Kw/pf/kva?

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Simple questions are allowed here, but not simple answers.;)

There is no such thing as a power factor of -93. Power factor is real power divided by apparent power. If the load is capacitive, the power factor would be 0.93 leading or 93% leading.
 
jghrist said:
Simple questions are allowed here, but not simple answers.;)

There is no such thing as a power factor of -93. Power factor is real power divided by apparent power. If the load is capacitive, the power factor would be 0.93 leading or 93% leading.
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You are of course absolutely correct, but in mild defense of the OP I have seen a cheap (as in seven-segment LED) digital meter that displayed it like that.

- = lagging,
+ = leading,
No decimal point (because the display was too cheap I suppose, decimal points cost $ in LED displays).

It caused me a headache as I tried to convince the technician using it that it was technically incorrect, because he kept telling me he was reading a "minus 78 power factor" and I kept saying "You mean a point 78 lagging". But that was the only thing he knew. I eventually gave up and left it alone... I have since learned to pick my battles better.
 
". . .to pick my battles better."

". . .to pick my battles better."

Right. You paid for what you learned; why should you give it away to someone who doesn't even want it?
 
Jraef said:
... I have since learned to pick my battles better.
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I have learned the same thing and it saves a lot of trouble. Yesterday, a maintenance guy showed me what he called the 'west virginia formula'...W=VA. I didn't say a word. It's close enough for anything he will be doing. :grin:
 
drbond24 said:
. . . the 'west virginia formula'...W=VA.
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deliverance_dueling_banjos.jpg
 
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