Power in AC Circuit

Active, Reactive and Apparent Power

Where do we need this?

• Maintenance Engineer
• In energy management team
• Energy auditor/energy manager
• Competitive exams
• Technical Interviews
Where do we need this?

• To have knowledge in power quality

AC circuits

DC Circuits
INSTANTENOUS POWER
INSTANTANEOUS POWER

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE
INSTANTENOUS POWER

Source Load

Source Load
ACTIVE POWER
ACTIVE POWER
ACTIVE POWER
Properties of Active Power

• It is always positive
• It does not change its direction
• Power flow is always from source to load
• Denoted by letter “P” and measured in
Watts.
REACTIVE POWER
REACTIVE POWER
REACTIVE POWER
REACTIVE POWER
Why is there a negative power?
Why is there a negative power?
Properties of Reactive Power

• It is always positive as well as negative

• It is not used for useful work. It only
represents the power which goes back
and forth without doing any useful work
• Denoted by letter “Q” and measured in
VAR (Volt-Ampere Reactive)
• Caused by non-linear devices like
capacitor, inductor etc.
Distinction between Active & Reactive Power

• One cannot be converted in other

• They are treated as separate quantities
• Both place a burden on the transmission
line
• Active power produces heat, mechanical
power, light, etc.
• Reactive power only present power that
oscillates back and forth.
Apparent Power (S)
Power Factor

• It is a ratio of active power to the

apparent power.

• PF = P/S
• Pf = 0.8
• 80% active
• 20 % reactive
Summary

• Instantaneous power is the power which we

calculate at any particular instance. It can be
positive or negative
• The power which always remains positive is
called active power. It never changes its direction
• The power which only oscillates back & forth
without being used up is called reactive power.
• Apparent power is the combination of active
and reactive power. S2 = P2 + Q2
• PF = P/S