Power Factor Calculation 3 Phase

3-Phase Power Factor Formula:

\[ PF = \frac{P}{\sqrt{3} \times V \times I} \]

Power Factor (PF):

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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 values ranging from 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power factor formula:

\[ PF = \frac{P}{\sqrt{3} \times V \times I} \]

Where:

\( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
\( P \) — Real power (watts, W)
\( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts, V)
\( I \) — Current (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 a 3-phase electrical 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. Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor. Improving power factor can reduce energy costs and increase system capacity.

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. The calculator will return a value between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Generally, 0.95 or higher is considered good. Many utilities require industrial customers to maintain at least 0.9.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting are common causes. The more inductive the load, the lower the power factor.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to counteract inductive loads. Proper sizing of motors and transformers also helps.

Q4: What's the difference between 1-phase and 3-phase power factor?
A: The calculation differs by the √3 factor in 3-phase systems. Single-phase PF = P/(V×I).

Q5: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, theoretically power factor ranges from 0 to 1. Values above 1 indicate measurement errors or incorrect calculations.