Advantage and Disadvantage of of static capacitor on power factor improving

Advantage and Disadvantage of of static capacitor on power factor improving

The principle of operation of static capacitor on power factor improving .

The power factor can be improved by connecting capacitors in parallel with the equipment operating at lagging power factor. The capacitor (generally known as static capacitor) draws a leading current and partly or completely neutralizes the lagging reactive component of load current. This raises the power factor of the load. For three-phase loads, the capacitors can be connected in delta or star as shown below. Static capacitors are invariably used for power factor improvement in factories.

The following are advantage of static capacitor on power factor improving 

1. They have low losses.
2. They require little maintenance as there are no rotating parts.
3. They can be easily installed as they are light and require no foundation.
4. They can work under ordinary atmospheric conditions.

The following are disadvantage of static capacitor on power factor improving 

1. They have short service life ranging from 8 to 10 years.
2. They are easily damaged if the voltage exceeds the rated value.
3. Once the capacitors are damaged, their repair is uneconomical.