UNDERSTAND YOUR READINGS

Power factor checker

Check what your power factor reading may mean, and what to discuss with AfriPFC.

A guide only. This does not size equipment or guarantee bill savings.

Start with your readings

What readings do you have?

Start with a power factor (PF) reading if you have one. Use kW and kVA only when you have matching readings.

Where can I find my power factor?

Look on a commercial electricity bill or an existing, accessible meter display for “Power Factor”, “PF” or “cos phi” (cos φ). Not every bill or meter shows it. A reading might be 0.85 or 85%.

Cos phi usually means displacement power factor. It is not the same as true power factor when harmonics are present; see the explanation below.

Use a bill or an accessible display only. Do not open electrical panels or touch wiring to find a reading.

Can’t find your readings? Ask AfriPFC for help

Reading format Power factor

Enter a decimal from 0 to 1. For 85%, choose percentage above.

Does your meter say lagging or leading?

Use the meter’s label, or leave “Not sure” selected. A positive number alone does not identify lagging or leading.

What are lagging and leading?

Lagging means the current follows the voltage, commonly with motors and other inductive loads. Leading means the current is ahead of the voltage, which can occur with capacitors or overcorrection. If the display does not say, choose “Not sure”; do not guess.

AfriPFC can help interpret your reading.

Your guide

Enter your readings, then select “Check my power factor”.

Available after a valid, nonzero check. Clicking opens a draft for Gary at +263 772 511 375. You choose whether to send it.

What this check can tell you

0.95–1.00: Good range for this guide
Room for improvement: Aim for 0.95 or higher
Below 0.90: Site assessment recommended

These are guide bands, not a statement of your utility's tariff or compliance requirements. A zero reading needs checking before interpretation. Leading readings always need review, even in the good range.

True power factor and displacement power factor

True power factor is real power divided by apparent power: PF = kW ÷ kVA. With suitable, simultaneous meter readings it includes the effects of waveform distortion. Displacement power factor (often labelled cos φ) describes the phase relationship at the fundamental frequency; it can look good while harmonics lower true power factor. Check which measure your meter reports. This checker cannot detect harmonics or determine capacitor size.

Will this reduce my electricity bill?

Any bill saving depends on your tariff, applicable demand or reactive-energy charges, load profile and existing power factor. Improving power factor does not normally reduce the load's working kW by the same proportion. A site assessment is needed before equipment selection; savings are not guaranteed.

Your readings stay in this page

The checker does not store or submit your readings to a server and asks for no personal details. Only if you click the WhatsApp result link are the displayed readings included in a WhatsApp draft. Nothing is sent automatically.