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Difference Between Active Power and Reactive Power

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99 views4 pages

Difference Between Active Power and Reactive Power

Uploaded by

Soy Chandara
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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2/29/24, 8:19 PM Difference between Active Power and Reactive Power

Difference between Active Power and Reactive Power


Differences Digital Electronics Electric Power System

The rate of work done in an electric circuit is known as electric power. In an electric circuit,
there are three types of electric powers viz. active power, reactive power and apparent power.
In this article, we will discuss the major differences between active power and reactive power.

What is Active Power?


In an AC or DC electric circuit, the amount of electric power which is utilized and consumed in
doing a work is called active power. Active power is also known as real power or true power.
Active power is usually represented by the letter ‘P’ and is measured in Watts (W). The larger
units of active power are kW, MW, GW, etc.
5:42
Active power in an electrical circuit can be calculated by using the following formulae −

In a DC electric circuit −

P=V × I

In a 1-phase AC circuit −

P = V × I × cos ϕ

In a 3-phase AC circuit −

–
P = √ 3 × V × I × cos ϕ

Where, 𝜙 is the phase angle between voltage and current.

What is Reactive Power?


Reactive power is the part of total electric power which flows back and forth between the
source and the load in an electric circuit. It is also known as useless power, as it does nothing
in a circuit. Reactive power is only observed in AC circuits and not in the DC circuit, because
Alt+A
in DC circuits, the imaginary circuit elements (capacitor and inductor) do not have any
significance.

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2/29/24, 8:19 PM Difference between Active Power and Reactive Power

Reactive power is usually denoted by the letter ‘Q’ and is measured in volt-amperes reactive
(or VAr). The larger units of reactive power are kVAr, MVAr, etc.

Basically, the reactive power does not perform any work in the circuit, thus it is not
consumed. However, it is also useful because it helps to produce the magnetic field in the
electrical machines like motors, generators, etc.

The reactive power is given by the following expressions −

In 1-phase AC circuit −

Q = V × I × sin ϕ

In 3-phase AC circuit −

–
Q = √ 3 × V × I × sin ϕ 5:42

Difference between Active Power and Reactive Power


The following table highlights the key differences between Active Power and Reactive Power −

Basis of Active Power Reactive Power


Difference

The fraction of total electric power The fraction of total power


which is used to do useful work which flows back and forth
Definition and is consumed in the electric from source to load in the
circuit is known as active power. electric circuit is called
reactive power.

Active power is also known as real Reactive power is also called


Alternate
power or true power or useful imaginary power or useless
name
power or watt-full power. power or watt-less power.

Active power is usually denoted by Reactive power is usually


Notation
letter "P". denoted by "Q".

Expression P = V × I × cos ϕ Q = V × I × sin ϕ

Unit of Active power is measured in Watts Reactive power is measured


measurement (W). The larger units of active in VAr (Volt-Ampere
power are kilowatt (kW), Reactive). The larger units of

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2/29/24, 8:19 PM Difference between Active Power and Reactive Power

Basis of Active Power Reactive Power


Difference
megawatt (MW), gigawatt (GW), reactive power are kVAr,
etc. MVAr, etc.

A measuring device called The reactive power in an


Measuring
wattmeter is used to measure electrical circuit is measured
instrument
active power in the electric circuit. by using VAr meter.

The active power always flows in The reactive power flows in


Direction of
one direction, i.e., from source to both directions between the
flow
load. source and load.

The active power exists in both AC The reactive power exists


Existence
and DC circuits. only in AC circuits.

In a resistive circuit, the total There is no reactive power in


Existence in
power is equal to active power case of a resistive circuit. 5:42
pure resistive
and is dissipated by the resistor in
circuit
the form of heat.

In a pure inductive circuit, the In a pure inductive circuit,


active power is zero, i.e., a pure there is lagging reactive
inductor does not consume any power exist. It is because in
Existence in
power. It is zero because the the pure inductive circuit, the
pure inductive
phase angle between voltage and current lags the voltage by
circuit
current in an inductive circuit is 90°.
90°, thus cos (90°) =0. Therefore,
P = 0 Watts.

The active power is zero in a pure There is leading reactive


capacitive circuit. Which means power in a pure capacitive
Existence in the pure capacitive circuit does circuit. It is because the
pure capacitive not consume any active power. It current leads the voltage by
circuit is because the voltage and current 90° in a pure capacitive
are 90° out of phase in a pure circuit.
capacitive circuit.

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2/29/24, 8:19 PM Difference between Active Power and Reactive Power

Basis of Active Power Reactive Power


Difference

Active power is the amount of Reactive power does no


power which does useful work in useful work in the circuit.
the electric circuit. It is the power However, its function in the
Function which is converted into other circuit is to produce the
forms of energy such as required magnetic and
mechanical energy, light, heat, electric flux.
etc.

Active power component is in Reactive power component is


Phase relation
phase with the voltage. 90° out of phase with respect
with voltage
to voltage.

Active power is useful to produce Reactive power is mainly


torque in motors, light in lamps, used to measure the power
5:42
heat in heaters, etc. factor of an electric circuit. It
Applications is also play a vital role in
electrical appliances to
produce required magnetic
and electric field.

Conclusion
From the above discussion, we can conclude that both active and reactive powers play a
significant role in electrical circuits and machines. Active power is the true power which does
some useful work in a circuit; whereas reactive power is the fraction of power which does not
perform any useful work, but flows back and forth between the source and the load in a
circuit.

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