After reading around i've seen some people running lots of lights and say they use a PF equalizer to offset there power bill. But knowing about electronics i thought i'd put this device to the test.A few weeks ago i got PFC EnergyWise-1000 unit, a 1000watt magnetic ballast and a electronic ballast. I also got a few test equipment form a old buddy of mine. I hope this helps to shed some light on actually whats happening and when to apply a PFC -Power Factor Correction as it applies to us as growers.But lets start with alittle background, all discharge lamps, such as fluorescent , High Pressure Mercury Vapour , Sodium Lamps, Metal Halide Lamps, etc., require ballasts (chokes) or transformers for their operation. These devices are inductive in nature. When a discharge lamp is switched on, it draws apparent power from the mains. This apparent power (VA) has two components; one is the active power (W) actually being consumed by the lamp for illuminating it, and the other is the reactive power (VAr) feeding the electromagnetic circuit of the control gear. Basically all thats just said is that all PFC device does is give a divice the capability of soft start, and soft stop, among other things, saving on energy costs. However after testing the 1000watt magnetic ballast with the PF equalizer connected to the circuit there was only a 1% power saving on a 48hr run cycle. Being dissapointed at the result because i had high hopes on this, i got 6 more magnetic ballast and did a 12 hr run cycle hoping i'd see a 7% reduction in power usage after having the 7 ballast running to my suprise after doing the calculations over 20 times and getting outside help. I found out that higher inductive loads didnt affect the power reduction on the circuit. I tested the PFC with the electronic ballast and have a 19% power reduction over the magnetic. The funny party about this whole thing was after removing the PFC the saving was even more. I was now getting a 25% reduction in power usage on various tries. After looking at it ..i came to find out that the theory of the Power Factor Correction only holds true for older devices. Having one of these 10 years ago would have saved you alot but with today's technology its useless for efficency compared to a electronic ballast.All they do is give you are soft start and soft stop to aviod voltage spikes. Which the new electronic ballast have intergrated with 20 times more efficency. I hope this helps to save you guy on wasting your money on the so called PF equalizer. Go get a electronic ballast, you'll get more lumens and save way more on your power bill, so you'll have more for beer.:rastasmoke:
JamaicanHerbMan Reviewed by JamaicanHerbMan on . how to keep Electricity down How do people in here keep the Electricity down? I ask cuz dont that set off an alarm to the cops or someone that can make your day really bad? Or is that not really a problem? Rating: 5