Power Factor Correction

World-leading reactive power compensation solutions for your business.

Our world-class Power Factor Correction system will raise your business efficiency, lower your carbon footprint and reduce your risk of equipment failure. This saves your business time, energy and money. Learn more about our Power Factor promise and how we can assist you with your power factor improvement.

Why should you worry about Power Factor Correction?

Inefficient electrical systems use a large quantity of ‘reactive’ power (kVAr), representing the power lost in the operation of inductive equipment such as transformers. This invariably increases the total power load (kVA) and reduces your overall energy efficiency or ‘power factor’. 


Power factor is measured on a scale between zero and one, with 1.0 representing optimal energy efficiency. Businesses with a low power factor mean you are drawing more current than you need. This means higher capital expenditure and operating costs, resulting in higher tariff rates for customers. 


The Australian Energy Regulator allows electricity providers to penalise businesses for extra demand on the electricity grid. If your most recent power bill has a charge for kVA (kilo-volt-ampere), then your Power Factor is probably inflating your bill.


Custom Power Factor Correction Solutions

World-leading Power Factor Technology Tailored to Your Needs.


Installing a Power Factor Correction (PFC) unit is the most effective way to make long-term changes to your energy efficiency. A PFC system consists of capacitor modules and a controller that works as a buffer between your incoming power supply and your main distribution panel.


Power Factor Correction is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Quality Energy has been Australia’s leading Power Factor Correction specialist for over 30 years. We supply custom Low Voltage (LV) and High Voltage (HV) Power Factor Correction solutions. We are experts in managing projects for both LV and HV compensation. Our solutions are manufactured in our Melbourne-based facility using premium European components, and we offer service and commissioning capability to our client sites. 


The first step to Power Factor Correction is to contact our team to undertake a comprehensive Power Quality Audit of your business to determine what specifications your PFC unit will need.


Contact us

Revolutionary Power Factor Correction System built with premium European components.

Every component in a PFC unit works together to perform the work of a number of engineers 24/7 to reduce your electricity demand, monitor and collect data for analysis.


Our revolutionary designed systems are engineered with:



  • C-tick Australia standards
  • Slide out trays for easy and fast maintenance
  • No access to live terminals for safe and secure operations
  • Premium grade European components that have been proven over time to deliver greater results and reliability
  • Full segregation of heat generating harmonic blocking reactors from capacitors, critical switching and control equipment to ensure greater life expectancy for all components in power factor correction.
  • 3-year warranty on all standard systems
  • Modular units to cater for future expansion of plant or equipment
  • Online monitoring


Download Our PFC Guide

FAQs about Power Factor Correction

There are many questions about Power Factor and how Power Factor Correction can help to improve energy efficiency. Here you can find the most common questions we get. Quality Energy is here to answer your queries about Power Factor Correction. If your question is not listed below, please do not hesitate to contact our team and we would be happy to assist.

  • Where are Quality Energy's Low and High Voltage PFC solutions manufactured?

    Quality Energy's PFC systems are manufactured in our Melbourne-based manufacturing facility. 

  • Can Quality Energy service their installed solutions?

    Yes. Quality Energy has a service and commissioning capability can be deployed to our clients' sites.

  • Are the Power Factor Correction Units tested prior to delivery?

    Yes. Quality Energy conducts extensive Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) to Quality Energy’s standard test sheets, or customised to the clients' testing regime. Clients are encouraged to witness the FAT in our Melbourne facility to ensure a smooth handover.

  • Does Quality Energy use ISO9001 quality-controlled electrical components?

    Yes. All electrical, mechanical, electronic components and equipment are sourced from quality accredited suppliers.

  • What level of compliance standards do Quality Energy adhere to for their Power Factor Correction solutions?

    Quality Energy's Power Factor Correction solutions are compliant with the following standards:


    • AS31000, 
    • AS/NZS 61000,
    • AS 1306,
    • AS 2067,
    • AS1033,
    • AS1028,
    • IEC 60871,
    • AS 62271,
    • AS 1864-1976,
    • AS C135-1954
  • What is Power Factor?

    Power Factor is a measure of how efficiently the equipment on your site is using electricity. Running motors, machinery, and other equipment uses a lot of power. The electricity needed to keep things running is referred to as active power or real power and is measured in kilowatts (kW) on your electricity bill. 


    However, anything with an electric motor or transformer, including most industrial machinery, refrigeration units, air conditioning units and fluorescent lights, needs additional power to maintain the magnetic field that starts them up and keeps them running.


    This power is referred to as reactive because although it keeps equipment running, it isn’t doing the work, and much of it is considered wasted energy.


    Total power is the vectorially added total of kW (active power) and kVAr (reactive power). You pay for this in your electricity bill under the 'Demand charges' section.


    Power Factor is the ratio of real power to total power, expressed as a numerical value between 0 and 1. If your power factor is 0.7, you’re using - and being charged for - 30% more power than you should be. The closer your power factor is to 1, the more efficiently the business is consuming electricity.

  • What is Power Factor Correction?

    Power Factor Correction is the term for any equipment that compensates for reactive power and improves a site's Power Factor.

  • What causes poor Power Factor?

