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    The power balance rule says that if the current is taken only at short intervals, its crest value must be much higher than if it is taken continuously.  A high ratio of current crest value to a RMS value (a so-called crest factor) and reduction of power factor (PF) will result in a situation in which in order to obtain a given active power in a receiver (in watts), the power supplier must supply power greater than the receiver active power (this is a so-called apparent power expressed in volt-amperes, VA).  Low power factor causes higher load on the transmission cables and higher costs of electricity transfer.  Harmonic current components accompanying such parameters cause additional problems.  As a result, the electricity suppliers have started to impose financial penalties upon the customers who have not provided sufficiently high power factor.

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