1. What is Power Factor?

Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit in UK electrical systems. 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 power factor formula:

Where:

• \( PF \) — Power Factor (dimensionless)
• \( \phi \) — Phase angle between voltage and current (degrees)

Explanation: The power factor is simply the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current waveforms in an AC circuit.

3. Importance of Power Factor Calculation

Details: Power factor is crucial in UK electrical systems for determining efficiency, reducing energy costs, and avoiding penalties from utility companies for low power factor.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the phase angle in degrees (between -180° and +180°). The calculator will compute the power factor as the cosine of this angle.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good power factor value in the UK?
A: In the UK, a power factor of 0.95 or higher is generally considered good. Values below 0.85 may incur penalties.

Q2: How does power factor affect electricity bills?
A: UK utilities often charge additional fees for low power factor as it indicates inefficient power usage and requires more current for the same real power.

Q3: What causes low power factor?
A: Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting are common causes of low power factor in UK installations.

Q4: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction capacitors are commonly used in the UK to counteract inductive reactance and improve power factor.

Q5: Is power factor different for three-phase systems?
A: The basic calculation remains the same, but three-phase systems in the UK require consideration of balanced vs. unbalanced loads.