What are the drawbacks of low power factor?

Higher current is required by the equipment, due to which the economic cost of the equipment is increased. At low power factor, the current is high which gives rise to high copper losses in the system and therefore the efficiency of the system is reduced.

In Points

• Cross section of conductor increases: As power factor reduces current increases, cross section of conductor increases. Hence its cost increases
• Weight of conductor increases: As cross section of conductor increases its weight increases.
• Design of supporting structure: As weight of conductor increases design of supporting structure becomes heavier, so its cost increases.
• Energy bill (KWH) increases: So at low P.F. energy consumption increases so energy bill increases.So at low P.F. KVA demand (M.D. charges) increases so energy bill increases.
• Handling Capacity of equipment reduces: Handling capacity (KW) of each equipment such as Alternator, transformer reduces as power factor reduces.
• Design of supporting structure: As weight of conductor increases design of supporting structure becomes heavier, so its cost increases.
• Copper losses increases: As power factor reduces current increases. So copper losses increases. As an effect efficiency reduces.
• Voltage drop increases: As P.F. reduces current increases. Therefore voltage drop increases, so regulation becomes poor.
• High KVA rating of equipment required: As power factor decreases KVA rating of all equipments increases, so that its cost increases.