Power factor (PF)

Power factor (PF) is the ratio of real power (P) to apparent power (S).

PF is provided as a number between -1 and 1 or as a percentage from -100% to 100%, where the sign is determined by the convention.

A purely resistive load has no reactive components, so its power factor is 1 (PF = 1, or unity power factor). Inductive or capacitive loads introduce a reactive power (Q) component to the circuit which causes the PF to become closer to zero.

True PF and displacement PF

The meter supports true power factor and displacement power factor values:

• True power factor includes harmonic content.
• Displacement power factor only considers the fundamental frequency.

NOTE: Unless specified, the power factor displayed by the meter is true power factor.