Power Factor Correction & kVAR Calculator
Determine capacitor bank kVAR ratings required to raise system power factor to target levels, reduce feeder line currents, and eliminate utility penalties.
Load & Power Factor
Utility Billing & Tariff
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do electric utilities charge penalties for low power factor?
When an industrial facility operates with a low power factor (e.g. 0.75), large inductive magnetizing currents circulate back and forth through utility transmission lines and transformers, wasting line capacity and causing I²R line losses without registering on standard kWh energy meters.
Why does NEC 460.8 require capacitor conductors to be rated 135% of nominal current?
Capacitors draw continuous harmonic currents in industrial environments and experience capacitance manufacturing tolerances (+15%) and system overvoltage (+10%). NEC 460.8 mandates branch circuit conductors to be sized at not less than 135% of rated capacitor current to prevent thermal overheating.
What is released transformer capacity?
Transformers are rated in apparent power (kVA), not kW. Correcting power factor from 0.75 to 0.95 on a 450 kW load shrinks demand from 600 kVA to 474 kVA. The difference (126 kVA) is released capacity, allowing a facility to connect new production machinery without purchasing an expensive larger substation transformer.