Tutorial 2

Chapter 2: Power in Sinusoidal AC Circuits

Dr. Amal ABDEL RAZZAC

Exercise 1
A single-phase washing machine motor consume 5A for alimentation voltage of 230V at
50Hz. its power factor is 0.75
Find:
a. The apparent power of this motor
b. The active power consumed by this motor
c. The reactive power absorbed by this motor
d. The electric energy consumed during continuous 2h
Solution

Part a:
Apparent power: 𝑆 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff = 5 ∗ 230 = 1150 [VA] = 1.15 [KVA]
*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element and 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element

Part b:
Active power: 𝑃 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff cos 𝜑 = 5 ∗ 230 ∗ 0.75 = 862.5 [𝑊] (chapter 2 slide 3)
*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

Part c:
Reactive power:

Method 1: 𝑄 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff sin 𝜑 (chapter 2 slide 3)

*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

sin 𝜑 = ±√1 − cos2 𝜑 = ±√1 − 0.752

Conventionally 𝜑= 𝜑𝑉 the phase difference of the voltage with respect to the current and
Motor is an inductive load → Current I delayed with respect to voltage (chapter 1 slide 21 or
chapter 2 slide 7) 𝜑𝐼 − 𝜑 < 0 → 𝜑 > 0 → sin 𝜑 > 0 → sin 𝜑 = √1 − 0.752

1
→ 𝑄 = 5 ∗ 230 ∗ √1 − 0.752 = 760.65 [VAR]

Method 2: 𝑄 = √𝑆 2 − 𝑃2 = √(1150)2 − (862.5)2 = 760.65 [VAR] (chapter 2 slide 6)

Part d:
The electric energy consumed during continuous 2h
1 𝑇
𝐸 = 𝑇 ( ∫ 𝑝(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡 ) = 𝑇 𝑃 = 2 ∗ 862.5 = 1725 [𝑊ℎ] = 1.725 [𝐾𝑤ℎ]
𝑇 0

Exercise 2
Transform the power triangle diagram into an impedance diagram
a. For a circuit with inductive tendency
b. For a circuit with capacitive tendency

Solution

Part a:
Conventionally the reactive power of a circuit with inductive tendency is positive (chapter 2 slide
7) (𝜑 = 𝜑𝑉 > 0 reason explained in previous exercise)

Part b:
Conventionally the reactive power of a circuit with capacitive tendency is negative (𝜑 = 𝜑𝑉 <
0) (chapter 2 slide 7)

2
Exercise 3:
Consider the following circuit alimented by an AC
whose effective value is 220 V and impedances
̅̅̅
𝒁𝒂̅ = 𝟓 + 𝒋𝟐 , ̅𝒁̅̅𝒃̅ = 𝟐𝟎 − 𝒋𝟏𝟎 and ̅̅̅
𝒁𝒄 = 𝟏𝟎𝒆𝒋𝟑𝟎
Find ̅𝑽̅̅𝒂̅ and ̅̅
𝑽̅̅𝒃 and deduce the active power consumed
by ̅𝒁̅̅𝒂̅ and the reactive power consumed by ̅̅̅𝒁𝒄

Solution

Find ̅𝑽̅̅̅𝒂 and ̅𝑽̅̅𝒃̅

You can use the method of your choice
DON’T FORGET TO CONSIDER FIRST THE COMPLEX DOMAIN if the circuit was
given in time domain

The easiest one here is to find the equivalent branch of the parallel ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑏 and ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑐 and then use the
voltage divider

1 1 1 𝑍̅𝑏 𝑍̅𝑐
̅̅̅̅
= ̅̅̅̅ + ̅̅̅ =
𝑍𝑑 𝑍𝑏 𝑍𝑐 𝑍̅𝑏 +𝑍̅𝑐

With:
10
▪ Zb = √202 + 102 = 10√5 and 𝜑𝑏 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan (− 20) = −0.46 [𝑟𝑑]
̅̅̅𝑏 = 10√5𝑒 −𝑗0.46
→𝑍

𝑗𝜋
𝜋 𝜋
❖ ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑏 + ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑐 = (20 − 𝑗10) + 10𝑒 6 = (20 − 𝑗10) + 10 cos 6 + 𝑗10 sin 6 = 28.66 − 5𝑗
̅̅̅𝑏 + ̅̅̅
o |𝑍 𝑍𝑐 | = √28.662 + 25 = 29.09
5
o 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan (− 28.66) = −0.173

