I'm watching a thread on a machinist's forum where several people are claiming that when they run large (15+HP) Rotary Phase Converters in their home shops, it actually cuts their power bill. Some even claim that it makes their power meter run in reverse!
Q1.A. Assuming an old-style rotating disk meter, is this really possible? I understand the difference between real and apparent power, and why a large inductive load might appear lesser than it really is, but given an already present constant load from the house, would adding a RPC possibly decrease the power bill for the whole house/system?
Q1.B. What about for smart meter? Do those have PF correction built in?
Q2. If this is confirmed, how much of this can you "get away with" at a residential address before the power company starts to take notice?
Q1.A. Assuming an old-style rotating disk meter, is this really possible? I understand the difference between real and apparent power, and why a large inductive load might appear lesser than it really is, but given an already present constant load from the house, would adding a RPC possibly decrease the power bill for the whole house/system?
Q1.B. What about for smart meter? Do those have PF correction built in?
Q2. If this is confirmed, how much of this can you "get away with" at a residential address before the power company starts to take notice?