Power Factor Correction Capacitors Usage In Green Buildings

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Power Factor Correction Capacitors
Power Factor Correction Capacitors

In this article we will discuss how Power Factor Correction Capacitors are impacting the Green Building initiative, and how they will be used in the future.

“Greening” is not a preferred option, but an ideal concept that is quickly becoming increasingly needed. The global construction industry is increasingly motivated to find ways to incorporate “green” practices into construction services. One of the main areas where this can happen is the area of ​​building energy consumption. In addition to using a variety of alternative energy sources, the efficient performance of electronic devices is important. The degree of functional efficiency of electrical appliances also depends on the improved power quality through power factor correction. With accurate electrical design services, especially electrical drawing services, and the use of active harmonic filters, intelligent MEP (M&E) engineering designs for building services can contribute to the life of electronic devices, reducing energy consumption and costs.

So what is power factor correction?

Power factor correction (PFC) typically seeks to improve the power factor, and thus power quality, by using power factor correction capacitors to compensate for inductive loads such as those produced by the motor. Ideally, the system should use all the energy drawn from its source to perform useful work. If the current and voltage are in phase then it will occur only then. If there is a difference between the two, then some power will be lost from the AC mains and no work will be done.

A measure of the effectiveness of using input energy in electrical or electronic devices is known as the power factor. The PFC approach attempts to achieve a power factor of 1 on any system, but most devices work fine with a power factor of 0.95. The ratio of real power w.r.t apparent power is known as the power factor. Definitions are written below:

Real power – the power actually used to operate the equipment and perform its operation
reactive power – power that is required by certain devices, such as motors, relays, and transformers, to generate a magnetic field to operate the device, but no work is performed.
Apparent power – vector sum of real power and reactive power, and the total power required to operate the device
The PFC system improves the efficient performance of the power source, thus reducing power consumption and supporting green architecture.

Reason For Engine Failure

There are several reasons why a PFC operation is needed. For example:

  • Engine failure
  • Malfunction of electrical or electronic equipment or devices
  • Overheating of transformers, switches, and cables
  • Fuse/circuit breaker continuous and random trips
  • Device behavior is unstable
  • Increasing energy use, high and indefinite cost

If the power factor is considered weak, the electrical equipment may become unstable and inoperable. For systems where the power factor is less than 90%, the power factor needs to be corrected. Lower power factor systems have higher energy costs because they require more current to perform the same amount of work. Therefore, improving power quality reduces the load on the distribution system, reduces the load on shifting gears and cables, and reduces costs.

To maintain a system that requires power factor correction, the next level should be monitored regularly, preferably every 6 months.

  • Reduce the power load
  • voltage level
  • harmonious content
  • Equipment condition
  • functional process

Today, PFC equipment traditionally uses banks of power factor correction capacitors to reduce the total power demand. Capacitors cancel inductive loads or reactors in the case of capacitive loads.

Enter the harmonic filter. Harmonic filters remove unwanted harmonics in the electrical system caused by non-linear loads, thus improving equipment performance and reducing energy costs. If the below given situation occurs only then harmonic filter is of any benefit:
Overheating of transformers, motors, and connectors
The generator shows instability

capacitor failure

  • The fuse and circuit breaker continue to travel
  • Driving failure/damage to sensitive electronic equipment
  • Increased energy costs

Non-linear loads such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), low-power lighting, and switched-mode power supplies for PCs result in unwanted consistent voltages and currents. By drawing current in short pulses rather than like a smooth wave, a nonlinear load produces electrical harmonics, which produce currents of different frequencies reflected by the system, twisting the AC waveform.

Thus, by reducing system efficiency, harmonics reduce power quality, reduce power factor and ultimately increase energy costs. Harmonic filters filter system electrical harmonics, reduce equipment overheating, valve trips, and breakers, improve power quality and reduce energy costs. Placing resonant circuits in series or parallel cuts or reduces harmonic currents and reduces harmonic voltage distortion.

The 3 principal forms of harmonic filters:

Negative

  • It is used in industrial sites with non-linear loads in excess of 500 kVA
  • Used in locations where power factor correction, low voltage, and current distortion are required
  • The LC circuit is installed in parallel with the non-linear load. The circuit absorbs harmonics and prevents them from flowing into the network.

Energetic

  • For use in industrial sites with non-linear loads less than 500 kVA
  • Installed on sites that need to reduce current distortion
  • Systems with power electronics are installed in series or in parallel with a non-linear load to compensate for the harmonic voltage or current drawn by the load.

Hybrid

Combine the performance of active and passive filters

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