Ernest Showalter, Sargent Oilwell Equipment
In recent years the cost of electrical energy to pump oil wells. has become a prime concern. The terms Kilowatt costs, Kilowatt demand, Fuel adjustments and Power Factor Penalties are showing up on monthly power bills. Utilities have numerous methods to influence the bills which have caused some misunderstandings of the true meaning of each of these. Power Factor and the methods to obtain a desired Power Factor may be the least understood. Power Factor may be improved by connecting capacitors to the load side of motor contractors or connected in the primary line of electrical distribution systems. This paper will be limited to the discussion of Power Factor improvement of induction motors by capacitors connected to the motor terminals.