Abdul Wakeel

BE ELECTRONICS, HAMDARD UNIVERSITY,

KARACHI.
MS ELECTRICAL (POWER), ISP, MULTAN.
Power Triangle
Active, Reactive &
Apparent Power
 AC Circuits

 DC Circuits
• Instantaneous Power
Instantaneous Power

V = 12v
I = 2A

P=V*I
P = 12 * 2
P = 24
Instantaneous Power

Positive

Negative
Active Power
Properties of Active power

• It is always positive.

• It does not changes its direction.

• Power flow is always from source to

load.

• Measured in Watts.
Reactive Power
L
L
Properties of Reactive Power

• It has positive and negative

peaks.

• It is not used for useful work.

• Measured in VAR
Distinction between Active and
Reactive Power

• One cannot be converted in other.

• They are treated as separate quantities.

• Active power produce Heat, Mechanical power, Light etc.

• Reactive power only represents power that oscillates back and forth.
Apparent Power
Power Triangle

Reactive Power (Q)

Sin = Q/S

Cos = P/S

Active Power (P) Tan = Q/P

 Summary

• Instantaneous power is the power which we calculate at any particular instant,

it can be positive or negative.

• The useful power, which always remain positive and never changes its direction is called Active power.

• The power which only oscillates back and forth without being used is called Reactive power.

• Apparent power is the combination of Active and Reactive power.

• Power factor = P/S