ANSI/IEEE C37.

26-1972

An American National Standard

IEEE Standard Guide for Methods of

Power-Factor Measurement for Low-
Voltage Inductive Test Circuits

Sponsor
Switchgear Committee
of the
IEEE Power Engineering Society

Secretariat

Edison Electric Institute

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved September 16, 1971

Reaffirmed September 8, 1977
Reaffirmed September 28, 1990
Reaffirmed Decenmber 10, 1996
IEEE Standards Board

Approved May 9, 1972

Reaffirmed June 30, 1986
Reaffirmed February 20, 1991
Reaffirmed July 30, 1997
American National Standards Institute

©Copyright 1972 by
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc
345 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017 USA
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of the publisher.
IEEE Standards documents are developed within the Technical Committees of the IEEE Societies and the Standards
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ii
Foreword

(This Foreword is not a part of American National Standard and IEEE Standard Guide for Power Factor Measurement for Low-
Voltage Inductive Test Circuits, ANSI C37.26-1972, IEEE Std 330-1972.)

This standard covers methods used to measure the power factor in low-voltage test circuits. Since the power factor
measurement for high capacity test circuits is particularly difficult and different methods may yield different results,
the methods that are least likely to yield error are recommended in this standard guide for any particular circuit
condition.

This low-voltage standard guide has been written as a compatible companion to the high-voltage American National
Standard Methods for Determining the RMS Value of a Sinusoidal Current Wave and a Normal-Frequency Recovery
Voltage for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers, C37.05-1964 (R1969) and American National Standard Methods for
Determining Values of a Sinusoidal Current Wave, Normal-Frequency Recovery Voltage, and a Guide for Calculation
of Fault Currents for Application of AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Total Current Basis, C37.5-1969.

It is the policy of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and American National Standards
Committee C37 to maintain this standard current with the state of technology. Comments on this standard, as well as
suggestions for additional material that should be included are invited. These should be addressed to the American
National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 10018, with copy to the Secretary, IEEE Standards
Committee, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017.

The Standards Committee on Power Switchgear C37, which reviewed and approved this standard, had the following
personnel at the time of approval:

The personnel of the Low-Voltage Switchgear Devices Subcommittee of the IEEE Switchgear Committee, which
approved this document, were as follows:

R. S. Smithley, Chair
H. H. Connelley, Secretary

L. L. Baird C. R. Joy G. H. Plate

R. N. Bell J. J. Komisky P. J. Reifschneider
A. N. Eliasen Jean Lafontaine F. J. Shields
W. H. Ferguson J. C. Lebens James Stewart
J. M. Gasque, Jr R. A. McMaster J. R. Truitt
V. A. Mortenson

Members of the Working Group of the IEEE Low-Voltage Switchgear Devices Subcommittee that prepared this
standard were as follows:

J. J. Komisky, Chair
G. H. Plate, (Assistant Chairman)

R. N. Bell W. H. Ferguson P. J. Reifschneider

T. F. Brandt, Jr J. C. Lebens R. S. Smithley
V. A. Mortenson

iii
The Standards Committee on Power Switchgear, C37, which reviewed and approved this standard had the following
personnel at the time of approval:

Charles L. Wagner, Chair

J. G. Werner, Secretary
C. M. Clevenger (Executive Vice-Chairman of High- Voltage Switchgear Standards)
W. E. Laubach (Executive Vice-Chairman of Low- Voltage Switchgear Standards)
W. R. Wilson (Executive Vice-Chairman of IEC Activities)
V. L. Cox (Consulting Engineer)

Organization Represented Name of Representative

Association of Iron and Steel Engineers .......................................................... T. S. Novak
Electric Light and Power Group ...................................................................... J. E. Beehler
H. G. Frus
F. R. Solis
R. R. Wagstaff
K. D. Hendrix (Alt)
J. P. Markey (Alt)
C. D. Stalnaker (Alt)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ............................................. H.O. Simmons, Jr
C. J. Essel
J. B. Owens
G. W. Walsh
H. W. White
R. E. Friedrich (Alt)
National Electrical Manufacturers Association ............................................... A. P. Colaiaco
R. W. Dunham
C. E. Gryctko
W. J. Smith
W. R. Wilson
J. G. Werner (Alt)
Tennessee Valley Authority ............................................................................. Owen S. C. Hammer
U. S. Department of the Army ......................................................................... W. K. Cave
U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation ............................... Edward M. Tomsic
U. S. Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Norman Mawdsley
Leonard W. Johnson (Alt)

