Q1Basic Electrical Engineering
Question
2 marks
PART-A
Explain the phasor representation of power.
Answer
Phasor representation uses a right-angled Power Triangle to visualize the relationship between Active, Reactive, and Apparent power.
In alternating current (AC) circuits, power is graphically represented using a right-angled triangle called the Power Triangle. This geometric representation simplifies the calculation of complex power components.
- Active Power (P): Represented on the horizontal axis. It is the real power that performs actual work (e.g., heating, mechanical rotation). Formula: . Unit: Watts (W).
- Reactive Power (Q): Represented on the vertical axis. It is the power that oscillates back and forth between the source and reactive components (inductors/capacitors) to maintain electric/magnetic fields. Formula: . Unit: Volt-Amperes Reactive (VAR).
- Apparent Power (S): Represented by the hypotenuse. It is the vector sum of active and reactive power, representing the total power capacity of the source. Formula: . Unit: Volt-Amperes (VA).