𝜋
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ 𝑗(−0.46+ )
𝑍𝑏 𝑍𝑐 100√5𝑒 6
→ ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑑 = ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅
= 29.09𝑒 −𝑗 0.173 = 7.686𝑒 𝑗0.23 = 7.686(cos 0.23 + 𝑗 sin 0.23) = 7.48 + 𝑗1.75
𝑍 +𝑍 𝑏 𝑐

Voltage divider:
Recall: When we have series impedance and an input voltage, we
can apply the voltage divider method:
Find the voltage across the component X:
𝒁 ̅̅̅̅
̅̅̅ ̅ 𝐢𝐧𝐩𝐮𝐭
𝐕𝐗 = 𝐬𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝑿𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝑽

3
So for our circuit:
̅̅̅
𝑍𝑎
𝑉̅𝑎 = 𝑉̅
̅̅̅
𝑍𝑎 + ̅̅̅𝑍𝑑
√29𝑒 𝑗0.38
= 220𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡
5 + 2𝑗 + 7.48 + 𝑗1.75
√29𝑒 𝑗0.38 𝑗𝜔𝑡
= 2+1.75 220𝑒
√(5 + 7.48)2 + (2 + 1.75)2 𝑒 𝑗 arctan5+7.48
√29𝑒 𝑗0.38
= 220𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡
13.03𝑒 𝑗0.29
= 90.92𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+0.09)
̅̅̅̅
𝑍 7.686𝑒 𝑗0.23
And ̅̅̅
𝑉𝑏 = 𝑉̅𝑐 = ̅̅̅
𝑉𝑑 = ̅̅̅̅ 𝑑
̅̅̅̅
𝑉̅ = 13.03𝑒 𝑗0.29 220𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = 129.76𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.06)
𝑍 +𝑍 𝑎 𝑑

̅̅̅𝒂̅ and the reactive power consumed by ̅̅̅

deduce the active power consumed by 𝒁 𝒁𝒄

̅̅̅𝒂̅
❖ active power consumed by 𝒁

▪ Method 1: active power 𝑃𝑎 = 𝑉eff,𝒂 𝐼eff,𝒂 cos 𝜑 (chapter 2 slide 3)

*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

The voltage across is ̅̅̅

𝑍𝑎 is previously calculated
̅
𝑉𝑎 = 90.92𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+0.09)
→𝑉eff,𝒂 = 90.92

And the current flowing through ̅̅̅

𝑍𝑎 is:
̅
𝑉 𝑗𝑤𝑡
220𝑒
𝐼̅𝑎 = ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
= 13.03𝑒 𝑗0.29 = 16.88𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.29) →𝐼eff,𝒂 = 16.88
𝑍 +𝑍
𝑎 𝑑

To find 𝜑 we can have multiple methods

o Method 1.1: Find 𝜑 the phase of 𝑉̅𝑎 given that 𝑰̅𝒂 is the reference (chapter 2 slide 2)
𝐼̅𝑎 = 16.88𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.29+𝟎.𝟐𝟗) = 16.88𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡)
➔ 𝑉̅𝑎 = 90.92 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+0.09+𝟎.𝟐𝟗) = 90.92 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+0.38)
➔ 𝜑 = 0.38 [rd]

You can find 𝜑 also by considering the phasor diagram

See next page

4
 𝜑 is the phase of voltage with respect to current → measured by moving on the phasor
diagram from current to voltage → 𝜑 = 0.38 [rd]

o Method 1.2: 𝜑 is the argument of the impedance of the element under study (chapter 2
slide 8) : ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑎 = 5 + 𝑗2 = √29𝑒 𝑗0.38 → 𝜑 = 0.38 [rd]

Finally, 𝑃𝑎 = 𝑉eff,𝒂 𝐼eff,𝒂 cos 𝜑 = 90.92 × 16.88 × cos 0.38 = 1425 [𝑊]

▪ ̅̅̅𝑎 ) 𝐼eff,𝒂
Method 2: 𝑃𝑎 = Re(𝑍 2
= 5 × (16.88)2 = 1425[𝑊] (chapter 2 slide 8)

