1. What is 3-Phase Power Factor?

Definition: Power factor (PF) is the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA) in a 3-phase 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 (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Line current (amps)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much of the total power is being used to do real work versus being wasted.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: A low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency, can lead to utility penalties, and requires larger equipment than necessary.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the real power in kW, line-to-line voltage in volts, and line current in amps. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Typically 0.95 or higher is considered good. Below 0.85 is often penalized by utilities.

Q2: How can I improve power factor?
A: Add power factor correction capacitors, reduce motor idling, or use more efficient equipment.

Q3: Is this formula for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: This uses line-to-line voltage (the higher voltage between any two phases).

Q4: Why divide by 1000 in the formula?
A: This converts the denominator from watts to kilowatts to match the numerator's kW unit.

Q5: What causes low power factor?
A: Mainly inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting that create reactive power.