
Power factor
Power factor is a measure of how efficiently electrical power is being used in a system. It compares the actual power that does useful work (known as real power) to the total power flowing in the system (called apparent power). A power factor of 1 or 100% means all the power is effectively used, while lower values indicate wasted energy. A high power factor is beneficial as it reduces energy costs and improves the stability of the electrical system. It’s particularly significant in industrial and commercial settings where large machinery is used.