The Substantial power supply is not only the requirement for an industry or a firm, right? It’s appropriate and successful utilization is also important to consider. Subsequent power issues like power factors often interfere with the absolute current usage. Thanks to technological advancements - APFC Panels are the ideal solutions for the industries to maintain sufficient power factor and enable smoother industrial operations. rnFirstly, let’s start with an understanding of the power factor. rnPower Factor rnIt is a ratio of the active power to the apparent power of an electrical system. It is the measure of the effective use of the power supplied by the source. Actually, the apparent power is the total power given to the load. However, a certain amount of power is wasted and not useful for the equipment to work – this is called reactive power. The remaining power which is useful for the load to do work is called real or actual power. So, the power factor tells you the measure of the power that is actually used out of the total power supplied. rnPower Factor = Actual Power / Apparent Power where Apparent Power = Actual Power + Reactive PowerrnImportance of Power Factor CorrectionrnThe ideal power the factor is estimated to be 1. If the entire power supplied is fully utilized by the load, then there won’t be any reactive power and the ratio remains 1. rnOften, in industries that use huge electrical equipment, a certain amount of power is wasted by the machines, motors, and other such inductive appliances – so, there will be a lag in the power factor. This may result in excessive power need for the machinery. Thereby, the industries draw huge power and more bills. Also, the government imposes penalties for not maintaining successful power utilization. This will result in financial and operational losses that bring a negative impact on the turnover, brand, and service of companies. rnTherefore, it is necessary to correct the power factor for three main reasons.
• Lowering the utility bills (Reducing billing demands and elimination of power factor penalty)
• Increasing the capacity of the systems
• Increasing the voltage levels of the electrical systems and ensuring efficient motorsrnNow, what controls this power factor? The answer is capacitors. rnCapacitor – A Solution for Power Factor Control rnThe capacitors have the capacity to provide extra current or reactive power to the electrical system. So, there will not be any wastage of energy. Thereby, the extent of the power supplied and utilized will be the same and the power factor will not reduce. rnAPFC Panels are the control panels having automated systems, capacitor banks, and other characteristic components. rnWhat are the APFC Panels? What do they do?rnAutomatic Power Factor Control Panels are the ideal power-based devices that correct the power factor with specialized automation means. As known, capacitors are necessary for power factor correction and the control panels should be designed with the capacitor bank that should be put on and off frequently based on the varying load. It is difficult to operate it manually – so, automatic controllers are included in the control panels to switch on and off the capacitor bank. Moreover, controllers fit with certain microprocessors are used in APFC panels for better and quicker results. rnAs the capacitor banks provide reactive inrush current, the transient inrush current should be suppressed and therefore, a series RLC circuit is used in the APFC panels. While switching on or off, it is essential to manage the inrush current. For this, the panels use specialized capacity duty contactors with damping resistors. So, this helps to increase the life of the capacitors and avoid unnecessary damage to them. rnTypes of APFC PanelsrnBased on the Low Tension Capacitors and High Tension Capacitors used, the APFC panels are of two types – LT APFC panels and HT APFC panels. Characteristic differences among these two models are evident based on the mode of applications. rnBenefits of APFC PanelsrnHere are the outstanding benefits of APFC panels –
• Consistent maintenance of power factor even under load fluctuationsrn• Best Power factor correctionrn• Elimination of power factor penaltyrn• Reduction of lossesrn• Lower energy consumptionrn• Automatic process of the capacitor switch on/offrn• Better user-interfacern• Protection against internal faultsrn• Very user-friendlyrn• Aesthetically designed systemsrnWhere are APFC Panels used?rnWherever huge machinery and equipment are used, APFC panels can be used to manage the power factor. They are used in –
• BPO Organizationsrn• Cement and Paper Millsrn• Cinema Halls and Multiplexesrn• Commercial Complexesrn• Granite Industriesrn• Hotels and Restaurantsrn• Hospitalsrn• Manufacturing Companiesrn• Residential Applicationsrn• Rice Millsrn• Shopping MallsrnOn the basis of the load capacity and the relevant power demand at the application, one can choose the APFC panels with diversified capacities. Among the many famous companies, Servomax Limited is one that offers the best-customized models of APFC panels fulfilling the needs of diversified industries.