Practical and Economical Feasibility: Why It's Important To Know Which Type of Power Factor Correction To Use

Why its important to know which type of power factor correction
to use
Why its important to know which type of power factor correction to use (on photo: 300 KVAR automatic
power factor correction (APFC) panel; credit to: eamfco.com)
Practical and economical feasibility

Its important to understand where the capacitors are to be installed for a better exploitation of such
advantages. There are no general rules applicable to every type of installation and, in theory, capacitors can
be installed at any point, but it is necessary to evaluate the relevant practical and economical feasibility.
According to the location modalities of the capacitors, the main methods of power
factor correction are:
1. Distributed power factor correction
2. Group power factor correction
3. Centralized power factor correction
4. Combined power factor correction
5. Automatic power factor correction
Now, lets say a word about each of above listed methods
1. Distributed power factor correction

Distributed power factor correction is achieved by connecting a capacitor bank properly sized directly to the
terminals of the load which demands reactive power.
The installation is simple and inexpensive. Capacitor and load can use the same
protective devices against overcurrents and are connected and disconnected simultaneously.
This type of power factor correction is advisable in the case of large electrical equipment with constant load
and power and long connection times and it is generally used for motors and fluorescent lamps.
Figure 1 Common connection diagrams for the power factor correction of motors
Figure 1 above shows the common connection diagrams for the power factor correction of motors. Lets
explain each of the cases from connection diagrams.
In case of direct connection (diagrams 1 and 2), the following risk may be run: after the disconnection
from the supply, the motor will continue to rotate (residual kinetic energy) and self-excite with the reactive
energy drawn from the capacitor bank, and may turn into an asynchronous generator. In this case, the voltage
on the load side of the switching and control device is maintained, with the risk of dangerous overvoltages
(up to twice the rated voltage value).
When using diagram 3, the compensation bank is connected only after the motor has been started and
disconnected in advance with respect to the switching off of the motor supply. With this type of power factor
correction the network on the supply side of the load works with a high power factor; on the other hand, this
solution results economically onerous.
2. Group power factor correction

It consists in improving locally the power factor of groups of loads having similar functioning
characteristics by installing a dedicated capacitor bank.
This is the method reaching a compromise between the inexpensive solution and the proper management of
the installation since the benefits deriving from power factor correction shall be felt only by the line
upstream the point where the capacitor bank is located.
Figure 2 Connection diagram of group power factor correction
3. Centralized power factor correction

The profile of loads connected during the day has a primary importance for the choice of the most
convenient type of power factor correction.
Figure 3 Centralized power factor correction

For installations with many loads, where not all the loads function simultaneously and/or some
loads are connected for just a few hours a day, it is evident that the solution of
distributed power factor correction becomes too onerous since many of the installed
capacitors stay idle for a long time.
Therefore the use of one compensation system only located at the origin of the installation allows a
remarkable reduction of the total power of the installed capacitors.
In centralized power factor correction automatic assemblies are normally used (see below automatic power
factor correction) with banks divided into steps, installed directly in the main distribution boards. The
use of a permanently connected bank is possible only if the absorption of reactive energy is quite constant all
day long.
The centralized solution allows an optimization of the costs of the capacitor bank, but presents the
disadvantage that the distribution lines on the load side of the power factor correction device shall be sized
keeping into account the full reactive power absorbed by the loads.
4. Combined power factor correction

This solution derives from a compromise between the two solutions of distributed and centralized
power factor correction and it exploits the advantages they offer.
In such way, the distributed compensation is used for high power electrical
equipment and the centralized modality for the remaining part.
Combined power factor correction is prevailingly used in installations where large equipment only are
frequently used; in such circumstances their power factor is corrected individually, whereas the power factor
of small equipment is corrected by the centralized modality.
5. Automatic power factor correction

In most installations there is not a constant absorption of reactive power for example due to working cycles
for which machines with different electrical characteristics are used.
ABBs power factor monitoring, type Dynacomp

In such installations there are systems for automatic power factor correction which, thanks to
a monitoring varmetric device and a power factor regulator, allow the automatic
switching of different capacitor banks, thus following the variations of the absorbed
reactive power and keeping constant the power factor of the installation constant.
An automatic compensation system is formed by:
Some sensors detecting current and voltage signals;

An intelligent unit which compares the measured power factor with the desired one and
operates the connection and disconnection of the capacitor banks with the necessary
reactive power (power factor regulator);
An electric power board comprising switching and protection devices;
Some capacitor banks.
Automatic power-factor correction panel (photo credit: eamfco.com)

To supply a power as near as possible to the demanded one, the connection of the capacitors is implemented
step by step with a control accuracy which will be the greater the more steps are foreseen and the smaller the
difference is between them.
Reference // Power factor correction and harmonic filtering in electrical plants ABB

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Why its important to know which type of power factor correction

Practical and economical feasibility

Now, lets say a word about each of above listed methods

1. Distributed power factor correction

2. Group power factor correction

Figure 2 Connection diagram of group power factor correction

3. Centralized power factor correction

Figure 3 Centralized power factor correction

4. Combined power factor correction

5. Automatic power factor correction

ABBs power factor monitoring, type Dynacomp

An automatic compensation system is formed by:

Some sensors detecting current and voltage signals;

An electric power board comprising switching and protection devices;

Some capacitor banks.

Automatic power-factor correction panel (photo credit: eamfco.com)

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