ASHRAE Terminology

A Comprehensive Glossary of Terms for the Built Environment
ashrae.org/ashraeterms

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capacitor

in an alternating electrical system, a device that will store an electric charge used to change a power factor.

electric power factor (PF)

(1) factor equal to the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current, by which the product of voltage and current is multiplied to convert volt amperes to power in watts. (2) ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA) at any given point and time in an electrical circuit. Generally expressed as a percentage.

energy cost

the total cost for energy, including such charges as base charges, demand charges, customer charges, power factor charges, and miscellaneous charges.

PF
power factor (PF)

a factor, equal to the cosine of the phase angle between current and voltage, by which the product of voltage and current is multiplied to convert volt amperes to power in watts.