The question asks us to identify which statement is NOT an advantage of power factor improvement using capacitors. Let's carefully examine each option in the context of electrical systems and power factor correction.

Power Factor Improvement Basics

Power factor is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used. It is the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA). A low power factor indicates that a significant amount of reactive power is being drawn from the source, leading to inefficiencies. Inductive loads (like motors, transformers) typically cause a lagging power factor. To improve this, capacitors are used. Capacitors supply leading reactive power, which compensates for the lagging reactive power drawn by inductive loads, thereby bringing the overall power factor closer to unity (1).

Advantages of Power Factor Improvement

When the power factor of an electrical system is improved using capacitors, several benefits arise. Let's analyze the given options:

• Total current in the system from source end is reduced: This is a major advantage. The relationship between apparent power (\(\text{S}\)), voltage (\(\text{V}\)), current (\(\text{I}\)), and power factor (\(\cos\phi\)) is given by:

  \(\text{P} = \text{V} \times \text{I} \times \cos\phi\) (for single-phase) or \(\text{P} = \sqrt{3} \times \text{V}_\text{L} \times \text{I}_\text{L} \times \cos\phi\) (for three-phase).

  For a given amount of real power (\(\text{P}\)) and voltage (\(\text{V}\)), if the power factor (\(\cos\phi\)) increases (improves), the total current (\(\text{I}\)) drawn from the source must decrease.

  \(\text{I} = \frac{\text{P}}{\text{V} \times \cos\phi}\)

  Therefore, reducing the total current drawn from the source is a direct benefit of power factor improvement. Statement 2 is an advantage.
• I\(^2\)R power losses are reduced: Since the total current (\(\text{I}\)) drawn from the source is reduced due to power factor improvement, the current flowing through the transmission lines, transformers, and other system components also decreases. The power losses in these components are primarily copper losses, which are proportional to the square of the current (\(\text{I}^2\)) multiplied by the resistance (\(\text{R}\)) of the conductor.

  \(\text{P}_\text{losses} = \text{I}^2\text{R}\)

  A reduction in current directly leads to a reduction in these \(\text{I}^2\text{R}\) losses, making the system more efficient and reducing energy waste. Statement 3 is an advantage.
• Reactive component of the network is reduced: This is the fundamental principle behind using capacitors for power factor improvement. Inductive loads consume lagging reactive power. Capacitors generate leading reactive power. By connecting capacitors in parallel with inductive loads, the leading reactive power from the capacitors cancels out a portion of the lagging reactive power drawn by the loads. This reduces the net reactive power that needs to be supplied by the source, thereby improving the power factor closer to unity. Statement 4 is an advantage.
• Voltage level at load is decreased: When the current flowing through the system's impedance (line resistance and reactance) is reduced due to power factor improvement, the voltage drop (\(\text{V}_\text{drop} = \text{I} \times \text{Z}\)) across these impedances also decreases. A smaller voltage drop means that the voltage available at the load will be higher (closer to the source voltage). Therefore, power factor improvement generally leads to an *increase* or *improvement* in the voltage level at the load, not a decrease. A decrease in voltage level at the load would be a disadvantage. Statement 1 is NOT an advantage.

Conclusion on Power Factor Benefits

Based on the analysis, the statement "Voltage level at load is decreased" is the only option that is NOT an advantage of power factor improvement using capacitors. In fact, voltage stability and level at the load typically improve.