PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING TOOL
Power-factor correction calculator
Estimate the preliminary reactive-power correction needed to reach a selected AC power factor.
Inputs
Calculation steps
Qᶜ = 100 × [tan(cos⁻¹ 0.8) − tan(cos⁻¹ 0.95)]
Current reduction: 27.46 A
Formula ID: POWER_FACTOR_CORRECTION_3PH_V1
Assumptions and references
Steady sinusoidal AC operation is assumed. The result does not specify capacitor stages, equipment, detuning or harmonic mitigation.
UNDERSTAND THE TOOL
What this calculator does
Compare reactive power before and after a selected power-factor target and show the resulting current change at the entered voltage.
How to use it
- Enter active power and the AC supply arrangement.
- Enter existing and target power factors.
- Confirm the target is not below the existing value.
- Treat the kVAr result as the starting point for a specialist study.
Fields and meanings
- Active power
- Operating electrical power in kW.
- Existing PF
- Measured or supportable present power factor.
- Target PF
- Selected design target, not an automatic requirement.
- Voltage
- Used to show the current before and after correction.
Review required. Do not select capacitor banks without reviewing harmonics, resonance, switching and equipment ratings.
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