What are the disadvantages of poor power factor?
Disadvantages of poor power factor - 1-Greater Copper Losses As at the low power factor, the load current is greater. Therefore, the large load current causes more I^2* R losses in all the components of the supply system. This in turn results in poor efficiency of the system. 2- Large kVA Rating of Equipment The electrical source equipment such as alternators, transformers, switchgears, etc. are always rated in kVA because the power factor of the load is not known when these equipment are manufactured in the factory. Hence, from the definition of power factor, we get, kVA rating=kW / cosĪ That is, the kVA rating of the equipment is inversely proportional to the power factor. Therefore, the lower the power factor, the higher the kVA rating of the equipment. Hence, at low power factor, the kVA rating the equipment needs to be made more which increases the size and cost of the equipment. 3- Larger Conductor Size For transmitting and distributing a constant amount of power at a constant v