7.

9 Power Factor The power factor of an alternating-current device or circuit is the ratio of the active power P to the apparent power S. It is given by the equation Power factor = P/S Where P = active power delivered or absorbed by the circuit or device. (W) S = apparent poweeer of the circuit or device (VA). Power factor is expressed as a simple number, or as a percentage. Because the active power P can never evceed the apparent powwwer S. it follos that the power factor can never be greater than unity (or 100 percent). The power factor of a resistor is 100 percent because the apparent power it draws is equal to the active power. On the other hand, the power factor of an ideal coil having no resistance is zero, because it does not consume any active power. To sum uo, the power factor of a circuit or device is simply a way of stating what fraction of its apparent power is real, or active power. In a single-phase circuit the power factor is also a measure of the phase angle between the voltage and current. Thus, referring to Fig 7.11 Power factor = P/S = EIp / EI = Ip / I = cos (7.6)

Consequently, Power factor = cos = P/S Where Power factor = power factor of a single-phase circuit or device. = phase angle between the voltage and current If we know the power factor, we automatically know the cosine of the angle between E and I and hence, we can calculate the angle. The power factor is said to be lagging if the current lags behind the voltage. Conversely, the power factor is said to be leading if the current leads the voltage.

Example 7-7 Calculate the power factor of the motor in example 7-5 and the phase angle between the line current. Solution Power factor = P/S = 1800/2040 = 0.882 or 88,2% (lagging) Cos = 0.882 Therefore, = 28,

Example 7-8 A single-phase motor draws a current of 5A from a 120V, 60 Hz line. The power factor of the motor is 65%.

Calculate a. The active power absorbed by the motor b. The reactive power supplied by the Line

Solution a. The apparent power drawn by the motor is Sm = EI = 120 x 5 = 600 VA The active power absorbed by the motor is Pm = Sm cos = 600 x 0.65 = 390 W b. The reactive power absorbed by the motor is Qm = = = 456 var Note that the motor draws even more reactive power from the line than active power. This burdens the line with a relatively large amount of nonproductive power.

7.10 Power triangle The S2 = P2 + Q2 relationship expressed by Eq. 7.4 brings to mind a right-angle triangle. Thus, we can show the relationship between S, P, Q graphically by means of a power triangle. According to convention, the following rules apply : 1. Active power P absorbed by a circuit or device is considered to be positive and is drawn horizontally to the right. 2. Active power P that is delivered by acircuit or device is considered to be negative and is drawn horizontally to the left. 3. Reactive power Q absorbed by a circuit or device is considered to be positive and is drawn vertically upwards. 4. Reactive power QQ that is delivered by a circuit or device is considered to be negative and is drawn vertically downwards.

The power triangle for Example 7-8 is shown in fig 7.12 in accordance with these rules. The power components S, P, Q look like phasors. But they are not. However, we can think of them as convenient vectors. The concept of the power triangle is useful when solving AC circuit that comprise several active and reactive power components.

7.11 Further Aspects of sources and loads

Let us consider fig 7.13a in which a resistor and capacitor are connected to a source. The circuit is similar to Fig. 7.10 except that the capacitoris a reactive source. As a results, reactive power flows from the capacitor to the source G while active power flows from the source G to the resistor. The active and reactive power components therefore flow in opposite directions over the transmission line. A wattmeter connected into the circuit will give a positive reading P = EIp watts, but a varmeter will give a negative reading Q = EIq. The source G delivers active power P but receives reactive power Q. thus, G is simultaneously an active source and a reactive load.

It may seem unusual to have two power flowing in opposite directions over the same transmission line. But we must again remember that active power P is not the same as a reactive power Q and that each flow independently of the other. Speaking of sources and loads, a deceptively simple electrical outlet, such as the 120 v receptacle in a home, also deserves our attention. All such outlets are ultimately connected to the huge alternators that power the electrical transmission and distribution

systems. Odd as it may seem, an electrical outlet can act not only as an active or reactive source (as we would expect). But it may also behave as an active or reactive load. What factors determine whether it will behave in one way or the other? It all depends upon the type of device or devices connected to the receptacle. If the device absorbs active power, the receptacle will provide it. If the device delivers active power the receptacle will receive it. In other words, a simple receptacle outlet is at all times ready to deliver-or accept-either active power P or reactive power Q in accordance with the devices connected to it. The same remarks apply to any 3-phase 480 V service entrance to a factory or the terminals of a high power 345 kV transmission line.

Example 7-9 A 50 F paper capacitor is placed across the motor terminals in example 7-8.

Calculate a. The reactive power generated by the capacitor b. The active power absorbed by the motor c. The reactive power absorbed from the line d. The new line current

Solutions a. The impedance of the capacitor is Xc = I/(2 fC) = I/(2 x 60 x 50 x 10-6) = 53 The current in the capacitor is I = E/Xc = 120/53 = 2.26 A The reactive power generated by the capacitor is Qc = EIq = 120 x 2.26 = 271 var

b. The motor continues to draw the same active power because it is still fully loaded. Consequently, Pm = 390 W The motor also draws the same reactive power as before, because nothing has taken place to change its magnetic field. Consequently. Qm = 456 var c. The motor draws 456 var from the line, but the capacitor furnishes 271 var to the same line. The net reactive power drawn from the line is, therefore. QL = Qm Qc = 456 271 = 185 var The active power drawn from the line is PL = Pm = 390 W d. The apparent power drawn from the line is SL = = = 4332 VA The new line currrent is IL = SL/E = 432/120 = 3.6 A

Thus, the line current drops from 5 A to 3.6 A by placing the capacitor in parallel with the motor. This represents a big improvement because the line current is smaller and the operation off the motor has not been changed in the least. The new power factor of the line is Cos
L

= PL/SL = 390/432 = 0.903 or 90.3%

= arc cos 0.903 = 25.5

The power triangle is shown in fig. 7.14 the reactive power Qc generated by the capacitor is drawn vertically downward. By comparing this power triangle with that in fig 7.12 we can visually observe the effect of the capacitor on the apparent power supplied by the line