Freeing capacity at a Free State broiler house.
A large Free State broiler house was operating perilously close to its Eskom supply limit, with frequent breaker trips threatening business continuity. With no more capacity available from Eskom, Augos installed a Power Factor Correction system sized to the site's load, cutting maximum demand and freeing headroom within the existing limit. The trips stopped, operations stabilised, and equipment stress fell.
- The site was hitting its Eskom limit, with frequent breaker trips.
- No additional capacity was available from Eskom.
- A correctly sized PFC system cut maximum demand and freed headroom.
- Trips stopped, operations stabilised and equipment stress fell.
The Eskom capacity challenge in the Free State
In the heart of the Free State, a prominent broiler house faced a critical challenge: insufficient electrical capacity from Eskom. The facility was operating perilously close to its maximum supply, and frequent breaker trips disrupted operations and threatened business continuity for the entire agri-processing site.
The client had explored various options to secure additional Eskom capacity without success, a common bottleneck for industrial users in the region. The constant tripping caused disruptive downtime and risked damage to vital, temperature-sensitive equipment.
The Augos solution: PFC for peak demand control
Recognising the urgent need, Augos proposed a targeted Power Factor Correction system. PFC improves the power factor of an electrical system, which enhances efficiency and, critically, optimises the use of available capacity without expensive infrastructure changes.
Augos assessed the broiler house's unique operational load and implemented a tailored PFC system to address the specific challenge of capacity limitation.
Results and benefits: gaining available capacity
The installation delivered rapid, tangible benefits:
- Business continuity: the constant breaker trips became a thing of the past, securing the production schedule.
- Reduced maximum demand: lower kVA created headroom, letting the client operate comfortably within the existing Eskom limit.
- Decreased equipment load: a more efficient use of power reduced stress on capital equipment and extended its life.
- Lower costs and risk: addressing the root cause cut the maintenance costs tied to frequent trips and equipment failures.
What was the problem at the broiler house?
The site was operating perilously close to its Eskom supply limit, with frequent breaker trips that disrupted operations and threatened business continuity for the whole agri-processing facility.
Why couldn't they just get more capacity from Eskom?
They had explored options to secure additional Eskom capacity without success, a common bottleneck for industrial users in the region. A different approach was needed.
How does power factor correction create capacity?
PFC improves the site's power factor, which reduces the maximum demand (kVA) drawn for the same real work. That instantly frees headroom within the existing supply, with no expensive infrastructure upgrade.
What were the results?
The breaker trips stopped, operations stabilised, maximum demand fell, and reduced electrical stress extended equipment life and lowered the risk of failures.
Could this work for another site near its capacity limit?
Yes. Any commercial or industrial site running close to its supply limit can often free usable capacity through correctly sized power factor correction, rather than a costly utility upgrade.
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