Learning Outcome

At the end of the lecture the student

should be able to:
a) Differentiate between single phase and
three phase system
b) Identify the element that cause the power
factor
c) Explain how the power factor occurred
d) Describe the three different type power
POWER FACTOR (pf)
 The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined
as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load to the
apparent power.
 pf is a number between 0 and 1 (frequently expressed as a
percentage, e.g. 0.5 pf = 50% pf).
 Real power is the capacity of the circuit for performing work
in a particular time.
 Apparent power is the product of the current and voltage of
the circuit. Due to energy stored in the load and returned to
the source, or due to a non-linear load that distorts the wave
shape of the current drawn from the source.
 The apparent power can be greater than the real power.
POWER FACTOR
 In an electric power system, a load with low
power factor draws more current than a load with
a high power factor, for the same amount of
useful power transferred.
 The higher currents increase the energy lost in
the distribution system, and require larger wires
and other equipment. Because of the costs of
larger equipment and wasted energy, electrical
utilities will usually charge a higher cost to
industrial or commercial customers where there is
a low power factor.
POWER FACTOR
 Linear loads with low power factor (such as
induction motors) can be corrected with a passive
network of capacitors or inductors.
 Non-linear loads, such as rectifiers, distort the
current drawn from the system.
 In such cases, active power factor correction is
used to counteract the distortion and raise power
factor. The devices for correction of power factor
may be at a central substation, or spread out
over a distribution system, or built into power-
consuming equipment
Power factor definition
 In AC circuits, the power factor is the ratio of the real
power that is used to do work and the apparent
power that is supplied to the circuit.
 The power factor can get values in the range from 0 to 1.
 When all the power is reactive power with no real power
(usually inductive load) - the power factor is 0.
 When all the power is real power with no reactive power
(resistive load) - the power factor is 1.
Power factor in electrical
distribution
 In electrical engineering, the power factor of an AC
electrical power system is defined as the ratio of the
real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in
the circuit
 Power factors below 1.0 require a utility to generate
more than the minimum volt-amperes necessary to
supply the real power (watts).
 Utilities typically charge additional costs to commercial
customers who have a power factor below some limit,
which is typically 0.9 to 0.95. Engineers are often
interested in the power factor of a load as one of the
factors that affect the efficiency of power transmission.
 The power factor in a single-phase circuit (or
balanced three-phase circuit) can be measured
with the wattmeter-ammeter-voltmeter method,
where the power in watts is divided by the
product of measured voltage and current. The
power factor of a balanced polyphase circuit is
the same as that of any phase. The power factor
of an unbalanced poly phase circuit is not
uniquely defined.
Power Factor
 Load consist of resistor, inductor and
capicitor
Z = R x jX
Where : Z X
Z is impedance
R is resistor R
X is reactance = XL + XC
Cos O = pf
Power triangle
Resistive/reactive load:
Resistance is essentially friction against the motion of electrons. It is
present in all conductors to some extent (except superconductors!),
most notably in resistors. When alternating current goes through a
resistance, a voltage drop is produced that is in-phase with the current.
Resistance is mathematically symbolized by the letter “R” and is
measured in the unit of ohms (Ω).

Reactance is essentially inertia against the motion of electrons. It is

present anywhere electric or magnetic fields are developed in
proportion to applied voltage or current, respectively; but most notably
in capacitors and inductors. When alternating current goes through a
pure reactance, a voltage drop is produced that is 90o out of phase with
the current. Reactance is mathematically symbolized by the letter “X”
and is measured in the unit of ohms (Ω).

Impedance is a comprehensive expression of any and all forms of

opposition to electron flow, including both resistance and reactance. It is
present in all circuits, and in all components. When alternating current
goes through an impedance, a voltage drop is produced that is
Power Factor (pf)
Voltage and current at
V,I
the same place same as
PURE original signal, angle =
RESISTANCE 0, cos O = 1,Unity pf.

v I

Current lag the

PURE voltage by 90o,
INDUCTOR lagging pf

I v
Current lead the
PURE
voltage by 90o,
CAPACITOR leading pf

Note: pf can be improved by minimized the O angle but adding

capacitor bank to pull the current
Real, Apparent and
Reactive Power
Apparent
IV Reactive
IV sin O power
power

IV cos O Real power

Real Power = P = IV cos O = watt exp: appliances, motor etc.

Reactive Power = Q = IV sin O = kVar exp: capacitor bank
Apparent Power = S = IV = kVA exp: transformer
Single phase, three phase,
balanced
One sinusoidal signal where >1 = polyphase

Balanced 3O in
R Y B term of
generation
R

120 120

120 B
Y
3 = three phase = 3O, different in time or angle
 Star-delta connection
• A star connection looks like a Y, • +
and a delta connection looks
like a triangle. Some motors
start with a star connection and
then go to a delta connection
after reaching a certain speed
• In comparison of the line
currents to conclude, the line
current of the star connection
is one third of that of the delta
connection. ( Phase current =
1/(√3) )
STAR Y CONNECTION DELTA CONNECTION

In STAR connection, the starting or finishing ends In DELTA connection, the opposite ends of three coils
(Similar ends) of three coils are connected together to are connected together. In other words, the end of
form the neutral point. A common wire is taken out each coil is connected with the start of another coil,
from the neutral point which is called Neutral. and three wires are taken out from the coil joints

There is a Neutral or Star Point No Neutral Point in Delta Connection

Three phase four wire system is derived from Star

Connections (3-Phase, 4 Wires System) We may
Three phase three wire system is derived from Delta
Also derived 3 Phase 3 Wire System from Star
Connections (3-Phase, 3 Wires System)
Connection

Line Current is Equal to Phase Current. i.e. Line Voltage is Equal to Phase Voltage. i.e.

Line Current = Phase Current Line Voltage = Phase Voltage

IL = IPH VL = VPH

 Star-Delta differences
Line Voltage is √3 times of Phase Voltage. i.e. Line Current is √3 times of Phase Current. i.e.

VL = √3 VPH IL = √3 IPH

The Total Power of three phases could be found by The Total Power of three phases could be found by

P = √3 x VL x IL x CosФ …. Or P = √3 x VL x IL x CosФ … or

P = 3 x VPH x IPH x CosФ P = 3 x VPH x IPH x CosФ

The speeds of Star connected motors are slow as The speeds of Delta connected motors are high
they receive 1/√3 voltage. because each phase gets the total of line voltage

In Star Connection, the phase voltage is low as 1/√3

In Delta connection, The phase voltage is equal to the
of the line voltage, so, it needs low number of turns,
line voltage, hence, it needs more number of turns.
hence, saving in copper.

Heavy insulation required as Phase voltage = Line

Low insulation required as phase voltage is low
Voltage.

In Power Transmission, Star Connection system is In Power Distribution and industries, Delta
general and typical to be used. Connection is general and typical to be used.
Delta connection
VL = Line voltage = 415 V = 3O = between phase to phase
VP = phase voltage = 240 V = 1O = between phase to neutral

R
Delta connection , 3O, 3 wires
Where;
VL VL
Ip =IL/(√3), Vp=VL
Y

B VL
Star connection
Star connection, 3O, 4 wires
Red phase

N VL VP Yellow phase

Y VL VP

VL VP
B

IP =IL, VP =VL/(√3) Blue phase