Case Studies

Fluke. Keeping your world
up and running.
Fluke Corporation
PO Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206
Fluke Europe B.V.
PO Box 1186, 5602 BD
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
For more information call:
In the U.S.A. [phone] or
Fax [phone]
In Europe/M-East/Africa (31 40) 2 675 200 or
Fax [phone]
In Canada (800)-36-FLUKE or
Fax [phone]
From other countries [phone] or
Fax [phone]
Web access: http://www.fluke.com/
©2004 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. 9/2004 2398478 A-ENG-N Rev A
Analysis
Power factor compares the real
power (watts) required to the
apparent power (Volts-Amps)
being consumed. A completely
efficient system would have a
power factor of 1.0. However,
in this facility, inductive loads
including motors, transformers,
and high-intensity lighting were
consuming significant reactive
nonworking power in addition
to real power. That was causing
a low power factor.
And since utilities start charg-
ing higher fees for power factors
less than .95, this facility was
getting higher power bills in
addition to the voltage drops
and overheating issues.
Conclusion:
Based on the information
gathered with the Fluke 434,
the consultant recommended
a capacitor bank to correct the
low power factor. By counter-
acting the reactive power of
the inductive loads, the capaci-
tors reduced the power factor
discrepancy, increasing overall
electrical system capacity and
eliminating both the perform-
ance issues and the excess
utility fees.
Selecting the Power &
Energy function from the menu,
he examined the power factor
(PF) (Fig. 4) and displacement
power factor (DPF) (Fig. 5).
2 Fluke Corporation Power Quality Case Study: Low power factor
Fig. 4 Power factor
Fig. 5 Displacement power factor