1. What is Three Phase Power Factor?

The power factor in a three-phase system is the ratio of real power (P) to apparent power (S). It measures how effectively electrical power is being used, with a value between 0 and 1. A higher power factor indicates more efficient power usage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase power factor formula:

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)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of real power to the product of voltage, current, and the three-phase constant.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor is crucial in electrical systems because:

• Low power factor increases current for the same real power
• Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor
• Higher power factor reduces energy losses
• Improves voltage regulation in power systems

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter real power in watts (W)
• Enter line-to-line voltage in volts (V)
• Enter current in amperes (A)
• All values must be positive numbers
• The calculator automatically limits results to the valid range (0-1)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Typically, power factors above 0.95 are considered good. Many utilities require industrial customers to maintain at least 0.9.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors and transformers create reactive power, which lowers power factor. Unbalanced loads can also contribute.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction capacitors are commonly used to offset inductive reactance and improve power factor.

Q4: Is power factor different for single-phase systems?
A: Yes, single-phase power factor is calculated as PF = P/(V×I) without the √3 factor.

Q5: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, the calculator automatically limits results to 1. Values >1 would indicate measurement errors.