Power in AC Circuits

 Power in AC Circuits

Electrical power consumed by a resistance in an AC circuit is different to the power consumed by a reactance as reactances do not dissipate energy

In a DC circuit, the power consumed is simply the product of the DC voltage times the DC current, given in watts. However, for AC circuits with reactive components we have to calculate the consumed power differently.

Electrical power is the “rate” at which energy is being consumed in a circuit and as such all electrical and electronic components and devices have a limit to the amount of electrical power that they can safely handle. For example, a 1/4 watt resistor or a 20 watt amplifier.

Electrical power can be time-varying either as a DC quantity or as an AC quantity. The amount of power in a circuit at any instant of time is called the instantaneous power and is given by the well-known relationship of power equals volts times amps (P = V*I). So one watt (which is the rate of expending energy at one joule per second) will be equal to the volt-ampere product of one volt times one ampere.

Then the power absorbed or supplied by a circuit element is the product of the voltage, V across the element, and the current, I flowing through it. So if we had a DC circuit with a resistance of “R” ohms, the power dissipated by the resistor in watts is given by any of the following generalised formulas:

Electrical Power

Where: V is the dc voltage, I is the dc current and R is the value of the resistance.

So power within an electrical circuit is only present when both the voltage and current are present, that is no open-circuit or closed-circuit conditions. Consider the following simple example of a standard resistive dc circuit:

DC Resistive Circuit

Electrical Power in an AC Circuit

In a DC circuit, the voltages and currents are generally constant, that is not varying with time as there is no sinusoidal waveform associated with the supply. However in an AC circuit, the instantaneous values of the voltage, current and therefore power are constantly changing being influenced by the supply. So we can not calculate the power in AC circuits in the same manner as we can in DC circuits, but we can still say that power (p) is equal to the voltage (v) times the amperes (i).

Another important point is that AC circuits contain reactance, so there is a power component as a result of the magnetic and/or electric fields created by the components. The result is that unlike a purely resistive component, this power is stored and then returned back to the supply as the sinusoidal waveform goes through one complete periodic cycle.

Thus, the average power absorbed by a circuit is the sum of the power stored and the power returned over one complete cycle. So a circuits average power consumption will be the average of the instantaneous power over one full cycle with the instantaneous power, p defined as the multiplication of the instantaneous voltage, v by the instantaneous current, i. Note that as the sine function is periodic and continuous, the average power given over all time will be exactly the same as the average power given over a single cycle.

Let us assume that the waveforms of the voltage and current are both sinusoidal, so we recall that:

Sinusoidal Voltage Waveform

As the instantaneous power is the power at any instant of time, then:

Applying the trigonometric product-to-sum identity of:

and θ = θ_v – θ_i (the phase difference between the voltage and the current waveforms) into the above equation gives:

Where V and I are the root-mean-squared (rms) values of the sinusoidal waveforms, v  and i respectively, and θ is the phase difference between the two waveforms. Therefore we can express the instantaneous power as being:

Instantaneous AC Power Equation

This equation shows us that the instantaneous AC power has two different parts and is therefore the sum of these two terms. The second term is a time varying sinusoid whose frequency is equal to twice the angular frequency of the supply due to the 2ω part of the term. The first term however is a constant whose value depends only on the phase difference, θ between the voltage, (V) and the current, (I).

As the instantaneous power is constantly changing with the profile of the sinusoid over time, this makes it difficult to measure. It is therefore more convenient, and easier on the maths to use the average or mean value of the power. So over a fixed number of cycles, the average value of the instantaneous power of the sinusoid is given simply as:

Where V and I are the sinusoids rms values, and θ (Theta) is the phase angle between the voltage and the current. The units of power are in watts (W).

The AC Power dissipated in a circuit can also be found from the impedance, (Z) of the circuit using the voltage, V_rms or the current, I_rms flowing through the circuit as shown.

AC Power Example No1

The voltage and current values of a 50Hz sinusoidal supply are given as: v_t = 240 sin(ωt +60^o)Volts and i_t = 5 sin(ωt -10^o)Amps respectively. Find the values of the instantaneous power and the average power absorbed by the circuit.

From above, the instantaneous power absorbed by the circuit is given as:

Applying the trigonometric identity rule from above gives:

The average power is then calculated as:

You may have noticed that the average power value of 205.2 watts is also the first term value of the instantaneous power p_(t) as this first term constant value is the average or mean rate of energy change between the source and load.

AC Power in a Purely Resistive Circuit

We have seen thus far, that in a dc circuit, power is equal to the product of voltage and current and this relationship is also true for a purely resistive AC circuit. Resistors are electrical devices that consume energy and the power in a resistor is given by p = VI = I²R = V²/R. This power is always positive.

Consider the following purely resistive (that is infinite capacitance, C = ∞ and zero inductance, L = 0) circuit with a resistor connected to an AC supply, as shown.

