Consider the following statements regarding Power Factor improvement:1.Improving the power factor reduces the kVA demand of the plant.2.Capacitors should be installed as close to the inductive load as possible to reduce line losses.3.A high power factor increases the current flowing through the transmission lines for the same kW load.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A - 1 and 2 only

Quick Concept Explanation

For a fixed real-power load and supply voltage, poor power factor requires higher current. Raising power factor with shunt capacitors or an over-excited synchronous machine reduces kVA demand, line current and I²R losses and generally improves voltage regulation. Key relation: Single phase: I=P/(V·PF). Three phase: I=P/(√3 V_L·PF).

Exam focus: For the same kW, current is inversely proportional to power factor. Common trap: Capacitors supply leading reactive power; they do not supply lagging VARs.

Statement-wise Verification

• Statement 1 - Correct.
  Improving the power factor reduces the kVA demand of the plant.
  Raising power factor with shunt capacitors or an over-excited synchronous machine reduces kVA demand, line current and I²R losses and generally improves voltage regulation.
• Statement 2 - Correct.
  Capacitors should be installed as close to the inductive load as possible to reduce line losses.
  Compensation should be placed close to the inductive load when practical so reactive current does not travel through upstream conductors.
• Statement 3 - Incorrect.
  A high power factor increases the current flowing through the transmission lines for the same kW load.
  For fixed kW and voltage, higher power factor reduces current

Core Concept

For a fixed real-power load and supply voltage, poor power factor requires higher current. Raising power factor with shunt capacitors or an over-excited synchronous machine reduces kVA demand, line current and I²R losses and generally improves voltage regulation. Compensation should be placed close to the inductive load when practical so reactive current does not travel through upstream conductors.

Formula / Key Relationship

Single phase: I=P/(V·PF). Three phase: I=P/(√3 V_L·PF).

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option B is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 1. Option C is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 1, 2. Option D is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3.

Exam Shortcut / Approach

For the same kW, current is inversely proportional to power factor.

Common Mistake

Capacitors supply leading reactive power; they do not supply lagging VARs.

Quick Revision

kVA Demand Capacitor Location and Line Current is linked with Power Factor Improvement, Electrical Energy Efficiency and Energy Management. For the same kW, current is inversely proportional to power factor.