What is Inductive Reactive Power?
The non-working power component drawn from the grid by magnetic-field loads such as motors, transformers and coils.
Inductive reactive power is the reactive component that magnetic-field loads (electric motors, transformers, coils, ballasts) draw from the grid in order to operate. This power does no direct work but is required for inductive loads to function, and it burdens the grid by causing additional current to be carried. Its unit is kVAr (kilovolt-ampere reactive), and its energy equivalent is kVArh.
In Turkey, if inductive reactive consumption exceeds 20% of active energy, the distribution company applies a reactive penalty. This is the most commonly exceeded limit in industrial facilities, since they are motor- and transformer-heavy. The way to balance inductive reactive power is compensation — capacitive capacitors supply the inductive reactive power.
An energy analyzer is used to measure inductive reactive consumption; the power factor (cosφ) value shows how dominant the inductive load is. A cosφ below 0.95 signals that the inductive penalty zone has been entered.
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