How does reactive power oscillate back and forth?

AI Thread Summary
Reactive power oscillates between the source and the load due to the phase difference between voltage and current in inductive and capacitive components. In a pure inductive load, while the average power consumed is zero, reactive power continuously travels back and forth, influenced by the magnetic field created by the inductor. When the voltage across the inductor decreases, the magnetic field collapses, releasing stored energy back into the circuit, which induces current. This process illustrates that the power stored in inductors and capacitors is not immediately available to the load, as it is temporarily held in the magnetic or electric fields. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for grasping the behavior of reactive power in electrical systems.
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Hello, i am trying to understand the concept of active /reactive /complex power and am having some trouble understanding how the reactive powere 'oscillates back and forth between inductor and source'.

Ok, let's say i have a pure inductive load, i know that the power consumed is 0, and i understand the mathematics which prove this. But i also know its not 'actaully' 0, the power, reactive power, is continuously traveling back and forth between source and load. But how?

Is it because of the voltage across the inductor causing a magnetic field to be created and when there is no more voltage drop across the inductor, the magnetic field collapses releasing this power it consumed in the first place? If so how does it release this power? is it due to the change of magnetic field (it collapsing) which induces current in the circuit?

help please! :smile:
 
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The voltage and current are out of phase in inductors and capacitors. When the current changes in an inductor, there is a opposing EMF which is proportional to the change in current. Similar, there is a change in potential across a capacitor with is proportional to the stored charge, which changes with current flow.

The power stored in the inductor and capacitor is not simultaneously available to the load. Motors (inductive loads) will alway store some of the electrical energy in their windings, and that power is not then available to the motor shaft.
 
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