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 converted into useful work output.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power factor formula for three-phase systems:

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)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio between the actual power being used (P) and the apparent power that's being drawn from the source (√3 × V × I).

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 increased energy costs and system inefficiencies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the motor's power in watts, line-to-line voltage in volts, and current in amperes. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the power factor between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Ideally, power factor should be as close to 1 as possible. Values above 0.95 are considered good, while below 0.85 may require power factor correction.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor because it increases current flow and energy losses in distribution systems.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be installed to reduce reactive power and improve the power factor.

Q4: Does this formula work for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase systems use \( PF = P / (V \times I) \) instead.

Q5: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads (like motors, transformers) that create phase difference between voltage and current cause low power factor.