True energy efficiency
for every application
With Power Factor Correction solutions
Reduce energy
losses by up to
30%
You need reliable,
cost-effective
power optimized
for maximum
productivity
Energy
2
Our complete solutions
blend quality products
and expert services
tailored to your needs
Industry
Buildings
Performance without compromise.
Schneider Electric innovation brings
outstanding value and capability to
your electrical distribution network
Power factor correction
boosts your efficiency
Power systems sometimes need help
In AC distribution systems, the maximum active power is transmitted to a load
when voltage and current are in phase and undistorted. However, alternating
current contains multiple components that fluctuate depending upon the load.
>>Power Factor (PF) describes the ratio
between kW and kvar and is the standard
measure of electrical system efficiency.
Utilities supply customers with watts but the
supply system must be rated for volts and
amperes. Power factor below 1.0 or unity
requires a utility to generate more than the
minimum volt-amperes necessary to provide
real power. This increases generation and
transmission costs, which are billed to
customers with poor power factor.
Power
generation
Transmission
network
Motor
Active power
Active power
Reactive power
Reactive power
Power
generation
Transmission
network
Motor
Active power
Active power
Reactive power
Capacitor
>>Active power (kW) does real work in
loads such as motors, lights, heaters,
computers, and more. It is converted into
the mechanical force, heat, or light you need
to run your business.
>>Reactive power (kvar) is the product
of inductive or capacitive loads such as
AC motors, transformers, etc. and it
produces no productive work.
>>Harmonics: additional factors include
the effect of non-linear loads such as those
created by modern electronic devices.
They can create harmonic distortion in
the power system that causes voltage
fluctuation and power quality problems,
resulting in increased operating costs.
Active filters can solve the problem.
Before correction
Harmonic
generators
After correction
Active
filter
Result
MV
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5
-1
-1.5
-2
Harmonic
Harmonic
generators
M
Active
filter
3
High quality power =
higher productivity
Harmonic mitigation and PFC solutions offer a
quick return on investment and multiple benefits:
Reduce your capital expenses
up to 30%
Optimize the size of your electrical
system, avoid oversizing, and limit
redundant capacity.
up to 10%
Reduce energy losses by
Improve power system and
3-phase equipment reliability
up to 30%
Optimize your power consumption and
reduce total process energy consumption
by reducing CO2 emissions.
4
Reduce utility billing penalties
and lower operating expenses
Good power factor can lower power bills
and reduce power losses in transformers
and conductors.
up to 18%
Boost power quality to improve your business
performance by reducing unplanned outages
and the reliability of electrical devices across
your entire power infrastructure.
100% performance
Optimized for today’s industrial
and commercial enterprises
Many people believe optimizing power distribution systems
and achieving ideal power factor is complex and costly.
However, partnering with Schneider ElectricTM makes realizing superior
power system efficiency simple, safe, and economical.
For decades, Schneider Electric has designed, engineered,
and manufactured innovative electrical distribution solutions for
demanding applications worldwide. We’ve leveraged world-class
know-how into our comprehensive range of PFC solutions that perform
in commercial, industrial and utility facilities.
No matter your application and needs, complete peace of mind is built
into each precision engineered PFC solution. Outstanding value,
exceptional durability, and world-class performance that helps make
your business more profitable and reliable is just the beginning.
Power
factor
0.7
0.8
0.85
0.90
0.95
1
Power
factor
1
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
0.7
Increased
available
power
0%
+14%
+21%
+28%
+36%
+43%
Cable cross
section
multiplying
factor
1
1.05
1.1
1.17
1.25
1.43
A strategic approach for your operations
A complete solution, when, where, and how you want it
PFC solutions from Schneider Electric include everything you need to ensure your power system
is operating at its peak. Our expertise ranges from power system monitoring and problem
diagnosis, to engineering, installing, and supporting the precise power factor control solution
your facility needs to run at optimal efficiency and cost.
The quality and performance you expect
All our PFC solutions provide an excellent return on investment because they are designed and
manufactured by Schneider Electric, using advanced manufacturing methods and premium
materials. They are optimized to match your application needs and are engineered to provide
superior performance.
Support when you need it
Schneider Electric is the global partner you can count on to deliver the service, support, and
access you need to be your most efficient. Our highly skilled sales, engineering, and after-sales
support professionals are there when you need them.
5
Applications and key benefits
Comprehensive power factor correction and harmonic filtering solutions are designed and installed by power system
specialists and are available for virtually every industry and application. All products are perfectly coordinated to meet all
you medium- and low-voltage power distribution needs, are engineered to be scalable as your requirements evolve,
and are optimized to provide maximum power system efficiency.
Industry
Automotive, Food &
Beverages, Microelectronics,
Mining, Minerals & Metals,
Machines.
Benefits
Reduce harmonic
distortion
Reduce voltage
fluctuations
Buildings
Healthcare, Hotels,
Industrial buildings,
Life Sciences, Retail,
Residential.
