1. What is Power Factor?

Definition: Power factor is the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA) in an AC electrical system.

Purpose: It measures how effectively electrical power is being used, with 1.0 being perfect efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( PF \) — Power Factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• \( P_{kW} \) — Real power in kilowatts (kW)
• \( kVAr \) — Reactive power in kilovolt-amperes reactive (kVAr)

Explanation: The formula calculates the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current in an AC circuit.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: A high power factor (close to 1) indicates efficient power usage, while a low power factor means poor utilization of electrical power, which can lead to higher utility costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the real power (kW) and reactive power (kVAr) values. Both must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Typically, 0.95 or higher is considered good. Utilities often charge penalties for power factors below 0.85.

Q2: How can I improve power factor?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be installed to offset inductive loads and reduce reactive power.

Q3: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting are common causes of low power factor.

Q4: What's the difference between kW and kVAr?
A: kW represents real power that does useful work, while kVAr represents reactive power that sustains electromagnetic fields in inductive equipment.

Q5: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, power factor ranges from 0 to 1. Values above 1 would indicate measurement errors or calculation problems.