1. What is 3-Phase Power Factor?

The power factor in a 3-phase system is the ratio of real power (P) flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. It's a dimensionless number between -1 and 1 that indicates how effectively electrical power is being used.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power factor formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Line voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Line current in amperes (A)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of real power to apparent power in a balanced 3-phase AC system.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor indicates efficiency of power usage. A higher power factor (close to 1) means more efficient power transfer, while lower power factor indicates poor utilization of electrical power.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter real power in watts, line voltage in volts, and line current in amperes. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value?
A: Ideally 1.0, but values above 0.95 are generally considered good. Below 0.85 is typically considered poor.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting can cause lagging power factor.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: By adding power factor correction capacitors that offset the inductive reactance.

Q4: Does power factor affect electricity bills?
A: Many industrial customers are charged for low power factor, as it requires utilities to provide more current for the same real power.

Q5: What's the difference between single-phase and 3-phase power factor?
A: The calculation differs by the √3 factor in 3-phase systems, which accounts for the phase relationships between the three conductors.