Load factor (electrical)

Average power divided by peak power

In electrical engineering the load factor is defined as the average load divided by the peak load in a specified time period. It is a measure of the utilization rate, or efficiency of electrical energy usage; a high load factor indicates that load is using the electric system more efficiently, whereas consumers or generators that underutilize the electric distribution will have a low load factor. f L o a d = Average Load Maximum load in given time period {\displaystyle f_{Load}={\frac {\text{Average Load}}{\text{Maximum load in given time period}}}} An example, using a large commercial electrical bill: peak demand = 436 kW use = 57200 kWh number of days in billing cycle = 30 d Hence: load factor = ( [ 57200 kWh / {30 d × 24 h/d} ] / 436 kW) × 100% = 18.22% It can be derived from the load profile of the specific device or system of devices.

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