Power Factor Correction Capacitors Explained!

Power factor is a measure of how effectively you are using electricity. Improving the power factor can increase current-carrying capacity, improve voltage supply to the equipment, decrease power losses, and cut down electric bills. If you have a large commercial site, one of the reasons you must correct poor power factor is to restore the (KVA) capacity of overloaded feeders within your building. One of the easiest ways to improve PF is to add power factor correction capacitors to the electrical system. These capacitors act as reactive current generators and help offset the non-working power that’s used by the inductive loads, and therefore improve the PF.

 
Power factor correction capacitors can switch on daily whenever the inductive equipment starts. Switching on a capacitor produces a brief “over-voltage” condition. In case you have problems with variable speed drives turning off because of “over-voltage” at almost the same time daily, you must check the switching control sequence. If you face the problem of fuses blowing on some of the capacitors, check for the harmonic currents.

Icopower ESCO is one of the companies that that have been providing excellent power quality solutions to businesses across Kenya and Seychelles from the past many years. We design and install high-performance capacitor banks tailored to a specific site’s requirements. These are usually installed at the incoming mains supply to a building, but can be installed on any specific plant equipment that needs power factor correction. Our experts can also help troubleshoot and fine tune existing power factor banks for maximum functionality. The units have been manufactured in Italy, using superior quality components and sturdy steel powder coated enclosures for preventing corrosion and exposure to harsh environments. So, if you have been looking for energy efficiency solutions, contact Icopower ESCO today! 

If you have any questions, you can write to us at fm@icopower-esco.com

The Effects of Overvoltage and Three Phase Imbalance on AC Motors

3 phase AC motors are typical three phase loads & are used in many different equipment, such as pumps, refrigeration, conveyers, and air conditioning. The effects of over-voltage and 3 phase imbalance on AC motors are that they lead to saturation of the motor iron core, which wastes energy through eddy currents, increase in hysteresis losses, and excessive heat. This stress caused due to over-voltage further decreases motor lifetime.

 
Voltage power optimization helps prevent overvoltage that saves energy & increases motor life, without reducing motor efficiency or affecting motor speed. This is apparent especially if the motor is operating under many different loading conditions, since motor efficiency tends to reduce in case of over-voltage as well as less-than-full loading – however both these situations can be well-managed through the use of voltage optimizers. Moreover, substantial savings can be made through both - direct consumption of less power and through extended equipment life.

If you want equipment at your three phase site to benefit from voltage optimization technology, contact Icopower ESCO today. They offer a broad range of voltage optimizers that deliver reliable and consistent savings to a number of businesses across Nairobi and surrounding areas. The optimizers can be installed on existing infrastructure to reduce the voltage supplied to equipment, and minimize consumption while remaining within the operating conditions specified by the equipment manufacturer.

Icopwer ESCO is an independent Energy Saving Company with extensive design and implementation experience in integrating multiple efficiency measures, mitigating technical and performance risks, and generating energy savings for their clients at almost no capital investment. Their remuneration is based on Energy Saving Performance Contracts whereby the payment is on a shared savings basis. For more information, feel free to visit https://icopower-esco.com/ or drop an email at fm@icopower-esco.com