Power factor specialist enters the quality arena

PFC Engineering, the Essex-based power factor correction specialist, is broadening its activities to include power quality, with a special emphasis on PQ problems affecting variable speed drives. The company has set up a PQ division, headed by technical sales director Paul Mainey, who gained considerable experience of PQ issues affecting drives when he worked previously for MTE.

In part, PFC`s move is a response to the growing interest in PQ issues, especially since the introduction of the electricity industry`s G5/4 regulations last year. But PFC`s traditional power factor correction market has suffered a decline of around 30% in the past decade, largely because the new electricity tariffs introduced by the privatised electricity industry place less of a penalty on PF infringements than those in force before privatisation.

Mainey emphasises that the new division will not simply monitor sites for power quality problems, but will offer the most appropriate and cost-effective remedies for any problems uncovered. It will also hold seminars for companies affected by PQ issues, including drives manufacturers.