APFC PANELS

Electrical control panels are designed and used to control mechanical equipment. Each one is designed for a specific equipment arrangement and includes devices that allow an operator to control specified equipment.

Electrical panel components control every piece of equipment in every industry. It’s difficult to describe all possible combinations because every industry and most companies have defined component preferences.

APFC Panel has a microcontroller-based programmable controller that switches the capacitor banks of suitable capacity automatically in multiple stages by directly reading the reactive load (RKVA). This works on the principle of VAR sensing to maintain the power factor (PF) to 0.99 Lag. The capacitor banks may be selected in stages such as 4/6/8 according to the load pattern.

Modern power networks consist of a wide variety of electrical and power electronics loads. In such networks, the power factor also varies as a function of the load requirements. It’s difficult to maintain a consistent power factor using fixed compensation (i.e., fixed capacitors) as it needs to be manually switched to suit the variations in load. This can lead to low power factor, higher demand charges, and power factor penalties.

In addition, fixed compensation may lead to a leading power factor under certain load conditions, which can cause over voltages, saturation of transformers, maloperation of diesel generating sets, and penalties by electricity supply authorities. To avoid these problems, the compensation needs to automatically vary without manual intervention.

This is achieved using an Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) system, which ensures consistently high power factor without manual intervention and prevents leading power factor occurrences.

APFC products are fully automatic in operation and can achieve:

• Consistently high power factor under fluctuating load conditions
• Reduced KVA demand charges
• Lower energy consumption by reducing losses
• Preventive leading power factor

Install APFC Panel to avoid penalties and enjoy the benefits automatically. To maintain the power factor according to the load factor, the proper capacity of capacitors needs to be connected. The value of capacitors varies with respect to load and its existing PF. There are two ways to maintain PF:

1. Fixing the capacitor at the load end permanently or at the mains – generally recommended for fixed loads like pumps and fans
2. For loads with variations in load and PF, an Automatic Power Factor Control Panel (APFC Panel) is the solution.

A control panel consists of a controller. The controller may be PLC, DCS, relay, or some other type. It gives a digital signal input to the MCC panel to start the motor. The control panel works based on the PLC/DCS program or relay logic. Instruments are normally connected to the control panel. Indications for the interlocks also will be present in the control panel. Nowadays, a single panel is used instead of separate control and MCC panels.

Ease in modification of logic, reduced size, means of remote communications, and advances in the technology have made PLC Automation Control Panels an edge over conventional relay-based systems. Control Systems Engineers have provided PLC-based panels from PLC of Allen Bradley, Siemens, Modicon, GE Fanuc. From small I/O applications to complex I/O systems, Control Systems Engineers provide solutions. Communication software for remote communication of the PLC panels is available in various protocols. With PLC-based panels, HMI/MMI are provided to offer the operator various messages and controls of the process plants. Touchscreen MMI is used for effective control of the system