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Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

(OP)
What is the purpose of having to install a Power Factor Correction Capacitor locally at a pump?  I have never seen one before.  Pump is 7.5 HP / 460 volt/3 phase/60  / 10.1 FLA.  This pump is within a typical plant feed from the Motor Control Center.

RE: Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

Improve voltage on starting may be one reason.  A capciotr on a single 7.5 HP motor does seem a little odd, unless the cable run is a long ways or the plant voltage is low at the MCC.

RE: Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

To reduce current in the lines to the motor or to avoid PF penalties in your mail box.  (If applicable)

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

PF correction at the source of the low PF is the best way to go, if it is possible/practical. That way, it switches on and off with the low PF load, and is being used only when it is needed (along with reducing current, and therefore I^2R losses, in the cables and distribution equipment supplying it).

RE: Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

Be sure to account for the capacitors when specifying / setting motor protection.  They reduce the current seen by the protective device while the stator current stays the same.

RE: Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

Hey! swn1

That's something most people would forget about. Good that you brought it up.

Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...

RE: Pump Power Factor Correction Capacitor

(OP)
Thanks for all the responses.  I found some information in the electric motor spec indicating it's required in order to raise the motor power factor to approx. 95%.

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