Power Triangle
Learning Objectives
Define apparent power.
Calculate apparent power in AC series parallel
networks.
Define the power triangle.
Using the power triangle determine relationships
between real, reactive and apparent power.
Determine if AC series parallel networks are
inductive, capacitive, or purely resistive.
Review
AC Power to a Resistive Load
2
V
P VRMS I RMS I RMS
2
R RMS (watts)
R
AC Power to a Inductive Load
2
VRMS
QL I 2
RMS XL (VAR)
XL
AC Power to a Capacitive Load
2
VRMS
QC I 2
RMS XC (VAR CAP )
XC
Review
AC Power Summary
Real Power P = VI (W) P = 0 (W) P = 0 (W)
P = I2R =V2/R
Reactive Q = 0 (VAR) Q = VI (VARind) Q = VI (VARcap)
Power
Q = I2XL =V2/XL = I2XC =V2/XC
Resistance R XL = L XC = 1/C
Reactance
Apparent Power
For a load with voltage V and current I, the
power that “appears to flow” to the load is VI
where V and I are rms values.
S = VI (VA)
S is called the apparent power and has units of
volt-amperes (VA).
Apparent Power
In terms of load impedance Z, apparent power
can be expressed
S = I2Z = V2/Z (VA)
It is common to see apparent power give in kVA.
Example Problem 1
Determine the real, reactive, and apparent power.
Power Triangle
The power triangle graphically shows the
relationship between real (P), reactive (Q) and
apparent power (S).
P
S
QL QC
S
P
Power Triangle
From the power triangle we can see that
S P2 Q2
S P jQL or S P jQC
S S
P
S
QL QC
S
P
Power Triangle
We can generalize the equations:
P P0
Q L jQL
QC jQC
I*is complex conjugate of I P
S PQ
QC
S VI S
Real and Reactive Power
The power triangle also shows that we can find
real (P) and reactive (Q) power.
P VI cos S cos (W)
Q VI sin S sin (VAR)
P
S
QL QC
S
P
Example Problem 2
Draw the power triangle for this circuit. Determine
if this is an inductive, capacitive, or resistive
circuit.
Example Problem 3
Determine the value of R and PT & QT. Draw the
power triangle and determine S.