Power factor is a term commonly used when considering the efficiency of an electrical power distribution system. Power factor or displacement power factor is a measurement between the current and voltage phase shift waveforms, based upon the (50 Hz) fundamental frequency in Iraq. Distortion power factor takes into account harmonics and is measured in root mean square (RMS) values. <br />Influence of Electrical loads<br />Typically electrical loads are resistive, inductive, and include both linear and non-linear elements. Most commercial and industrial alternating current (AC) loads are inductive, due to the nature of the types of devices connected on the electrical system. Specific industries where power factor may be critical are steel/foundries, chemicals, textiles, pulp and paper, automotive, rubber and plastics. Several examples of equipment utilized, where power factor is a concern, may include; transformers, motors, lighting, arc welders, and induction furnaces, all which require reactive power to generate an electromagnetic field for operation. Such equipment can produce poor, or a low, power factor, measured in a decimal fashion, such as .70 (70% of value).<br />Best scenario a (unity power factor)<br />Unity power factor of 1.0 (100%), can be considered ideal. However, for most users of electricity, power factor is usually less than 100%, which means the electrical power is not effectively utilized. This inefficiency can increase the cost of the user’s electricity, as the energy or electric utility company transfers its own excess operational costs on to the user. Billing of electricity is computed by various methods, which may also affect costs. <br />From the electric utility’s view, raising the average operating power factor of the network from .70 to .90 means:<br />1. reducing costs due to losses in the network<br />2. increasing the potential of generation production and distribution of network operations<br /><br />This means saving hundreds of thousands of tons of fuel (and emissions), hundreds of transformers becoming available, and not having to build power plants and their support systems. Thus in the case of low power factor, utility companies charge higher rates in order to cover the additional costs they must incur, due to the inefficiency of the system that taps energy.<br />Power factor consists of three components:<br /><br />1. kW (working or real power), <br />2. kVA (apparent power), <br />3. KVAR (reactive power). <br /><br />KW “performs” the actual work, whereas KVAR does not “perform” any beneficial work, instead only maintaining magnetic fields. The relationship between kW and KVA is the KVAR .Where applicable; most equipment will have a nameplate rating,<br />which includes current, voltage, kVA, plus kW and PF.<br /><br />Improvement Example<br /><br />If we consider a Load of 100kVA with Existing PF .80, Number of 100 watt light bulbs = 800.New PF (with capacitors) .95 leads us to a new Number of 100 watt light bulbs = 950<br /><br />Correction or improvement of poor power factor will:<br />1. Lower electricity costs<br />2. Increase kVA capability<br />3. Increase kW for the same kVA demand<br />4. Improve voltage regulation (drop),<br />5. Allow for size reductions in cable, transformers & switchgear<br />