How do I calculate Power Factor Correction (Capacitor Bank)?

To calculate Power Factor Correction (Capacitor Bank): Enter Apparent power S, Current power factor, Target power factor and other values. Click Calculate. INDUGRID computes the result instantly using the formula: Qc [kVAr] = P × (tan φ₁ − tan φ₂) | C [µF] = Qc × 10⁶ / (2π × f × U²). No registration required.

What units does the Power Factor Correction (Capacitor Bank) calculator use?

The Power Factor Correction (Capacitor Bank) calculator uses the following units: kVA, V, Hz. SI units are used by default.

Electrical Engineering

Power Factor Correction (Capacitor Bank)

Calculate reactive power compensation and required capacitor bank size to improve power factor from current to target value.

Units:

in LinkedIn

💡Grid operators typically penalise power factors below 0.90. Improving cos φ from 0.75 to 0.95 reduces apparent current by 21%, cutting cable losses and transformer loading significantly. Use detuned capacitor banks (filter reactors) to avoid resonance with harmonics.

Qc [kVAr] = P × (tan φ₁ − tan φ₂) | C [µF] = Qc × 10⁶ / (2π × f × U²)

Input

Apparent power S iTotal apparent power of the installation in kVA. S = U × I.

kVA

Current power factor iCurrent power factor of the installation (measured or from utility bill).

Target power factor iDesired power factor after compensation. Recommended: 0.95–0.98.

Line voltage iThree-phase line voltage in Volts.

Frequency iNetwork frequency: 50 Hz (Europe) or 60 Hz (US/Canada).

Result

Active power P [kW] —

Current reactive power Q₁ [kVAr] —

Target reactive power Q₂ [kVAr] —

Compensation required Qc [kVAr] —

Capacitor per phase (Δ) [µF] —

Current reduction [%] —