1. What is Power Factor?

Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of real power (measured in watts) to apparent power (measured in volt-amperes) in an AC electrical system. It indicates how effectively electrical power is being used, with a range from 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power factor formula:

Where:

• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( P \) — Real power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much of the apparent power is actually doing real work in the system.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: A high power factor (close to 1) indicates efficient power usage, while a low power factor means poor utilization of electrical power, which can lead to higher costs and system inefficiencies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter real power in watts, line-to-line voltage in volts, and current in amperes. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Ideally 1.0, but values above 0.95 are generally considered good. Values below 0.85 may incur penalties from utilities.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting that create reactive power.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: By adding power factor correction capacitors that offset the inductive reactance.

Q4: Is power factor different for single-phase vs three-phase?
A: The concept is the same, but the calculation differs (no √3 factor in single-phase).

Q5: Why is power factor important for industrial users?
A: Many utilities charge penalties for low power factor, as it increases current and losses in distribution systems.