Power Factor Correction (PFC)

Power factor correction can be achieved by installing devices called power factor correction capacitors, which are connected in parallel with the load. These capacitors help to reduce the amount of current needed to deliver a given amount of real power, thus improving the power factor of the system.

Types of power factor correction

Leading Power Factor Correction

This type of power factor correction is used to correct a lagging power factor. A lagging power factor occurs when the load on a system is primarily inductive, such as in motors, transformers, and other inductive loads. Leading power factor correction involves the use of capacitors connected in parallel with the load to provide the necessary reactive power. This type of correction raises the power factor to a value greater than 1, and it's also called Capacitive Power Factor Correction

Lagging Power Factor Correction

This type of power factor correction is used to correct a leading power factor. A leading power factor occurs when the load on a system is primarily capacitive, such as in electronic equipment and lighting systems. Lagging power factor correction involves the use of inductors connected in series with the load to provide the necessary reactive power. This type of correction reduces the power factor to a value less than 1, and it's also called Inductive Power Factor Correction

It is worth to mention that in some systems, such as electronic devices, the load has a high power factor and low harmonic distortion, which means that less power factor correction is needed.

Benefits of Power Factor Correction

Power factor correction can provide several benefits to a power system, including:

Energy savings:

Power factor correction reduces the amount of current needed to deliver a given amount of real power, which can result in energy savings.

Improved system efficiency:

Power factor correction improves the efficiency of the power system by reducing the amount of current needed to deliver a given amount of real power.

Increased capacity:

Power factor correction increases the capacity of the power system by reducing the amount of current needed to deliver a given amount of real power.

Reduced equipment stress:

Power factor correction reduces the stress on equipment by reducing the amount of current needed to deliver a given amount of real power.

Reduced harmonic distortion:

Power factor correction can reduce harmonic distortion in the power system, which can improve the performance of sensitive electronic equipment.

Reduced transmission and distribution losses:

Power factor correction can reduce transmission and distribution losses by reducing the amount of current needed to deliver a given amount of real power.

Reduced costs:

Power factor correction can reduce costs by reducing the amount of energy needed to deliver a given amount of real power, reducing the stress on equipment, and increasing the capacity of the power system.

Improved power quality:

Power factor correction helps to improve power quality by reducing harmonic distortion and increasing the efficiency of the power system.

Compliance with regulations:

Power factor correction can help to comply with power factor regulations imposed by utility companies and government agencies.

Reduced environmental impact:

Power factor correction can reduce the environmental impact of a power system by reducing energy consumption and transmission losses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Power Factor Correction (PFC) is a technique used to improve the power factor of an AC power system. PFC can be achieved by using passive or active methods. Passive methods involve the use of passive elements such as capacitors and inductors, while active methods involve the use of active electronic devices such as inverters, thyristors and GTOs and can be implemented in several ways, such as Centralized, Distributed, On-load, Near-load, and Combination methods. PFC provides several benefits, including energy savings, improved system efficiency, increased capacity, reduced equipment stress, reduced harmonic distortion, reduced transmission and distribution losses, reduced costs, improved power quality, compliance with regulations, and reduced environmental impact.