Power factor of ideal transformer

AI Thread Summary
The power factor of an ideal transformer is considered to be 1 because it is an imaginary device that does not account for losses or reactive components, unlike real transformers. In an ideal transformer, there is no magnetizing current or load current, meaning there is no phase angle to measure, resulting in a power factor that is moot. When a load is connected, the power factor of the transformer reflects that of the load, which can be less than 1 if the load is not purely resistive. Real transformers have losses and reactance that can affect their power factor, but an ideal transformer simplifies these complexities. Therefore, the ideal transformer's power factor is defined as 1 under the assumption of no losses or reactive elements.
Mr Genius
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Can anyone explain why the power factor of an ideal transformer cos (phi) is equal to 1??
A simple ideal transformer is formed of 2 ideal coils. The power factor of an ideal coil is 0 since phase difference between the current and the applied voltage is - π/2. Then how can the power factor of the transformer equal 1¿
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Mr Genius said:
Can anyone explain why the power factor of an ideal transformer cos (phi) is equal to 1??
A simple ideal transformer is formed of 2 ideal coils. The power factor of an ideal coil is 0 since phase difference between the current and the applied voltage is - π/2. Then how can the power factor of the transformer equal 1¿
The Power Factor will depend on the load placed at the output of the transformer. Can you post a copy of what you are reading?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Mr Genius
1487956092576.jpeg
 
Okay, it looks like they are talking about the transformer as part of a system. If you assume a purely resistive load at its output, then any deviation from a unity Power Factor would come from the transformer losses and parasitics. Does that make sense? Certainly if you connect a load to the transformer output that has a PF<1, the PF of the system will be <1 as well.

Here is a rotated and cleaned up copy of your attachment:
PF_PF.jpeg
 
  • Like
Likes Mr Genius and cnh1995
Mr Genius said:
A simple ideal transformer is formed of 2 ideal coils. T

That statement is adding to your confusion. A real transformer has coils and depends on magnetiic forces. An ideal transformer is an imaginary device that defines relationships between voltages and cuteness. The imaginary device makes no reference to magnetiic or coils. I could implement something close to an ideal transformer using only microprocessors and software, no coils needed.An ideal resistor had zero L and C, whereas real life resistors have both.

Stop trying to imagine real life properties to any ideal component. That is not helpful.
 
  • Like
Likes Mr Genius and berkeman
The primary of the transformer has a magnetising current due to the “leakage inductance” of the primary that creates flux in the core. That reactive magnetising current is proportional to primary voltage, so it is quite independent of secondary current or load. Without load, the power factor of a real transformer is zero. As more real power is transformed, the magnetising current becomes less significant and the power factor approaches closer to 1 but never gets there.

An imaginary ideal transformer need not have any magnetising current, so the power factor can always be thought of as 1.
 
  • Like
Likes Mr Genius and jim hardy
Aha !
@Mr Genius
expanding on Baluncore's accurate statement above which is the heart of the matter,,,
Mr Genius said:
A simple ideal transformer is formed of 2 ideal coils.
Think a little harder. It's an ideal inductor with another winding. An ideal inductor has specified inductance edit: so it draws magnetizing current , as you've already said.
An ideal transformer edit: differs from an ideal inductor in that it has infinite inductance so there is no magnetizing current.
With no magnetizing current and no load current either there's nothing to measure the phase angle of, so power factor becomes moot.
Only when load current commences does an angle appear to take the cosine of.
So power factor of an ideal transformer is exactly that of its load. The power factor of an ideal coil is 0 since phase difference between the current and the applied voltage is - π/2.
Fine for a finite inductor ,
but not for one with infinite inductance because there's no current to measure the phase of.
( i know, I know, a preposition is a bad word to end a sentence with)

Then how can the power factor of the transformer equal 1¿
Ideal transformer just hands over the power factor of its load.

No load, no power factor.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Mr Genius and cnh1995
Mr Genius said:
Can anyone explain why the power factor of an ideal transformer cos (phi) is equal to 1??
We usually think of a transformer as a device which magnifies voltage or current, though (obviously) not both together. But if we think in terms of power, then a transformer is a device where Pin ≈ Pout.

If the device introduces some resistive losses, then Pin = Pout + Ploss∠0°

If the device itself introduces a reactive component, then Pin = Pout + ∆ ∠-90°

Only where both of these introduced terms are zero can the equation Pin = Pout hold.

i.e., only if it's ideal will we have Pin = Pout × 1.000000∠0°

If the proportionality factor (in blue) is not of unity magnitude, or the cosine of its angle is not unity, then it cannot be describing an ideal device.
 
  • Like
Likes Mr Genius and jim hardy
Back
Top