The influence of reactive flow by electronic loads in electricity billing system

This paper analyzes the use of a set of electronic loads, specifically tubular and compact fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts to offset the reactive excess of an inductive load, as well as its possible impact on existing rules of charging. In laboratory measurements using CFLs was observed a capacitive reactive power flow to the source. When added in parallel to a bank of inductors, the power factor was offset by reactive lamps. In measurements made in the field on a bus comprising tubular fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts, also was found capacitive reactive flow toward the source. Using the software ATP Draw was modeled a set of compact fluorescent lamps which confirmed the results found in the laboratory. In this work was analyzed whether this capacitive reactive flow generated by electronic loads can be beneficial or detrimental to the charging system, depending on the time of day that the electronic charge is triggered.