1. What is Power Factor?

Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of real power (P) to apparent power (S) in an AC electrical system. It measures how effectively electrical power is being used, with a value between 0 and 1.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Power Factor formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real power in Watts (W)
• \( S \) — Apparent power in Volt-Amperes (VA)
• \( PF \) — Power Factor (unitless, 0 to 1)

Explanation: Power Factor indicates the phase difference between voltage and current in AC circuits. A PF of 1 means all power is being effectively used, while lower values indicate inefficiency.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power Factor is crucial for energy efficiency, electrical system capacity planning, and reducing power losses. Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor in industrial settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter real power in Watts and apparent power in Volt-Amperes. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will automatically limit the result to 1 (maximum possible power factor).

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. Below 0.85 is typically poor and may incur utility penalties.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting create phase differences between voltage and current.

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

Q4: What's the difference between real and apparent power?
A: Real power (W) does useful work, while apparent power (VA) is the product of voltage and current including reactive components.

Q5: Does power factor affect residential customers?
A: Typically not significantly, as residential meters usually measure only real power. It's more important for industrial users.