npower can advise on equipment to help reduce or even eliminate reactive power charges.
Some Distribution Network Operators (who own and manage the electricity distribution cables) have introduced charges for Reactive Power consumption.
These Reactive Power charges can be reduced or eliminated by installing Power Factor Correction equipment at your site. If you’d like an advisor to arrange an assessment through our provider, please call 0845 070 9494*.
For more information on Reactive Power charges please browse the links below:
- What is Reactive Power?
- Why is Reactive Power consumption charged?
- How can Reactive Power charges be reduced?
What is Reactive Power?
Not all power used by electrical equipment is 'useful', i.e. it is not used by the equipment to create outputs. Reactive Power is a measure of this 'unproductive power'.
In most electrical circuits, Reactive Power comes from the creation of an electro-magnetic field necessary in motors and transformers. This impedes the electrical current, causing Reactive Power to be required. For a full explanation please see our Guide to Reactive Power (pdf document), or the following analogy helps explain reactive power in simple terms:
Imagine a horse pulling a barge along a canal. The horse is pulling the barge from the towpath, as he cannot stand directly in front of the barge. Some of the force on the towrope is ‘useful’, i.e. it is pulling the barge forwards along the canal. However, some of the force is pulling the barge in towards the canal bank and not in the direction the barge is travelling. This sideways force is unproductive. Reactive Power can also be thought of as ‘unproductive’ or ‘useless’ power.
Why is Reactive Power consumption charged?
If a site has high Reactive Power, more current has to flow to provide the same output. This means more capacity has to be provided, potentially increasing costs for the Distribution Network Operator.
How can these charges be reduced?
Given Reactive Power arises from the electrical properties of equipment on site, further equipment can be added to amend the electrical properties and reduce or eliminate Reactive Power charges. This is known as Power Factor Correction equipment.
npower business can provide the expertise to assess the need for Power Factor Correction equipment and arrange the smooth installation of equipment. Just call 0845 070 9494*.
