The Power Factor
What is the Power Factor? The electrical term Power Factor can be used to describe the percentage of "Consumed" Power versus the "Supplied" Power.
The "Supplied" Power is referred to as the "Total" Power and is measured in KVA (Kilovolt-Amperes), which is Volts times Amps. This "Total" Power is made up of two components:
- The "Consumed" Power, more commonly called the "Real" Power, which is measured in KW (Kilowatts).
- "Reactive" Power, also known as, "Wasted" Power, which is measured in KVAR (Kilovolt-Ampere-Reactance).
The "Real" Power is the power that is transferred from electrical energy to some other form of energy (i.e. such as heat energy or mechanical energy). The "Reactive" Power performs no useful work, but is required in addition to "Real" Power by inductive electrical equipment, such as motors and transformers. This "Reactive" power is used to generate magnetic fields in inductive equipment and is sometimes referred to as magnetizing current.
An inductive motor with power applied and no load on its shaft, should draw almost no "Real" Power, since no output work is being accomplished until a load is applied. The current associated with no-load motor readings is almost entirely "Reactive" Power. As a load is applied to the shaft of the motor, the "Reactive" Power requirement will change only a small amount.
Power Factor Correction Capacitors can be implemented to increase the Power Factor by reducing or removing the "Reactive" Power component in the plant load.
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