Power Factor Correction

The power factor of an AC electrical power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load, to the apparent power in the circuit.

In an electric power system, a load with a low power factor draws more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred. The higher currents increase the energy lost in the distribution system, and require larger wires and other equipment. Because of the costs of larger equipment and wasted energy, electrical utilities will usually charge a higher cost to industrial or commercial customers where there is a low power factor.One way of improving the power factor is to use capacitors connected parallel to the load to raise it to 1 or close to it.

This simple app calculates the capacitance required to correct a given power factor in a 3 phase electrical circuit to unity (1) or to a point below unity.Thus improving the efficiency of that electrical circuit.It also includes a calculator to calculate true power, apparent power or power factor