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)

Explanation: Power factor indicates the phase difference between voltage and current in an AC circuit. A PF of 1 means all power is real power (resistive load), while lower values indicate reactive power (inductive or capacitive loads).

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor is crucial for efficient power distribution. Low power factor results in higher currents for the same real power, increasing energy losses in distribution systems and requiring larger equipment.

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 compute the power factor (unitless value between 0 and 1).

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 usually considered poor.

Q2: How can power factor be improved?
A: By adding power factor correction capacitors to offset inductive loads (common in industrial settings).

Q3: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting are common causes of low power factor.

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

Q5: Do utilities charge for poor power factor?
A: Many industrial customers are charged penalties for low power factor, as it increases the utility's distribution costs.