Power Factor

Power factor is normally the phase difference between the voltage and current. Power factor is due to the inductive nature of the circuit, however, in resistor the voltage and current are in phase with each other. So, the power factor of the resistive load is unity and reactive power is zero. All the power is active power in resistor. Power Factor is the cosine of active power and he reactive power and maximum value of cosine is one. Therefore the power factor of a load can never be more than one.

• Power factor is said to be lagging when the current lags the voltage by some angle, due to the inductive nature of the load. 
• Power factor said to be leading if the current leads the voltage by some angle, due to the capacitive nature of the load.

Active Power:

Reactive Power:

Reactive power is the component of the total power which is travel along the active power but not used by the load. It  just travel back and froth in the load. It is used to establish the magnetic field in the motor or other alternating current equipment.

Apparent Power: