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 between 0 and 1.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase power factor formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of real power to the apparent power in a three-phase system, where apparent power is the product of voltage, current, and the square root of 3 (for three-phase).

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor is crucial in electrical systems because:

• Low power factor means inefficient power usage
• Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor
• Affects the sizing of electrical equipment
• Impacts voltage regulation and system losses

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter real power in watts
• Enter line-to-line voltage in volts
• Enter current in amperes
• All values must be positive numbers
• The calculator will automatically limit results between 0 and 1

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Typically, 0.95 or higher is considered good. Values below 0.85 may incur penalties from utilities.

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

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Through power factor correction using capacitors, synchronous condensers, or by using more efficient equipment.

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

Q5: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, the calculator limits results to 1. If your calculation suggests PF>1, check your measurements.