Overview of Power Factor Calculation Method for Nonsinusoidal and Unbalanced Systems

Abstract

With the increase of nonlinear loads (such as electric arc furnace, electrified railway, etc.) in power system, the harmonic distortion and unbalance of voltage and current are becoming more and more serious. The energy flow in the system is more complex and variable, and the power factor calculation method is controversial. This paper summarizes the influence factors and calculation methods of power factor for nonsinusoidal and unbalanced systems. The calculation methods of arithmetic power factor, vector power factor and effective power factor are compared first, and then the power factor calculation method recommended by IEEE Std 1459‐2010 and its improvement method under three‐phase balance user, active power calculation and metering error are analyzed, and the recommended calculation methods for different situations are given. Finally, future research perspectives and challenges for power factor calculation are pointed out. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.