Clarifying Power Dissipation & Drawing: Homework Help

  • Thread starter Thread starter jcoona
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Power
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of power terminology in a homework problem involving impedance loads. Participants seek clarification on the meaning of "draw" in the context of power consumption, specifically whether it indicates positive or negative power. The conversation also touches on the distinction between different types of power, including real, reactive, and apparent power.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over the terms "positive" and "negative" power, particularly in relation to the term "draw."
  • One participant clarifies that "draw" indicates the impedance load is consuming 8kVA of power from the generator.
  • Another participant notes that a load that "draws power" is typically a passive load and may be a reactive load, complicating the assignment of signs to complex power.
  • Participants discuss the distinction between real power (in watts), reactive power (in VAR), and apparent power (in VA), referencing the Power Triangle for clarification.
  • A participant questions whether "8kVA" should be assumed to represent apparent power, given the lack of imaginary values or polar form in the description.
  • One participant states that apparent power is the magnitude of complex power, suggesting they are the same measurement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that "draw" implies consumption of power, but there is no consensus on the implications of the terms "positive" or "negative" power. The distinction between apparent and complex power remains somewhat contested, with differing interpretations of the terminology.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the ambiguity in the use of power terminology and the potential for misunderstanding in the context of complex power. There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions and implications of the terms used in the homework problem.

jcoona
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I need clarification of how something is worded in my homework description. I have two impedance loads; one of them dissipates 5kW of power, which I understand to be positive power. Then, I have a second impedance load that draws 8kVA of power. Does the term "draw" specify that power is negative or positive? I've never known this term to be used when describing circuit power.

Homework Equations


Dissipating power is positive and providing power is negative, but I am unfamiliar with "draw"

The Attempt at a Solution


Seen above
 
Physics news on Phys.org
jcoona said:

Homework Statement


I need clarification of how something is worded in my homework description. I have two impedance loads; one of them dissipates 5kW of power, which I understand to be positive power. Then, I have a second impedance load that draws 8kVA of power. Does the term "draw" specify that power is negative or positive? I've never known this term to be used when describing circuit power.

Homework Equations


Dissipating power is positive and providing power is negative, but I am unfamiliar with "draw"

The Attempt at a Solution


Seen above
It's not clear what you mean by "positive" or "negative" power.

In this instance, "draw" means that the impedance load is consuming 8kVA of power from the generator.

The load which dissipates 5kW or power suggests that this energy is possibly converted into heat, which then radiates away.
 
jcoona said:

Homework Statement


I need clarification of how something is worded in my homework description. I have two impedance loads; one of them dissipates 5kW of power, which I understand to be positive power. Then, I have a second impedance load that draws 8kVA of power. Does the term "draw" specify that power is negative or positive? I've never known this term to be used when describing circuit power.

Homework Equations


Dissipating power is positive and providing power is negative, but I am unfamiliar with "draw"

The Attempt at a Solution


Seen above

Following on along the lines of SteamKing's response, something that "draws power" is generally a passive load that does not produce power via voltage or current generators. Now, it may be a reactive load and thus be a complex impedance. Assigning a sign to a complex number is problematical since the imaginary component may be positive or negative while the real component is positive.

In order to distinguish Real Power from Reactive Power and Apparent Power, different units are used (although they all boil down to power per unit time, or Joules/second).

If you look up "Power Triangle" you'll see the labels on the different legs of the triangle.

Real Power is specified in Watts (or kW, MW, GW).

Reactive Power is specified in VAR, or Volt-Amperes Reactive (or kVAR,...)

Apparent Power (on the hypotenuse of the Power Triangle) is given in VA (or kVA, MVA, ...).
 
SteamKing said:
It's not clear what you mean by "positive" or "negative" power.

In this instance, "draw" means that the impedance load is consuming 8kVA of power from the generator.

The load which dissipates 5kW or power suggests that this energy is possibly converted into heat, which then radiates away.

Ok, thank you, that helps with understanding that draw implies consumption.

One other question... So, I know that VA is the unit for apparent power, and VA is also the unit for complex power.
For 8kVA, there's no explained distinction whether its apparent or complex power. Since there are no imaginary values, and it's not written in a polar form, should I assume that "8kVA" implies apparent power?
 
Apparent power is the magnitude of the complex power. It's the same measurement.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 62 ·
3
Replies
62
Views
8K
  • · Replies 70 ·
3
Replies
70
Views
9K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
9K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
34
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K