Quick power factor question

[Surefire01]

Hi Chaps

I know that the power factor in a system is the ratio of KW to KVA but is it also true that the power factor equals the cosine of the angular displacement of voltage to current in a reactive circuit?

Thanks

 

[dpc]

Yes, by definition. But generally referred to as the angle of current referenced to the voltage. Lagging power factor refers to current lagging the voltage.

 

[jghrist]

That's true of sinusoidal voltage and current. If there is distortion, kW/kVA can be lower than cos(Ø), where Ø is the angle between the current and the voltage. cos(Ø) is called the displacement power factor. kW/kVA is the total power factor.