Do we get 2x the frequency when doing P=VI for AC Circuits?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between voltage, current, and power in AC circuits, specifically examining whether the frequency of power calculated using the formula P = VI is double that of the voltage and current frequencies. The scope includes theoretical exploration and mathematical reasoning related to AC circuit analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that when calculating power using P = VI, the resulting frequency of power is 2wt, which differs from the frequency wt of the voltage and current.
  • Another participant suggests that power peaks at both the positive and negative voltage peaks, implying a doubling of frequency.
  • A later reply introduces a visual aid to illustrate that the product of voltage and current is positive twice per cycle, reinforcing the idea of frequency doubling.
  • Another participant mentions the presence of a DC component in the power calculation, drawing a parallel to AM modulation where two signals are multiplied to create sum and difference frequencies.
  • One participant references a trigonometric identity related to squaring a sine wave, indicating that it supports the presence of both a DC component and a frequency of 2x.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of frequency in power calculations, with some supporting the idea of frequency doubling while others introduce additional complexities such as DC components. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall interpretation of these relationships.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of AC signals and their mathematical representations, which may not be universally agreed upon. There are also references to trigonometric identities that may depend on specific interpretations of the waveforms involved.

yosimba2000
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I know that when you get a current from a voltage (like calculating current through resistor), the current and voltage equations have the same frequency. Does this still hold for power P = VI ?

So assume V in Euler form, V(t) = Vcos(wt+theta) + jVsin(wt+theta) = V*ej(wt+theta) and in Phasor, V<theta = Vcos(wt+theta)

And assume I in Euler form, I(t) = Icos(wt+phi) + jIsin(wt+phi) = I*ej(wt+phi) and in Phasor, I<phi = Icos(wt+phi)

Then P = V(t)*I(t) = V*ej(wt+theta) * I*ej(wt+phi)

To get P = VI*ejwt+jwt+jphi+jtheta, call jphi + jtheta = jpsi
Then P = VI *e2jwt+jpsi
Then P = VI *ej(2wt+psi)
Then P = VIcos(2wt+psi)+jVIsin(wt+psi)

Real component is what we want, so P = VIcos(2wt+psi)

2wt (power frequency) isn't the same as wt (the frequency of current and voltage). Did I get the right result?
 
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Think of the power as peaking on the positive voltage peak and the negative voltage peak, which is twice the frequency.
 
meBigGuy answered it

here's a picture to help

age=http%3A%2F%2Felectrical4u.com%2Felectrical%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F03%2Factive-power.png


any time volts and amps have same sign their product is positive
and that happens twice per line cycle

see - you learned that in first year algebra. Much of learning is really just discovering what we already know.
 
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That's the picture I was looking for!
 
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Not to hijack the thread but notice that there is now also a DC component. This is like AM modulation in that 2 signals are multiplied together to get sum and difference frequencies. In this case it so happens that the two input signals are the SAME frequencies.
 
The trig identity for squaring a sinewave (since power is E^2/R) shows the DC and the 2x frequency
sin2(x) = ½[1 – cos(2x)]
 
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meBigGuy said:
½[1 – cos(2x)]
sin^2x.jpg


I envy you who are fluent in math.
 

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