▪ Method 3: Find the complex ̅̅̅ ̅̅̅

𝑆𝑎 and then 𝑃 = Re(𝑆 𝑎 ) (chapter 2 slide 6)

o Method 3.1: 𝑆 ̅̅̅𝑎 = 𝑉

̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑎 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑎
With 𝑉 ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑎 = 90.92 𝑒
𝑗(0.38)
and ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑎 = 16.88 (chapter 2 slide 6) with the phase 0.38
is the phase of voltage with respect to current as we did in method 1
→𝑆 ̅̅̅𝑎 = 90.92 𝑒 𝑗(0.38) × 16.88 = 1534𝑒 𝑗0.38
→ 𝑃 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆 ̅̅̅𝑎 ) = 1534 cos 0.38

o Method 3.2: ̅̅̅

𝑆𝑎 = ̅̅̅ 2
𝑍𝑎 𝐼eff,𝒂 2
= (5 + 2𝑗)𝐼eff,𝒂 2
= 5𝐼eff,𝒂 2
+ 𝑗(2 × 𝐼eff,𝒂 )
̅̅̅ 2
→ 𝑃 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆𝑎 ) = 5 ∗ (16.88) = 1425[𝑊]

❖ Reactive power consumed by ̅̅̅

𝒁𝒄

▪ Method 1: active power 𝑃𝑐 = 𝑉eff,𝒄 𝐼eff,𝒄 cos 𝜑 (chapter 2 slide 3)

*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

The voltage across is ̅̅̅

𝑍𝑐 is previously calculated
̅̅̅ ̅̅̅
𝑉𝐶 = 𝑉𝑏 = 129.76𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.06)
→𝑉eff,𝒄 = 129.76

And the current flowing through ̅̅̅

𝑍𝑐 is:
̅̅̅
𝑉𝑐 129.76𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.06)
𝐼̅𝑐 = ̅̅̅ = 𝑗𝜋 = 12.98𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.58) →𝐼eff,𝒄 = 12.98
𝑍
𝑐
10𝑒 6

5
To find 𝜑 we can have multiple methods
o Method 1.1: Find 𝜑 the phase of 𝑉̅𝑐 given that 𝐼̅𝑐 is the reference (chapter 2 slide 2)
𝐼̅𝑐 = 12.98𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.58+𝟎.𝟓𝟖) = 16.35𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡)
➔ 𝑉̅𝑐 = 129.76 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−0.06+𝟎.𝟓𝟖) = 116.5 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+0.52)
➔ 𝜑 = 0.52 [rd]

You can find 𝜑 also by considering the phasor diagram

𝜑 is the phase of voltage with respect to current → measured by moving on the phasor
diagram from current to voltage → 𝜑 = 0.52[rd]

o Method 1.2: 𝜑 is the argument of the impedance of the element under study (chapter 2
𝑗𝜋
𝜋
slide 8) : ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑐 = 10𝑒 6 → 𝜑 = = 0.52 [rd]
6

Finally, 𝑃𝑐 = 𝑉eff,𝒄 𝐼eff,𝒄 cos 𝜑 = 129.8 × 12.98 cos 0.52 = 1462 [𝑊]

𝜋
▪ ̅̅̅𝑐 ) 𝐼eff,𝒄
Method 2: 𝑃𝑐 = Re(𝑍 2
= 10 cos 6 ∗ (12.98)2 [𝑊] (chapter 2 slide 8)

▪ Method 3: Find the complex 𝑆̅𝑐 and then 𝑃 = Re(𝑆̅𝑐 ) (chapter 2 slide 6)

o Method 3.1: 𝑆̅𝑐 = 𝑉̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅̅

eff,𝒄 𝐼eff,𝒄 = 129.8 𝑒
𝑗(0.52)
12.98 = 1684 𝑒 𝑗0.52 (chapter 2 slide 6)
with the phase 0.52 is the phase of voltage with respect to current as we did in method
1
→ 𝑃 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆̅𝑐 ) = 1684 cos 0.52

𝑗𝜋
𝜋 𝜋
o Method 3.2: 𝑆̅𝑐 = ̅̅̅ 2
𝑍𝑐 𝐼eff,𝒄 2
= 10𝑒 6 𝐼eff,𝒄 2
=10 (cos 6 + 𝑗 sin 6 ) 𝐼eff,𝒄
𝜋
→𝑃𝑐 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆̅𝑐 ) = 10 cos 6 × (12.98)2 [𝑊]

