What type of equipment operates on the principle of power factor correction?

The correct answer, a capacitor bank, operates on the principle of power factor correction by providing reactive power to the electrical system. In electrical systems, the power factor is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being converted into usable work output. A low power factor indicates that the electrical system is not using power efficiently and could result in higher energy costs and increased losses in the distribution system.

Capacitor banks help to improve the power factor by supplying reactive power, which counteracts the inductive loads present in many electrical systems, such as motors and transformers. When these inductive loads draw power, they may cause the voltage and current to be out of phase, leading to a lower power factor. By introducing capacitor banks into the system, they can “offset” some of this inductive demand, bringing the voltage and current closer together in phase and thereby increasing the power factor toward unity (1.0), which represents more efficient operation.

Synchronous generators do have a role in providing reactive power, but they primarily function as a source of electrical power and are often used to stabilize the grid. Voltage regulators maintain consistent voltage levels but do not primarily focus on power factor correction. Transformers are essential for changing voltage levels but also do not directly engage in power factor