AUTIXON
Back to all tools
← Electrical suite

AUTIXON / ELECTRICAL

Power Factor Correction

Capacitor-bank kvar from present and target power factor.

Calculation inputs

Illustrative example values — replace them before any engineering decision.

Engineering results

Existing reactive power225 kvar
Reactive power at target98.61 kvar
Required capacitor bank126.39 kvar
Entered monthly reactive charge— MAD/month

⚠ Some results are unavailable because optional or compatible inputs are missing.

Method and traceability

Qc=P·[tan(arccos cosφ₁)−tan(arccos cosφ₂)]. Harmonics and switching steps require a dedicated study.

Visible assumptions: copper ρ₂₀ 0.0175 and aluminium 0.0282 Ω·mm²/m; copper α 0.00393 and aluminium 0.00403/°C. Reactance, density, factors and thresholds remain editable.

Screening lists — sections: 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95, 120, 150, 185, 240, 300, 400, 500, 630 mm²; breakers: 2, 4, 6, 10, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 A; transformers: 25, 50, 100, 160, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150 kVA.

Final design must verify applicable IEC 60364 requirements, actual thermal conditions, short circuit, shock protection, selectivity, starting, harmonics and local rules.

IEC 60364-5-52 ↗Guide — voltage drop ↗

Need a complete electrical study?AUTIXON can verify networks, protection, cables and execution documents.
Request an assessment →
Engineering reference

Power Factor Correction Calculator

Estimate capacitor-bank kvar from active power and present and target power factors.

Calculation method

The engine calculates reactive power before and after correction using the tangent of the phase angle. Required capacitor kvar is the positive difference; optional billed reactive energy is valued separately.

Formulas used

  • Qc = P × [tan(acos cosφ1) − tan(acos cosφ2)]
  • Optional monthly charge = billed kvarh × tariff

Worked example

Example: 300 kW corrected from 0.80 to 0.95 requires approximately 126 kvar.

How to interpret the result

The kvar result is a steady-state requirement at the entered load. Select steps and control strategy from the real load profile.

Common mistakes

  • Using installed kW instead of operating kW.
  • Ignoring harmonics and resonance risk.
  • Overcorrecting at low load.

Scope and limitations

  • Harmonic spectrum, detuning reactors, switching transients and utility rules require a detailed study.

Frequently asked questions

What does a 120 kvar bank mean?

It supplies up to 120 kvar of capacitive reactive power at its rated voltage; it is not 120 kW.

Will correction reduce kWh?

It mainly reduces reactive demand and current. Any kWh reduction depends on actual upstream losses.

Why use automatic steps?

Variable loads need staged control to avoid under- or over-compensation.