Understanding Power Triangle and Box Conversions: Explained and Simplified

  • Thread starter Thread starter influx
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Power Triangle
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the relationships between apparent power (S), real power (P), and reactive power (Q) in the context of power triangles and box conversions. It establishes that S = P + jQ, where the yellow box represents the initial relationship, the pink box denotes the phase difference between voltage and current angles, and the blue box is derived using Euler's formula. The negative current angle in the yellow box is explained as a consequence of inductors consuming positive reactive power, necessitating the use of the conjugate of the current angle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex numbers and phasors in electrical engineering
  • Familiarity with the concepts of real power, reactive power, and apparent power
  • Knowledge of Euler's formula and its application in electrical contexts
  • Basic trigonometry, specifically SOH CAH TOA for understanding phase relationships
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the power triangle and its significance in AC circuits
  • Learn about the implications of reactive power in inductors and capacitors
  • Explore the applications of Euler's formula in electrical engineering
  • Investigate the concept of phase angles in AC circuit analysis
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, students studying AC circuit theory, and professionals involved in power systems analysis will benefit from this discussion.

influx
Messages
162
Reaction score
1
dddbnb.png


I understand that S = P + jQ however I am confused how they got from that to the yellow box. Also, how did they get from the yellow box to the pink box and from the pink box to the blue box?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I understand that S = P + jQ however I am confused how they got from that to the yellow box.
Definition of RMS values.

Also, how did they get from the yellow box to the pink box and from the pink box to the blue box?
Following the definitions. eg. by definition: ##\phi=\theta_V-\theta_I## so you get the pink box.
The blue box does not follow directly from the pink box - you get it from the definition of S and some trigonometry. S is the hypotenuse of a triangle with opposite side length Q and adjacent side P. Use SOH CAH TOA.
 
It is not obvious to first time learners why the current angle possesses a negative sign in the yellow box.

It is simply because it is defined that inductors consume positive reactive power.

Here's what I mean, You might know that inductive reactance has a positive 'j' associated with it? inductive reactance is jXL. j is a place-holder that rotates a vector by 90 degrees. This means that the impedance associated with an inductor is at 90 degrees phase shift. This causes the current to be at a negative 90 degrees based on ohms law (V@0/X@90 = I@-90). If we want to define reactive power consumption as negative for a capacitor and positive for an inductor, we need to take the conjugate of the current angle. Hence the reason for the negative current angle in the yellow box.

Now, the transition from the yellow to the pink box is just defining the difference in the voltage and current angles as an angle. So now you know that the angle associated with apparent power is the phase difference between the voltage and current.

The transition from the pink to the blue box is an application of Euler's formula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euler's_formula

Have a look at the first paragraph.

I sincerely hope this helps and if it doesn't I welcome any further questions or corrections from others
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
6K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
7
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K