Power Factor and Inductance: How Does Varying Inductance Affect Power Factor?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the effect of varying inductance on the power factor of a power supply system, specifically examining scenarios where inductors are connected in parallel or series. Participants explore theoretical implications and practical considerations related to power factor in electrical systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Shahvir questions how connecting several inductors in parallel or series affects the power factor of a power supply system.
  • Some participants suggest that increasing overall inductance worsens the power factor, while decreasing it improves the power factor, although this understanding is noted as potentially incorrect.
  • One participant shares experiences with using capacitors to correct inductive power factors in industrial applications, noting that inductors are not typically used for this purpose.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to clarify the distinction between power factor for loads and the ratio of reactance to resistance for power sources.
  • A later reply points out that the question may be too unconstrained for a definitive answer, suggesting a reduction of the question to simpler cases.
  • Shahvir clarifies that the inquiry is about the impact of load inductances on the total power factor of an electrical installation, not tied to any specific project or coursework.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between inductance and power factor, with no consensus reached on the implications of connecting inductors in parallel versus series. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall impact on power factor.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of definitions and the context in which power factor is discussed, highlighting that the same term can refer to different concepts depending on whether it pertains to loads or power sources.

b.shahvir
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Hi Guys, :rolleyes:

What will be the effect on 'Power Factor' of the power supply system under the following conditions:-

1) If I were to connect several inductors in ‘parallel’ with the power supply system.

2) If I were to connect several inductors in ‘series’ with the power supply system.


Thanks & Regards,
Shahvir
 
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Hi Guys, :rolleyes:

What will be the effect on 'Power Factor' of the power supply system under the following conditions:-

1) If I were to connect several inductors in ‘parallel’ with the power supply system.

2) If I were to connect several inductors in ‘series’ with the power supply system.


Thanks & Regards,
Shahvir
 
Hi Shahvir! :wink:

Show us what you think, and your reasons, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi Shahvir! :wink:
Show us what you think, and your reasons, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:


:smile: Ok, as we know that the overall inductance of a circuit increases if one were to connect several inductances in series. Similarly, the overall circuit inductance decreases if several inductances are connected in parallel. I believe that overall system Power Factor varies with system inductance, i.e., if system inductance increases then overall Power Factor worsens (reduces). Similarly, if system inductance decreases then overall Power factor improves (increases). This is my understanding….I might be wrong. :rolleyes:

Hence going by this logic, the increase in no. of inductive loads ( say induction motors, gas lamps with chokes, etc.) connected in parallel to a building’s electrical system, will improve the overall system Power Factor, in my opinion. Then what role will Power Factor improving equipment like capacitor banks or APFC panels be left to play? They would be rendered redundant! This is what is still unclear to me. :confused:

Thanks & Regards,
Shahvir
 
Someone please reply! :frown:
 
Someone please reply urgently! :frown:
 
Someone please reply! :frown:
 
b.shahvir said:
Hi Guys, :rolleyes:

What will be the effect on 'Power Factor' of the power supply system under the following conditions:-

1) If I were to connect several inductors in ‘parallel’ with the power supply system.

2) If I were to connect several inductors in ‘series’ with the power supply system.


Thanks & Regards,
Shahvir

How about you tell us what you know about power factor, and maybe even give us a pointer to a good web page that describes power factor. Then put your question in context (homework, coursework, industrial building power entry design, etc.). Then we might be able to offer some thoughts...
 
  • #10
It is well known, and used for many industrial applications, that large capacitors in parallel (shunt) with the power lines can correct an inductive power factor (PF). I worked at a place that had to change the number of capacitors depending on the inductive load and on the outside temperature (which changed the capacitance of the large outside capacitors in the cap bank) to keep within the PF limits required by the electric utility. I also worked at a facility that had several large salient-pole synchronous motors (~ 500 HP ea) to correct the PF (the motors were part of large motor generator sets). Off-load synchronous motors are "synchronous capacitors". I do not know of any facility that uses inductances to correct the power factor, however.
 
  • #11
Shavir..you are correct...
you can read about other useful characteristics at Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_factor

where it explains how energy is stored in reactive loads, either inductors or capacitors, and their is a phase difference introduced whereby the voltage and current do not peak together...such a power delivery is less efficient than with a pure resistive load...and the power peaks with neither voltage nor current...
 
  • #12
Let's reduce this question down a little... Imagine you just have two inductors of the same inductance.

a) What's the total inductance when they're in series?
b) What's the total inductance when they're in parallel?

Now, what's the power factor of a purely inductive load?

With the above, you'll realize that this question is too unconstrained to be properly answered (as is given).
 
  • #13
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #14
berkeman said:
How about you tell us what you know about power factor, and maybe even give us a pointer to a good web page that describes power factor. Then put your question in context (homework, coursework, industrial building power entry design, etc.). Then we might be able to offer some thoughts...

Thanx for your reply. I have posted my thoughts in the same thread duplicated in the Classical Physics section. I humbly request you to refer to the same. :smile:

This is a thought which popped up in my head. It is not part of any project or course work. :wink:

Kind Regards,
Shahvir
 
  • #15
b.shahvir said:
Thanx for your reply. I have posted my thoughts in the same thread duplicated in the Classical Physics section. I humbly request you to refer to the same. :smile:

This is a thought which popped up in my head. It is not part of any project or course work. :wink:

Kind Regards,
Shahvir

Dupllicate threads are not allowed. I've merged the two threads into one here in EE.
 
  • #16
berkeman said:
Dupllicate threads are not allowed. I've merged the two threads into one here in EE.

Thanx but then i did be happy if i get some response! :frown:
 
  • #17
Dear Shahvir,

In first post, you talk about power factor of power supply and in continue you talk about power factor of power system. Please note there are two different conceptions.
Usually power factor is defined for electrical loads and the ratio of X/R is defined for power sources.

For calculation of load power factor you can use following formulas:

COS (F) = P/ (P2+Q2)1/2

P = V2/R
Q = V2/X
V= constant voltage
R = Resistance of loads
X = Reactance of loads (2 x 3.14 x f x L)
L= Inductance of load

When you decrease the circuit load inductance (Q increasing), you front the decreasing of load power factor.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Creative thinking is enjoyable, Then think about your surrounding things and other thought products. http://electrical-riddles.com
 
  • #18
m.s.j said:
In first post, you talk about power factor of power supply and in continue you talk about power factor of power system. Please note there are two different conceptions.
Usually power factor is defined for electrical loads and the ratio of X/R is defined for power sources.
When you decrease the circuit load inductance (Q increasing), you front the decreasing of load power factor.

:smile: Thanx for your reply. Actually, I'm referring to the impact of variation in value of load inductances on total power factor of the electrical installation.

Regards,
Shahvir
 

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