Power Factor

In AC circuits, the power factor is the ratio of the real power that is used to do work and the apparent
power that is supplied to the circuit.

The power factor can get values in the range from 0 to 1.

When all the power is reactive power with no real power (usually inductive load) - the power factor is 0.

When all the power is real power with no reactive power (resistive load) - the power factor is 1.

Power factor definition

Power factor calculation

Power factor correction

Power factor calculator

Power factor definition

The power factor is equal to the real or true power P in watts (W) divided by the apparent power |S| in
volt-ampere (VA):

PF = P(W) / |S(VA)|

PF - power factor.

P - real power in watts (W).

|S| - apparent power - the magnitude of the complex power in volt⋅amps (VA).

Power factor calculations

For sinusuidal current, the power factor PF is equal to the absolute value of the cosine of the apparent
power phase angle φ (which is also is impedance phase angle):
PF = |cos φ|

PF is the power factor.

φ is the apprent power phase angle.

The real power P in watts (W) is equal to the apparent power |S| in volt-ampere (VA) times the power
factor PF:

P(W) = |S(VA)| × PF = |S(VA)| × |cos φ|

When the circuit has a resistive impedance load, the real power P is equal to the apparent power |S|
and the power factor PF is equal to 1:

PF(resistive load) = P / |S| = 1

The reactive power Q in volt-amps reactive (VAR) is equal to the apparent power |S| in volt-ampere
(VA) times the sine of the phase angle φ:

Q(VAR) = |S(VA)| × |sin φ|

Single phase circuit calculation from real power meter reading P in kilowatts (kW), voltage V in volts (V)
and current I in amps (A):
PF = |cos φ| = 1000 × P(kW) / (V(V) × I(A))

Three phase circuit calculation from real power meter reading P in kilowatts (kW), line to line voltage VL-
L in volts (V) and current I in amps (A):

PF = |cos φ| = 1000 × P(kW) / (√3 × VL-L(V) × I(A))

Three phase circuit calculation from real power meter reading P in kilowatts (kW), line to line neutral VL-
N in volts (V) and current I in amps (A):

PF = |cos φ| = 1000 × P(kW) / (3 × VL-N(V) × I(A))

Power factor correction

Power factor correction is an adjustment of the electrical circuit in order to change the power factor
near 1.

Power factor near 1 will reduce the reactive power in the circuit and most of the power in the circuit will
be real power. This will also reduce power lines losses.

The power factor correction is usually done by adding capacitors to the load circuit, when the circuit has
inductive components, like an electric motor.

Power factor correction calculation

The apparent power |S| in volt-amps (VA) is equal to the voltage V in volts (V) times the current I in
amps (A):
|S(VA)| = V(V) × I(A)

The reactive power Q in volt-amps reactive (VAR) is equal to the square root of the square of the
apparent power |S| in volt-ampere (VA) minus the square of the real power P in watts (W) (pythagorean
theorem):

Q(VAR) = √(|S(VA)|2 - P(W)2)

Qc (kVAR) = Q(kVAR) - Qcorrected (kVAR)

The reactive power Q in volt-amps reactive (VAR) is equal to the square of voltage V in volts (V) divided
by the reactance Xc:

Qc (VAR) = V(V)2 / Xc = V(V)2 / (1 / (2πf(Hz)×C(F))) = 2πf(Hz)×C(F)×V(V)2

So the power factor correction capacitor in Farad (F) that should be added to the circuit in parallel is
equal to the reactive power Q in volt-amps reactive (VAR) divided by 2π times the frequency f in Hertz
(Hz) times the squared voltage V in volts (V):

C(F) = Qc (VAR) / (2πf(Hz)·V(V)2) Power Factor Improvement

The term power factor comes into picture in AC circuits only. Mathematically it is cosine of the phase
difference between source voltage and current. It refers to the fraction of total power (apparent power)
which is utilized to do the useful work called active power.

Need for Power Factor Improvement

Real power is given by P = VIcosφ. To transfer a given amount of power at certain voltage, the electrical
current is inversely proportional to cosφ. Hence higher the pf lower will be the current flowing. A small
current flow requires less cross sectional area of conductor and thus it saves conductor and money.
From above relation we saw having poor power factor increases the current flowing in conductor and
thus copper loss increases. Further large voltage drop occurs in alternator, electrical transformer and
transmission and distribution lines which gives very poor voltage regulation.

Further the KVA rating of machines is also reduced by having higher power factor as, Hence, the size and
cost of machine also reduced. So, electrical power factor should be maintained close to unity.

Methods of Power Factor Improvement

Capacitors:

Improving power factor means reducing the phase difference between voltage and current. Since
majority of loads are of inductive nature, they require some amount of reactive power for them to
function. This reactive power is provided by the capacitor or bank of capacitors installed parallel to the
load. They act as a source of local reactive power and thus less reactive power flows through the line.
Basically they reduces the phase difference between the voltage and current.

Synchronous Condenser:

They are 3 phase synchronous motor with no load attached to its shaft. The synchronous motor has the
characteristics of operating under any power factor leading, lagging or unity depending upon the
excitation. For inductive loads, synchronous condenser is connected towards load side and is
overexcited. This makes it behave like a capacitor. It draws the lagging current from the supply or
supplies the reactive power.

Phase Advancer:

This is an ac exciter mainly used to improve pf of induction motor. They are mounted on shaft of the
motor and is connected in the rotor circuit of the motor. It improves the power factor by providing the
exciting ampere turns to produce required flux at slip frequency. Further if ampere turns are increased,
it can be made to operate at leading power factor.