Apparatus And Methods For Improving Power System Performance By Using Power Factor Correction Devices.

In many industrial and commercial power systems, a phase difference or waveform distortion often exists between current and voltage. This causes the system to consume a significant amount of reactive power, resulting in a decrease in the ratio of used energy to actual usable power—that is, the power factor. By installing a dedicated power factor improvement device, reactive power in the system can be compensated, making the phase of current and voltage more consistent and reducing the impact of waveform distortion.

In this correction mechanism, capacitors or electronic correction elements are incorporated into the circuit. They provide or absorb reactive current-voltages (VARs) to offset the reactive power caused by inductive or capacitive loads. As a result, the gap between the system's apparent power and effective power is reduced, the current/voltage phase difference is lessened, and the waveform tends towards an ideal sine wave.