Demand Charges

[tom baker]

Most POCOs have a demand charge for loads larger than a certain amount, say 50 KW. Its measured over a 15 minute period. Are the meters fast enough to pick up the inrush on a motor starting? Question is will a softstart or VFD reduce the peak demand?

 

[cschmid]

I believe not unless you are starting several motors in consectitive over the same required period of time. I do believe how ever it will lower the total usage just by taking the short bursts of high consumption away.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Are you talking about something like a 200,000 sq ft building where all the A/C's are firing up at 7:00 in the morning?