Power Factor Correction Calculator
Capacitor bank size in kvar needed to raise the power factor from one value to another.
Results
Reactive power
55.32
kvar
Apparent power
133.33
kVA
Apparent power
105.26
kVA
Capacitance
1100.62
µF
Current
192.45
A
Current
151.93
A
Percentage
21.05
%
What this tool does
A poor power factor means the supply carries current that does no useful work, and most industrial tariffs charge for it. This gives the reactive power a capacitor bank must supply to lift the power factor to your target, and shows how much the apparent power drops as a result.
Formula
Qc = P × (tan φ₁ − tan φ₂)
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
p | Active power | kW |
pf1 | Power factor | — |
pf2 | Power factor | — |
uu | Voltage | V |
fq | Frequency | Hz |
Qc | Reactive power | kvar |
S1 | Apparent power | kVA |
S2 | Apparent power | kVA |
CC | Capacitance | µF |
I1 | Current | A |
I2 | Current | A |
IR | Percentage | % |
Worked example
- Active power100 kW
- Power factor0.75
- Power factor0.95
- Voltage400 V
- Frequency50 Hz
- Reactive power55.32 kvar
- Apparent power133.33 kVA
- Apparent power105.26 kVA
- Capacitance1100.62 µF
- Current192.45 A
- Current151.93 A
- Percentage21.05 %
Limitations
- Electrical installations are governed by national wiring rules. Cable sizing also depends on installation method, grouping, ambient temperature and protection devices, which this calculator does not evaluate.
- The result is an estimate based only on the values you type. Real situations often include factors this calculator does not know about.