AC Circuit Analysis: Solving Example with Confusing Concepts

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on confusion surrounding phasor values in AC circuit analysis, specifically why the voltage phasor is -π/2 and the treatment of average power calculations. The explanation clarifies that -π/2 arises from the relationship between sine and cosine functions. Participants express concern over the inconsistency in using italicized versus non-italicized voltage and current in formulas, questioning whether this is an error in the textbook. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by students new to the topic, particularly those without prior knowledge of electricity. Overall, the complexities of AC circuit analysis and the importance of clear communication in educational materials are emphasized.
bardia sepehrnia
Messages
28
Reaction score
4
TL;DR
Difficulty understanding some concepts; RMS of voltage and current with phasor.
I'm reading this chapter in Electrical Engineering book regarding AC circuit analysis where there is a solved example which I've attached, but there are some concepts that are confusing me.
First, why and how do we know that the phasor value of voltage is: -pi/2
Note: I do understand that 14.14/√2 ≈ 10 but I don't get where -π/2 comes from?
1612277409541.png

Second, earlier in the book and before the solved example the following formulas are stated:
1612277382210.png
1612277691856.png

So why in calculation of average power, the italic V and I are not used. Is that a mistake on the book? Shouldn't average power only be real number and not complex? Also in the solved example only real values of I and V is used, yet the V and I are not italic.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
##\angle\frac{\pi}{2}## is a phase shift of 90 degrees. That is equivalent to multiplying by j as in ##(R+j\omega L)##
 
Hi,
bardia sepehrnia said:
First, why and how do we know that the phasor value of voltage is: -pi/2
That's easy: ##\ \sin(\omega t) = \cos (\omega t - {\pi\over 2})##
bardia sepehrnia said:
  1. So why in calculation of average power, the italic V and I are not used. Is that a mistake on the book?
  2. Shouldn't average power only be real number and not complex?
  3. Also in the solved example only real values of I and V is used, yet the V and I are not italic.
I agree it's confusing. They make a mess of it in example solution 7.1..
  1. Yes. in example solution 7.1 it is clear that ##\tilde{\bf\text{V}}=10## and ##\tilde{\bf\text{I}}=2## and 7.16 & 17 wants ##\tilde V## and ##\tilde I##
  2. Yes. And it is; do you see it otherwise ?
  3. Isn't this the same question as 1. ?
You pasted a ##P_{\text{av}}= ... ## picture after the 'Throughout...' where they are more consistent .
 
  • Like
Likes bardia sepehrnia
Thank you very much! It sounds very simple after you explained it but I just started on this topic and I'm a mechanical engineering student. Our uni started teaching us AC circuit analysis before any prior knowledge on electricity. I had to self study everything just to understand what the teacher says. First lesson he started solving equations with impedance and that was the first time I heard that term!
 
  • Like
Likes dlgoff and BvU
Thread 'I thought it was only Amazon that sold unsafe junk'
I grabbed an under cabinet LED light today at a big box store. Nothing special. 18 inches in length and made to plug several lights together. Here is a pic of the power cord: The drawing on the box led me to believe that it would accept a standard IEC cord which surprised me. But it's a variation of it. I didn't try it, but I would assume you could plug a standard IEC cord into this and have a double male cord AKA suicide cord. And to boot, it's likely going to reverse the hot and...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
8K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
20
Views
4K