What Is the Power Factor? (Electric Motor)

4.1
Traditionally, power factor has been defined as the ratio of the kilowatts of power divided by the kilovolt-amperes drawn by a load or system, or the cosine of the electrical angle between the kilowatts and kilovolt-amperes. However, this definition of power factor is valid only if the voltages and currents are sinusoidal. When the voltages and/or currents are nonsinusoidal, the power factor is reduced as a result of voltage and current harmonics in the system.
Therefore, the discussion of power factor will be considered for the two categories, i.e., systems in which the voltages and currents are substantially sinusoidal and systems in which the voltages and currents are nonsinusoidal as a result of nonlinear loads.