6
Exercise 4:
A lighting installation under an AC voltage of effective value 230 V, and frequency 50 Hz
includes: 100 fluorescent tubes of 40 W each,
the power factor of the installation is 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋 = 𝟎. 𝟒
Calculate:
a. The power consumed by the installation
b. The current effective intensity carried by the cable of this installation
c. We need to correct the power factor so as it become 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋′ = 𝟎. 𝟗. Design the solution
and find the value of the new current carried by the cable of this installation

Solution

Part a:

Installation seen as one component

Power consumed →Real power →Active power

We don’t have neither the effective current flowing the element to study nor its apparent power→
we cannot use any of the methods explored in the previous exercise.
However, we have the active power of each of the 100 tubes in the installation under study → by
using the Boucherot’s theorem (chapter 2 slide 9) we know that the active power of this
installation is the sum of the active powers of the elements of this installation
→ 𝑃𝑡 = 100 ∗ 40 = 4000 [𝑊]

Part b:

𝑃𝑡 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff cos 𝜑 = 4000 → 230𝐼eff 0.4 = 4000 → 𝐼eff = 43.48 𝐴

7
Part c:

Design the solution

Fluorescent lamps form an inductive load on the AC mains supply →

To increase cos 𝜑 from 0.4 to 0.9 we need to decrease the power factor angle while maintaining
the active power constant (because the considered installation doesn’t work properly for different
active power)
➔ We can do so by decreasing the reactive power of the installation: 𝑄𝐿′ = 𝑄𝐿 − 𝛼 → we add a
capacitor to the installation because the capacitor, given the adopted convention, has a
negative reactive power (i.e. 𝑄𝑐 < 0 ) → According to Boucherot’s theorem the new reactive
power of the installation is 𝑄𝐿′ = 𝑄𝐿 + 𝑄𝑐 and hence 𝑄𝐿′ < 𝑄𝐿

We need to find the value of the capacitance C

P is maintained constant in this case → 𝑃 tan 𝜑′ = 𝑃 tan 𝜑 − |𝑄𝑐 | (chapter 2 slide 10)
sin 𝜑 ′
tan 𝜑 ′ = cos 𝜑′ with sin 𝜑 ′ = √1 − cos 𝜑′ > 0 because we have an inductive load

√1−0.92
→tan 𝜑 ′ == = 0.484
0.9

sin 𝜑 √1−0.42
and for the same reason tan 𝜑 = cos 𝜑 = = 2.29
0.4

2 2
On the other side, 𝑄𝑐 = 𝑋𝑐 𝐼eff,c = 𝑋𝑐 (𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐 ) (chapter 2 slide 8)

Don’t forget 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element
We don’t have 𝐼eff,c the current flowing through the capacitor (IT IS NOT THE ONE WE
FOUND IN PART b), but we have 𝑉eff,𝑐 , it is the input voltage as the capacitor is parallel to the
2 1 2 2
installation → 𝑄𝑐 = 𝑋𝑐 (𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐 ) = − 𝑐𝜔 (𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐 ) = −𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐

With 𝜔 = 2𝜋 × 50 = 100𝜋 and 𝑉eff,𝑐 = 230

8
 2
→ 𝑃 tan 𝜑 ′ = 𝑃 tan 𝜑 − | − 𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐 |
2
→ 𝑃 tan 𝜑 ′ = 𝑃 tan 𝜑 − 𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐

4000 × 0.484 = 4000 × 2.29 − 𝐶 × 100𝜋 × (230)2

4000×2.29−4000×0.484
𝐶= = 434 × 10−6 [𝐹] = 434 [𝜇𝐹]
100𝜋×(230)2

find the value of the new current carried by the cable of this installation

We should maintain the same active power we found in part a

4000
→ 𝑃 = 4000 = 𝑉eff 𝐼′eff cos 𝜑′ = 230𝐼′eff × 0.9 → 𝐼′eff = 230∗0.9 = 19.32 [𝐴]

Exercise 5:
In a circuit the equations for instantaneous voltage and current across a component are given
𝟐 𝝅
by 𝒗(𝒕) = 𝟏𝟒𝟏. 𝟒 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝝎𝒕 − 𝟑 𝝅) and 𝐢(𝒕) = 𝟕. 𝟎𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝝎𝒕 − 𝟐 ) with 𝝎 = 𝟑𝟏𝟒 [rd/s]
a. Find the apparent power in the circuit
b. Find the average power consumed by the circuit
c. Find the instantaneous power at 𝒕 = 𝟎, is it a consumed or a generated power?

