POST-LAB QUESTIONS

1. For each set of results in experiments 1-3, calculate the power factor (p.f). For each of
the calculations draw the respective phasor diagram.

2. Comment on the effect of the use of capacitors within the system and on the effect of
too much capacitance within the system.

SOLUTION:

(1)

Power Factor of a circuit is the ratio between the real power and apparent power of a circuit.

Apparent Power = voltage × current

Real Power = VI cosΦ (W) (read from the wattmeter)

Apparent Power = VI (VA)

True Power
Power Factor (cosΦ) =
Apparent Power

Experiment 1:

Apparent Power (S) = 70Vx1A

=70VA

Real Power (P) = 65W

Reactive Power (Q) = (S2 -P2)1/2

= (702 - 702)1/2

=0W

True Power
Power Factor =
Apparent Power

65
=
70

=0.93 ⩬ 1.00

P.F = cos θ

i.e cos θ = 0.93

Therefore θ = cos-1(0.93) = 25.57o

Reactive Power Reactive Power

(0 VA) (155.16 VA)

Apparent Power
(70 VA)

Real Power (65 W)

Phasor Diagram for Experiment 1

Experiment 2:

Apparent Power (S) = 1.76 x 68

=119.68VA

Real Power (P) = 80W

Reactive Power (Q) = (S2 -P2)1/2

= (119.682 -80 2)1/2

= 89.01W

True Power
Power Factor =
Apparent Power

80
=
119.68

= 0.67

P.F = cos θ

Hence θ = cos-1(0.67)

= 47.93o
Reactive Power Reactive Power
(89.01 VA) (155.16 VA)

Apparent Power

(119.68 VA)

47.93o

Real Power (80W)

Phasor Diagram for Experiment 2

Experiment 3:
C1

The 15µF capacitor was used

Real Power (P) = 82.5W

Apparent Power (S) = (1.51)(68.5)

= 103.44W

True Power
Power Factor =
Apparent Power

82.5
=
103.44

= 0.80

P.F = cosθ

Hence θ = cos-1 (0.80)

=36.87o

Reactive Power (Q) = (S2 -P2)1/2

= (103.442 -82.52)1/2

= 62.40W
Reactive Power Reactive Power
(62.40 VA) (155.16 VA)

Apparent Power
(103.44 VA)

36.87o

Real Power (82.5W)

Phasor Diagram for Experiment 3 (CT = 15 µF)

C2

The 15µF andf 15µF capacitors were used in parallel

CT= (15+15) = 30μF

Real Power (P) = 82.5W

Apparent Power (S) = (1.34)(69)

= 92.46W

True Power
Power Factor =
Apparent Power

82.5
=
92.46

= 0.89

P.F = cosθ

Hence θ = cos-1 (0.89)

 =27.13o

Reactive Power (Q) = (S2 -P2)1/2

= (92.462 -82.5 2)1/2

= 41.74W

Reactive Power Reactive Power

(41.74 VA) (155.16 VA)

Apparent Power
(92.46 VA)

27.13o

Real Power (82.5W)

Phasor Diagram for Experiment 3 (CT = 30 µF)

C3
The 50µF capacitor was used alone

Real Power (P) = 84.5W

Apparent Power (S) = (1.25)(69.5)

= 86.88VA

True Power
Power Factor =
Apparent Power

84.5
=
86.88

= 0.97

P.F = cosθ

Hence θ = cos-1 (0.97)

=14.07o

Reactive Power (Q) = (S2 -P2)1/2

= (86.882 -84.5 2)1/2

= 20.20W
Reactive Power Reactive Power
(20.20 VA) (155.16 VA)

Apparent Power

(86.88 VA)
14.07o

Real Power (84.5W)

Phasor Diagram for Experiment 3 (CT = 50 µF)

C4

The 15µF and 50µF capacitors were joined in series

Real Power (P) = 85W

Apparent Power (S) = (1.34)(70)

=93.8W

True Power
Power Factor =
Apparent Power

85
=
93.8

= 0.91
P.F = cosθ

Hence θ = cos-1 (0.91)

=24.5o

Reactive Power (Q) = (S2 -P2)1/2

= (93.82 -85 2)1/2

=39.67W

Reactive Power Reactive Power

(39.67 VA) (155.16 VA)

Apparent Power

(93.8 VA)
24.5o

Real Power (85W)

Phasor Diagram for Experiment 3 (CT = 65 µF)