Complex power calculations formula

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculations of complex power in electrical engineering, specifically focusing on the formula S=V(eff)I(eff)* and the interpretation of the conjugate of the effective current I(eff). Participants explore the implications of using root mean square (rms) values and the nature of complex power in different circuit elements.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the conjugate of I(eff), questioning how it applies when I(eff) is derived from a real number.
  • Another participant notes that complex power is expected to be complex, indicating that for resistors it is real, while for capacitors or inductors it is imaginary.
  • A participant provides a mathematical formulation using phasors, suggesting that even with rms values, both volt-amps and watts are present in the calculations.
  • Further elaboration includes the use of phasors and the significance of the conjugate in the context of complex power, with emphasis on the phase relationship between voltage and current.
  • Participants discuss the relationship between real and reactive power, noting how reactive power can be negative in inductive circuits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the conjugate of I(eff) and the implications of using rms values in complex power calculations. Multiple viewpoints and interpretations remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific mathematical formulations and assumptions regarding phasors and their relationships, but these are not universally agreed upon. The discussion includes various interpretations of the phase relationships and the nature of complex power in different circuit types.

FrankJ777
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I'm confused about a point concerning complex power calculations. The formula my text gives is S=V(eff)I(eff)*. I'm confused about what the conjugate is for I(eff). The way I understand it, I(eff) = I(rms) and I(rms) = I(m)/√2. Since I(m) is a real number, and I(m)/√2 is real, how is there a conjugate.
For example:
i(t)= 20cos(ωt+165)
I(m)=20
I(eff)=20/√2
...so what is I(eff)*?

I've read through the textbook book the only examples that I can find use the equation: S=(1/2)VI*.

I would be grateful for any help you could provide to help me understand this.
 
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Hi FrankJ777! :smile:

Complex power is supposed to be complex.

For a perfect resistor, the complex power is purely real,

and for a perfect capacitor or inductor, it's purely imaginary …

but for a mixture, it'll be "genuinely complex", but with a constant phase …

(because we assume the current leads the voltage by a constant phase, and so 1/2 VI* subtracts the two phases, and keeps the total phase constant :wink:) …

I think :redface:
 
If
V(t) = Vmax exp[jwt + phi] and
I(t) = Imax exp[jwt + phi] then
S = (1/2) V(t) I(t)* is the rms real power.
But even if you use rms values, you still have both volt-amps and watts.
 
Also...

v(t) = Vmax/ exp[jwt]
i(t) = Imax exp[j(wt + phi)]

Veff (phasor) = v(t)/√2
Ieff (phasor) = i(t)/√2

I*eff = Imax/√2 exp[-j(wt + phi)] (note minus sign)

so (product of phasors)
Veff x I*eff = Vmax/√2 exp[jwt] x Imax/√2 exp[-j(wt + phi)]

Seff = Vmax Imax/2 exp (-jphi)
(plus exp of voltage time and minus exp of current conjugate time cancel, leaving only phi part, that's why conjugate is right for this)

real power P = Real {S} = Veff Ieff cos (-phi)
reactive power Q = Imag{S} = Veff Ieff sin (-phi)
(so 'Reactive Power' is negative for inductive circuits where phi is positive)

the phasors make a vector triangle:
S^2 = P^2 + Q^2

Sorry the formatting is not better. Still, I hope this helps.
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi Dr.kW! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(have a phi: φ and an omega: ω and try using the X2 and X2 tags just above the Reply box :wink:)

Action replay (of Dr.kW :wink:):-
v(t) = Vmax/ ejωt
i(t) = Imax ej(ωt + phi)

Veff (phasor) = v(t)/√2
Ieff (phasor) = i(t)/√2

I*eff = Imax/√2 e-j(wt + φ) (note minus sign)

so (product of phasors)
Veff x I*eff = Vmax/√2 ejωt x Imax/√2 e-j(ωt + φ)

Seff = Vmax Imax/2 exp-jφ
(plus exp of voltage time and minus exp of current conjugate time cancel, leaving only φ part, that's why conjugate is right for this)

real power: P = Real {S} = Veff Ieff cos (-φ)
reactive power: Q = Imag{S} = Veff Ieff sin (-φ)
(so 'Reactive Power' is negative for inductive circuits where φ is positive)

the phasors make a vector triangle:
S2 = P2 + Q2 :wink:
 

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