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Compensation and Filtering

REACTIVE POWER COMPENSATION IMPROVES ECONOMY

Certain consumer devices need not only active but also reactive power. Such devices include motors, discharge lamps and transformers. The actual work is done by active power, as in all electrical devices. Reactive power is needed to maintain the magnetic field.

Electricity suppliers normally allow the consumer to use up to 20% of the active power maximum load. For any exceeding consumption they charge a reactive power rate, the tariffs varying between companies. A special charge is necessary, because reactive power loads the system reducing the distribution of active power and thus affecting the overall economy of electricity generation.

The reactive power needed by consumer devices can be produced locally using a compensation capacitor placed in the vicinity of such devices.

ELIMINATING THE NEED TO LOAD THE SYSTEM FOR REACTIVE POWER SAVES MONEY

Some of the benefits of compensation and filtering are:

• Cheaper reactive power charge by the supplier (or no power charge)

• Correct dimensioning of distribution system and equipment means savings at the source; need to expand the system is limited and may be unnecessary altogether

• Lower temperatures of distribution boards and cables reduce losses

• Capacity of active power transmission grows from the elimination of the reactive power component of the load current

• Voltage drop is reduced

HARMONIC FILTERING IMPROVES ELECTRICAL POWER QUALITY

Certain machinery and equipment generate harmonics, which strain the network and capacitor and increase voltage distortion. Such sources of harmonics include DC drives and inverters, UPS, arc furnaces, transformers, electric filters and various discharge lamps.

Higher voltage distortion by harmonics disturbs the function of many types of equipment requiring high-quality electricity, such as computers and telephones. Voltage distortion may also overload cables and cause failures of relays or fuses.

A system where harmonics are present can employ two basic technical solutions for reactive power compensation: by blocking reactors or using a harmonic filter.

Various combinations of compensation and filtering are engineered and implemented at Nokian Capacitors Ltd. on a continuous basis. We have the professional competence needed to take care of every detail and to find the optimum total solution for the specific requirements of each individual customer.