The personnel of the C37 Subcommittee on Low-Voltage Switchgear Devices which reviewed this document were as
follows:

P. J. Reifschneider, Chair
J. G. Werner, Secretary

O. J. Albani
R. N. Bell
J. L. Drown
C. R. Joy
R. A. McMasters
J. Stewart

iv
When the IEEE Standards Committee approved this standard on September 16, 1971, it had the following
membership:

B. B. Barrow, Chair
J. Forster, Vice Chair
S. I. Sherr, Secretary

S. J. Angello J. A. Goetz R. H. Rose, II

E. C. Barnes A. D. Hasley S. V. Soanes
F. K. Becker G. E. Hertig L. Van Rooij
W. H. Cook A. R. Hileman R. V. Wachter
W. H. Devenish H. Lance B. O. Weinschel
C. J. Essel D. T. Michael C. E. White
R. F. Estoppey J. B. Owens W. T. Wintringham

v
CLAUSE PAGE
1. Scope ...................................................................................................................................................................1

2. Purpose................................................................................................................................................................1

3. Definitions...........................................................................................................................................................2

4. Ratio Method.......................................................................................................................................................2

4.1 General ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

4.2 Procedure for Determining Power Factor .................................................................................................. 2

5. DC Decrement Method .......................................................................................................................................3

5.1 General ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

5.2 Procedure for Determining Power Factor .................................................................................................. 3

6. Phase Relationship Method.................................................................................................................................6

6.1 General ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

6.2 Procedure for Determining Power Factor .................................................................................................. 7

7. References ...........................................................................................................................................................7

vi
An American National Standard

IEEE Standard Guide for Methods of

Power-Factor Measurement for Low-
Voltage Inductive Test Circuits

1. Scope

This standard describes three methods used to measure the power factor in 60 Hz inductive low-voltage (1000 volts
and below) test circuits. Similar methods may apply at other frequencies. These methods are:

1) Ratio method
2) dc decrement method
3) Phase relationship method

These preferred methods are shown in Table 1.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to recommend methods of measuring power factor for inductive test circuits by such
means as oscillographic records, so that the preferred method, giving the greatest accuracy, is recommended for any
particular circuit.

Table 1— Preferred Methods of Power Factor Measurement

for Low-Voltage Inductive Test Circuits (See Note 1)
Test Circuit Interrupting Time Circuit Power Factor
Current Range on Test Device
(rms symmetrical) (Cycles) 0–30 Percent Above 30 Percent
0.5 or less Ratio Method
20 kA and below Phase relationship method
Above 0.5 dc Decrement method
Above 20 kA to 130 kA, 0.5 or less Ratio Method
—
inclusive Above 0.5 dc Decrement Method
Above 130 kA Any Ratio Method (Note 2) —
NOTES:
1 — Table 1 applies to single-phase or three-phase test circuit, 60 Hz.
2 — For circuits above 130 kA, where asymmetrical closing conditions may jeopardize equipment or instrumentation, the
phase relationship may be used.

Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved 1

ANSI C37.26-1972

3. Definitions

The definitions and terms contained in this document or in other American National Standards referred to in this
document, are not intended to embrace all legitimate meanings of the terms. They are applicable only to the subject
treated in this standard.

For additional definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to American National Standard Definitions for Power
Switchgear, C37.100-1972.

4. Ratio Method

4.1 General

Devices such as current-limiting fuses, fused circuit breakers, and similar fast clearing devices may have total
interrupting times of 0.5 cycle or less. The ratio method permits measurement to be made within the operating time of
these devices and generally is not suitable on circuits with power factors above 30 percent.

