Advantages
- Economical with faster payback periods.
- Ability to maintain a constant high power factor.
- Eliminates low power factor penalties levied by EB.
- Reduces the KVA demand charges.
- Improves efficiency of the system by reducing losses.
- Prevents leading power factor in the installation during low load conditions.
- Prevent damages of cable due to over heating