1. What is the Capacitor Correction Formula?

The capacitor correction formula calculates the required reactive power (kVAR) to improve the power factor of an electrical system. It helps determine the size of capacitors needed to correct the power factor from an initial angle (φ1) to a desired angle (φ2).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the capacitor correction formula:

Where:

• \( kW \) — Real power in kilowatts
• \( \phi_1 \) — Initial power factor angle in degrees
• \( \phi_2 \) — Desired power factor angle in degrees
• \( \tan \) — Tangent trigonometric function

Explanation: The formula calculates the difference in reactive power needed between the initial and desired power factor angles.

3. Importance of Power Factor Correction

Details: Power factor correction reduces reactive power, improves system efficiency, reduces energy costs, and increases the capacity of the electrical system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter real power in kW, initial and desired power factor angles in degrees. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor to target?
A: Most utilities recommend a power factor between 0.95 and 0.98 for optimal efficiency.

Q2: How does power factor correction save money?
A: It reduces reactive power charges from utilities and decreases I²R losses in the system.

Q3: Can I over-correct the power factor?
A: Yes, leading power factor (over-correction) can cause voltage rise and other system issues.

Q4: Where should capacitors be installed?
A: They can be installed at individual loads (point-of-use), group of loads, or at the service entrance.

Q5: What's the difference between kVAR and kVAr?
A: They represent the same unit (kilovolt-ampere reactive), just different capitalization conventions.