Power factor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load to the apparent power ^[1] [2], and is a number between 0 and 1 (frequently expressed as a percentage, e.g. 0.5 pf = 50% pf). Real power is the capacity of the circuit for performing work in a particular time. Apparent power is the product of the current and voltage of the circuit. Due to energy stored in the load and returned to the source, or due to a non-linear load that distorts the wave shape of the current drawn from the source, the apparent power can be greater than the real power.

In an electric power system, a load with low power factor draws more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred. The higher currents increase the energy lost in the distribution system, and require larger wires and other equipment. Because of the costs of larger equipment and wasted energy, electrical utilities will usually charge a higher cost to industrial or commercial customers where there is a low power factor.

Linear loads with low power factor (such as induction motors) can be corrected with a passive network of capacitors or inductors. Non-linear loads, such as rectifiers, distort the current drawn from the system. In such cases, active power factor correction is used to counteract the distortion and raise power factor. The devices for correction of power factor may be at a central substation, or spread out over a distribution system, or built into power-consuming equipment.

Contents  [hide] 1 Power factor in linear circuit 1.1 Definition and calculation 1.2 Linear loads 1.3 Power factor correction of linear loads 2 Non-linear loads 2.1 Non-sinusoidal components 2.2 Switched-mode power supplies 2.3 Passive PFC 2.4 Active PFC 3 Importance of power factor in distribution systems 4 Measuring power factor 5 Mnemonics 6 References 7 External links