    The leading cause of low Power Factor is inductive loads such as electric motors, ballast lighting and transformers. In addition, inductive loads that are not used at, or near, their design capacity contribute significantly to a low Power Factor.

  • What is Reactive Power?

    Reactive power is considered  ‘Wasted Power’ as it does not perform useful work in a system. The higher the reactive power, the lower the Power Factor. Reactive power puts additional demand on the electricity network and inflates your power charges. This is represented on a power bill as 'kVA Demand'.

  • How do I improve my Power Factor?

    By installing a Quality Energy Power Factor Correction unit.


    Quality Energy can assist in designing and manufacturing a Power Factor Correction unit to cater to your site's energy profile. This is achieved by providing the reactive current your system requires, thereby reducing the total amount of power your site must draw from the network. 

  • How much can I save by installing a Power Factor Correction Unit?

    Power Factor Correction provides many benefits such as reduced electricity utility bills, increased system capacity, improved voltage and reduced losses.


    For example, a client's manufacturing plant sought to improve its Power Factor with a Power Factor Correction unit. This particular site had a low Power Factor of 0.82, so it had a big opportunity to save! By installing a Quality Energy Power Factor Correction unit, the site's Power Factor improved to 1. This resulted in a demand reduction of 18%, offering a return on investment (ROI) of 23 months.



  • Custom-Built Power Factor Correction Unit for David Moss Corporation Damos

    Custom-Built Power Factor Correction Unit for David Moss Corporation Damos

    David Moss Corporation, a top manufacturer and supplier of PE and PVC pipe and fittings, as well as underground ventilation systems for both Australian and international markets, benefited from the installation of custom-built Power Factor Correction units by Quality Energy. These units improved Power Factor and addressed higher levels of harmonic pollution.
  • Two-pronged Approach to Energy Efficiency for Visy Industries Paper Mill

    Two-pronged Approach to Energy Efficiency for Visy Industries Paper Mill

    Quality Energy has been supporting Visy Industries to reduce their electrical demand (kVA) for over 20 years. Our team deployed Power Factor Correction equipment and Active Harmonic Filter to mitigate harmonics-related outages and lagging power factor.
  • Improve Cost and Energy Efficiency for Kellogg's Australia

    Improve Cost and Energy Efficiency for Kellogg's Australia

    Quality Energy was tasked with reducing Kellogg's electricity demand charges while optimising their production's energy efficiency via Power Factor Correction equipment.
  • Improving Power Factor and reduce energy cost for Newscorp.

    Improving Power Factor and reduce energy cost for Newscorp.

    Quality Energy has a long and proud history of working at Newscorp’s major print centres around the country. As soon as Energex changed the demand tariffs in South East Queensland, we helped identify the ample savings opportunity for Newscorp's Brisbane Print Centre.
  • Custom Design Power Factor Correction for Covino Farms

    Custom Design Power Factor Correction for Covino Farms

    Quality Energy was engaged to design and manufacture a Power Factor Correction system for Covino Farms to improve their Power Factor and reduce their electricity bill. The proposed solution would need to fit in a tight space and withstand heat stress.
  • Energy efficiency upgrades for Laminex

    Energy efficiency upgrades for Laminex

    Recent changes in Laminex’s billing structure along with rising energy cost were the catalysts for Laminex’s decision to explore all options available to reduce their electricity cost.
  • Reducing Excess Demand Charges for Qantas’ Catering Sites.

    Reducing Excess Demand Charges for Qantas’ Catering Sites.

    Quality Energy's partnership with Qantas began in 2016 and we have worked on various Qantas' sites in Sydney and Melbourne airports to improve their energy efficiency via our Power Quality Management solutions.
  • Resolve Voltage Surges & Unplanned Lift Outages for Rialto

    Resolve Voltage Surges & Unplanned Lift Outages for Rialto

    Quality Energy helped Rialto Towers improve their Power Quality to meet the Energy Authority regulations and reduce unplanned lift outages.
  • Managing energy efficiency and operation requirements for drilling oil rig.

    Managing energy efficiency and operation requirements for drilling oil rig.

    Quality Energy was given the task of improving the power factor of a land rig, which required more drilling power than the generators installed could provide. Quality Energy have been carrying out Power Quality Improvements for Oil and Gas sector for over 15 years.

What our customers say

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  • Testimonial from Rupe Virk, Head of Projects Jalplas

    In early 2020 our site in Thomastown was experiencing power quality issues that was affecting our critical manufacturing equipment. After contacting Quality Energy and having them conduct a Power Quality study, it was determined we required a 200A Active Harmonic Filter to help eliminate our harmonic pollution and protect our entire infostructure. Quality Energy designed, installed and now maintain our Active Harmonic Filter and we have had a clean bill of health since the installation took place.


    Rupe Virk

    Head of Projects Jalplas

    View case study
  • Testimonial from Chris James, Kurv Living

    In June 2020, Kurv Living were faced with several power outages due to the quality of the power entering our manufacturing facility. After completing extensive Power Quality diagnostics, Quality Energy determined that we had high harmonic levels that were causing our critical machinery to shut down. Quality Energy then installed a 200Amp Active Harmonic Filter in September of the same year and we haven’t had any issues since.


    Chris James

    Kurv Living

    View case study

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