Calculate power factor from real and apparent power, and the phase angle it implies.
Power factor is the fraction of apparent power doing useful work. Below about 0.9 most utilities apply penalties, because the reactive current still has to be generated and transmitted. Power factor correction is one of the shortest-payback electrical improvements available, often under two years where penalties apply.
Power Factor
Power factor = real power ÷ apparent power = cos φ
Power factor = real power ÷ apparent power = cos φ Power factor is the fraction of apparent power doing useful work. Below about 0.9 most utilities apply penalties, because the reactive current still has to be generated and transmitted.
Power factor correction is one of the shortest-payback electrical improvements available, often under two years where penalties apply.
This calculator takes 2 inputs: Real power, Apparent power. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.