44 Chapter 12

applied voltage by certain angle as shown in Figure 12-27 (a). Therefore, an

inductive load will have a lagging power factor. Good examples of inductive
loads are transformers, motors, generators, and typical residential loads.
A leading power factor is one in which the current leads the applied voltage by
certain angle as shown in Figure 12-27 (b). A power factor correction capacitor is
an example for a load having a leading power factor.

S
Q

θ
P
(a)
P
θ

Q
S

(b)

Figure 12-27 (a) Power triangle for lagging power factor. (b) Power triangle for
leading power factor.

Example 12-27

Compute the power factor for each of the following cases.

a) Z = 100 ∠ -30o
b) 100 + j50 Ω

Solution:

a) θ = -30o
cos (θ) = cos (-30o) = 0.866
Power factor is 0.866.