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How to compute power factor by phase angle in Python using UliEngineering

You can easily compute the power factor from a phase angle using the UliEngineering Python library:

power_factor_by_phase_angle.py
from UliEngineering.Electronics.Power import power_factor_by_phase_angle
import math

# Compute power factor for 30 degrees phase angle
pf = power_factor_by_phase_angle(math.radians(30))
print(f"Power factor (30°): {pf:.4f}")

# Compute power factor for 45 degrees phase angle
pf = power_factor_by_phase_angle(math.radians(45))
print(f"Power factor (45°): {pf:.4f}")

# Compute power factor for 60 degrees phase angle
pf = power_factor_by_phase_angle(math.radians(60))
print(f"Power factor (60°): {pf:.4f}")

Example output

power_factor_by_phase_angle_output.txt
Power factor (30°): 0.8660
Power factor (45°): 0.7071
Power factor (60°): 0.5000

The power factor is the ratio of real power (watts) to apparent power (volt-amperes) in an AC circuit. It represents the efficiency of power utilization, with a value of 1.0 indicating perfect efficiency (purely resistive load). Phase angle is the difference between voltage and current waveforms, and the power factor is directly related to this angle.

The power factor is computed using the formula: $PF = \cos(\phi)$, where $\phi$ is the phase angle between voltage and current in radians. A phase angle of 0° gives a power factor of 1.0 (purely resistive), while larger phase angles give lower power factors (inductive or capacitive loads).

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