Power Factor for AC Pumps

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

Something is off with your power factors on the rd6.5. I've measured them at 0.7-0.8 in the past. What device are you using?

Looks off to me as well, but the current was measured with my profilux PAB and an energy monitor. Both read the same amount of current which is around 1.8A for the RD 6.5. Since both devices read the same I assume the number is accurate. I use the energy monitor to measure the wattage as well which is around 80W. This matches up with manufacture specs so I sort of assume it's right as well. The monitor seems to be accurate for everything else as well and while I expect so see a power factor for AC pumps I have a hard time understanding how the RD 6.5 can have one so low. Even the RD skimmer pump is really low. Even the mag pump as 0.6 seems low. I expected around 0.8 like you said so I just though maybe there was something I'm missing here. The power factors I listed is just a ratio from P = V * I * PF

[mike31154]

From what I gather with a little bit of reading on the subject, smaller AC motors generally have a lower power factor than larger ones. It also depends on the load being drawn. Varying load will cause the current/voltage lag to change and along with it, the power factor. It seems as if newer motors are designed with smarter controlling circuitry to improve the power factor.