Power Factor Correction Calculator

Size capacitors to correct power factor and reduce demand charges.

Load Power (kW)

Current Power Factor Decimal (0.1 to 1.0)

Target Power Factor Typically 0.90 to 0.98

System Voltage

Phase

Power Factor Correction Formula

Required kVAR:


                            kVAR = kW x (tan(arccos(PF1)) - tan(arccos(PF2)))

Where PF1 = current power factor, PF2 = target power factor

Benefits of Power Factor Correction

Reduced Utility Bills

Avoid power factor penalties that can add 10-30% to your electric bill. Many utilities require PF > 0.90.

Increased Capacity

Release transformer and cable capacity. Improving from 0.7 to 0.95 PF can free up 26% of system capacity.

Reduced Losses

Lower I2R losses in conductors. Reducing current by 26% reduces losses by approximately 45%.

Important: Do not overcorrect power factor above 1.0 (leading PF). This can cause voltage rise and resonance issues. Target 0.95-0.98 for optimal results.

kVAR Multiplier Table

Multiply kW by this factor to find kVAR needed.

From PF	To 0.85	To 0.90	To 0.95	To 0.98	To 1.00
0.60	0.713	0.849	1.005	1.130	1.333
0.65	0.549	0.685	0.840	0.966	1.169
0.70	0.400	0.536	0.692	0.817	1.020
0.75	0.262	0.398	0.553	0.679	0.882
0.80	0.130	0.266	0.421	0.547	0.750
0.85	-	0.135	0.291	0.417	0.620
0.90	-	-	0.156	0.281	0.484