EE301 – Lesson 26

Reading: 19.7 and 19.8

AC POWER AND POWER FACTOR
Learning Objectives
a. Perform AC power calculations using the complex form of Apparent Power
b. Define power factor.
c. Define unity, leading and lagging power factors.

Complex Numbers in Power Calculations AC power can be calculated using complex equations. The
resultant can be used to determine real and reactive power by changing it to rectangular form.

I*is complex conjugate of I NOTE! The complex conjugate

  *  V 2 of current is used to make the
S =P + jQ =E IT =I Z = *
2
power angle the same as the
Z impedance angle!

Power Factor The power factor (FP) tells us what portion of the apparent power (S) is actually real
power (P). The power factor is a ratio given by

FP = P / S

Power factor is expressed as a number between 0 to 1.0 (or as a percent from 0% to 100%)
From the power triangle it can be seen that
FP = P / S = cos θ S
Q
The power factor angle is thus given as θ
P
θ= cos-1(P / S)
For a pure resistance, θ = 0.
For a pure inductance, θ = 90
For a pure capacitance, θ = -90

NOTE: θ is the phase angle of the total impedance, Z T , not the current or voltage.

Unity Power Factor (FP = 1)

A unity power factor implies that all of a load’s apparent power is θ=0° Q=0
real power (S = P). Now, if FP = 1, then θ = 0º. P,S
It could also be said that the load looks purely resistive. The load current and
voltage are in phase.
Lagging Power Factor (θ > 0º)
S
VARind
Q
The load current lags the load voltage, which implies θ
that the load looks inductive. P

1
 EE301 – Lesson 26
Reading: 19.7 and 19.8
Leading power factor (θ < 0º)
P
θ
VARcap
The load current leads the load voltage which implies S
Q

that the load looks capacitive.

Example For the circuit shown:

(a) Determine PT and QT by determining individual component real and reactive powers and summing
them. Use PT and QT to find Apparent Power for the circuit.
(b) Determine the complex form of Apparent Power by using the equation below. Change the complex
S into rectangular form to determine real and reactive total powers.
 ∗
S = VI
Solution:

2
 EE301 – Lesson 26
Reading: 19.7 and 19.8
Example For the circuit shown:

(a) Determine P, Q, S and the power factor for this circuit. Draw the power triangle.
(b) Is it a leading or lagging power factor?
(c) Overall, is the circuit inductive or capacitive?

Solution:

3
 EE301 – Lesson 26
Reading: 19.7 and 19.8
Example For the circuit shown

(a) Determine total current, apparent power, and the power factor for this circuit. Is it a leading or
lagging power factor?
(b) Determine total current, apparent power, and the power factor if the capacitor reactance is decreased
to 40 ohms. What kind of power factor does it have?
Solution: