Many facilities pay a reactive-power penalty on their electricity bill without noticing it — yet it's a cost that the right compensation system can eliminate entirely.
What is the Reactive Penalty?
Inductive loads (motors, transformers, ballasts) draw reactive power from the grid alongside active power. This reactive power does no work but loads the network. When certain limits are exceeded, the utility charges a reactive penalty on your bill.
The 20% and 15% Limits
For facilities of 50 kVA and above, the regulation sets these limits:
- Inductive reactive energy cannot exceed 20% of active energy
- Capacitive reactive energy cannot exceed 15% of active energy
Exceeding these triggers the penalty. Over-compensation (too many capacitors) causes the capacitive penalty — so the right amount matters: neither too little nor too much.
How We Zero It Out
- Reactive-power analysis: measure the real load profile and determine the need.
- Correct stage planning: size the capacitor stages to keep the power factor within limits.
- Harmonic-resistant design: harmonics burn out capacitors prematurely. We protect the system with detuned reactors and, where needed, harmonic filters (per IEC 60831 / IEC 61642).
- Relay tuning (C/k): set the reactive-power relay so stages switch in correctly.
If Your Compensation Panel Keeps Failing
It's usually harmonics and resonance. We inspect the existing panel and, by adding detuned reactors and filters, both prevent the penalty and extend the panel's life.
Let's review the reactive line on your bill together. Reach us via our contact form or call +90 547 724 00 16. Full service: Power Factor Correction.