Power Factor and Power Factor Correction, Knowing It and Understanding Why We Should Care About It

Understanding power factor power factor correction and the application of capacitor banks and harmonic filter banks for the purpose of reactive compensation is essential when designing electric power systems for commercial industrial and electric power systems. Power factor in its simplest terms is a measure of a system’s efficiency. When power factor is not corrected it can lead to higher energy cost high infrastructure cost higher I2R losses and poorer power quality. 

Starting with basic concepts this presentation introduces power factor power factor terminology and its importance in system design. The power triangle is used to illustrate power factor and power factor correction. Calculation methods are provided using trigonometry and KW multiplier tables.  The presentation ends with a discussion of common concerns when applying capacitor banks which include switching transients over-compensation voltage rise outrush current and harmonic resonance.
 
After completion you will understand power factor power factor correction and the necessary steps in conducting power factor analysis.  You will be able to make common calculations associated with reactive compensation and power factor correction including capacitor bank sizing kVA reduction loss reduction expected voltage rise harmonic resonance frequency and more.  Additionally you will understand traditional concerns related to the application of capacitor banks.
 
If you are involved with power system design and want to understand one of the key concerns in power system design power factor consider coming to this informative presentation by a leading industry expert.

Speakers

Paul B. Steciuk 

Paul B. Steciuk is co-founder of Northeast Power Systems Inc. (NEPSI) now a subsidiary of AMSC the leading global supplier of medium-voltage metal-enclosed power capacitor banks and harmonic filter systems.  Mr. Steciuk helped to grow the company and provided engineering and product support to owners and operators of small and large industrial commercial renewable and utility power systems through NEPSI for over 20 years.

With over 30 technical articles and white papers to his credit Mr. Steciuk is an expert in harmonic analysis filter design and application power system analysis and manufacturing design. 

Mr. Steciuk has previous experience as a power system engineer at Power Technologies Inc. (PTI) located in Schenectady NY where he was responsible for various power system studies including system-wide voltage sag studies harmonic analysis and filter design studies load-flow short-circuit protective coordination and transient analysis studies. 

Born in Troy NY Mr. Steciuk received his B.S. and M.E. degrees in Electric Power Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Troy NY.