Power Factor Calculator

Your details

Single-phase: one live + neutral. Three-phase: three live conductors.
RMS line-to-neutral voltage for single-phase; line-to-line for three-phase.
V
RMS current drawn by the load.
A
Actual power consumed and converted to useful work (watts).
W
Supply frequency. 50 Hz (Europe/Asia/Africa) or 60 Hz (Americas).
Hz
The power factor you want to achieve after adding correction capacitors (0.01 - 1.00).
Power factor (PF)Poor
0.7826

Ratio of real power to apparent power (0 to 1)

Apparent power (S)2,300VA
Reactive power (Q)1,431.8VAR
Phase angle (phi)38.5deg
Impedance (Z)23ohm
Resistance (R)18ohm
Reactance (X)14.3178ohm
Correction capacitor50.55uF
Power factor qualityPoor (penalty risk)
0.7826
Very poor<0.7Poor0.7-0.85Acceptable0.85-0.95Excellent0.95+

Power factor is 0.7826 - Poor (penalty risk).

  • Only 78.3% of the apparent power (2300 VA) is doing actual work. The rest (1432 VAR) is reactive power cycling back and forth in the circuit.
  • Many utilities charge a power factor penalty when PF falls below 0.85 or 0.90. Improving your power factor reduces these charges and lowers current draw, which in turn reduces cable losses and heat.
  • Adding a 50.55 uF capacitor in parallel with the load will raise the power factor from 0.783 to 0.95.
  • For inductive loads (motors, transformers), the current lags the voltage, giving a lagging power factor. Capacitors compensate by providing leading reactive current.

Next stepUse the target power factor field to find the capacitor size needed for correction, then consult an electrician before installing correction equipment.

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