Abstract:

Power in AC circuits is defined as the amount of energy delivered per unit

of time by the circuit. It is used to calculate how much total power is required to
run a load. In an AC circuit, the power factor is defined as the ratio of real power
(P) and apparent power (S). The power factor can be expressed as a decimal or as
a percentage.
Introduction:
A current that varies its magnitude and polarity in regular intervals is
known as an alternating current. It also can be described as an electrical current
which changes or reverses direction on a regular basis.

Electrical power is the rate at which energy is consumed inside a circuit.

Therefore, all electrical and electronic devices and gadgets have a maximum
amount of electrical power they can safely handle.

Types of Power :

In a DC circuit, electrical power is described as the multiplication of voltage and

current. Mathematically: IR = V

In AC circuits, however, the situation is more complicated. There are three

categories of abilities here:

1. Active power
2. Reactive power
3. Apparent Power

Active power

Active or genuine or real power refers to the quantity of power that is dissipated
or that does productive work in the circuit.

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In power systems, it is calculated in watts but is more commonly expressed in
(kilowatts) and (megawatts).

It is equivalent to an average amount of P=VI cos ϕ and is indicated by P

(capital).

The circuit or load is driven by the desired output of an electrical system.

P = VI cos ϕ

Reactive Power

Reactive power is the power that comes back and forth between the source and
the load. Reactive power, indicated by the letter Q, is the component that is
proportionate to VI sinϕ

This is a power, but it is not calculated in watts because it is a non-active power,

so it is calculated in Volt-Amperes-Reactive (VAR). The load power factor
determines whether this reactive power is negative or positive.

This is due to the fact that inductive loads absorb reactive power, whereas
capacitive loads create it.

Q=VI sin ϕ

Apparent Power

The term apparent power refers to the complicated combination of true power and
reactive power. The perceived power is equal to the multiplication of voltage and
current, regardless of phase angle.

The perceived power is helpful in determining the rating of power equipment. It

can alternatively be written as the square of current times the impedance of the
circuit.

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It is indicated by the symbol S and is calculated in volt-amperes, with (kilovolt-
amperes) and (megavolt-amperes) as practical units.

S=P+jQ

Or we can write as, S = I²Z

Power Triangle :

A power triangle is the relationship between active power, reactive power and
apparent power that can be explained by describing numbers like the vector in the
geometrical form.

The ratio of the genuine power running across the circuit to an apparent power
existing in the circuit is known as the power factor of the alternating current.

Power Factor = True power/Apparent power

Also, cosΦ = R/Z

Here, R represents resistance and Z represents impedance.

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Objectives:
• Able to determine ac power division among the component of an RLC
circuit by using standard power formulas. We will verify our results with
an oscilloscope.
• Able to determine the power factor of ac circuit by using standard
electronic formulas. We will verify our results with an oscilloscope.

Equipment required:
• F.A.C.E.T. base unit
• AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board
• Oscilloscope
• Generator
• Multimeter
• Two-Post Connectors
• Terminal Posts

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Procedures:
In this experiment we have do two exercise

Exercise 1 -Power Division:

1. Locate the RLC/RESONANCE/POWER circuit block, and connect the
circuit shown.

2. Adjust VGEN for a 15VpK-pK, 20 kHz sine wave.

3. With the oscilloscope probe as shown slightly adjust the frequency of
generator so that circuit current is 6 mApk-pk (I=VR3/R3).if necessary ,
adjust VGEN to 15pk-pk. the rms value of the 6 mApk-pk circuit is
6mA pk−pk
Irms= ∗ 0.707 = 2.1𝑚𝐴𝑟𝑚𝑠
2

4. . Using the RMS value of circuit current I and your calculated RMS
voltage drop across R2 compute the real power p in R2.
5. Measure the individual voltage drop across L1 and C1 you will then
convert your peak to peak measurement to RMS value and calculate the
reactive power Q in L1 and C1.
6. using your values of reactive power determine total reactive power Q total
delivered by the generator.
7. using your values of circuit current and Generator voltage calculate the
apparent power S delivered by generator.

Exercise 2-Power Factor:

1. Do same step above to calculate P , QT , S.
2. Determine the power factor (PF) from values of real power (P) and
apparent power (S).
3. Determine the angle (θ) shown in power triangle equals the phase angle
between the generator voltage and circuit current.

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Results:

VR2 pk-pk = 5.98 V pk-pk

5.98
VR2 rms = × 0.0707 = 2.1 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠
2

PR2=Irms*VR2(rms)=4.44mW

Vc1(rms)=7.5Vrms VL1(rms)=2.63 Vrms

Qc1=Irms*Vc1(rms)=15.75mVar QL1=Irms* VL1(rms). =5.5mvar

QT=QL1+(-Qc1) =-10.25mVars

S=Irms*VGEN(rms) =11.1mVA

S = 4.44 – j 10.25 m VA

𝑆 = 11.1703 ∠ − 66.57 𝑚𝑉𝐴

⸫ θ = -66.57º ≈ -67º ⸫ PF = cos(-67) = 0.4

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Discussion:
• Three types of power are associated with ac circuits: real power (P),
reactive power(Q) and apparent power (S).
• Real power (P) is the average power dissipated as heat in a resistance.
It is measured in watts (W).
• Reactive power (Q) has no power dissipated as heat. It is measured in
voltamperes reactive (vars).
• Apparent power (S) of the generator is the total rms circuit current
multiplied by rms generator voltage. It is measured in voltamperes
(VA).
• The Power Factor is cosine function of phase angle.

Conclusion:
Electrical power is the rate at which energy is consumed inside a circuit.
All electrical and electronic devices and gadgets have a maximum amount of
electrical power they can safely handle. In AC circuits, three categories of
abilities are there:

Active power, Reactive power and Apparent Power

A power triangle is the relationship between active power, reactive power and
apparent power.

References:

1. Circuit Analysis: Theory and Practice by Robbins & Miler 2nd Edition.
2. https://unacademy.com/content/neet-ug/study-material/physics/types-of-
power-used-in-ac-circuit/

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