Benefits
Reduce electricity
bill by avoiding penalties
on reactive energy
6
of power factor solutions
Energy &
Infrastructures
Airports, Electrical
energy, Oil & Gas,
Marine, Road Tunnels,
Telecom, Water.
Benefits
Reduce electricity
bill by avoiding penalties
on reactive energy
Optimize system size
Reduce harmonic
distortion
7
Customer success stories at a
Ministry of Electricity Endesa,
and Water,
Kuwait
Spain
Customer
need
Faced with fast-rising demand, a distribution
network running at capacity, plus transformer
and switchgear difficulties, the Ministry
of Electricity and Water turned to Schneider
Electric for a solution that would leave
electricity tariffs unchanged and keep them
amongst the world’s lowest.
Endesa Group operates part of Spain’s
medium voltage distribution network,
generates 47% of its electricity and controls
43% of the nation’s distribution.
Poor network reliability is not an option and
decreasing reactive power losses a must.
Schneider
Electric
solution
On the low voltage network, the Ministry of
Electricity and Water installed 240 capacitor
banks and 20 active harmonic filters in
upwards of 75 substations. Advanced power
quality meters remotely monitor each capacitor
bank, and although rated for 50°C ambient
temperature, outdoor capacitor banks are
cooled to ensure uninterrupted performance
even during the most severe temperatures.
To decrease reactive power losses and
improve distribution network quality,
a comprehensive and reliable automatic
and fixed capacitor bank solution up to
25 kV was recommended.
Payback
An additional
15% to 20% kVA
network capacity
discovered
Approximately
20% to 25%
reduction in
transformer losses
8
Payback
Power Factor boosted from 0.8 to 0.95
glance
Metrocable,
Colombia
Power Factor
Correction
Solutions for
The Medellin Metrocable car system is driven
by two 535 kW motors, with two 960 kW
variable speed controllers that cause
harmonic distortion and produce poor
power factor.
Energy
Efficiency
To comply with utility regulations and provide
the most effective, flexible and efficient
solution, two AccuSineTM PCS active harmonic
filters, rated at 300 A were installed.
Payback
Power factor
boosted from
0.65 to 0.99
Current harmonic
distortion reduced
from 43.7% to 7%
9
Best-in-class technologies create
Because each electrical installation is unique, one of a kind power factor correction solutions are our specialty.
Using a combination of high-quality, expandable and compatible equipment, we can precision engineer a solution
that provides all the efficiency and reliability your power system needs for peak performance.
LV products and equipment
Reduction
of electricity bill
Varplus2
LV capacitor
System size
optimization
VarplusCan
LV capacitor
Detuned reactors
LV capacitor
Varpact TM
LV modules
MV products and equipment
Reduction
of power losses
Propivar TM NG
MV capacitors
Capacitor enclosed banks
LV or MV solutions
Reduction of
process-related
voltage fluctuations
Varset Fast
Thyristor switched
capacitor banks
10
AccuSine PFV
Fast electronic reactive
power compensator
LV passive
filters
Power
Quality:
Harmonic
mitigation to
avoid voltage
and current
distortion
significant benefits
For:
>> Food & Beverages,
>> Microelectronics,
>> Mining,
>> Machines,
>> Healthcare,
>> Hotels,
>> Retail,
>> Airports,
>> Electrical Energy,
>> Oil & Gas,
>> Marine,
>> Telecom,
>> Water, etc.
VarplusBox
LV capacitor
Varlogic TM
Power Factor
Controllers
VarSet TM
Capacitor banks
(fixed, automatic)
Open racks
AccuSine SWP and PCS
active filters
Hybrid filters
(combining passive
and active filters)
MV passive
filters
11
Expert, single-sourced,
end-to-end solutions
Complete, turnkey solutions include everything you need,
or you can tailor components and services to match
your unique needs.
Engineering services
From electrical system testing and troubleshooting that analyses
and identifies problem areas, through design conforming to
applicable standards, development, and maintenance of your low
and medium voltage PFC solution, Schneider Electric has
everything you need.
Installation and commissioning
Expert installation and commissioning services provide fast
integration with your systems and enable you to quickly attain
maximum benefits from our modular range of PFC equipment.
Comprehensive product range
With a full range of power factor correction equipment spanning
controllers to capacitor banks.
Quality and long life
PFC products and services from Schneider Electric are custom
engineered with quality and a philosophy of continuous
improvement built in.
Download our FREE Power Factor Correction solutions catalogue today!
Visit www.SEreply.com and enter key code XXXX*
Make the most of your energy
SM
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Head Office
35 rue Joseph Monier
92500 Rueil Malmaison Cedex- France
Tel.: +33 (0)1 41 29 70 00
www.schneider-electric.com
©2012 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks are owned by Schneider Electric Industries SAS or its affiliated companies.
Design: Global Marketing, Communications Strategy and Design. 998-6308_GMA-GB