1. What is Three-Phase Power Factor?

The three-phase power factor is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used in a three-phase AC system. It represents the ratio of real power (measured in watts) to apparent power (measured in volt-amperes) and indicates the phase difference between voltage and current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase power factor formula:

Where:

• \( PF \) — Power Factor (dimensionless)
• \( P \) — Real Power (Watts)
• \( V \) — Line Voltage (Volts)
• \( I \) — Line Current (Amperes)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Square root of 3 (approximately 1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates the power factor by dividing the real power by the product of √3, line voltage, and line current, which gives the apparent power in a balanced three-phase system.

3. Importance of Power Factor Calculation

Details: Power factor is crucial for efficient power system operation. A low power factor indicates poor utilization of electrical power, leading to increased energy costs, reduced system capacity, and potential penalties from utility companies.

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 greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the ideal power factor value?
A: The ideal power factor is 1.0 (unity), indicating perfect efficiency. Most utility companies require power factors above 0.9 to avoid penalties.

Q2: What causes low power factor?
A: Low power factor is typically caused by inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting that create phase displacement between voltage and current.

Q3: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor can be improved by adding power factor correction capacitors, using synchronous condensers, or optimizing motor loads to reduce reactive power consumption.

Q4: What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase power factor?
A: Single-phase uses P/(V×I) while three-phase uses P/(√3×V×I) due to the phase relationships in three-phase systems.

Q5: When is power factor correction necessary?
A: Power factor correction is necessary when the power factor drops below 0.9, when utility penalties apply, or when system efficiency needs improvement to reduce energy costs.