Without capacitors, would customers need to invest in larger or smaller bus for their equipment?

The correct choice is larger. Without capacitors in an electrical system, there is a lack of reactive power compensation. Capacitors are used to improve the power factor, which helps in reducing the amount of reactive power that must be generated and managed in the system. This means that without capacitors, a facility would require more power to operate its equipment effectively, leading to increased demand on the electrical infrastructure.

When the power factor is poor—meaning that there's more reactive power than necessary—sizeable adjustments to the system’s infrastructure, such as bus bars, must be made to handle the increased load and reduce the risk of overheating or failure. Consequently, larger bus bars would be necessary to safely accommodate the increased electrical currents resulting from insufficient power factor correction.

In essence, the absence of capacitors leads to higher demands for current in the system, thereby necessitating a larger bus size to ensure reliable and safe operation of electrical equipment. This consideration is vital for maintaining efficiency and safety within electrical installations.