teljesítménytényezket

A "teljesítménytényező" (power factor) is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of real power to apparent power in an AC electrical system. It quantifies how effectively electrical power is being used. A power factor of 1 indicates that all the apparent power is being used as real power, meaning the system is operating at maximum efficiency. A power factor less than 1 signifies that some of the apparent power is being wasted as reactive power, which does not perform useful work but is necessary for the operation of certain electrical equipment like motors and transformers.

The power factor is calculated as the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and current waveforms. A purely resistive load will have a power factor of 1, as voltage and current are in phase. Inductive loads (like motors) cause the current to lag behind the voltage, resulting in a lagging power factor, typically less than 1. Capacitive loads cause the current to lead the voltage, resulting in a leading power factor.

Low power factors can lead to increased current in the system, resulting in higher energy losses in transmission lines and equipment, and potentially requiring larger conductors and transformers. Utilities often penalize industrial and commercial customers with low power factors due to these inefficiencies. Power factor correction techniques, such as installing capacitors, can be employed to improve the power factor closer to 1, thereby reducing energy losses and improving system performance.