The expansion of the concept of power factor, that defined for circuits with periodic voltage and currents, to three-phase circuits with asymmetric non-periodic voltage and currents is justified. It is shown that this concept is advisable both when considering transients these occur in electric networks in the start-up modes of powerful asynchronous machines, and when evaluating the effectiveness of the use of various technical devices for these modes for correcting. References 6, figures 2. Key words: power factor, circuits of asymmetrical non-periodic voltages and currents, estimation of efficiency of modes correction means of electric network.