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| Edward H. Cowern, P.E.
We are proud to present The Cowern Papers by Edward H. Cowern online for the first time. Click here for a view of the full list of subjects featured on our site. For more information about this distinguished author, please click on his name above. |
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Hi Chuck,
I work in the controls industry and I have a customer with computer monitors on the opposite side of a wall that has ABB drives mounted to it. His monitors are going crazy,and he asked what his options were.
See the rest of this question and Chuck's responce. |
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FACTORS THAT DETERMINE INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC BILLS
A good deal of confusion exists regarding the factors that determine an industrial electric bill. The following information is presented to help sort out the various items on which billing is based, and to offer suggestions on measures to help control and reduce electric utility bills.
Three basic factors and an optional item determine an industrial power bill. They are:
1 - Kilowatt hour consumption
2 - Fuel charge adjustments
3 - Kilowatt demand
4 - Power factor penalty (if any)
KILOWATT HOURS
The first of these is the easiest to understand since it is one that we are familiar with based on our experience at home. Kilowatt hour consumption is the measure of the electrical energy that has been used during the billing period, without any regard to when or how it is used. In most cases, it is determined on a monthly basis by taking the accumulated kilowatt hour readings from the dial of a conventional kilowatt hour meter.
FUEL CHARGE ADJUSTMENT
Fuel charge adjustment, which is relatively new, is an adjustment factor determined monthly. It is based on the cost of the fuel used to produce power during a given month. For example, in areas where water power is plentiful in the Spring, the contribution of water power might be great and its cost low. Thus, in the Spring of the year, a downward adjustment might be made in fuel cost. In other instances, and at other times of the year, a utility may find it necessary to burn large quantities of high priced imported oil to meet their requirements. When this occurs, there would be an upward adjustment of the fuel cost charge. Fuel charge adjustments are usually based on a unit charge per kilowatt hour.
TABLE 1
CONSERVATION ACTION/RESULTS CHART
SAVINGS POSSIBILITY
| EQUIPMENT OR ACTION |
ENERGY
(KW HRS) |
FUEL COST ADJ. |
DEMAND KW |
POWER
FACTOR |
| REDUCED LIGHT LEVELS |
REDUCED |
REDUCED |
REDUCED |
NEGLIGIBLE |
MORE EFFICIENT
LIGHT SOURCE |
REDUCED |
REDUCED |
REDUCED |
NEGLIGIBLE |
ENERGY EFFICIENT
MOTORS |
REDUCED |
REDUCED |
REDUCED |
MODEST
IMPROVEMENT |
| PROPER SIZING OF MOTORS |
MODEST
REDUCTION |
MODEST
REDUCTION |
MODEST
REDUCTION |
REASONABLE
IMPROVEMENT |
| DEMAND CONTROL |
SLIGHT
REDUCTION |
SLIGHT
REDUCTION |
SUBSTANTIAL
REDUCTION |
NEGLIGIBLE |
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