Ques. Does the power factor apply to capacity reactance in the same way as to inductance reactance?
Ans. Yes. The angles of lag and of lead, are from the practical standpoint, treated as if they lay in the first quadrant of the circle. Even the negative sign of the tangent φ when it occurs is simply used to determine whether the angle be one of lag or of lead, but in finding the value of the angle from a table it is treated as a positive quantity.
Fig. 1,360.—Diagram for obtaining the power factor for example II. With convenient scale, lay off AB = 20 amperes. From A draw AC at 45° to AB, and from B, draw BD perpendicular to AC. Then, the power factor which is equal to cosine of angle of lag, = AD ÷ AB = (by measurement) 14.15 ÷ 20 = .707.
Ques. In introducing capacity into a circuit to increase the power factor what should be considered?
Ans. The cost and upkeep of the added apparatus as well as the power lost in same.
Ques. How is power lost in a condenser?
Ans. The loss is principally due to a phenomenon known as dielectric hysteresis, which is somewhat analogous to magnetic hysteresis. The rapidly alternating charges in a condenser placed in an alternating circuit may be said to cause alternating polarization of the dielectric, and consequent heating and loss of energy.
Ques. When is inductance introduced into a circuit to increase the power factor?