What is the formula for the power factor?

The formula for the power factor is derived from the relationship between real power (P), apparent power (S), and reactive power (Q) in an alternating current (AC) system. Power factor (PF) is defined as the ratio of real power to apparent power, and it is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used.

Real power (P), measured in watts (W), represents the actual power consumed by the circuit to perform useful work. Apparent power (S), measured in volt-amperes (VA), is the product of the root mean square (RMS) voltage (V) and RMS current (I) in the circuit.

The power factor can thus be expressed as:

PF = P / S

This relationship indicates that the power factor is a dimensionless quantity, typically ranging from 0 to 1, where a power factor of 1 (or 100%) implies that all the power supplied is being used effectively for work, while a lower power factor means that some of the power is wasted in the circuit.

This understanding of the power factor is essential in the fields of electrical and computer engineering, as it impacts energy efficiency, system performance, and electricity costs. The choice that states the