Impedance (Z) the total opposition to the flow of ac

current usually composed of resistance and

reactance rated in ohms ()
Z = R jX
+ denotes for inductive reactance
- denotes for capacitive reactance
POWER TRIANGLE
While direct current has one form of power,
alternating current has three different forms of
power that are related in a unique relationship

In AC circuits, current and voltage are normally out of

phase and, as a result, not all the power produced
by the generator can be used to accomplish work.
By the same token, power cannot be calculated in
AC circuits in the same manner as in DC circuits.

Apparent Power (S) the vectorial sum of the active

and reactive power. Expressed in volt amperes or
VA. It is also the product of a circuit's voltage and
current, without reference to phase angle. The
whole power in ac system
S = P jQ = VI = V2/Z =
= VI* =I2Z
S Apparent Power
P Real Power
Q Reactive Power
denotes lagging or leading

Components of Apparent Power

Active Power or Real Power
Reactive Power or Quadrature Power
Active Power or Real Power (P) the power in the ac
system that had been used, dissipated, or
expended into some other forms of energy such as
heat, light, sound, or magnetism. This Power
expressed into watts.
P = VIcos = I2R =
=
cos power factor
= = phase angle difference between voltage
and current

Reactive Power or Quadrature Power (Q) the power

in the ac system that is delivered from the source to
the load but returned back to the system. This
power is expressed in reactive volt-amperes or
VAR.
Q = VIsin =
=
= I2X
sin reactive factor
VAR is the power required to produce the magnetic
fields to enable the real work to be done. Without
magnetizing power, transformers, conductors, and
motors, would not be able to operate.

Power Factor (pf) the ratio of the active power to the

apparent power in the ac system. This factor shows
how well the electric energy is expended in the
electric circuit, efficiency and quality of the power.
pf = cos = P/S = R/Z
In an electric power system, a load with a low power
factor draws more current than a load with a high
power factor for the same amount of useful power
transferred.
Because wasted energy, electrical utilities will usually
charge a higher cost to industrial or commercial
customers where there is a low power factor.

4 Types of Power Factor

Unity pf (pf = 1) the voltage and current are in
phase as in the case of purely resistive loads.
2) Lagging pf (0<pf<1) the current lags the voltage
by an acute angle as in the case of R-L or
inductive loads such as induction motors.
3) Leading pf (0<pf<1) the current leads the voltage
by an acute angle as in the case of R-C or
capacitive loads such as synchronous condenser.
4) Zero pf (pf = 0) the voltage and current are out of
phase exactly 90o . Zero pf loads are those
composed of purely inductive or purely capacitive
loads.
1)

Important theories in power

Resistance only consumes or draws real power.
Reactance does not consume real power and
draws reactive power.
In power system they use capacitor banks or
synchronous condenser in order to suppress the
large VAR drawn by the industrial motors (also
known as power factor correction).
Power Saver used in residential houses uses the
principle of power factor correction

Power Factor Correction

Power factor correction brings the power factor of an
AC power circuit closer to 1 by supplying reactive
power of opposite sign, adding capacitors or
inductors which act to cancel the inductive or
capacitive effects of the load, respectively.

The Truth About Power Saver Save or Not Save?

The flow of vars, or reactive power, through a
watt-hour meter will not effect the meter reading, but
the flow of vars through the power system will result
in energy losses on both the utility and the industrial
facility.
Electrical Loads in
Residential

Power factor (pf)

Toaster or ordinary incandescent

lamp

Devices with coils or capacitors (like

pumps, fans and fluorescent light bulb
with ballast)

Less than 1

It is a problem for the electric utility company because

customers are charged for kWh (true power - the
work the motor does) which is oblivious to the extra
current due to the "reactive power" which is being
stored and released by the motors coils.
Residential customers are not penalized for having a
low power factor. It will not help your washing
machine run better. The power factor is not on your
utility bill. While power factor correction is valid for
many industrial customers who use large amounts
of power, it is a deception when marketed to home
owners as a way to save money on their electric
bill.

Thank You!