Free tool
Reactive energy check and power factor correction calculator (Turkey)
Enter the active, inductive and capacitive values from your bill to see whether the EPDK limits trigger a reactive charge, your power factor, and the compensation needed for a target cos φ.
Result
–
–
–
–
–
Limits from the EPDK tariff application rules, Article 13 and Annex 1 (Resmî Gazete 30.04.2022, no. 31825). The reactive unit price depends on the tariff table, so no charge amount is calculated.
Method
Inductive ratio = inductive kVArh ÷ active kWh and Capacitive ratio = capacitive kVArh ÷ active kWh. Ratios are per billing period and are compared with the limits for the user group. The regulation says "exceeding": a ratio exactly at the limit is not charged.
| User | Inductive limit | Capacitive limit |
|---|---|---|
| Installed power 50 kVA and above | 20 % | 15 % |
| Installed power below 50 kVA | 33 % | 20 % |
| Residential, lighting, single-phase, installed power ≤ 15 kW | Reactive tariff does not apply | |
Above a limit, the reactive tariff applies to the whole measured reactive value; if both limits are exceeded, to the larger one. The charge for the first violation in a calendar year is shown on the bill and deducted on the same bill. For readings longer than 35 days the charge is limited to 35 days. The calculator checks the draw direction only; Annex 1 has a separate feed-in rule for generators.
Compensation: cos φ1 = kWh ÷ √(kWh² + kVArh²), P = kWh ÷ operating hours, Q = P × (tan φ1 − tan φ2). The 20 % inductive limit is tan φ = 0.20, or cos φ ≈ 0.981; the 33 % limit is cos φ ≈ 0.950. This is a first sizing from period averages. A real panel is chosen from the load profile, number of steps, harmonics and the transformer's no-load reactive power.
Example: a factory above 50 kVA has 120,000 kWh active, 36,000 kVArh inductive and 9,000 kVArh capacitive energy on its monthly bill. The inductive ratio of 30.0 % exceeds the 20 % limit; the capacitive ratio of 7.5 % is within its limit. The whole 36,000 kVArh of inductive energy is charged for this period; to stay within the limit, inductive energy could have been at most 24,000 kVArh. The average power factor is 0.958. Over 500 operating hours the average power is 240 kW, and a target of cos φ 0.99 needs about 37.8 kVAr of additional compensation.
Sources
- EPDK, Tariff application rules for distribution licence holders and designated supply companies (Dağıtım Lisansı Sahibi Tüzel Kişiler ve Görevli Tedarik Şirketlerinin Tarife Uygulamalarına İlişkin Usul ve Esaslar; first published Resmî Gazete 31.12.2015, no. 29579, 4th repeated issue), Article 13 and Annex 1, as replaced by EPDK Board decision 10961 of 28.04.2022: Resmî Gazete 30.04.2022, no. 31825 (in force on publication; Turkish).
- EPDK, Electricity tariff application rules (Turkish): current consolidated text ("Son Hali"), Article 13 with the same limits. Last checked 24.10.2026.
The reactive unit price is published in EPDK's tariff tables and changes from period to period; for the charge amount, use the unit price on your bill. Regulations change; for the binding rule, check with your distribution company and the current EPDK text.
Seeing reactive energy before the bill
The bill arrives once a month; a compensation fault starts on day one. Monitoring inductive and capacitive ratios continuously from energy analyzers gives a warning before a limit is crossed. See energy monitoring and machine data collection. All tools are on the tools page.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
What are the reactive energy limits in Turkey?
Under Article 13 of EPDK's tariff application rules, users with installed power of 50 kVA and above pay a reactive charge if inductive reactive energy exceeds 20 % of active energy or capacitive reactive energy exceeds 15 %. Below 50 kVA the limits are 33 % inductive and 20 % capacitive. Residential, lighting, single-phase users and installed power up to and including 15 kW are exempt.
How is the reactive ratio calculated?
Reactive energy (kVArh) in a billing period is divided by active energy (kWh) in the same period. With 120,000 kWh active and 36,000 kVArh inductive, the ratio is 36,000 ÷ 120,000 = 30 %. For a user of 50 kVA and above that exceeds the 20 % limit.
If a limit is exceeded, how much is charged?
The reactive tariff applies to the whole measured reactive value, not only the part above the limit. If both limits are exceeded, it applies to the larger value. The charge for the first violation in a calendar year is shown on the bill and deducted on the same bill; later violations are charged in full.
How do you size power factor correction?
The capacitor power needed is Q = P × (tan φ1 − tan φ2). P is the average active power (kWh ÷ operating hours), tan φ1 is inductive kVArh ÷ kWh from the bill, and tan φ2 is the tangent of the target power factor. At 240 kW average with tan φ1 = 0.30, a target of cos φ 0.99 needs Q = 240 × (0.300 − 0.142) ≈ 37.8 kVAr.
Why would I get a capacitive charge?
Exceeding the capacitive limit means the site is over-compensated: when load drops (nights, weekends, stoppages) fixed capacitors that stay on feed capacitive energy into the grid. Check the reactive power controller step settings, fixed capacitors and the no-load compensation of the transformer.
Next step
Let’s turn your goal into a clear engineering scope.
Tell us about your plant, your machines and your goal. An integration engineer will set up a discovery call with you.
