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 is a measure of how efficiently an electrical device uses the power it receives from an electrical outlet.
PF = kW / kVA

Real Power (KW, measured in kilowatts), also called Actual Power or Active Power is the power that is used to perform useful work in an electrical system.

Apparent Power (kVA, measured in kilovolt amperes) is the total power being drawn from an electrical outlet in an electrical system and it is the “vectorial summation” of kVAR and KW.

Reactive Power (KVAR) is the power that is used to produce the magnetizing flux in magnetic equipment such as transformers, motors, and relays. It is the power that is required to maintain the magnetic field in these devices but is not used to perform any useful work.

Note:
The pf factor can vary between 0 and 1. In general, a power factor of 1 is considered to be ideal, as it indicates that all of the power being drawn from the electrical outlet is being used efficiently.