True power (W or KW) is increased by poor PF and high apparent power (VA or KVA). The resulting increase in current demand raises the true power but the extra current is usually lost as heat instead of performing work. The bigger problem (bigger than an inflated utility bill) is the potential for fire from drawing too much current through a branch circuit that can't handle the highly reactive load that's been connected to it. Also beware of cyclical reactive loads on panels that also feed electronics. I recently troubleshot a commercial 3 phase panelboard feeding both UPS's and across-the-line HVAC gear (a bad combination). The UPS's were failing and the owner didn't know why. A quick power quality analysis showed it was due to excessive UPS transfers caused by the HVAC cycling during the daytime and causing the UPS's to see voltage dips. Average PF was .67 when we started, .91 when we moved the HVAC away from the panel and did some load balancing. Gary N6LRV
-----Original Message----- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Kelsey Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 6:14 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Adding capacitors to lower electric bill That's my take, but someone on here insisted otherwise based on testing he had done. I spoke with an electrical engineer who said the same thing, but then he wondered out loud if it could be possible if the power factor was shifted to an extreme with a spinning disk meter. He opined that an electronic meter wouldn't be "fooled." Of course shifting the PF to an extreme would be a basis for utility company action. Chuck WB2EDV ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Schafer" <gascha...@comcast.net> To: <Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 9:06 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Adding capacitors to lower electric bill > You won't see any difference. The electric meter reads true power not VA. > > 73 > Gary K4FMX > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- >> buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Kelsey >> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 8:00 PM >> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Adding capacitors to lower electric bill >> >> A while back, maybe a year or two ago, there was a discussion on here >> where >> a list member had success adding a capacitor to his electric service >> which >> reduced his bill. It was debated for a while. >> >> Anyway, I am wondering if the utility company ever came and replaced the >> spinning disk meters with electronic versions, and if so, what the >> outcome >> was. >> >> Could the original poster respond either here or privately? I just today >> had >> a similar discussion with another ham who tried essentially the same >> thing >> with no success - only his was a commercial model, so it cost him >> considerably more. >> >> Chuck >> WB2EDV >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3084 - Release Date: 08/20/10 14:35:00 ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links
