1. What is Power Factor in 3 Phase Systems?

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 (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio between the actual power being used (kW) and the total power flowing in the system (kVA).

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: A low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency, can cause utility penalties, and requires larger equipment to handle the same real power.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Why is √3 used in 3-phase calculations?
A: It accounts for the phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q3: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, the calculator limits results to 1.0 maximum. If you get 1.0, check your measurements.

Q4: How can I improve power factor?
A: Use power factor correction capacitors, reduce reactive loads, or optimize motor sizes.

Q5: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: This calculator uses line-to-line voltage (common in industrial 3-phase systems).