Power Factor Correction Sizing from Utility Meter Data

Customers often request assistance with sizing of power factor correction but are unwilling to invest in a
power factor audit (i.e. power quality analyser installed on site and data collected utilised to size power
factor correction requirements). A good compromise is to request customer to obtain meter data from
their electricity supplier. The data supplied is generally one calendar year of data averaged over half
hour intervals. Generally, the data supplied needs to be massaged to enable power factor correction
requirements to be deducted. The equation worked with is based on the power triangle.

From basic trigonometry, tanφ = opposite / adjacent = kVAr / kW

tanφ = kVAr / kW
kVar = kW * tanφ

Corrective
kVAr

In the power triangle shown above, the yellow arrow shows existing phase angle which we will call φ1
while the red arrow shows the new phase angle that we will call φ2 that has been created by adding
power factor correction (capacitance) to reduce Reactive Power kVAr. As
kVar = kW * tanφ
Corrective kVAr = kW *( tanφ1 – tanφ2)
Thus, to calculate Corrective KVAr from meter data, we need to know values of kW, tan φ1 and tan φ2.
Below is what is typically seen in a meter data file (viewed in Microsoft Excel).

Firstly, we need to calculate kVA. As kWH = kW per hour used over half an hour
2 * kWH (per half hour) = kWH/H = kW
Likewise
2 * kVArH (per half hour) = kVArH/H = kVAr

From the theorem of Pythagoras (refer to power triangle above).

kVA = √(kW2+kVAr2)
Therefore, in Excel, kVA = SQRT(((D2*2)^2)+(F2*2)^2) as shown below

Next, we need to know power factor which is equivalent to kw/kVA = kWH/KVAh = D2/F2
Unfortunately, kVAh is not always available on meter data so an alternative calculation needs to be
made. This alternative formula is kVA = kWH/ √(kWH2+kVArH2) which in our spreadsheet is
=D2/(SQRT(D2^2+F2^2))

The alternative calculation returns a slightly different value which is 0.0125% greater than the original
value calculated so the slight difference is not worth worrying about.

Now we need to calculate kW which is kVA * power factor which in our spreadsheet = G2*H2

As a check, kW should be equivalent to 2 * kWH = 2 * 2.262 = 4.524 = calculated value.

All we need to know now is values of tan φ1 and tanφ2. As the power factor is the cos φ, the phase
angle is cos-1φ so tanφ = tan(cos-1(cosφ)) In excel cos-1 is represented by the function ACOS.
For tanφ1, cosφ = power factor and for tanφ2 cosφ2 = our target power factor. For purposes of graphs
and calculation, it is handy to enter this into a column.

Now we need to determine tanφ1. In our spreadsheet, tanφ1 = TAN(ACOS(H2))

In our Spreadsheet, tanφ2 = TAN(ACOS(J2))

Now we have all we need to know to calculate power factor!!

Corrective kVAr = kW *( tanφ1 – tanφ2)

Therefore, on our spreadsheet, Corrective kVAr = I2*(k2-L2)

Using tools in excel we can now prepare graphs for a report. A good one to start with is power factor
and target power factor.
Highlight column H and press ALT key and then highlight column J. Then press Insert

And then the graph symbol

And select the first graph under 2-D Line and the following graph will appear
Right click into graph border for options and tidy up graph. I like to click”Move Chart” and move graph
into its own worksheet – then tidy it up to something presentable like the graph shown below.

Power Factor at Site X 1 July 2015 - 30 June 2016

1

0.95

0.9

0.85

0.8

0.75

0.7

0.65

0.6

0.55

0.5

PF Target
A graph of corrective kVAr of power factor correction can also be made.

PF Correction to Correct PF to 0.96 - Site X 1 July 2015 - 30 June

2016
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

Correction kVAr

To determine the actual maximum amount of power factor correction required, go back to your
spreadsheet.

Copy column M and “Past Values” to columns N&O

Select Column O and select “Sort &Filter” on right hand site of “Home” Page
Sort “Largest to Smallest” When the screen below pops up, select “Continue with current selection” and
click “sort”
The maximum kVAr requiresd is 66.5kVAr so a 75kVAr unit would be ideal. If you want to determine
load conditions and time when maximum, requirements occur, copy the value in cell O2..

Highlight Column N and click Find & Select Find – Paste the value from Cell O2 and click “find next”

Excel will Find the row for you.

Highlight the row

The maximim value of kVAr required was 66.4935kVAr when the load was 107.46kW at a power factor
of 0.739.

This occurred during the period 1 – 1:30 on 19/01/2016.

If you really want to get carried away, use these values as a load in Ecodial Software to confirm that
spreadsheet calculation is correct.
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