AC Power
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
AC Power
• AC Power to a Resistive Load
𝑃 =
• AC Power to a Inductive Load
𝑄=𝐼 𝑋 =
• AC Power to a Capacitive Load
𝑄=𝐼 𝑋 =
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Types of AC Power
• The power which is actually consumed or utilized in an
AC Circuit is called True power or Active Power or real
power. It is measured in kilowatt (kW)
• The product of root mean square (RMS) value of voltage
and current is known as Apparent Power. This power is
measured in KVA
• The power which flows back and forth that means it
moves in both the direction in the circuit or reacts upon
it, is called Reactive Power. The reactive power is
measured in kilovolt-ampere reactive (kVAR)
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Summary
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Power Factor
• The cosine of angle between voltage and current in
an a.c. circuit is known as power factor.
• component I cos φ is known as active
• component I sin φ is called the reactive
• Terms ‘lagging’ or ‘leading’
I cos in phase with V
I sin 90o out of phase with V
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Power Triangle
• Power factor, cos φ = active power/apparent power = kW/kVA
• ratio of active power to the apparent power
Power factor = cos φ = cosine of angle between V and I
Power factor = R/Z = Resistance/Impedance
Power factor = VI cos /VI = Active power/Apparent Power
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Note: Typical distribution circuits contain resistive and inductive loads; therefore, utilities install capacitors to
balance the var requirement
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Disadvantages of Low Power Factor
•
• fixed power and voltage, the load current is inversely proportional to the
power factor
• Lower the power factor, higher is the load current and vice-versa
• This can lead to:
Large kVA rating of equipment
Greater conductor size
Large copper losses
Poor voltage regulation
Reduced handling capacity of system
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Power Factor Improvement Equipment
• Static capacitors
• Synchronous condenser
• Phase advancers
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
Examples
1. An alternator is supplying a load of 300 kW at a p.f. of 0·6 lagging. If
the power factor is raised to unity, how many more kilowatts can
alternator supply for the same kVA loading ?
2. A single phase motor connected to 400 V, 50 Hz supply takes 31·7A
at a power factor of 0·7 lagging. Calculate the capacitance required
in parallel with the motor to raise the power factor to 0·9 lagging
Prepared By: Engr. Osama Majeed Butt
