Family entertainment centers (FEC’s) and arcades use a significant amount of electricity to power games, lighting, and other equipment. Power Factor Correction (PFC) can offer several benefits for these businesses:
- Reduced Electricity Costs: Many utility companies charge penalties for a low power factor. Power Factor Correction improves the efficiency of electricity usage, reducing the reactive power component and lowering overall electricity bills.
- Improved Capacity: PFC frees up capacity on existing transformers and electrical panels. This allows the arcade to add more equipment without overloading the electrical system, which can be especially useful for expanding game offerings.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: Improved power quality from Power Factor Correction can lead to less wear and tear on electrical equipment, potentially reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of machinery.
- Reliable Power Delivery: Power Factor Correction helps to stabilize voltage fluctuations, which can be crucial for sensitive arcade games and other electronics. This can prevent unexpected shutdowns and ensure a smoother gaming experience for customers.
Here’s a breakdown of how PFC achieves these benefits:
- Power Factor: It’s the ratio of real power (used to perform work) to apparent power (total delivered by the utility). A low power factor means a larger portion of the delivered power is reactive and not used efficiently. Power Factor Correction adds circuitry that corrects this imbalance, bringing the power factor closer to 1 (ideal).
- Less Reactive Power: Power Factor Correction reduces the reactive power component in the electricity supply. This frees up capacity on transformers and allows the arcade to utilize the delivered power more effectively.
It’s important to note that implementing Power Factor Correction requires an upfront investment in equipment and installation. However, the potential cost savings on electricity bills and improved equipment performance can lead to a positive return on investment (ROI) quickly.
For a family entertainment center or arcade owner, consulting with Energy Efficiency Group can help determine if Power Factor Correction is a worthwhile investment based on their specific electrical consumption and future plans.