Purely Resistive Circuit

When a pure resistor is connected to a sinusoidal voltage supply, the current flowing through the resistor will vary in proportion to the supply voltage, that is the voltage and current waveforms are “in-phase” with each other. Since the phase difference between the voltage waveform and the current waveform is 0^o, the phase angle resulting in cos 0^o will be equal to 1.

Then the electrical power consumed by the resistor is given by:

Electrical Power in a Pure Resistor

As the voltage and current waveforms are in-phase, that is both waveforms reach their peak values at the same time, and also pass through zero at the same time, the power equation above reduces down to just: V*I. Therefore the the power at any instant can be found by multiplying together the two waveforms to give the volt-ampere product. This is called the “Real Power”, (P) measured in watts, (W), Kilowatt (kW), Megawatt (MW), etc.

AC Power Waveforms for a Pure Resistor

The diagram shows the voltage, current and corresponding power waveforms. As the voltage and current waveforms are both in-phase, during the positive half-cycle, when the voltage is positive, the current is also positive so the power is positive, as a positive times a positive equals a positive. During the negative half-cycle, the voltage in negative, so to is the current resulting in the power being positive, as a negative times a negative equals a positive.

Then in a purely resistive circuit, electrical power is consumed ALL the time that current is flowing through the resistor and is given as: P = V*I = I²R watts. Note that both V and I can be their rms values where: V = I*R and I = V/R

AC Power in a Purely Inductive Circuit

In a purely inductive (that is infinite capacitance, C = ∞ and zero resistance, R = 0) circuit of L Henries, the voltage and current waveforms are not in-phase. Whenever a changing voltage is applied to a purely inductive coil, a “back” emf is produced by the coil due to its self-inductance. This self-inductance opposes and limits any changes to the current flowing in the coil.

The effects of this back emf is that the current cannot increase immediately through the coil in-phase with the applied voltage causing the current waveform to reach its peak or maximum value some time after that of the voltage. The result is that in a purely inductive circuit, the current always “lags” (ELI) behind the voltage by 90^o (π/2) as shown.

Purely Inductive Circuit

The waveforms above shows us the instantaneous voltage and instantaneous current across a purely inductive coil as a function of time. Maximum current, I_max occurs at one full quarter of a cycle (90^o) after the maximum (peak) value of the voltage. Here the current is shown with its negative maximum value at the start of the voltage cycle and passes through zero increasing to its positive maximum value when the voltage waveform is at its maximum value at 90^o.

Thus as the voltage and current waveforms are no longer rising and falling together, but instead a phase shift of 90^o (π/2) is introduced in the coil, then the voltage and current waveforms are “out-of-phase” with each other as the voltage leads the current by 90^o. Since the phase difference between the voltage waveform and the current waveform is 90^o, then the phase angle resulting in cos 90^o = 0.

Therefore the electrical power stored by a pure inductor, Q_L is given by:

Real Power in a Pure Inductor

Clearly then, a pure inductor does not consume or dissipate any real or true power, but as we have both voltage and current the use of cos(θ) in the expression: P = V*I*cos(θ) for a pure inductor is no longer valid. The product of the current and the voltage in this case is imaginary power, commonly called “Reactive Power”, (Q) measured in volt-amperes reactive, (VAr), Kilo-voltamperes reactive (KVAr), etc.

Voltamperes reactive, VAr should not be confused with watts, which is used for real power. VAr represents the product of the volts and amperes that are 90^o out-of-phase with each other. To identify the reactive average power mathematically, the sine function is used. Then the equation for the average reactive power in an inductor becomes:

Reactive Power in a Pure Inductor

Like real power (P), reactive power, (Q) also depends on voltage and current, but also the phase angle between them. It is therefore the product of the applied voltage and the component part of the current which is 90^o out-of-phase with the voltage as shown.

AC Power Waveforms for a Pure Inductor

In the positive half of the voltage waveform between the angle of 0^o and 90^o, the inductor current is negative while the supply voltage is positive. Therefore, the volts and ampere product gives a negative power as a negative times a positive equals a negative. Between 90^o and 180^o, both current and voltage waveforms are positive in value resulting in positive power. This positive power indicates that the coil is consuming electrical energy from the supply.

In the negative half of the voltage waveform between 180^o and 270^o, there is a negative voltage and positive current indicating a negative power. This negative power indicates that the coil is returning the stored electrical energy back to the supply. Between 270^o and 360^o, both the inductors current and the supply voltage are both negative resulting in a period of positive power.

Then during one full-cycle of the voltage waveform we have two identical positive and negative pulses of power whose average value is zero so no real power is used up since the power alternately flows to and from the source. This means then that the total power taken by a pure inductor over one full-cycle is zero, so an inductors reactive power does not perform any real work.

AC Power in a Purely Capacitive Circuit

A purely capacitive (that is zero inductance, L = 0 and infinite resistance, R = ∞) circuit of C Farads, has the property of delaying changes in the voltage across it. Capacitors store electrical energy in the form of an electric field within the dielectric so a pure capacitor does not dissipate any energy but instead stores it.

