Análisis costo beneficio de la corrección del factor de potencia por las sobrecargas en líneas de producción

Abstract

This thesis presents a technical–economic analysis of low power factor under overload conditions in the production lines of an industrial plant and its impact on energy efficiency, supply quality, and billing costs. The issue arises from the high reactive power demand of inductive loads (mainly motors and control equipment), which increases current, causes voltage drops, conductor heating, protection trips, and reduces the system’s available capacity. In addition, a power factor below the levels recommended by the distribution utility leads to penalties and higher costs related to reactive energy and demand. The study follows a quantitative, applied approach, using records of consumption, maximum demand, and active/reactive energy, complemented by 15-minute load profiles and performance classification by ranges according to CNEL EP criteria. Based on the diagnosis, reactive power compensation is proposed through an automatic capacitor bank with control and protection devices (anti-resonance reactors and a digital power-factor controller), aiming to improve the power factor and reduce system current. The economic analysis compares the scenario without correction versus the corrected scenario, including the total investment of the compensation system, and concludes that the implementation pays back within a reasonable period due to reduced penalties and improved operational performance. In summary, power factor correction is a viable and cost-effective solution that increases the plant’s electrical reliability and optimizes consumption-related costs.