Panel Manufacturing
APFC Panels
APFC panels automatically switch capacitor banks in and out to maintain a target power factor, reducing demand charges and improving the efficiency and stability of an electrical installation.
Overview
About APFC Panels
Most industrial and commercial loads, especially motors, transformers and lighting, draw reactive power as well as useful power. That raises the current in cables and transformers, adds losses, and under many utility tariffs can attract penalties or reduce incentives for low power factor. An APFC (Automatic Power Factor Correction) panel measures the power factor continuously and switches capacitor banks in and out in steps to supply the reactive power the load needs, so the installation stays close to its target power factor as the load changes through the day.
A typical APFC panel is built around a power factor controller, capacitor banks switched by contactors, protection on each step and an incoming isolator or breaker, all wired to a common busbar. Where a site has significant non-linear loads such as drives, the capacitor bank is usually specified with detuning reactors, so please mention the type of loads when you enquire. Prime Volt Systems builds APFC panels to the required rating on a 415 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz system, to IS / IEC 61439.
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- Total connected load and the present power factor
- Target power factor
- Incoming supply (415 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz) and the incomer rating
- Required capacitor rating (kVAr) and number of steps, if already specified
- Whether the site has harmonic-producing loads such as VFDs
- Indoor or outdoor location and the IP rating needed (IP42 to IP54)
APFC Panels
What you get
- 01Automatic capacitor switching
- 02Improved power factor and reduced losses
- 03Protection and monitoring
- 04Built to the required rating
Specifications
Technical data
Values are confirmed per project and standard.
- 415 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz
- Up to 6300 A
- Confirmed per project
- IP42 to IP54
- Copper or aluminium
- Floor-standing or wall-mounted
- Powder-coated sheet steel (thickness per project)
- IS / IEC 61439
Components
- Power factor controller
- Capacitor banks
- Switching contactors
- Protection devices
- Busbars
Features
- Automatic capacitor switching
- Improved power factor and reduced losses
- Protection and monitoring
- Built to the required rating
Applications
- Industrial plants and factories
- Commercial and institutional buildings
- Infrastructure and utility projects
- Power distribution networks
Related products
Related services
Related reading
FAQs
Common questions
- What does an APFC panel do?
- It continuously corrects the power factor of an installation by switching capacitor stages to match the connected load.
- Where are APFC panels used?
- In industrial and commercial installations with significant inductive loads, to reduce demand charges and improve efficiency.