Epcos power factor correction capacitors are used to increase the power factor of a circuit, bringing the measure closer to 1 and making the system more efficient. Capacitors are used when a lagging current – which is often found in inductive load circuits such as AC induction motors, arc welders, fluorescent lighting and air conditioning – causes the current and voltage to fall out of phase with each other and therefore generates more reactive power. Capacitors correct these variations in current and voltage input, bringing the two back to being closer in phase and improving the efficiency.
Power factor equipment supplies the reactive current (e.g. magnetising current required by electric motors to turn but does no real work) required by an installation that is normally supplied from the supply transformer and therefore passes through the electricity meters. Reducing this magnetising current through the electricity meters and the switchboard will reduce the cost if the tariff is based on kVA Demand (or apparent power). The power actually used is the ‘real ‘Power (in watts). The power supplied is the “apparent” power (in Volt Amps).
