Disadvantages of Low Power Factor

Electrical Technology

What are the Disadvantages of Low Power Factor (P.F)?

Power factor plays an important role in AC circuits as we know that power dissipation in three phase circuits

Power in a Three Phase AC Circuit = P = √3 V x I CosФ

And Current in a Three Phase AC Circuits = I = P / (3 V x CosФ)

I ∝1 / CosФ … (1)

Similarly,

Power in a Single Phase AC Circuits = P = V x I CosФ

And Current in a Three phase AC Circuits = I = P / (V x CosФ)

I ∝ 1/CosФ … (2)

It is clear from both equations (1) an (2) that Current “I” is inversely proportional to the CosФ i.e. Power Factor. In other words, When power factor increases, Current Decreases, and vice versa i.e. when Power Factor decreases, Current Increases.

Disadvantages and Effects of Low Power Factor

Now, In case of low power factor, current will be increased, and this high amount of current will lead to the following disadvantages.

Large Line Losses (Copper Losses):

We know that Line Losses is directly proportional to the squire of the electric current “I²”

Power Loss = I²x R i.e., the larger the current, the greater the line losses i.e. I >> Line Losses

In other words,

Power Loss = I² x R = 1 / CosФ² … Refer to Equation “I ∝ 1/CosФ” … (1)

Thus, if Power factor = 0.8, then losses on this power factor =1/CosФ² = 1/ 0.8²= 1.56 times will be greater than losses on Unity power factor.

Large kVA rating and Size of Electrical Equipment:

As we know that almost all Electrical Machinery (Transformer, Alternator, Switchgears etc) are rated in kVA. But, it is clear from the following formula that Power factor is inversely proportional to the kVA i.e.

CosФ = kW / kVA

Therefore, The Lower the Power factor, the larger the kVA rating of Machines also, the larger the kVA rating of Machines, The larger the Size of Machines and The Larger the size of Machines, The Larger the Cost of machines.

Greater Conductor Size and Cost:

In case of low power factor, current will be increased, thus, to transmit this high current, we need the larger size of conductor. Also, the cost of a large size of conductor will be increased.

Poor Voltage Regulation and Large Voltage Drop:

Voltage Drop = V = IZ.

Now in case of Low Power factor, Current will be increased. So the Larger the current, the Larger the Voltage Drop.

Also Voltage Regulation = V.R = (V_{No Load} – V_{Full Load})/ V_{Full Load}

In case of Low Power Factor (lagging Power factor) there would be large voltage drop which causes low voltage regulation. Therefore, keeping Voltage drop in the particular limit, we need to install Extra regulation equipment i.e. Voltage regulators.

Low Efficiency:

In case of low Power Factor, there would be large voltage drop and large line losses and this will cause the system or equipment efficiency too low. For instance, due to low power factor, there would be large line losses; therefore, alternator needs high excitation, thus, generation efficiency as well as transformer’s efficiency would be low. Same is the case for lower motor’s efficiency in case of low P.F.