Difference between reactive power and reactance

In summary, reactive power is the portion of apparent power in an AC circuit that does not contribute to work output but is necessary for the operation of inductive and capacitive elements. Reactance, measured in ohms, is the opposition to the flow of AC caused by the ability of inductors and capacitors to store and release energy. Reactive power and reactance are related as reactance causes the flow of reactive power and can be calculated using the formula X = ωL or X = 1/ωC. The main difference between reactive power and active power is that reactive power does not produce work output, while active power does. Reactive power and reactance can cause voltage drops and impact the stability and efficiency of power systems,
  • #1
rockstar
8
0
if some one could help me understand the difference between the math used to find the reactive powers voltamps and reactances ohms
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
One is an impedance and the other is a power. Do you have a specific situation in mind? What other learning resources do you have access to? Have you checked out the wikipedia.org pages on these two subjects?
 
  • #3
tnx for the help, it's finally clicked
 

What is reactive power?

Reactive power is the portion of apparent power in an AC circuit that does not contribute to the actual work output, but is necessary for the operation of inductive and capacitive elements in the circuit.

What is reactance?

Reactance is the opposition that an inductor or capacitor offers to the flow of alternating current (AC) due to its ability to store and release energy. It is measured in ohms and is represented by the symbol X.

How are reactive power and reactance related?

Reactive power and reactance are related because reactance is the physical property that causes the flow of reactive power in an AC circuit. Reactance can be calculated using the formula X = ωL or X = 1/ωC, where ω is the angular frequency, L is the inductance, and C is the capacitance of the circuit.

What is the difference between reactive power and active power?

The main difference between reactive power and active power is that reactive power does not produce any real work output, while active power does. Reactive power only flows back and forth between the source and the load, while active power is the actual energy used to perform work.

How do reactive power and reactance affect power systems?

Reactive power and reactance play an important role in power systems because they can cause voltage drops and lead to power losses. They also impact the stability and efficiency of the system. Proper management and control of reactive power and reactance are essential for maintaining a reliable and efficient power grid.

Similar threads

  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
6
Views
935
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
894
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
2
Views
577
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
906
Back
Top