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Product category: Electrical hardware
News Release from: ABB Power Technologies | Subject: Power factor correction equipment
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 28 April 2006

Power factor correction cuts the cost of
Bling

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ABB PFC technology has enabled the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool to make optimum use of its existing power supply and reduce the running costs of its new ride.

ABB PFC technology has enabled the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool to make optimum use of its existing power supply and reduce the running costs of its new ride Pleasure Beach, Blackpool's spectacular new ride takes its name from the world of pop culture, "Bling"

The white-knuckle ride takes people for a 100km/h speed spin in three different directions at up to 30m above the ground.

It demands considerable amounts of power, and the owners of the park looked to ABB to help them deliver the electricity required without having to undertake a total upgrade to the power network supplying the Pleasure Beach.

The Bling ride places a big demand on the three-phase power network serving one of the world's greatest entertainment parks.

The ride was expected to draw around 1400A per phase.

With the installation of ABB's power factor correction equipment the supply current needed was reduced to 1200A per phase which, in turn, has meant that the power needed to operate the ride was cut by approximately 25%.

The power factor correction installation consists of one bank of capacitors totalling 300kVAr.

With total energy savings running at up to GBP 2000 per month during the peak season the ABB equipment is expected to pay for itself in less than three years.

ABB not only provided the power factor correction equipment, it also installed a new transformer and switchboard control, as well as making the connection to the electricity network, which involved liaising with the local distribution network operator (DNO), United Utilities.

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