1. What is Electrical Power Factor?

Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of real power (measured in watts) to apparent power (measured in volt-amperes) in an electrical system. It indicates how effectively electrical power is being used, with a range from 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power factor formula:

Where:

• \( PF \) — Power Factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( P \) — Real power (Watts, W)
• \( V \) — Voltage (Volts, V)
• \( I \) — Current (Amperes, A)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Three-phase system factor (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula shows the relationship between the actual power being used (real power) and the power being supplied to the system (apparent power).

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: A high power factor (close to 1) indicates efficient use of electrical power, while a low power factor indicates poor utilization. Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Select the correct system phase (single or three-phase)
• Enter real power in watts
• Enter voltage in volts
• Enter current in amperes
• All values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Generally, 0.95 or higher is considered good. Below 0.85 is typically considered poor.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads (motors, transformers, fluorescent lighting) create reactive power that doesn't do useful work.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to offset inductive reactive power.

Q4: What's the difference between leading and lagging power factor?
A: Lagging (most common) means current lags voltage (inductive loads). Leading means current leads voltage (capacitive loads).

Q5: Why is power factor important for industrial users?
A: Utilities often charge penalties for low power factor, and improving it can reduce electricity costs.