1. What is Power Factor?

Power Factor 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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power factor formula:

Where:

• Real Power — Actual power consumed by the load (Watts)
• Voltage — Electrical potential difference (Volts)
• Current — Flow of electric charge (Amps)

Explanation: The power factor ranges from 0 to 1, with 1 indicating perfect efficiency where all power is being used effectively.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: A high power factor indicates efficient utilization of electrical power, while a low power factor shows poor utilization. Improving power factor can reduce electricity costs and increase system capacity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter real power in watts, voltage in volts, and current in amps. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: A power factor of 0.95 or higher is generally considered good. Values below 0.85 are typically considered poor.

Q2: Why is power factor important in electrical systems?
A: Low power factor increases current flow, causing energy losses, voltage drops, and requiring larger conductors and equipment.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor can be improved by adding capacitors to offset inductive loads, using synchronous motors, or reducing idle running of motors.

Q4: What causes low power factor?
A: Low power factor is typically caused by inductive loads such as motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting that require reactive power.

Q5: Is power factor the same in DC circuits?
A: In DC circuits, power factor is always 1 because voltage and current are in phase, and apparent power equals real power.