APFC & RTPFC Panel

APFC (Automatic Power Factor Correction) Panel is an automated electrical system designed to monitor and improve the power factor of a facility in real-time. By switching capacitor banks on or off based on current demand, these panels ensure that the electrical system operates at maximum efficiency, minimizing energy waste and avoiding utility penalties.

Material Specification

§ Switchgear:
Capacitor duty contactors or vacuum switches.

§ Control:
Microprocessor-based APFC relay.

§ Metering:
Digital multifunction meter (V, A, PF, %THD).

§ APFC Relay:
The "brain" that monitors the system and decides which capacitor bank to trigger.

§ Capacitor Banks:
Units that provide the necessary leading reactive power to counteract lagging inductive loads.

§ Detuned Reactors:
Often included to protect capacitors from harmonic distortion and prevent resonance in the system.

§ Protection Devices:
MCCBs or HRC fuses for short-circuit protection, and overload relays for individual stages.

§ Current Transformers (CT):
Used to measure the real-time load current for the controller.

§ Enclosure:
Floor-mounted, free-standing, modular compartmentalized design made of up to 2mm thick CRCA sheet steel.

Advantages

§ Reduced Electricity Bills:
Decreases apparent power (kVA) demand and active energy (kWh) losses.

§ Elimination of Penalties:
Prevents surcharges from utility companies for low power factor.

§ Extended Equipment Life:
Reduces overheating and strain on motors, transformers, and cables.

§ Improved Voltage Stability:
Minimizes voltage drops and fluctuations within the internal network.

Protection Features

§ Step Protection:
Individual stages protected by MCCBs or HRC fuses.

§ Safety Interlocks:
Door-interlocked main isolators to ensure capacitors are de-energized before maintenance.

§ Alarm Systems:
Automatic protection for Over-voltage, Under-voltage, Over-temperature and Over-current.

Standard Tests

§ Novatric Export