Power Factor Correction Explained

The easiest way to explain Power Factor Correction is what we call the “beer analogy”.

A large beer is ordered to quench your thirst. That beer has some froth on the top that does nothing to quench that individual’s thirst, but you still have to pay for it as part of the glass of beer – the froth is the kVAr or reactive power. The actual beer which quenches your thirst –represents the kW or real power. The total contents of the glass – beer and froth – represents kVA or apparent power.

The glass must be full of beer with no froth for the person to gain full and cost effective benefit from the glass of beer. It is the same for maximum efficiency of your power usage. We want to maximise the useful kW which is the power that does the real work, and reduce your kVAr. Power Factor Correction is the solution used to minimise these inefficiencies. Power factor is about the relationship between Reactive Power (kVAR), Real Power (kW) and Apparent Power (kVA). Power Factor = kW/kVA.

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