Power Factor measurement for Ammeter #200386

[Ralph E Burns January 24, 2019 at 4:33 pm Post count: 0]

#35413 Reply |

Hello Drok –

I’d like to know how accurate Power Factor measurement is at low current and wattage levels.  I am attempting to use you Ammeter #200386 to measure power consumption of an induction stovetop in anticipation for powering it off-grid with an inverter that is battery supplied for a camper van.  When the 110VAC stovetop is plugged in but not being used for cooking, it draws standby power to enable the touch control buttons.  Ammeter #200386 measures this at 2.2 watts / 2.8A at 122VAC.  At the same time, it measures Power Factor at .01.  I take that to mean the apparent consumption of the stovetop is 2.2W / .01 = 220VA.  That doesn’t seem right!  A similar condition exists at the two lowest cook settings when the stove cycles on and off.

See link to my list of measurements and page from the stovetop owner’s manual.

Thank you.

 

 

[Ralph E Burns January 24, 2019 at 4:38 pm Post count: 0]

#35414 Reply |

I should add that the tests above are done using 110VAC grid power.  The off-grid system is still in the design phase and doesn’t exist yet!

[DrokKeymaster January 25, 2019 at 7:53 am Post count: 2971]

#35415 Reply |

Hello Ralph E Burns,

Thanks for writing in.

Apparent power does not represent the actual power consumed by AC circuit, it is  the maximum power that the circuit may provide or the maximum active power that the circuit may consume.

For example, The output capacity of transformer is showed by apparent power, it means the maximum output transformer can hold.

For any mroe questions, please kindly let us know.

Best regards.

[Author]

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