Alternating current and Average power

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the relationship between alternating current and average power, specifically addressing the period of current and power. The current is defined as i(t)=I_0sin(ωt+ϕ_0) with a period T=2π/ω. The power, defined as p(t)=Ri²(t), has a different period, T=2π/Ω, where Ω=2ω. Despite this difference, the average power is calculated using the current's period, resulting in an average power of ⟨P⟩=1/2I₀²R, demonstrating consistency in the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of alternating current (AC) waveforms
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities
  • Knowledge of power calculations in electrical circuits
  • Basic calculus for integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of average power in AC circuits
  • Learn about the implications of power factor in AC systems
  • Explore the differences between RMS and average power calculations
  • Investigate the effects of non-sinusoidal waveforms on power calculations
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Electrical engineers, physics students, and professionals involved in power systems and circuit analysis will benefit from this discussion.

LagrangeEuler
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For a current
i(t)=I_0\sin(\omega t+\varphi_0)
period is ##T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}##,
Power is defined as
p(t)=Ri^2(t). So period of power is not any more ##T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}##. Why then average power is
P=\frac{1}{T}\int^T_0p(t)d t.
Why are we using the period of current and not of the power ##p(t)##?
 
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Counter example: a positive sawtooth (##\ 0...A\ ##) in T: Period doesn't change.
 
Ok. But if the period changes why we used the period of the current and not of the power?
 
LagrangeEuler said:
Ok. But if the period changes why we used the period of the current and not of the power?
For consistency. The fundamental period of the current is always a period of the power, even if it is not the fundamental period of the power.
 
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LagrangeEuler said:
For a current
i(t)=I_0\sin(\omega t+\varphi_0)
period is ##T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}##,
Power is defined as
p(t)=Ri^2(t). So period of power is not any more ##T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}##. Why then average power is
P=\frac{1}{T}\int^T_0p(t)d t.
Why are we using the period of current and not of the power ##p(t)##?
Who says we are not using the period of the power? Using simple trigonometry,
$$P(t)=I_0^2R\sin^2(\omega t)=\frac{1}{2}I_0^2R[1-\cos(\Omega t)]~~~~~(\Omega \equiv 2\omega)$$Thus, the period of the power ##\frac{2\pi}{\Omega}## is half the period of the current. The average power is $$ \langle P \rangle=\frac{\frac{1}{2}I_0^2R \int_0^{\frac{2\pi}{\Omega}}[1-\cos(\Omega t)]dt}{\int_0^{\frac{2\pi}{\Omega}}dt}=\frac{1}{2}I_0^2R.$$Same result.
 
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