1. What is Single Phase Power Factor?

Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of real power (P) to apparent power (V×I) in an AC electrical system. It measures how effectively electrical power is being used, with a value between 0 and 1 (or 0% to 100%).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power factor formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real power in Watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in Volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in Amperes (A)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio between the actual power being used (real power) and the power being supplied to the circuit (apparent power).

3. Importance of Power Factor Calculation

Details: Power factor is crucial for assessing electrical system efficiency. A low power factor indicates poor utilization of electrical power and may result in higher utility charges for industrial customers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter real power in watts, voltage in volts, and current in amps. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the power factor as a decimal value between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Ideally, power factor should be as close to 1 (or 100%) as possible. Values below 0.95 are generally considered poor in industrial settings.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting are common causes of low power factor.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to offset inductive loads and improve power factor.

Q4: Does power factor affect residential electricity bills?
A: Typically no, residential customers are usually billed only for real power (kWh). Industrial customers may pay penalties for low power factor.

Q5: What's the difference between single phase and three phase power factor?
A: The calculation is more complex for three-phase systems, requiring consideration of phase angles and line/phase voltages.