Power Factor
Power factor is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used, expressed as the ratio of active power to apparent power, with a value closer to 1 indicating higher efficiency.
Definition
Power factor measures the efficiency of electrical power use, expressed as the ratio of active (useful) power to apparent (total) power delivered. A power factor below 1 indicates some power is being drawn without doing useful work — often due to inductive loads like motors — and many suppliers apply penalty charges for poor power factor.
Why It Matters
Poor power factor can result in additional utility charges and inefficient use of electrical infrastructure, even when actual useful energy consumption hasn't changed.
How ecolyptus Helps
Where power factor data is available from connected meters, ecolyptus can surface it alongside consumption data to flag potential penalty exposure.