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Power factor facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Electric power factor
Power factor as the cosφ in the triangle

In electrical engineering, the power factor (PF or cosφ) is the ratio between the power than can be used in electric circuit (real power, P) and the power from the result of multiplication between the current and voltage circuit (apparent power, S). The power factor is defined as:

\frac{P}{S}

PF ranges from zero to one. The higher the PF, the more efficient the circuit is because more power can be used, and vice versa. Factors that can cause PF to be less than one is non-linear load, which are capacitive load and inductive load.

Images for kids

  • Power triangle diagram

    frameless

  • Lagging-Leading

    frameless

  • Condensatorenbatterij

    1. Reactive power control relay; 2. Network connection points; 3. Slow-blow fuses; 4. Inrush-limiting contactors; 5. Capacitors (single-phase or three-phase units, delta-connection); 6. Transformer (for controls and ventilation fans)

  • Power factor 75 2

    Sinusoidal voltage and non-sinusoidal current give a distortion power factor of 0.75 for this computer power supply load.

  • Active pfc PSU packaging

    Specifications taken from the packaging of a 610 W PC power supply showing active PFC rating

  • Condensor bank 150kV - 75MVAR

    75 MVAr capacitor bank in a 150 kV substation

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Factor de potencia para niños

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Power factor Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.