Power Factor Correction in Preston
Walker Electrical Developments installs Power Factor Correction equipment for industrial and commercial businesses across Preston and the PR2 area. Poor power factor is a common problem at sites with significant motor, drive, or reactive load, and it costs money directly through reactive energy charges from electricity suppliers and indirectly through oversized distribution equipment. Our NICEIC registered engineers assess your site's power factor, calculate the correction required, and install the right equipment to bring your power factor into an acceptable range.
More Information
Understanding Why Power Factor Matters to Your Business
Power factor is a measure of how efficiently your electrical installation uses the electricity it draws. A low power factor means your installation is drawing more current than it needs to deliver the actual working power consumed. This costs money in reactive charges on your electricity bill and creates additional loading on cables, distribution boards, and transformers. For industrial businesses in Preston with significant electrical loads, improving power factor has a real and measurable impact on running costs.
Site Assessment and Correct Specification
Power factor correction equipment must be correctly specified to be effective. The required correction capacity depends on the existing power factor, the nature of the loads causing the poor power factor, and the target power factor. Our engineers carry out a site power factor assessment, analyse the load profile across the site, and specify correction equipment that achieves the target power factor under the full range of operating conditions. Overcorrecting is as problematic as undercorrecting, and we size the system correctly.
Installation With Minimal Disruption
Power factor correction equipment is typically installed at the main distribution point of the electrical installation, connected directly to the main distribution board or switchboard. Installation requires a planned outage for the connection works. Our engineers plan and carry out the installation efficiently, minimising the duration of any supply interruption. The equipment is fully tested and verified after installation, and we carry out a follow-up assessment to confirm that the target power factor has been achieved in real operating conditions.
ABOUT US
Walker Electrical Developments was founded 25 years ago to serve the industrial and commercial electrical needs of businesses across Preston and Lancashire. From day one, we made a deliberate decision to focus exclusively on industrial and commercial work. That focus has shaped everything we do. Our electricians and engineers are experienced in environments that general contractors rarely encounter, including high-voltage distribution systems, motor drive installations, PLC control panels, and large-scale factory rewires. We are NICEIC registered and committed to delivering work that is safe, documented, and fully compliant.
NICEIC registered on every project
25 years of industrial and commercial electrical experience
Specialists in Preston, Blackburn, Lancaster and the wider PR2 area
Full public liability insurance on all works
Free, no-obligation quotes for all commercial and industrial projects
We carried out a power factor correction project for a plastics manufacturing company in the Leyland area, whose electricity bills had been consistently penalised for poor power factor due to a large population of older AC motors running without any reactive compensation. After installing an automatically switched capacitor bank sized to the site's load profile, the reactive charges on their electricity account were eliminated within the first billing period.
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my business in Preston has a poor power factor?
The clearest sign of a poor power factor is a reactive charge or kVAr charge appearing on your electricity bill. You may also notice high current readings that seem disproportionate to your apparent energy consumption. Walker Electrical Developments can carry out a power factor assessment at your Preston premises to give you a clear picture of your current power factor and the savings available from correction.
How much can power factor correction save my business in Preston?
The saving from power factor correction depends on your current power factor, your total electrical load, and how your energy supplier calculates reactive charges. For industrial businesses in Preston with significant motor loads, savings can be substantial. Walker Electrical Developments provides a free power factor assessment so you can make an informed decision before committing to any equipment.
Does power factor correction equipment require much maintenance at a commercial site in Preston?
Modern power factor correction equipment is generally low maintenance. The capacitor banks and automatic switching controllers are designed for long service life with minimal intervention. We recommend an annual inspection as part of your electrical maintenance programme. Walker Electrical Developments can include power factor correction equipment in your ongoing maintenance schedule.
OUR REVIEWS
Turned up on time, did the job, left the place tidy - couldn't ask for more.
Fair price, great work, will use again
Highly recommend, professional from start to finish.
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SERVICE AREAS
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Address: 33 Newton Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, UK