1. What is Power Factor in Single 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)

Explanation: The formula divides real power by apparent power (voltage × current converted to kW).

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency, may cause utility penalties, and requires larger conductors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the real power in kW, voltage in volts, and 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 reactive loads, or use more efficient equipment.

Q3: Why divide by 1000 in the formula?
A: To convert volt-amps (VA) to kilovolt-amps (kVA) for consistent kW/kVA units.

Q4: Does this work for three-phase systems?
A: No, use our Three-Phase Power Factor Calculator for those systems.

Q5: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, the calculator caps results at 1.0 since it's physically impossible to have >100% efficiency.