ElecAS
Power Factor Correction Calculator
Calculate capacitor sizing and reactive compensation for power factor correction projects.
Why this page matters
Calculate capacitor sizing and reactive compensation for power factor correction projects. This static content is published so the canonical route has meaningful crawlable HTML even before the interactive application hydrates.
Who this page is for
Users improving power factor, sizing capacitor banks and reducing reactive demand.
Relevant standards
- General electrical design calculations
What this tool helps with
- Estimate capacitor bank requirements for target power-factor improvements.
- Understand the kvar needed to reduce demand and improve system performance.
- Use conversion and demand tools alongside the correction workflow.
Frequently asked questions
How is capacitor bank size calculated for power factor correction?
- kvar required = kW × (tan φ₁ − tan φ₂), where φ₁ is the existing power factor angle and φ₂ is the target. For a 100 kW load improving from 0.75 to 0.95 PF, that equals 100 × (0.882 − 0.329) ≈ 55 kvar.
What target power factor should I aim for?
- Most network operators in Australia incentivise a power factor of 0.9 or better at the point of supply. Over-correcting (close to 1.0 or leading) can cause harmonics and resonance issues, so 0.95 lagging is a common practical target.
Where should the capacitor bank be installed?
- For network charges, install at the main switchboard. To reduce internal cable losses and free up capacity, install close to the inductive loads (motors, transformers). Detuned reactor banks should be considered when significant harmonic loads exist.