USCG Exam PracticeAC circuits and theory
The shipboard electrical plant is operating at a lagging power factor of 0.70. Which corrective action will restore the power factor toward unity?
- A. Increase the governor speed setting on the running alternator.
- ✓ Connect capacitor banks to the distribution bus or overexcite a synchronous machine.Correct
- C. Reduce field current on the running alternator to lower terminal voltage.
- D. Add inductive loads to the bus to balance the reactive power.
Why B is correct
A lagging power factor results from inductive loads. Adding capacitance or overexciting a synchronous machine introduces leading reactive current that cancels the lagging reactive component, raising the power factor toward unity. Increasing governor speed affects real power output, not power factor. (NEETS Mod. 2 §4-2)
Cited:NEETS Mod. 2 §4-2