PF lead / lag convention
The meter correlates leading power factor (PF lead) or
lagging power factor (PF lag) with whether the current waveform is
leading or lagging the voltage waveform.
Current phase shift from voltage
For purely resistive loads the current waveform is in phase with the voltage waveform. For capacitive loads, current leads voltage. For inductive loads, current lags voltage.
Current lead / lag and load type
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Power and PF lead / lag
PF lead / lag summary
NOTE: The lagging
or leading distinction does NOT equate to a positive or negative
value. Rather, lagging corresponds to an inductive load, while leading
corresponds to a capacitive load.
|
Quadrant |
Current phase shift |
load type |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Quadrant 1 |
Current lags voltage |
Inductive |
PF lag |
|
Quadrant 2 |
Current leads voltage |
Capacitive |
PF lead |
|
Quadrant 3 |
Current lags voltage |
Inductive |
PF lag |
|
Quadrant 4 |
Current leads voltage |
Capacitive |
PF lead |