How is the power factor defined?

The power factor is defined as the ratio of real power used in a circuit to the apparent power delivered. This definition is important in electrical engineering because it gives insight into how effectively electrical power is being converted into useful work output.

Real power, measured in watts (W), represents the actual power consumed by the equipment to perform work, while apparent power, measured in volt-amperes (VA), is the product of the current and voltage in a circuit. The ratio between these two values quantifies how much of the power supplied is being effectively utilized, taking into account factors like phase difference between the current and voltage waveforms.

A power factor of 1 (or 100%) indicates that all the power supplied is being used for productive work, while a lower power factor signifies inefficiencies in the system, where some portion of the power is being wasted, typically due to reactive loads. Understanding power factor is crucial for optimizing electrical systems, reducing energy costs, and ensuring better performance of electrical devices.