1. What is Power Factor?

The power factor of an AC electrical power system is defined as the ratio of the real power absorbed by the load to the apparent power flowing in the circuit. It is a dimensionless number between -1 and 1 that indicates how effectively electrical power is being used.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power factor formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power Transmitted (Watt)
• \( V_m \) — Maximum Voltage Overhead AC (Volt)
• \( \sqrt{2} \) — Square root of 2 (approximately 1.4142)

Explanation: This formula calculates the power factor in a 3-phase 4-wire overhead system using the transmitted power and maximum voltage.

3. Importance of Power Factor Calculation

Details: Power factor calculation is crucial for determining the efficiency of electrical power usage, optimizing energy consumption, reducing power losses, and ensuring proper sizing of electrical equipment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power transmitted in watts and maximum voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: A power factor close to 1 (unity) is ideal, indicating efficient power usage. Values below 0.9 typically indicate poor power factor that may require correction.

Q2: Why is power factor important in electrical systems?
A: Poor power factor results in higher current flow, increased energy losses, reduced system capacity, and potential penalties from utility companies.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor can be improved through capacitor banks, synchronous condensers, or using power factor correction equipment to reduce reactive power.

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

Q5: Is power factor the same in single-phase and three-phase systems?
A: The concept is the same, but calculation methods differ. This calculator is specifically designed for 3-phase 4-wire overhead systems.