What does a high power factor indicate?

A high power factor indicates high energy efficiency in an electrical system. Power factor is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being converted into useful work output. It is defined as the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and current in an AC system. A power factor close to 1 means that most of the electrical power is being used effectively, while a power factor significantly less than 1 indicates that a larger portion of the power is reactive, which does not contribute to useful work.

In systems with a high power factor, the current drawn from the electrical supply is in phase with the voltage, leading to reduced energy losses in the distribution system and better overall efficiency. This translates to potentially lower electricity costs for consumers, as they are using energy more effectively.

Lower energy efficiency, high system losses, or unstable voltage supply conditions would typically be associated with low power factors. Hence, a high power factor is a clear indicator of a more efficient system, optimizing both energy usage and cost-effectiveness.