Panels - 3 min read
How an APFC Panel Works
How Automatic Power Factor Correction panels improve power factor and why that matters.
Many industrial loads, especially motors, draw reactive power that lowers the power factor of an installation. A low power factor means more current for the same useful work, higher losses, and often higher demand charges from the utility.
What the panel does
An APFC (Automatic Power Factor Correction) panel measures the power factor continuously and switches capacitor banks in and out through contactors to keep it near a target value. A controller decides how many capacitor stages to connect based on the load at that moment.
Why it matters
Correcting power factor reduces losses, can lower electricity bills, and improves the stability and capacity of the installation.
What to know before specifying
The size of an APFC panel comes from the load: the real power drawn, the present power factor and the target. Sites with drives or other non-linear loads usually need detuned capacitor banks rather than plain ones, because plain capacitors can resonate with harmonics. Capacitors also lose capacitance with use, so a correction system should be checked periodically.
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FAQs
Common questions
- What is a good power factor?
- Utilities usually want it close to unity (1.0). The exact target depends on your supply agreement.