What is power factor?
Power Factor is a measure of a device's or panel's efficiency. It ranges from 0 to 1 with 1 representing perfect efficiency, which in most cases, isn't possible.
The Apparent Power or total electrical power (Kilo Volt Amperes or kVA) used in an electrical system by an industrial or commercial facility has two components:
Productive Power (Kilowatts or kW) which produces work.
Reactive Power (Kilo Volt Amperes Reactive or kVAR) which generates the magnetic fields required in inductive electrical equipment (AC motors, transformers, inductive furnaces, ovens, etc.)
Reactive Power (kVAR) produces no productive work. Because the inductive electrical equipment employing magnetic fields requires this Reactive Power, which produces no productive work, the Total Power (kVA) provided by the generating source (your utility) must always be greater than the Productive Power (kW).
The ratio of Productive Power (kW) to Total Power (kVA) is called the Power Factor and is calculated using the following formula:
PF = kW / kVA
In relation to our system, the PAN-10, PAN-12, and PAN-14 sensors have a static power factor set by whomever is configuring the system. The system has a default power factor of 0.95 (very high efficiency). This can be changed at the phase/sensor level settings in the Deployment Tool. The change will not apply retroactively to historical data; only data after the change was applied.
Our PAN-42 sensors do measure the power factor of a panel/device.
Even with assigning a PAN-42 to a panel as the Voltage Source, the only measurement that is being applied to the devices assigned to that panel is the voltage. The system does not apply through the PAN-42's measured power factor to the devices configured to that panel.