THE DISPLACEMENT FACTOR –
formerly known as the power factor

WHAT IS THE DISPLACEMENT FACTOR AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

On most LED light source packaging, we find the term ‘displacement factor’ or ‘power factor’. Yet very few people know what to make of it. So let’s delve a little into the basics of physics and find out what the power factor tells us about the quality of LED light sources. 

REACTIVE CURRENT AND REACTIVE POWER

With LEDs, the issue of reactive current or reactive power plays a major role. This is caused by inductance. Reactive current transports energy from the supplier to the consumer and back, over and over again. That is why it is also referred to as the ping-pong effect. Basically, it simply offers us, as consumers, NO BENEFIT. It is therefore essential to reduce this reactive current to a minimum from the outset. For not only is it unnecessary, it also generates heat – and that is something we always want to avoid. Reactive current consumption can be reduced to almost zero simply by implementing the correct circuit design within the power supply unit.

ACTIVE POWER AND APPARENT POWER

Active power is the actual consumption excluding reactive power – in other words, the ‘REAL’. Apparent power comprises both and represents the apparent consumption, the ‘APPEARANCE’. So here too, as is so often the case, it is ‘more appearance than reality’. 

THE POWER FACTOR 

The power factor refers to the ratio between active power and apparent power. It always ranges between 0 and, ideally, 1. The closer the value is to 1, the better and more efficient the LED light source. The power factor therefore says a great deal about the quality of the electrical circuitry inside a light source and should not be overlooked. Good quality means low unnecessary consumption and a long service life!

SEGULA LED light sources all have a color rendering index of over 0.75 – placing them in the top quality bracket in the industry. Why not take a look at our online shop and see for yourself!