Power factor of alternating circuit containing pure Resistor

Hey, today we are going to know what will be the power factor of an alternating circuit containing 1 pure resistor? It is very easy to understand. Just start thinking from the basics. First of all, let's go to know what is the power factor.

When an alternating current flows in an electrical circuit, there is some phase difference that occurs between voltage and current. This phase difference depends, on what type of load is connected in that circuit. The power factor indicates that phase difference.

So the power factor is nothing but the cosine of the angle between voltage and current.

Suppose an alternating circuit contains only one pure resistor which means it is a purely resistive circuit. In a purely resistive circuit current always flows in the same phase with the voltage, it does not matter what type of supply(AC or DC) is applied to that circuit because of resistor shows the same characteristics for both AC and DC supply.

Here you can see in the below figure, that the electrical circuit contains only one resistor.

You can also see the voltage and current both are in the same phase.

So, it is clear that as the current flows in the same phase as the voltage for the purely resistive circuit, there is no phase difference which means the angle between voltage and current is zero or θ = 0

So, the power factor will be, cosθ = cos0 = 1

The power factor of an alternating circuit will be one or Unity if it contains 1 pure resistor.

Read Also:

• Negative Power Factor Causes, Effects, Improvement
• Zero Power Factor Causes, Effects, Improvement
• Why capacitor is connected in parallel not in series for Power Factor improvement?
• What is Automatic Power Factor Controller? Block Diagram
• Why Thyristor used in Power Factor Correction Panel?

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