Steady inductive load
Consider fixed correction only after checking the load profile and switching arrangement.
SOLUTIONS / APPLICATION GUIDE
Power factor & power quality
Start with measured demand, power factor and harmonics. Compare correction options and prepare a clear brief for your site.
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CHOOSE YOUR APPROACH
Start with the application.
Variable production loads
Review an automatic stepped bank against minimum load and required response.
Drives, UPS or distorted waveforms
Measure harmonics before choosing detuned correction or active filtering.
BUILD A USEFUL BRIEF
Bring these details.
- Recent electricity bills and interval demand data
- Measured kW, kVA, power factor and voltage
- Harmonic survey and major nonlinear loads
- Transformer rating, single-line diagram and existing bank details
Will a capacitor bank reduce every part of my bill?
No. Correction changes reactive demand; savings depend on your tariff, measured load and existing equipment. Do not assume an energy-saving percentage.
COMPONENTS THAT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
Specify the whole working system.
Start with the equipment duty. Add the control, protection and measurement functions that your project needs; these are options to review, not a pre-approved assembly.
Images are AI-generated illustrations of equipment categories, not LOVATO model photographs. Confirm dimensions and ratings from the selected model datasheet.
Energy management
Power factor controllers and thyristor modules
Review stepped or fast correction control against the load profile.
Confirm: Number of steps · CT arrangement · harmonic conditions.
Compare selection details ↗
Energy management
Energy meters and power analyzers
Measure demand and energy at useful points in the system.
Confirm: Measured circuits · accuracy needs · data integration.
Compare selection details ↗
Energy management
Current transformers
Match sensing to the meter or protection application.
Confirm: Ratio and secondary · class and burden · conductor aperture.
Compare selection details ↗
Motor protection & control
Contactors
Switch motors or other loads using the appropriate utilisation category.
Confirm: Load type and duty · coil supply · auxiliary contacts.
Compare selection details ↗Energy management
Communication devices
Connect compatible devices to the required monitoring network.
Confirm: Protocol · physical interface · network architecture.
Compare selection details ↗Explore all 36 component families ↗
Continue into equipment & assemblies
Power Quality & Correction ↗Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) Banks ↗Detuned Reactor Banks ↗Active Harmonic Filters & SVGs ↗METHODS & WORKED EXAMPLES
Understand the estimate.
These examples use the default inputs. Change the live controls above for your own scenario; the reference examples below remain fixed.
Capacitor bank sizing — worked example
Required kVAr = active kW × [tan(arccos(current power factor)) − tan(arccos(target power factor))].
Example inputs
- Active power: 400 kW
- Current power factor: 0.75
- Target power factor: 0.95
- System phase: 3Φ (three phase)
- System voltage: 415 V — industrial
Example result
- Required correction: 221.3 kVAR
- Standard bank: 250 kVAR
- Corrected current: 586 A
Assumptions & limits
- Capacitance: 4,090 μF per phase at 415 V, 50 Hz
- Detuning: 7 % detuned reactors (189 Hz) where harmonics are present
- Discharge: built-in resistors discharging to below 50 V within 60 s
- Where THDi exceeds 10 %, specify detuned reactors or an active harmonic filter.
- Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.
Technical reference: Schneider Electric: power-factor correction selection. This reference does not certify the website calculation or an NPE assembly.
kVA ↔ amps — worked example
Example inputs
- Value: 500
- Conversion: kVA → amps
- Phase: 3Φ (three phase)
- System voltage: 415 V — industrial
- Power factor: 0.8
Example result
- Line current: 696 A
- Apparent power: 500 kVA
- Active power: 400 kW
Assumptions & limits
- Phase system: 3Φ balanced at 415 V
- Multiplier used: √3 × V
- Assumes a balanced, linear load profile
- Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.