Since this method requires closing the circuit to produce maximum current asymmetry, the resulting high mechanical
forces on bus supports and circuit components may jeopardize the test equipment or instrumentation. When there is a
question of jeopardy, the phase relationship method may be used.

4.2 Procedure for Determining Power Factor

The power factor is determined at an instant one-half cycle (based on the fundamental frequency timing wave) after the
initiation of current flow by determining the asymmetrical and symmetrical currents at this point. (See Figs. 1 and 2,
and Table 2.) Both total rms asymmetrical current and rms symmetrical current are to be measured and the ratio MA or
MM calculated as follows: Construct the envelope of the wave as shown in Fig. 1. The rms symmetrical and rms
asymmetrical currents shall be determined as indicated in the equations of Fig. 1. Having determined these values, the
MA for three-phase circuits and MM for single-phase circuits are determined from the following:

Average of the rms Asymmetrical Current in the Phases

Ratio M A (for Three-Phase Tests) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average of the rms Symmetrical Current in the Phases

rms Assymetrical Current

Ratio M M (for Single-Phase Tests) --------------------------------------------------------------
rms Symmetrical Current

Refer to Fig. 2 or Table 2 to determine the power factor of the test circuit.

2 Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved

 ANSI C37.26-1972

Figure 1— Ratio Method

5. DC Decrement Method

5.1 General

This method is recommended for circuits of 30 percent power factor or less where the device to be tested interrupts at
a point in time more than one-half cycle from the initiation of the current. This method relates power factor to the rate
of decay of the dc component. The current measuring method used should not introduce distortion into the dc
component. Use noninductive shunts since current transformers may introduce significant error.

5.2 Procedure for Determining Power Factor

The power factor may be determined from the curve of the dc component of the asymmetrical current wave. See Fig. 3.

Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved 3

ANSI C37.26-1972

5.2.1

The equation for the dc component is:

id = Id0 e− (Rt/L)

where

id = value of the dc component at time t

Ido = initial value of the dc component
L/R = time constant of the circuit in seconds
t = time interval, in seconds, between id and Ido
e = base of Napierian logarithms (2.7183)

Figure 2— Multiplying Factor vs Power Factor

4 Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved

 ANSI C37.26-1972

Table 2— Multiplying Factors

Multiplying Factor Multiplying Factor
Maximum Average Maximum Average
Power Single Phase Three Phase Power Single Phase Three Phase
Factor rms Current rms Current Factor rms Current rms Current
at 1/2 Cycle at 1/2 Cycle at 1/2 Cycle at 1/2 Cycle
Percent X/R Ratio (Curve MA) (Curve MA) Percent X/R Ratio (Curve MA) (Curve MA)
0 ∞ 1.732 1.394 29 3.3001 1.139 1.070
1 100.00 1.696 1.374 30 3.1798 1.130 1.066
2 49.993 1.665 1.355 31 3.0669 1.121 1.062
3 33.322 1.630 1.336 32 2.9608 1.113 1.057
4 24.979 1.598 1.318 33 2.8606 1.105 1.053
5 19.974 1.568 1.301 34 2.7660 1.098 1.049
6 16.623 1.540 1.285 35 2.6764 1.091 1.046
7 14.251 1.511 1.270 36 2.5916 1.084 1.043
8 12.460 1.485 1.256 37 2.5109 1.078 1.039
8.5 11.723 1.473 1.248 38 2.4341 1.073 1.036
9 11.066 1.460 1.241 39 2.3611 1.068 1.033
10 9.9501 1.436 1.229 40 2.2913 1.062 1.031
11 9.0354 1.413 1.216 41 2.2246 1.057 1.028
12 8.2733 1.391 1.204 42 2.1608 1.053 1.026
13 7.6271 1.372 1.193 43 2.0996 1.049 1.024
14 7.0721 1.350 1.182 44 2.0409 1.045 1.022
15 6.5912 1.330 1.171 45 1.9845 1.041 1.020
16 6.1695 1.312 1.161 46 1.9303 1.038 1.019
17 5.7967 1.294 1.152 47 1.8780 1.034 1.017
18 5.4649 1.277 1.143 48 1.8277 1.031 1.016
19 5.1672 1.262 1.135 49 1.7791 1.029 1.014
20 4.8990 1.247 1.127 50 1.7321 1.026 1.013
21 4.6557 1.232 1.119 55 1.5185 1.015 1.008
22 4.4341 1.218 1.112 60 1.3333 1.009 1.004
23 4.2313 1.205 1.105 65 1.1691 1.004 1.002
24 4.0450 1.192 1.099 70 1.0202 1.002 1.001
25 3.8730 1.181 1.093 75 0.8819 1.0008 1.0004
26 3.7138 1.170 1.087 80 0.7500 1.0002 1.00005
27 3.5661 1.159 1.081 85 0.6128 1.00004 1.00002
28 3.4286 1.149 1.075 10 0.0000 1.00000 1.00000

Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved 5

ANSI C37.26-1972

The time constant L/R can be ascertained from the above formula as follows:

1) Measure the value of Id0 at the time of current initiation and the value of id at any other time t
2) Determine the value of e−Rt/L by dividing id by Id0
3) From a table of values of e−x determine the value of −x corresponding to the ratio id/Id0
4) The value x then represents Rt/L, from which L/R is determined

5.2.2

Determine the angle φ from:

φ = arctan (ωL/R)

where

ω = 2 π times the actual frequency

5.2.3

Power Factor = cos φ

6. Phase Relationship Method

6.1 General

Methods dependent upon asymmetrical values of current or the decay of the dc component generally are not suitable
for the measurement of power factor circuits above 30 percent where the dc component is severely reduced. Therefore,
the phase relationship method, using current and voltage waves, is the recommended method on circuits having power
factors over 30 percent.

Figure 3— DC Decrement Method

6 Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved

 ANSI C37.26-1972

6.2 Procedure for Determining Power Factor

This method involves controlled closing and determines the power factor of the test circuit under essentially
symmetrical closing conditions. Construct suitable straight, parallel wave envelope lines and a line midway between
them to determine the “zero point” of the “true” axis of the current wave at the end of the first major half cycle. By
relating this point to the open circuit voltage wave “zero point,” the power factor can be determined from the difference
in electrical degrees between the “zero point” of the current at the end of the first major half cycle and the
corresponding “zero point” position of the circuit voltage wave. For three-phase circuits, each phase current must be
related to its own phase-to-neutral voltage. Greater accuracy will result if each power factor is determined when the
circuit is closed so that the phase under consideration has symmetrical characteristics. The average of the phase power
factors is considered as the circuit power factor. If the voltage wave is subject to measurable phase shift upon closure
of the test circuit (as shown in Fig. 4), it is necessary to determine and use the voltage zero (0) point which would have
existed (indicated dash line) if the phase shift in the voltage wave had not occurred.

Figure 4— Phase Relationship Method

7. References

[1] NEMA Standard for Molded Case Circuit Breakers, Publication AB 1-1969.

[2] IEC Specification for Alternating-Current Circuit Breakers, IEC Publication 56-1-1971.

[3] Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. High-Interrupting-Capacity Fuses; Current-Limiting Types, UL198.2-1970.

[4] Harder, J. E. A method of power factor measurement for circuit interrupter testing. IEEE Transactions on Power
Apparatus and Systems, vol PAS-87, no 10, Oct 1968, TP21 PWR.

[5] Farquhar, W.A.; Schall, G. E.; Plate, G. H. Comparison of Power Factor Measurement Methods. Presented at IEEE
Winter Power Meeting, New York, N.Y., Jan 29, 1968, 68CP168-PWR.

[6] Brandt, T. F., Jr, Test Procedure for Determining Short-Circuit Power Factor. Presented at IEEE Winter Power
Meeting New York, N. Y., Jan 29, 1968, 68CP20-PWR.

[7] Withers, J. S. Ammeter-Voltmeter-Wattmeter Method of Determining Short-Circuit Power Factor in a Short-Circuit

Laboratory. Presented at IEEE Winter Power Meeting, New York, N. Y., Jan 29, 1968, 68CP82-PWR.

Copyright © 1972 IEEE All Rights Reserved 7