CONCEPT OF COMPLEX POWER

In power system studies, the complex power constitutes a very valuable computational
aid. Let us consider the single phase circuit shown in figure

+
V = V
I = I

WE introduce now the conjugate current defined by

I* = I

The complex power is now defined as the product

S = VI *
S= VI* = V I
S = V I cos( ) + j V I sin ( )

- - phase angle between voltage and current

> - current lagging the voltage
<- current leading the voltage
In a series RL load carrying current I

V= I( R+jXL)
V
I=
R + jX L
S = VI * = I 2 R + jI 2 X L

Z=

1
Y

P I2R active power absorbed by the load

Q- I2X reactive power absorbed by the load

S= P + jQ
2

S= P+ jQ = VI* = Z I = Y * V

Upon computing S from either of the three alternative expression we obtain P and Q as
simply the real and imaginary part of S , respectively
Being a complex number S can be depicted ina complex number plane as shown in
figure
Imaginary Axis
S

Real axis

The power triangle

The real and reactive powers are equal in magnitude to the three sides of the right
triangle sometime referred to as power triangle .
Very often it is convenient to use the summation rule for complex powers
DIRECTION OF POWER FLOW :
The relation between P, Q and bus voltage V, or generated voltage E with respect
to signs of P and Q is important when the flow of power in a system is considered .It
involves direction of flow of power i.e., power is generated or absorbed when voltage or
current are specified
For a d.c system the question of delivering power to a circuit or absorbing power
is obvious.
For an a.c system, the ideal voltage source with polarity marks as usual indicate
the terminal which is +ve during the half cycle of positive instantaneous voltage, of
course , the positively marked terminal is actually the ve terminal during the negative
half cycle of instantaneous voltage . Similarly, the arrow indicates the direction of current
during +ve half cycle of current

I
+

Circuit diagram
E

Calculate from VI*

If P is +ve e.m.f absorbs power
If P is ve e.m.f supplies power
If Q is +ve e.m.f absorbs reactive power
If Q is ve e.m.f supplies reactive power

Motor Action
E

I
+

Generator Action

If P is +ve e.m.f supplies power

If P is ve e.m.f absorbs power
If Q is +ve e.m.f supplies reactive power
If Q is ve e.m.f absorbs reactive power