Here are some strategies for correcting your power factor:

• Minimize operation of idling or lightly-loaded motors.
• Avoid operation of equipment above its rated voltage.
• Replace standard motors as they burn out with energy-efficient motors. Power factor is also significantly affected by variations in load. A motor must be operated near its rated capacity to get the highest power factor.
• Install capacitors in your AC circuit. (illustration below shows how capacitors can help correct your power factor)

Motor running without capacitors

. Without a capacitor, the motor is pulling reactive power from the electric grid. The more this power has to travel to reach the motor, the more it gets wasted due to losses along the way. This ultimately leads to a lower power factor and higher electricity bills when the power factor is below 95% at the facility.

Motor running with capacitors

On the other hand, an installed capacitor provides the reactive power that is needed to start up and magnetize the motor, thus eliminating the need to get it from the electric grid. Since you'll be using less electricity from the grid, you'll have a higher power factor and lower electricity bills.