Posted 18 October 2002 - 08:48 PM
Marke,
This is what I suspected, I am working with manufacturer who builds combined heat and power systems using natural gas/propane fuel industrial engines to drive an induction motor. Their control system monitors voltage, amperage and calculates kW with a fixed power factor # of .9 (they can adjust this value). We tested the generator while running with a portable kW meter (3 phase) and we measured .83-.84 power factor or 140kW compared to their reading of 147kW. The mfg. stated, "well the power factor at the site will probably be around .9, therefore we set the power factor number in the monitoring system to match the site power factor.
This does not make sense as the kW of the generator would change from location to location if this was true, secondly, the heat rate (btu/kW) would also change from site to site. Can you recommend any documents that I can print and send to this manufacturer? They are deceiving their customers and appear to be uneducated in the measurement and effects of magnitizing currents, iron losses, copper losses, etc. etc.
Thanks for your feedback. Do you CHP in New Zealand?;c;;c;