Power Factor for AC Pumps

Goatman · #1 03-07-2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

OK so has anyone measured amps and watts on their AC pumps before? I've never looked too closely until today and I'm surprised at some of the numbers, take a look.

Voltage is 115V

Mag Pump - 0.3A , 22W (PF 0.64)
Red Dragon 6.5 - 1.85A , 82W (PF 0.39)
Red Dragon BK - 1.33A, 79W (PF 0.52)

Waveline DC10000 - 0.83A, 93W (PF 0.97)

I'm no electrical guy this makes no sense to me. Anyone care to educate me?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1989362

sphelps · #2 03-07-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goatman

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1989362

I read that thread already, it really isn't what we're talking about here.

Goatman · #3 03-07-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

I read that thread already, it really isn't what we're talking about here.

oops, sorry wrong paste...ignore

mrhasan · #4 03-07-2013, 06:37 PM

I am not reading online since I am getting infos from electrical engineers. I have, out of curiosity, confirmed with another colleague of mine just now and is also saying that you get billed for the amount of voltage and current you are drawing out from the outlet; NOT how much your device is consuming. There's no such utility meter that can determine which device is consuming what. With the difference in calculation, he came to some conclusion:

1. The motor is really horrible
2. The readings are not taken from the correct point

I am not with number 2 because the DC pump is right on target regarding the readings; so I stick with the motor is horrible

sphelps · #5 03-07-2013, 06:49 PM

I cannot find anything to suggest a residential meter measure kVA, only watts.

Quote:

There are three terms you will encounter when dealing with alternating (AC) power (as opposed to DC or batteries). The first is the kilowatt, abbreviated kW, and it represents real power. Real power can perform work. Power company utility meters on the side of your house measure this quantity and charge you for it.

The second term is reactive power, and it is measured in KVAR which is short for kilo volt amp reactive. Unlike kW, it cannot perform work. Residential customers do not pay for KVAR, and utility meters on houses do not record it.

The third term is apparent power, referred to as KVA. If you hook up two multimeters to measure current and voltage and then multiply the readings together, you get apparent power in volt amps, or VA. To distinguish it from real power, VA is used instead of W.