Bright Idea Energy Solutions > Power Conditioning

Power Conditioning

Inductive electrical loads can be the greatest source of electrical energy loss for commercial energy users. If these losses are not minimized, they result in not only higher monthly energy consumption, but also the reduced life of the electrical equipment such as motors, ballasted lighting and transformers.

Benefits of Power Conditioning

By treating inefficient loads, especially large motors, with a Power Conditioning System, we can provide the end user with the greatest energy savings and Return on Investments. Payback periods can be as little as 15–24 monthes, and provide energy savings of 10–25%.

Power Conditioning is not just surge protection. It produces cost savings and electrical efficiencies six different ways:

→ Lowers True kW Demand
→ Lowers Kilowatt Hours
→ Reduces Harmonics
→ Corrects Power Factor
→ Protects Against Surges and Spikes
→ Reduces Motor Wear and Maintenance

Low Power Factor - Cause and Effect

It is beneficial to have an understanding of the term Power Factor and its effect on your bottom line and the wear and tear on your mechanical systems. Power Factor of an AC electrical system is the ratio of the Real Power to the Apparant Power, and is typically a number between 0 and 1. A perfectly efficient system would have a Power Factor of 1. Motors and other inductive equipment are designed to use the power for their maximum load capacity (Apparent Power). They will draw from the utility the same amount of power whether they are at maximum load or only a fraction of their load. A partially loaded motor only uses a portion of the power supplied to it (Real Power) and will push the excess energy it did not use back to the grid.

Paying for power you don't even use?

A good example of power factor cause and effect is the motor that runs the escalator at your local shopping mall. The escalator is constantly running, and is drawing the same amount of power from the utility whether the escalator has no riders or whether it is fully loaded with 30 people. When the motor is only partially loaded, the excess power has to be pushed back to the utility. It would be a bright idea to extend the life of your motors, lower your true kW demand, and pay less money to the utility.

Why choose a Power Conditioning System?

Smaller Utility Bills: Utilities typically charge commercial users a penalty fee when they have Power Factors below some defined limit (since power factors also affect utility power transmission). It makes real sense to increase your power factor to as close to 1 as possible. In addition, you use more of the power you have already paid for with the ability to store unused apparent power and its subsequent release to the next cycle.

Balanced Phase Currents and Reduced Harmonics: Balanced currents result in less vibration in your entire electrical system. In addition, this results in greatly reduced or complete elimination of harmonics below the 49th Order. Both these benefits have the effect of heat reduction in your electrical system, and therefore a longer life for your motor components.

Increased Electrical Capacity and Less Equipment Wear and Tear: If not corrected, your electrical distribution system will experience power losses from low power factors which in turn can cause voltage drops. Power Conditioning Systems prevents premature wear and tear on your motors and other inductive equipment by excessive and unmanaged voltage drops.

Contact us today for a complete analysis of your inductive electrical loads at your facility.