In a purely capacitive circuit the voltage cannot increase in-phase with the current as it needs to “charge-up” the capacitors plates first. This causes the voltage waveform to reach its peak or maximum value some time after that of the current. The result is that in a purely capacitive circuit, the current always “leads” (ICE) the voltage by 90^o (ω/2) as shown.

Purely Capacitive Circuit

The waveform shows us the voltage and current across a pure capacitor as a function of time. Maximum current, Im occurs a one full quarter of a cycle (90^o) before the maximum (peak) value of the voltage. Here the current is shown with its positive maximum value at the start of the voltage cycle and passes through zero, decreasing to its negative maximum value when the voltage waveform is at its maximum value at 90^o. The opposite phase shift to the purely inductive circuit.

Thus for a purely capacitive circuit, the phase angle θ = -90^o and the equation for the average reactive power in a capacitor becomes:

Reactive Power in a Pure Capacitor

Where –V*I*sin(θ) is a negative sine wave. Also the symbol for capacitive reactive power is Q_C with the same unit of measure, the volt-ampere reactive (VAR) as that of the inductor. Then we can see that just like a purely inductive circuit above, a pure capacitor does not consume or dissipate any real or true power, P.

AC Power Waveforms for a Pure Capacitor

In the positive half of the voltage waveform between the angle of 0^o and 90^o, both the current and voltage waveforms are positive in value resulting in positive power being consumed. Between 90^o and 180^o, the capacitor current is negative and the supply voltage is still positive. Therefore, the volt-ampere product gives a negative power as a negative times a positive equals a negative. This negative power indicates that the coil is returning stored electrical energy back to the supply.

In the negative half of the voltage waveform between 180^o and 270^o, both the capacitors current and the supply voltage are negative in value resulting in a period of positive power. This period of positive power indicates that the coil is consuming electrical energy from the supply. Between 270^o and 360^o, there is a negative voltage and positive current indicating once again a negative power.

Then during one full-cycle of the voltage waveform the same situation exists as for the purely inductive circuit in that we have two identical positive and negative pulses of power whose average value is zero. Thus the power delivered from the source to the capacitor is exactly equal to the power returned to the source by the capacitor so no real power is used up since the power alternately flows to and from the source. This means then that the total power taken by a pure capacitor over one full-cycle is zero, so the capacitors reactive power does not perform any real work.

Electrical Power Example No2

A solenoid coil with a resistance of 30 ohms and an inductance of 200mH is connected to a 230VAC, 50Hz supply. Calculate: (a) the solenoids impedance, (b) the current consumed by the solenoid, (c) the phase angle between the current and the applied voltage, and (d) the average power consumed by the solenoid.

Data given: R = 30Ω, L = 200mH, V = 230V and ƒ = 50Hz.

(a) Impedance (Z) of the solenoid coil:

(b) Current (I) consumed by the solenoid coil:

(c) The phase angle, θ:

(d) Average AC power consumed by the solenoid coil:

AC Electrical Power Summary

We have seen here that in AC circuits, the voltage and current flowing in a purely passive circuit are normally out-of-phase and, as a result, they can not be used to accomplish any real work. We have also seen that in a direct current (DC) circuit, electrical power is equal to the voltage times the current, or P = V*I, but we can not calculate it in the same manner as for AC circuits as we need to take into account any phase difference.

In a purely resistive circuit, the current and voltage are both in-phase and all the electrical power is consumed by the resistance, usually as heat. As a result, none of the electrical power is returned back to the source supply or circuit.

However, in a purely inductive or a purely capacitive circuit that contains reactance, (X) the current will lead or lag the voltage by exactly 90^o (the phase angle) so power is both stored and returned back to the source. Thus the average power calculated over one full periodic cycle will be equal to zero.

The electrical power consumed by a resistance, (R) is called the true or real power and is simply obtained by multiplying the rms voltage with the rms current. The power stored by a reactance, (X) is called the reactive power and is obtained by multiplying the voltage, current, and the sine of the phase angle between them.

The symbol for phase angle is θ (Theta) and which represents the inefficiency of the AC circuit with regards to the total reactive impedance (Z) that opposes the flow of current in the circuit.

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Passive Components in AC Circuits

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Power Triangle and Power Factor

Read more Tutorials in AC Circuits

• 1. AC Waveform and AC Circuit Theory
• 2. Sinusoidal Waveforms
• 3. Phase Difference and Phase Shift
• 4. Phasor Diagrams and Phasor Algebra
• 5. Complex Numbers and Phasors
• 6. AC Resistance and Impedance
• 7. AC Inductance and Inductive Reactance
• 8. AC Capacitance and Capacitive Reactance
• 9. Series RLC Circuit Analysis
• 10. Parallel RLC Circuit Analysis
• 11. Series Resonance Circuit
• 12. Parallel Resonance Circuit
• 13. RMS Voltage Tutorial
• 14. Average Voltage Tutorial
• 15. Reactive Power
• 16. Harmonics
• 17. Passive Components in AC Circuits
• 18. Power in AC Circuits
• 19. Power Triangle and Power Factor
• 20. Power Factor Correction