Module 3 Monitoring of Apparent,

True, & Reactive Power

Lesson
Lesson
Basic Phasor Concept
3

Introduction
Previous discussions have dealt with resistance, inductance, and capacitance used
individually in ac circuit. This chapter deals with the results of combining two or more of these
quantities in a single circuit.

Impedance
The combined opposition to current due to resistance and reactance is called
impedance. The symbol for impedance is Z. Like resistance and reactance, impedance has base
unit of ohms.

In a circuit that contains resistance and only one type of reactance, the current and
voltage cannot be in phase. Nor can they be a full 90° out of phase. When the circuit contains
resistance and capacitance, the current leads the voltage. In other hand, if it contains resistance
and inductance, the current lags the voltage. When the circuit contains all three (R,C, and L),
the phase relationship depends upon the relative sizes of L and C.

Circuits containing resistance and only one type of reactance have more apparent
power than true power. Their power factor is less than 1 (less than 100%)

Examples of common electric and electronic loads that possess impedance are motors,
speakers, and earphones. These particular loads possess both inductive reactance and
resistance.

Formula for Impedance in RC Circuit : Z = √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝑐 2

Formula for Impedance in RL Circuit : Z = √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝑙 2

Adding Phasors
Now, let’s understand first the basic function of a phasor in an electrical term. Drawing
sinusoidal waveforms to show amplitude and phase shift is slow and tedious work. A much simpler
technique of showing amplitude and phase shift is the use of phasors.

A phasor is a line whose direction represents the phase angle in electrical degrees and whose
length represents the magnitude of the electrical quantity.

Suppose we wish to add the two phasors Y1 and Y2 in Fig. 13-1 (a). We can add them
either graphically or mathematically. First, we will do it graphically, and then we will develop
the mathematical method.

The graphical addition of the phasors in Fig. 13-1(a) is illustrated in Fig. 13-1(b).
The process involves the construction of a rectangle. First, line 1 is drawn from the tip of the
Y1 phasor parallel to the Y2 phasor. Then, line 2 is drawn from the tip of the Y2 phasor parallel
to the Y1 phasor. The point at which lines 1 and 2 cross is the tip of the resultant Y 2 phasor.

The three phasors of Fig. 13-1(b) can be arranged into the configuration shown in Fig
13-1(c).

This arrangement merely replaces line 2 of Fig. 13-1 (b) with phasor Y1. This is
permissible because line 2 and phasor Y1 are parallel and of the same length.

The rearrangement of phasors in Fig. 13-1 © produces a right triangle. This right
triangle is redrawn in Fig. 13-2 with the sides labeled. You are already familiar with the
trigonometric functions listed in this figure. They are listed here merely as a review and easy
reference for this chapter.
Listed below is the formula for the relationship of the sides of a right triangle.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑌1
tan ꝋ = =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑌2
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑌1
sin ꝋ = =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑌𝑇
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑌2
cos ꝋ = =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑌𝑇

This relationship, known as the Pythagorean theorem, applies to all right triangles regardless of
the size of the triangle or the angle ꝋ. Thus, knowing the length of any two sides of a right
triangle, you can calculate the length of third side using the formula:

(Hypotenuse)2 = (opposite side) 2 + (adjacent side) 2

or simply

C2 = a2+b2

Let’s have an Example:

Refer to Fig. 13-2. Suppose Y1 represents 6A and Y2 represents 8A. What is the value of
the total current YT?

Given: Y1 = 6A

Y2 = 8 A

Find: YT

Known: YT = √𝑌12 + 𝑌22

Solution: YT = √𝑌12 + 𝑌22

= √62 + 82

= √36 + 64

= √100

Answer: The total current is 10 A.

Now, what if the phasors are 180° apart? How to add them? Let’s see.

Figure 13-3 illustrates how to add two phasors (Y1 and Y2) when the phasors are 180°
apart.

The resultant phasor (YX) is equal in length to the difference between two phasors are
being added. The direction of the resultant phasor is the same s the direction of the longest
phasor. As an example, assume Y1 is 14 ohms and Y2 is 10 ohms. Then YX would be 4 ohms in
the direction of Y1 .

Suppose three phasors {Fig. 13-4(a)}, all displaced 90° from each other, are to be
added.
The first step is to add the two phasors that are 180°. Adding Y1 and Y3 reduces the problem
to the two phasors shown in Fig. 13-4(b).

The second and last step involves adding the two phasors of Fi. 13-4(b). This is accomplished
by using the Pythagorean theorem.

YT = √𝑌𝑥 2 + 𝑌22

The result {Fig. 13.4(c)} is a single phasor YT that is equivalent to the original three phasors of
Fig. 13-4(a).
The formula given in Fig. 13-4(c) can be expanded so that all three phasors can be added in
one step. It can be expanded by substituting Y1 – Y3 for YX. The result is the general formula:

YT = √(𝑌1 − 𝑌3)2 + 𝑌22

Let’s have an Example:

Find the total current represented by the three current phasors in Fig. 13-5.

Given: I1 = 5A

I2 = 4A

I3 = 8A

Find: IT

Known: IT = √(𝐼1 − 𝐼3)2 + 𝐼22

Solution: IT = √(5 − 8)2 + 42

= √(−8)2 + 42

= √9 + 16
= √25 = 5A
Answer: The three phasors represent a total current of 5A.

This formula can be used to combine any three phasors that are displaced 90° from
each other. Three phasors may represent voltage, current, or impedance (and the components
of impedance: resistance and reactance). The only requirement is that all the phasors have the
same units, that is, volts, amperes, or ohms.
 SELF-CHECK ASSESSMENT

Answer the following questions and shows your solutions:

1. Refer to fig. 13-1(a). If Y1 = 7m and Y2 = 9m, what is the length of YT?

2. Refer to fig. 13-5. Find the total current represented by the three current phasor if I1 = 14,

I3 = 26, and I2 = 5.

3. The __________ theorem shows the relationship between sides of a right triangle.