What is Power ?
Power factor is a ratio of Active power and Apparent power. This ratio is measure of how effectively electricity is used.
Power factor is also defined as the cosine angle between the voltage and current in AC circuit. This cosine angle known as the phase difference between voltage and current.
Ideally the phase difference between voltage and current is equal to zero. But, Actually Some phase difference between voltage and current. The phase difference between the voltage and current is ф then the power factor is equal to cosф
Power Factor
Power factor = cosф
Apparent power VI
Active power VIcosф
Reactive power VIsin ф
Active power - The power that is actually use to do work in electrical circuit or electric loads. Active power is also called working power or real power.
Apparent power - The vector sum of active power and reactive power is called apparent power.
In other words the total power which supply from the main source to electric circuit or electric load.
Reactive power - Reactive power is also called useless power. Reactive power is couse inefficiently use of electric power.
Power factor is a unit less number 0 to 1
The power factor is three types according to the types of electric loads.
Unity power factor
Legging power factor
Leading power factor
Types of electric loads
1)Resistive loads
2)Inductive loads
3)Capacitive loads
A unity power factor the phase difference between voltage and current is equal to zero then
Cos 0 =1
Lead power factor