Is it maximum voltage or RMS voltage

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distinction between maximum voltage and RMS voltage in the context of power calculations in AC circuits. Participants explore the implications of using different voltage representations (RMS vs. peak) in formulas for power, apparent power, and the relationships between voltage, current, and phase angles.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about whether the given voltage and current values are RMS or maximum values, affecting their calculations.
  • One participant cites a textbook that indicates phasors are typically expressed using RMS values, suggesting a convention in electrical engineering.
  • Another participant explains that the RMS value is used for comparison with DC signals and provides formulas for average power in both peak and RMS contexts.
  • There is a suggestion that if voltage is presented in the form "V angle (45°)," it indicates RMS, while "V sin (wt + 45)" suggests maximum value.
  • One participant mentions the need to use conjugate current when calculating apparent power, indicating a complexity in the calculations involved.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the application of phasor relationships and the use of conjugate currents in power calculations.
  • There is a reference to the conventional signs of reactive power, noting that inductive reactive power is positive and capacitive is negative, which relates to the phase angle between voltage and current.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the voltage and current values are RMS or maximum, and multiple competing views on the interpretation of voltage representations remain. The discussion reflects uncertainty and varying interpretations of phasor notation and power calculations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of definitions and conventions in electrical engineering, which may not be universally understood. There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the use of phasors and the calculation of power.

jaus tail
Messages
613
Reaction score
48

Homework Statement


upload_2018-1-19_12-44-30.png


Homework Equations


I drew phasors and got the answer. Angle between V and I is 60 degrees. Cosine of 60 is 0.5. Then I multiplied V and I and divided it by 2.

The Attempt at a Solution


I got answer 62.5. But I'm not sure if values of V and I given are rms values or maximum value.
Isn't formula for Power as: Vrms * I rms cos(angle)
So shouldn't it be: 25/1.414 * 5/1.414 * cos(angle)?
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-1-19_12-44-30.png
    upload_2018-1-19_12-44-30.png
    13.6 KB · Views: 1,873
Physics news on Phys.org
The book that I have (Power System Analysis by Charles A. Gross) write phasors using the rms value, i.e. the phasor ##V= \frac{V_{max}}{\sqrt{2}} \angle \phi##
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: scottdave and jaus tail
Hi.
It is a convention to express the value of the voltage or current phasor as the RMS magnitude of it. Much like the passive sign convention, this is widely known and acknowledged in electronics, unless stated otherwise.

That is, if:
V_{m} \cos ( \omega t + \alpha)<br /> = \Re({V_{m} \cdot e^{j( \omega t + \alpha) } }) = \Re( {V_{m} \cdot e^{j (\omega t) } \cdot e^{j (\alpha )} } ) \underbrace{ \rightarrow }_{\text{Phasor domain/ transform} } \frac{ V_{m} }{ \sqrt{ 2 } } \angle{\alpha}
The above is, of course, if you are using the cosine definition of a phasor, you can also use a sine definition in which case the signal would have to be phase shifted to the right by 90 (add - 90 ) to your cosine. The relation between peak and RMS for sinusoids is a result of the evaluation of the integral and using the definition of an RMS signal, the proof can be found online but the main concept is that the RMS value allows comparision with DC signals, as far as resistive elements are concerned.

Formula for average power in the AC domain is:
\frac{1}{2} \cdot V_{m} I_{m} \cos { ( \alpha_{v} - \alpha_{i} } )
Where:
V_{m} I_{m}
Refer to peak values.
When using RMS, V and I become respective values and the equation is :
V_{rms} I_{rms} \cos { ( \alpha_{v} - \alpha_{i} } )
Your answer is correct as far as I know.
If you use peak values, you multiply by a half, and if you use rms, you get the same answer as the square root of two is present in both I and V rms.
Thanks for reading.
KM
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jaus tail
In my opinion, the voltage and current are rms.

However, when you calculate the apparent power you have to use the conjugate current.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jaus tail
Okay. So if values are given in form V angle (45o) then V is the RMS value.
But if it's given like V sin (wt + 45) then V is maximum value. Right?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: K Murty
The result it is S[apparent power-VA]=P[active power-W]62.5+jQ[reactive power-VAR]108.25
In order to achieve this you have to multiply Vے α=V.cos(α),V.sin(α) by Iے β conjugate = Iے -β
I.cos(β),-I.sin(β).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jaus tail
I'm not sure.
From what I know:
draw V
draw I
and P is V times I times cosine of angle between them
Q is V times I times sine of angle between them
V = 25 angle 15
I = 5 angle -45
So this is
upload_2018-1-21_11-21-16.png

So P is V times I times cos 60... no sin term
Q is V times I times sin 60

I didnt understand this:
Vے α=V.cos(α),V.sin(α) by Iے β conjugate = Iے -β
I.cos(β),-I.sin(β).
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-1-21_11-21-16.png
    upload_2018-1-21_11-21-16.png
    3.6 KB · Views: 777
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: K Murty
Since ,conventional, inductive reactive power has to be positive [and capacitive negative], if the current lags 15+45=60 degrees[ then the angle it is -60 degrees] then:
P=V.I.cos(+60) Q=V.I.sin(+60)
See –for instance:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_conjugate
upload_2018-1-21_8-48-3.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-1-21_8-48-3.png
    upload_2018-1-21_8-48-3.png
    7.5 KB · Views: 786
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jaus tail
That phasor clears up the I* part. I never understood what its purpose was. Thanks.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K