<P> As the power factor decreases, the ratio of real power to apparent power also decreases, as the angle θ increases and reactive power increases . </P> <P> There is also a difference between a lagging and leading power factor . The terms refer to whether the phase of the current is leading or lagging the phase of the voltage . A lagging power factor signifies that the load is inductive, as the load will "consume" reactive power, and therefore the reactive component Q (\ displaystyle Q) is positive as reactive power travels through the circuit and is "consumed" by the inductive load . A leading power factor signifies that the load is capacitive, as the load "supplies" reactive power, and therefore the reactive component Q (\ displaystyle Q) is negative as reactive power is being supplied to the circuit . </P> <P> If θ is the phase angle between the current and voltage, then the power factor is equal to the cosine of the angle, cos ⁡ θ (\ displaystyle \ cos \ theta): </P> <Dl> <Dd> P = S cos ⁡ θ (\ displaystyle P = S \ cos \ theta) </Dd> </Dl>

What is the power factor of a purely resistive circuit