How we can improve the power factor?

Answer 1

A poor power factor that occurs when a load draws a lagging current is corrected by the addition of a parallel capacitor to draw a leading current. If the load draws a leading current, an inductor in parallel would be used. In each case the added component is chosen to draw the same number of VARs as the original load.

Some loads like TV sets have a poor power factor that arises from harmonic currents in the load, and this method is not amenable to correction by an added component.

Power-factor correction is not normally carried out in domestic supplies.

Answer 2

Domestic services are given a no charge factor of 10%. This is well within the normal home's consumption.

Power factor corrections are only done in industrial and commercial service distributions. Even then only if the service has a large motor load connected to it. Large inductive loads such as motors will need to be corrected with capacitance added to correct the power factor and bring it closer to unity.

The utility company charges a surcharge to the overall utility bill if the power factor is lower than .90 or 90%. 88 to 90% surcharge of 2%, 85 to 88% surcharge of 4%, 80 to 85% surcharge of 9%, 75 to 80% surcharge of 16%, as you can see the worse the power factor becomes the larger the utility bill becomes. As these rates get higher it becomes apparent that there will be a payback period that will offset getting the power factor corrected.