Solution

First change the phases difference of the signal to meet the convention we adopted in our course
for the voltage and the current: cosine signals and the current is the reference signal with no phase
(chapter 2 slide 2)

▪ Convert the sine signal to cosine signals:

𝜋
sin 𝑥 = cos (𝑥 − 2 )
2 2 𝜋 𝜋
→ 𝑣(𝑡) = 141.4 sin (𝜔𝑡 − 3 𝜋) = 141.4 cos (𝜔𝑡 − 3 𝜋 − 2 ) = 141.4 cos (𝜔𝑡 − 7 6 )
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
and i(𝑡) = 7.07 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 2 ) = 7.07 cos (𝜔𝑡 − 2 − 2 ) = 7.07 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 𝜋)

9
𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the studied element with respect to the current
flowing through this element (chapter 2 slide 2)

To find 𝜑 we can have multiple methods (discussed during the session and in previous exercises),
in this exercise we can find it either from the equations of the voltage and current or from the
phasor diagram:
o Find 𝜑 the phase of 𝑉̅ given that 𝑉̅ is the reference
7.07 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜋) 7.07 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜋+𝝅) 7.07 𝑗(𝜔𝑡)
𝐼̅ = 𝑒 = 𝑒 = 𝑒
√2 √2 √2
𝜋 𝝅
141.4 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−7 +𝝅) 141.4 𝑗(𝜔𝑡− )
➔ 𝑉̅ = 𝑒 6 = 𝑒 𝟔
√2 √2

You can find 𝜑 also by considering the phasor diagram

𝜑 is the phase of voltage with respect to current → measured by moving on the phasor diagram
𝜋
from current to voltage → 𝜑 = − 6 [rd]

𝜋
➔ 𝑣(𝑡) = 141.4 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 6 ) and i(𝑡) = 7.07 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜔𝑡)

Part a:
141.4 7.07
Apparent power in the circuit: 𝑆 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff = ∗ = 500 [𝑉𝐴]
√2 √2

*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element and 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element

Part b:
𝜋
𝑃 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff cos 𝜑 = 500 cos (− 6 ) = 433 [𝑊]

*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

10
Part c:
𝜋
instantaneous power: 𝑝(𝑡) = 𝑣(𝑡)𝑖(𝑡) = 141.4 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 6 ) 7.07 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜔𝑡) (chapter 2 slide 2)
𝜋
at 𝑡 = 0 ∶ 𝑝(0) = 141.4 cos(− 6 ) 7.07 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (0) = 865.76 [𝑊]

p(0)>0 → consumed by the circuit at t=0

Exercise 6:
Consider the electric circuit given by the following figure with
𝒆(𝒕) = 𝑬𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝎𝒕
a. Find the power factor of this RC circuit
b. Find the active power dissipated in this RC circuit?
c. Find the reactive power dissipated in this RC circuit?

Solution

Part a:

Consider first the complex domain:

𝐸0
▪ 𝑒(𝑡) = 𝐸0 cos 𝜔𝑡 → 𝑒̅ = 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡
√2
𝑗
▪ ̅̅̅
𝑍𝑐 = − 𝑐𝑤
▪ ̅̅̅
𝑍 𝑅 =𝑅

Power Factor: cos 𝜑 =? ?

𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the studied element with respect to the current
flowing through this element (chapter 2 slide 2)
To find 𝜑 we can have multiple methods (discussed in previous exercises), in this exercise we can
find it from the argument of the impedance of the element under study (chapter 2 slide 8)

𝑗
𝑍̅ = ̅̅̅
𝑍𝐶 + 𝑅 = 𝑅 − 𝑐𝑤 = |𝑍̅|𝑒 𝑗𝜑𝑍

𝑅 𝑅
cos 𝜑 = cos 𝜑𝑍 = |𝑍̅| = 2
(chapter 2 slide 8)
√𝑅 2 +( 1 )
𝑐𝑤

11
Part b:

Method 1: 𝑃 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff cos 𝜑

*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

𝐸0
▪ Voltage across the studied element: 𝑉eff =
√2

𝐸0 𝑗𝑤𝑡
𝑒̅ 𝑒 𝑗
▪ Current through it: 𝑍̅ = 𝐼 ̅ = √2
and 𝑍̅ = 𝑅 − 𝑐𝑤 = |𝑍̅|𝑒 𝑗𝜑𝑍 (recall part a)
𝐼̅
𝐸0 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 𝐸0 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 𝐸0
→ 𝐼̅ = = = 𝑒 𝑗(𝑤𝑡 −𝜑𝑍)
√2 𝑍̅ √2|𝑍̅|𝑒 𝑗𝜑𝑍 1 2
√2√𝑅 2 +(𝑐𝑤)
−1/𝑐𝑤
with 𝜑𝑍 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan 𝑅

