pf

Definition	:	Power Factor
Category	:	Academic & Science » Electrical
Country/Region	:	Worldwide
Popularity	:
Type	:	Initialism

What does pf mean?

Power Factor (pf) is defined as the ratio of the Real Power (KW) to Apparent Power (KVA). It can also be defined as the cosine that represents the phase angle between the current and voltage waveforms. Real Power (KW, also called Actual Power or Active Power) is the working power and is the power that actually powers the equipment and performs useful work. Reactive Power (KVAR) is the power that magnetic equipment like transformer, motor, and relay needs to produce the magnetizing flux.
Apparent Power (KVA) is the “vectorial summation” of KVAR and KW. The power factor can vary between 0 and 1 and can be either inductive or capacitive. When the current and voltage waveforms are in phase, the power factor is 1.