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Power
Factor Correction
Robert
Scoff, P.E.
Overview
This course was written with the intention of
removing the magic and mystique that surrounds the idea of Power Factor
Correction. With that in mind, the
course starts by reviewing direct current and single phase alternating current
circuits, including resistive, capacitive, and inductive circuits.
This is a quick review emphasizing voltage, current, and power
relationships in these three common circuit elements.
Waveforms and their relationship to vectors are shown.
Line voltage drops and line power losses are examined.
This course was designed for both engineers in
disciplines other than electrical, and electrical engineers who desire to deepen
their understanding of power factor correction.
This course contains some basic electrical theory, but is easily adapted
to the practical world of industrial and commercial electrical systems, and
specifically Power Factor Correction.
The material in this course is presented with
numerous diagrams, waveforms, and vectors to help students understand how
electrical power works and what power factor means.
The material assumes some skill in basic mathematics, trigonometry,
vector analysis, and the ability to convert between polar and rectangular
co-ordinates. A calculator that does
polar to rectangular and rectangular to polar conversions is very helpful, but
not necessary, in working through this material.
The student must take a multiple choice quiz
consisting of twenty questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.
It is the author’s intention that the material presented in this course
will help the students be better versed in power factor correction, and
therefore be more comfortable when working with engineers, technicians, and
craftsmen in the field.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and
skills:
- Definitions of specific electrical terms.
- Relationship between voltage, current, and
power versus time for alternating current circuits.
- The importance of minimizing current flow in
AC electrical systems
- How power companies charge for the
electricity they transport to their customers.
- How Capacitors actually correct for reactive
power in industrial plants.
- How much money can be saved by implementing
a Power Factor Correction program.
Course
Click on the following PDF attachment and review the document prior to taking a
quiz for PDH credit.
Power
Factor Correction (288 KB)
Having Trouble Downloading the PDF File?
Right click on the link. Select "Save Target As..."
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desktop and return to this page to take the quiz.
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Click on the link below to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.
To obtain PDH credits for this course, you will need to take a quiz for
credit. Click on the link below.
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