Does Superposition Theorm Apply to power?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the applicability of the superposition theorem to power in electrical circuits, exploring whether it can be used similarly to how it is applied to voltages and currents. The scope includes theoretical considerations and technical reasoning related to circuit analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the superposition theorem does not apply to power, stating that total power dissipated is not the sum of powers from individual sources.
  • Others suggest that while superposition can be used to find voltages or currents, it does not extend to power calculations directly.
  • One participant mentions that in the phasor domain, superposition can be used to find total power by summing the power from each source, but notes that currents cannot be added if they are out of phase.
  • Another participant highlights that power is proportional to voltage squared or current squared, questioning the applicability of superposition due to this relationship.
  • A request for clarification on the question is made, indicating a need for specific examples to better understand the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the applicability of the superposition theorem to power, with multiple competing views presented regarding its use in different contexts.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on the definitions of power in relation to voltage and current, and the discussion includes unresolved aspects regarding the conditions under which superposition may or may not apply.

snowJT
Messages
117
Reaction score
0
Does it, or is that current? (sorta yes or no answer I guess)
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
No. the total power dissiapted to an element is not the sum of the powers dissipated by the individual sources. You can find voltage or current using superposition and then calculate overall power, though
 
Last edited:
I'm not sure I understand the question, snowJT. Can you provide some specific examples?
 
The answer is no. Superposition theorem applies only for voltages and currents, not powers.
 
Superposition can be used to find the total current when it is in the time domain. Using that current, you can then find voltage across or power absorbed by a resistor.
In the phasor domain, superposition can be used to find the total power by adding together the power from each source. The currents can NOT be added in the phasor domain if they have different phases (superposition does NOT apply if the voltage or power sources are out of phase). However, using the individual currents from each of the sources it is possible to find the power resulting from each of the individual sources, and the sum of the individual powers is the total power.
 
No, because power is proportional to voltage squared or current squared. If you accept that superposition works for these, try to see why it wouldn't work for another value that has a squared relationship with them.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Nuzhat

Similar threads

Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K