Generator Panel power factor improvement

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sajid khan

Sajid khan

Senior Member
Location
Pakistan
Do we need to place a PFI plant on the generator panel?

Your valueable comments are awaited.



Sent from my GT-I9300I using Tapatalk
 
electrofelon said:
Yes! This is very important! I recommend use of the turbo encabulator for this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLDgQg6bq7o

Ok, all joking aside, we would need a lot more info to make any sort of meaningful response.
Click to expand...
The case is, We have a normal panel and emergency panel. The total load is fed by transformer and some part of total load is on emergency fed by Generator. WE have ATS panel in case of power failure to shift the load on Generator panel.
so we have two panels one normal panel and one generator panel feeding the emergency load.
We have placed a PFI plant on the normal panel only, not on panel connected to generator.

Do we need to place PFI on generator panel also.


Sent from my GT-I9300I using Tapatalk
 
topgone said:
In my life before as a power plant technician, I've never seen one. Power Factor control is done by changing the generator excitation, always!
Click to expand...

hard to tell what he is trying to convey, but imo he has a standby genset feeding building loads (motors) and wants to know if he needs pf correction
eg, genset rated at 0.8 pf and load is ~0.7
but who knows, waaaay too little information
 
Sajid khan said:
The case is, We have a normal panel and emergency panel. The total load is fed by transformer and some part of total load is on emergency fed by Generator. WE have ATS panel in case of power failure to shift the load on Generator panel.
so we have two panels one normal panel and one generator panel feeding the emergency load.
We have placed a PFI plant on the normal panel only, not on panel connected to generator.

Do we need to place PFI on generator panel also.


Sent from my GT-I9300I using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

there isn't enough information here to say they are needed. if your best reason for installing them is "because they are on the utility side of the ATS", reevaluate why you think they are needed. stop and ask yourself why you need power factor correction while on standby generator and think about what happens as the gen starts and load increases or decrease. is there a voltage regulation problem? excessive heating due to I squared R loss?

consideration must be given to the connection of capacitor banks to any generator because doing so can negatively impact the stability of the generator, specifically when the generator is lightly loaded. this can cause the generator to operate at a leading power factor or voltages to rise to potentially damaging levels. this will damage the diodes in the generator. of course, this can be mitigated with automatic control of the capacitor (switching capacitors in and out, as needed).

if you own the genset and are intent on installing PFCC's, it's best to speak to the manufacturer about what you are planning and most importantly why you want to do it. If you have a particular capacitor bank in mind, send the tech specs so they can review and approve. they will review how the proposed injected reactive power interacts with the generator capability curve.

my guess is they aren't necessary under most circumstances, but you should make that determination for yourself.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top