The new CEMA CFLs has a power factor > 0.85 , complying with latest amendments in IS 15111 Part 1 & 2, and leads to better utilization of electrical power. CEMA High Power Factor (Hpf) CFLs have many benefits for customers as well as the Electrical Utilities. Read on to understand more about Hpf CFL.
What is Power Factor?
The ratio of active power (rated wattage) to total power (volt amps consumed) is called Power Factor (PF).
Active power is the amount of power supplied that can be translated to useful work defined in terms of Watts (W) or Volt Amperes (VA).
Reactive power is power that is consumed by an appliance but produces no useful work defined as Volt Amps (VA).
The sum of active and reactive power is the Total power or Apparent power supplied by the utility.
Power Factor = Active Power / Total Power = (A - B) / (A + B )
When a device has a power factor less than 1, the device consumes electricity, but only part of this is used to power the product. Typically low power factor CFLs have a power factor of 0.55 whereas that of High Power Factor CFLs is greater than 0.85
Benefits of High Power Factor CFL
For Customer
- Reduced effect of harmonics (electrical noise that may interfere with the operation of computers, receivers or sensitive equipment ) within your site
- Reduced potential for power quality problems
- Reduced power fluctuations caused by switching on heavy loads within your installation. Many utilities provide incentives to consumers to improve their power factor and thereby reduce their demand for electric current
- Reduced electric current needs means energy saving
- Reduced transmission and transformer losses
- Improved voltage regulation
- An increase in available capacity throughout the power company’s system without additional investments in generation or distribution
- Reduced peak current demand can allow the utility to postpone the construction of new generating capacity
- Cost to Correct Power Quality - Harmonic Distortion reduces power quality. This requires expensive capacitive compensation and harmonic filtering equipment to be installed to dampen the effect.
- Equipment Damage and Reduce Life - Poor power quality can cause nuisance tripping of residential circuit breakers, reduced motor life and equipment damage due to overheating.
- Unreliable and Uncontrolled Electricity Supply - Leads to frequent occurrences Brown Outs and Black Outs.