At Neutron Energy Control, we understand that energy costs can be a significant burden for businesses. One of the most effective ways to reduce your electricity bills and improve energy efficiency is through Power Factor Correction (PFC).
Power Factor Correction is a solution designed to improve the efficiency of your electrical system by addressing reactive power losses. In simple terms, it ensures that your site uses electricity more efficiently, reducing the amount of wasted power and lowering your energy costs.
Every electrical system has two types of power:
Active Power (kW) – The useful power that drives your equipment.
Reactive Power (kVAR) – The wasted power that doesn’t contribute to actual work but still adds to the total power demand.
The total power your site consumes is often measured in KVA (kilovolt-amperes), which combines both active and reactive power. The Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of active power to total power and is a measure of how efficiently your system uses electricity. A low power factor means a higher amount of reactive power is being consumed, leading to increased energy costs.
A Power Factor Correction unit is made up of automated capacitor banks that adjust your site’s power demand as needed. These units introduce capacitors into your system to offset the reactive losses, reducing the total power demand (KVA) and improving the power factor.
To put it simply:
Your site may peak at a power demand of 100 KVA.
If 10 KVA of this is reactive power (wasted), you’re being billed for more power than you actually use.
Power Factor Correction eliminates this wasted 10 KVA, ensuring you only pay for the 90 KVA of active power used.
Lower Peak Demand Charges: Power Factor Correction lowers the maximum demand (KVA) that your site is billed for. This means reduced energy costs, especially during the billing cycle’s peak demand period.
Improved Energy Efficiency: By reducing wasted reactive power, your systems work more efficiently, consuming less energy.
Avoid Penalties: Many municipalities charge penalties for poor power factor ratings. PFC helps you avoid these additional charges and maintain compliance with local regulations.
Long-term Savings: The savings from eliminating reactive power can be substantial. In fact, a business using a PFC unit could save up to R19,200 per year in energy costs, depending on their peak demand charges and tariff rates.
Enhanced Equipment Lifespan: By reducing strain on your electrical system, PFC helps prevent damage to your electrical equipment, extending its operational life.
We provide customised Power Factor Correction solutions, tailored to the unique needs of your business. Our experts conduct a detailed analysis of your electrical system, measuring actual and reactive power, and design a PFC unit that optimises energy use while maximising savings.
Site Assessment: We use online meters or mobile data loggers to gather precise data on your site’s power usage and determine the most effective PFC solution.
Customised PFC Unit Design: Based on your site’s unique power profile, we design and implement the appropriate PFC unit for maximum efficiency.
Ongoing Monitoring & Support: We provide continuous support and monitor the performance of your PFC unit to ensure it’s delivering optimal results.