Voltage source -> Ideal switch -> Resistance = Reactive power

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of power in a circuit consisting of an ideal voltage source, an ideal switch, and an ideal resistance in series. Participants explore the relationship between effective power dissipated in the resistor and apparent power from the voltage source, particularly in the context of reactive power and its implications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the apparent power being higher than the effective power in the circuit, questioning where the reactive power is going.
  • Another participant states that instantaneous power in a resistor is derived from the instantaneous voltage and current, suggesting there is no reactive component in this scenario.
  • A third participant references calculations that seem to contradict the previous claim, indicating that the calculations may provide insights despite being in a different language.
  • A fourth participant asserts that when the switch is closed, the voltage across the resistor matches the source voltage, and when the switch is open, no power is transmitted, implying a lack of reactive power.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the presence of reactive power in the circuit, with some asserting that there is no reactive component while others question this conclusion based on calculations. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference calculations and conditions that may not be fully detailed, and there is a reliance on assumptions about the behavior of the circuit components, particularly the ideal nature of the voltage source, switch, and resistance.

foges
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This is a problem i just can't get my head around.

When you have a circuit consisting of a "Ideal Voltage source -> Ideal switch -> Ideal Resistance" all in series. The voltage source produces a sinusodal voltage and the switch is set to cut off a part of any rising curve:

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8819/picture2ixx.png

Now if you do the calculations for the effective power that is dissapated at the resistance and the apparent power given off by the voltage source you will see that the apparent power is quite a bit higher than the effective power (P = 0.89*S for alpha = pi/3, (see picture)).

[tex]P_R = I_{eff}^2\cdot R, S = I_{eff}\cdot U_{eff}[/tex]

How does this happen? where is the reactive power going?PS: I have done all the calculations, I am not asking for those, I am looking for an explanation. Thanks :)
 
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The instantaneous power in a resistor is equal to the instantaneous voltage times the instantaneous current. These occur at the same time so there is no reactive component.
 
That would seem logical (what i thought), but check out the calculations (its in german, but shouldn't make much of a difference):

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4929/picture4w.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lots of luck with that...

The voltage across the resistor is the same as the voltage from the source when the switch is closed.
When the switch is open no power goes anywhere.

This is simple Ohms Law stuff. There is a voltage across a resistor and a current flowing in it. Why would there be any reactive component?
 

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