In telecommunication, electronics and the electrical power industry, the term demand factor has the following meanings:
1. The ratio of (a) the maximum real power consumed by a system to (b) the maximum real power that would be consumed if the entire load connected to the system were to be activated at the same time.
Note: The maximum real power is usually integrated over a specified time interval, such as 15 or 30 minutes, and is usually expressed in kilowatts. The real power that would be consumed if the entire load connected to the system were to be activated at the same time is obtained by summing the power required by all the connected equipment. This load is expressed in kilowatts if the consumed real power is expressed in kilowatts.
2. The ratio of (a) the maximum power, integrated over a specified time interval, such as 15 or 30 minutes, and usually expressed in kilowatts, consumed by a system, to (b) the maximum volt-amperes, expressed in kilovolt-amperes if the power is expressed in kilowatts, integrated over a time interval of the same duration, though not necessarily during the same interval.
Charges for electrical power may be based on the demand factor as well as the kilowatt-hours of electrical energy consumed, to take account of reactive power.
Famous quotes containing the words demand and/or factor:
“It is not enough to demand insight and informative images of reality from the theater. Our theater must stimulate a desire for understanding, a delight in changing reality. Our audience must experience not only the ways to free Prometheus, but be schooled in the very desire to free him. Theater must teach all the pleasures and joys of discovery, all the feelings of triumph associated with liberation.”
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956)
“Weapons are an important factor in war, but not the decisive factor; it is people, not things, that are decisive. The contest of strength is not only a contest of military and economic power, but also a contest of human power and morale. Military and economic power is necessarily wielded by people.”
—Mao Zedong (1893–1976)