What does the power factor represent in a power system?

The power factor is an important concept in electrical power systems, representing the ratio of active power to apparent power. Active power, measured in watts (W), is the power that actually does the useful work in the system, such as running motors or lighting homes. Apparent power, measured in volt-amperes (VA), is the product of the current and voltage in the circuit, factoring in both the real power (active) and reactive power, which accounts for energy storage in inductors and capacitors.

The significance of the power factor lies in how efficiently electrical power is being utilized. A power factor of 1 (or 100%) indicates that all the power is being effectively converted into useful work, while a lower power factor indicates inefficiencies where some of the power is wasted, often due to reactive components in the system. Understanding the power factor helps engineers design and operate systems more efficiently, optimizing energy use and reducing costs.

The other options refer to different concepts in power systems but do not accurately capture the essence of the power factor. The total energy consumed over time relates to energy billing, efficiency of transmission lines concerns power loss during transmission, and frequency of power supply pertains to the rate at which alternating current changes direction. None of these options