Power Factor Panel

More Information

A Power Factor Panel, also known as an Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) panel, is an electrical device designed to improve the power factor of an electrical system. It does this by automatically switching on and off capacitor banks to compensate for reactive power demand, thus reducing overall system cost and increasing efficiency.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1.What it does: APFC panels monitor the power factor of an electrical system and automatically adjust the amount of reactive power by switching capacitor banks in and out of service.
2.Why it's needed: A low power factor means a larger amount of apparent power is required to do the same amount of useful work, leading to higher energy bills and potential penalties from the electricity provider. By improving the power factor, the APFC panel reduces the amount of reactive power, making the system more efficient and reducing overall costs.
3.How it works: The APFC panel measures the voltage and current on a feeder, determines the power factor, and then switches the appropriate number of capacitor banks on or off to achieve a desired power factor, typically close to unity (1.0).
4.Where it's used: APFC panels are commonly found in industrial and commercial settings where loads are large (typically above 500kW) and power factor correction is crucial for efficiency and cost savings. They are used in various industries, including manufacturing, steel mills, chemical plants, and more.