Võimufaktori

Võimufaktori is an Estonian phrase that translates to "power factor" in English. It is a concept widely used in electrical engineering and physics to describe the ratio of real power to apparent power in an alternating current (AC) circuit. Real power, measured in watts (W), is the actual power that performs useful work, such as heating or lighting. Apparent power, measured in volt-amperes (VA), is the total power supplied to the circuit, including both real power and reactive power. Reactive power, measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR), is the power that oscillates between the source and the load, and does not perform useful work but is necessary for the operation of certain components like motors and transformers.

The power factor is a dimensionless quantity ranging from 0 to 1. A power factor of 1 indicates that all the supplied power is real power, meaning the circuit is highly efficient. A power factor less than 1 signifies the presence of reactive power, leading to inefficiencies in power transmission and utilization. Low power factors can result in increased current flow, higher energy losses in transmission lines, and potential penalties from electricity providers. Therefore, maintaining a power factor close to unity is desirable for electrical systems.

Various methods are employed to improve the power factor, such as installing power factor correction equipment like capacitors or synchronous condensers. These devices compensate for the reactive power demand of inductive loads, thereby bringing the power factor closer to 1. Understanding and managing the power factor is crucial for optimizing electrical system performance, reducing energy costs, and ensuring grid stability.