Power Factor Correction
Enabling businesses to be energy efficient
Is your business paying for more electricity than it is using? Take control of your operation’s power demand with real-time data and ① Improve your power factor, ② Reduce your electricity costs & carbon footprint, so you can ③ Increase your profits.
Quick + Measurable Results
Power Factor Correction (PFC) delivers measurable cost savings on your electricity bill that normally yields a return on investment within 12-18 months.
Go Green + Reduce Electricity Costs
PFC is a simple and inexpensive technology that is often overlooked as a green solution for businesses. By reducing your maximum demand through power factor correction, your business is putting less strain on the electricity grid and reducing its carbon footprint. Go green without the significant upfront costs of solar, while also saving on your monthly electricity bill.
Increase Network Capacity + Reduce Resistive Losses
Loads drawing reactive power also demand reactive current. Installing PFC capacitors at the end of existing circuits near the inductive loads, reduces the current carried by each circuit. The reduction in current flow may allow the circuit to carry new loads, saving the cost of upgrading the distribution network when extra capacity is needed for additional machinery or equipment. In addition, the reduced current flow reduces resistive losses in the circuit.
How We Help You Cut Electricity Costs
Power Factor Analysis
We will begin with an analysis of your LV network to identify the potential shortcomings of your electrical installations – we record and interpret your operation’s data to formulate a report of our expert recommendation for the corrective actions needed.
Power Factor Correction Panels
Based on the findings of our analysis, we locally manufacture reactive & non-reactive panels with preferred electrical components – we design and manufacture a custom, optimised solution specific to your recorded data to ensure an ROI yield within 12-18 months.
Gas-Filled Capacitors
The winding elements of the capacitors we use in our PFC panels are immersed by neutral insulation gas which guards against:
• Fire propagation;
• Air and moisture penetrating the cylinder (main cause of capacitor failure);
• Failure to activate the overpressure device, which can result in explosion.
Maintenance Plans
We offer bi-annual routine maintenance of correction equipment to ensure a continued optimal power factor and cost reduction – we offer maintenance as a standalone service because it’s a crucial component of maintaining an optimal power factor over the long-term.
Active & Passive Filtering Systems
When necessary, we also supply and install active and passive harmonic filtering systems, in addition to the existing or new power factor correction equipment, to eliminate harmful harmonics.
Why Partner With Us?
We pride ourselves on delivering turnkey solutions with continued support. When you partner with us, you have guaranteed access to the following:
- Competitive pricing
- On-site analysis of your network
- Data-based reporting with our expert recommendations
- Design and engineering with world-leading EPLAN software
- Local manufacturing of correction panels
- Preferred electrical components like ABB, Schneider, Electronicon, Lovato, etc.
- Installation and commissioning service
- Ongoing maintenance plans – we recommend biannual maintenance of correction equipment
Request a quote:
011 794-9498
sales@redmetal.co.za
Do You Already Have PFC Equipment Installed?
You have made the investment in your business and installed power factor correction equipment, but you are not certain that your network’s power factor is still optimal. We can assist you, even if you have power factor correction equipment installed, to ensure optimal cost reduction and well-maintained equipment:
Power Factor Analysis
We will begin with conducting an analysis of your existing installation to identify your current power factor and formulate a report with our recommended corrective actions, if any.
Power Factor Correction Equipment
Based on the findings of our analysis we will replace faulty components, or if needed we will design, manufacture, install, and commission new power factor correction equipment.
Maintenance Plans
We offer bi-annual maintenance of existing correction equipment to ensure continued optimal power factor and cost reduction.
Active & Passive Filtering Systems
If deemed necessary, we can supply and install harmonic filtering systems in addition to the existing or new power factor correction equipment, following a Power Quality Analysis.
Knowledge Base
Browse through our frequently asked questions or ask us if you need more information:
What is Power Factor?
Power Factor is the ratio of Active (working) Power (kW) to Apparent (total) Power (kVA) consumed by an item of AC equipment or a complete electrical installation. Thus, Power Factor is a measure of how efficiently electrical power is converted into useful work output. A high Power Factor signals efficient utilisation of electrical power, while a low Power Factor indicates poor utilisation of electrical power.
The ideal Power Factor is unity, or 1. Anything less than 1 means that more power than actually needed is used to execute the task at hand. A load with a Power Factor of 1 results in the most efficient loading of the supply. But a load with a Power Factor of 0.9, results in higher losses in the supply system and a higher bill for the consumer.
What causes poor Power Factor and how can it be improved?
Most loads in modern electrical distribution systems are inductive. Examples include motors, transformers, gaseous tube lighting ballasts, induction furnaces, transformers, etc.
Inductive loads require two types of currents:
- Active Power (kW) – the working power that is converted to perform the work of the equipment;
- Reactive Power (kVAR) – the non-working power that sustains the magnetic field needed to perform the electrical conversion.
Most often, poor Power Factor is the result of inductive loads, because the magnetic field that is necessary to perform electrical conversion causes the current to be out of phase with the voltage (the current lags the voltage).
Poor Power Factor due to inductive loads can be improved by the addition of Power Factor Correction equipment.
Power Factor Correction is the process of compensating for the lagging current by creating a leading current in order to get the Power Factor to unity (1), or as close as possible. This is achieved by installing a Power Factor system with capacitors, which help offset the non-working power used by inductive loads, thereby improving the Power Factor.
Poor Power Factor due to a distorted current waveform requires a change in equipment design or the addition of harmonic filters.
How does Power Factor affect my electricity costs?
Low Power Factor signals that you are not fully utilising the electrical power that you’re paying for.
When the Power Factor is less than 1, the difference is known as Reactive Power (kVAR) or wasted power, and it represents an extra burden on the electricity supply system and on the consumer’s bill.
Active Power (kW) + Reactive Power (kVAR) = Apparent Power (kVA)
To adequately power a load, your utility provider must supply enough energy to power both the Active and Reactive currents; subsequently, you are also billed for both types of power:
- Active Power (kW) – the working power that is converted to perform the work of the equipment;
- Reactive Power (kVAR) – the non-working power needed to perform the conversion.
In South Africa, Eskom charges commercial and industrial users an additional Reactive Power (kVAR) fee if their facility’s Power Factor is less than 0.96
A comparatively small improvement in Power Factor can bring about a significant reduction in losses and consequently lower electricity costs.
What are the benefits of Power Factor?
- Environmental benefit: Reduced power consumption due to improved energy efficiency + reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion by power stations;
- Monthly savings on electricity bill;
- Extra kVA available for new loads from the existing supply;
- Reduction of I2R losses in transformers and distribution equipment;
- Reduction of voltage drop in long cables;
- Extended equipment life: Reduced electrical burden on cables and electrical components.
How long will it take to complete the power factor analysis?
Our analyser is normally installed on your premises to run for a period of 7 days, after which we will remove the analyser and compile a report based on your recorded data.
What is the typical ROI period I can expect on my PFC installation?
The ROI period can start as early as 6 months, but it typically varies between 12-18 months. The tariff for maximum demand influences the payback period and varies from one municipality to another.
Case Studies
Electricity cost savings of R13,700 per month projected for local sheet metal fabricator
By installing a 150kVAr PFC unit, our client's PF is corrected from 0.73 to 0.98, which will result in projected savings of R13,700 p/m on peak demand costs,...