What are the causes of low power factor?

Various Causes of Low Power factor:

1. Most of the AC motors are induction motor type. They have low lagging power factor. During light loads the induction motors will work at a power factor or 0.2 to 0.3 and during full load condition they will work at 0.8 to 0.9.
2. Arc lamps, electric discharge lamps and industrial heating furnaces operate at low lagging power factor.
3. Very low lagging power factorof agriculture motor pump set.
4. The load on the power system is varying. It will be high during morning and evening and will be low at other times. The supply voltage is increased during low load period, which increases the magnetization current. It results in low power factor.

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