Some Equations Useful in AC Power Calculations

Notation: All bold-face letters represent complex numbers. RMS Value of a Sinusoid Vrms = Vp / 2 Irms = Ip / 2 Impedance Z = R + j X = |Z| |Z| = (R2 + X2)1/2 = tan1(X/R) Note: is the angle of the load impedance (We have suppressed the subscript z.) Ohms Law in Frequency Domain V = IZ Vp = Ip |Z| Vrms = V / 2 Irms = I / 2 Vrms = Irms |Z| v i = > 0 when X > 0 (Inductive impedance) < 0 when X < 0 (Capacitive impedance) Average Power (W) P = Vrms Irms cos = Irms2 R = (Vrms2 cos)/|Z| Power Factor pf = cos = R/(R2 + X2)1/2, 1 pf 0. If > 0 (inductive impedance), i < v, pf lagging If < 0 (capacitive impedance), i > v, pf leading If = 0 for purely resistive load and the pf is unity Reactive Power (VAR) Q = Vrms Irms sin = Irms2 X Apparent Power (VA) 2 S = Vrms Irms = Irms |Z| = Vrms2 / |Z| Complex Power (VA) S = Vrms (Irms)* = Vrms Irms = P + j Q = Irms2 Z = (Vrms)2 / Z*