ELECTRIC CIRCUIT ANALYSIS – I

UNIT – 2

Power Factor & Its significance:

 The term ‘cos φ’ is called power factor. i.e

cosine of the angle between Vrms and Irms
and its value is always between + 900.
PF = cos φ
 It is also the ratio of Active power (P) to
the Apparent Power (S).
PF = Active Power / Apparent Power = P/S

 Power factor is also equal to the ratio of

resistance (R) to the impedance (Z) of the
circuit.
PF = R / Z
Significance:

 The range of Power factor is 0 to 1. Under

ideal conditions, the power factor is unity.
In a purely resistive circuit, PF = Unity
 The PF of an AC system should be as high
as possible so that current and applied
voltage is brought as near in phase as
possible.
 PF is lagging, when the current (I) lags the
supply voltage (V) and leading, when the
current (I) leads the supply voltage (V).
Low PF causes following drawbacks:
 Causes poor voltage regulation
 Efficiency of the system decreases
 More power loss in lines
 The current needed to obtain a given power
is very high. Thereby temperature also
increases.
AC Power / Instantaneous Power:

Let steady state voltage in an AC circuit is given Pav = Vrms. Irms watts
as,
v = Vm sinωt Generally rms values are represented by capital
and steady state current is given as,. letters.
i = Im sinωt
Hence,, Pav = V. I watts = I2R watts
Then, instantaneous value of power is,
p = vi = Vm sinωt . Im sinωt
p = Vm. Im sin2ωt Power drawn by an AC circuit can be 3 types
1  cos 2t
= Vm. Im
2 1. Apparent Power (S): It is the product of
V I rms value of the applied voltage and circuit
= m m (1-cos2ωt) current. It is also known as ‘wattles’ (or
2
V I V I idle) component of power.
P= ( m m ) – (( m m ). cos2ωt)
2 2 Apparent Power(S)=Vrms.Irms= V.I=(IZ).I= I2.Z
From the above equation, it is clear that the Units: volt-amp (V.A)
instantaneous power consists of two components.
2. Active Power (P) : It is the power which is
V I actually dissipated in the circuit resistance.
1. Constant Power component : m m
2 It is also known a ‘wattful’ component of
V I power (or) True Power (or) Real Power
2. Fluctuating Component: ( m m ).cos2ωt,
2 (or) Power
having the frequency, double the frequency of the
applied voltage. Active Power(P)= I2.R = V.I.cosφ
Units: watts
Now, the average value of the fluctuating cosine
component of double frequency is zero, over one 3. Reactive Power (Q): It is power
complete cycle. developed in the inductive reactance of the
circuit. Thus,
So, average power consumption over one cycle is Reactive Power(Q)= I2.XL = V.I.sinφ
equal to the constant power component only i.e.
Vm I m Units: volt – ampere reactive (VAR)
.
2
** Relationship between ‘S’, ‘P’ and ‘Q’
Vm I m Vm . Im
is given by
Hence, Pav = =
2 2 2 S =P+jQ (or) S2 =P2+Q2