Power Factor, Correction and Optimal Value of This Factor in The Power Network

Abstract

Power factor is an expression of energy efficiency. It is usually expressed as a percentage—and the lower the percentage, the less efficient power usage is. Power factor (PF) is the ratio of working power, measured in kilowatts (kW), to apparent power, measured in kilovolt amperes (kVA). Apparent power, also known as demand, is the measure of the amount of power used to run machinery and equipment during a certain period. It is found by multiplying (kVA = V x A). The result is expressed as kVA units. Power factor (pf), is the cosine of the phase shift between voltage and current, it is also found as the cosine of the load impedance angle. The main purpose of this study is to find the best method to correct the power factor in order to obtain economic, environmental and quality benefits from it. etc., as well as finding the optimal level of its value. The importance of studying the power factor is related to the many benefits that its correction offers us. First, we found out theoretically what the power factor is, its relations with active, reactive and complex power, then we found the way to correct it in order to get this optimal value. At the end we presented all the conclusions and results.