Generator Power Factor Calculator

Calculate any value in the power triangle (kW, kVA, Power Factor) to understand and manage your generator's load and efficiency.

Power Conversion

Result

--kW
Enter values to see calculation

Visualizing the Power Triangle

The relationship between kW and kVA is best understood with the "Power Triangle".

  • Real Power (kW): The horizontal side. This is the power that does actual work, like heating a coil or turning a motor shaft.
  • Reactive Power (kVAR): The vertical side. This power sustains the magnetic fields in motors and transformers but does no real work.
  • Apparent Power (kVA): The hypotenuse. It's the total power the generator must supply.
  • Power Factor (PF): The cosine of the angle (θ) between kVA and kW. It represents how efficiently the current is being converted into useful work. A PF of 1.0 is 100% efficient.
kW = kVA × Power Factor
Real Power (kW) Reactive Power (kVAR) Apparent Power (kVA) θ