Optimal Power Factor (PF): 90% Electrical equipment, whether
belonging to a customer or Hydro-Québec, is designed to operate
at a relatively stable voltage. Through its tariff structure,
Hydro-Québec reminds customers that a PF of at least 90% should
be maintained at all times. A margin of up to 10% is tolerated.
What happens if your PF is below 90%? Some customers make less
than optimal use of the electricity provided to them, which
forces Hydro-Québec to supply them with additional power and
correct the impacts on the power system. To ensure that such
customers pay the real cost of their electricity supply and thus
ensure fair treatment for all customers, a new charge will be
applied progressively on each kilowatt of apparent power demand
beyond the limits set in their contract. Expressed in kilowatts
(kW), power demand is the total amount of electricity required
by equipment at a given time. In more technical terms, it is the
combined effect of voltage and current. Demand (kW) = voltage
(V) x current (A) R