Power factor calculations are very complicated and have an effect on all other aspects in a Connect schematic. To that end, simple averaging is not used to define board level power factors. Other items - beyond the scope of this document - are considered that will affect board level average power factors. For more detailed information how power factors affect the various parts of the calculation please consult the Connect manual, available from the File menu in the program.
Power factors can be entered at two levels by the Connect program. They can be set at final circuit level or they can be set at board level. In the simplest case; Power factors set at final circuit level dictate the power factor for the board. Power factors set at board level will dictate the power factor for everything downstream (back to supply) from that board, but it will not affect the board itself.
In this example, power factors have been set to .9 for the final circuits on B2 only. B1 way 2 is currently set to spare.
When calculated, boards B2, B1 and the supply system will be given an average power factor of 0.90 as be seen from this report excerpt.
In this example we have a slightly more complicated situation by adding a final circuit to B1 way 2. The power factor on this circuit will be left at 1.
Examination of the supply would bare this out:
Power factor definitions on boards will not affect the board they are defined on, but will rather adjust the circuit back downstream to the supply.
In this example we can re-consider example 2 (above), but now we will fix the power factor at B1 board level.
When the calculation is run we can see that B2 and B1 are still with same average power factors, but the supply point is now stating an actual calculated power factor of 1.