𝑅 𝑅
▪ cos 𝜑 = cos 𝜑𝑍 = |𝑍̅| = 2
(found in part a)
√𝑅 2 +( 1 )
𝑐𝑤

𝐸0 𝐸0 𝑅 𝐸02 𝑅
→𝑃 = 𝑉eff 𝐼eff cos 𝜑 = 2 2
= 1 2
√2 1 1 2(𝑅 2 +( ) )
√2√𝑅 2 +(𝑐𝑤) √𝑅 2 +(𝑐𝑤) 𝑐𝑤

2
1 𝐸0 𝐸02 𝑅
Method 2: 𝑃 = Re(𝑍̅)𝐼eff
2
= 𝑅( 2
) = 1 2
√2 √ 2 1 2(𝑅 2 +( ) )
𝑅 +( ) 𝑐𝑤
𝑐𝑤

Part c:

𝑄 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓 sin 𝜑

▪ 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓 and 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓 are found in part b

𝐼𝑚(𝑍̅) −1/𝑐𝑤
▪ sin 𝜑 = sin 𝜑𝑍 = |𝑍̅|
= 2
(check part a)
√𝑅 2 +( 1 )
𝑐𝑤
𝐸 2
1
𝐸0 𝐸0 − − 0
→ 𝑄 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓 sin 𝜑 = 2
𝑐𝑤
2
= 𝑐𝑤
1 2
√2 1 1 2(𝑅 2 +( ) )
√2√𝑅 2 +(𝑐𝑤) √𝑅 2 +(𝑐𝑤) 𝑐𝑤
2
1 1 𝐸0 1 𝐸02
Method 2: 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑍̅)𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓
2
= − 𝑐𝑤 ( 2
) =−
𝑐𝑤 1 2
√2 √ 2 1 2(𝑅 2 +( ) )
𝑅 +( ) 𝑐𝑤
𝑐𝑤

12
Exercise 7:

We consider a single-phase electrical installation alimented by an AC voltage source of

effective value 𝑽 = 𝟐𝟑𝟎 [𝑽] and frequency 50 [Hz]. The installation includes 30 parallel
incandescent light bulbs requiring a power of 75 [W] each and a single phase motor requiring
a useful power output of 2.25 [kW] , the power efficiency of this motor (i.e. useful power
𝑷𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍
output to its total consumed power) is 𝜼 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 = and its power factor is 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋 = 𝟎. 𝟔
𝑷𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔
a. Find the effective current flowing through each of the light bulbs and the current
flowing through the equivalent branch of these 30 light bulbs
b. Find the effective current flowing through the motor
c. Find the total apparent power of this installation
d. Find the total effective current flowing through this installation
e. Find the power factor of this installation

Solution

Part a:

effective current flowing through each of the light bulbs

𝑃1 = 𝑃2 = ⋯ = 𝑃30 = 𝑃𝑙 = 75[𝑊]
𝑃𝑙 = 𝑉eff,𝑙 𝐼eff,𝑙 cos 𝜑𝑙
*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element and 𝝋 is the phase difference of the voltage across the
studied element with respect to the current flowing through this element

𝑃𝑙 = 75 [𝑊]

𝜑 = 0 because the incandescent lights are resistive elements

75
𝑃𝑙 = 75 = 230𝐼eff,𝑙 → 𝐼eff,𝑙 = 230 = 0.33 [𝐴]

13
the current flowing through the equivalent branch of these 30 light bulbs

***NOTE:
▪ The effective value of the sum is not the sum of the effective values (i.e. if 𝑿 = 𝑿𝟏 + 𝑿𝟐 we
don’t always have that 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟 = 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟏 + 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟐, exercise 6 in tutorial 1 is a special case were
we obtained 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟 = 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟏 + 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟐 )

▪ If 𝑿𝟏 and 𝑿𝟐 are orthogonal we can say that 𝑿𝟐𝐞𝐟𝐟 = 𝑿𝟐𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟏 + 𝑿𝟐𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟐→ 𝑿𝐞𝐟𝐟 = √𝑿𝟐𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟏 + 𝑿𝟐𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝟐
(sinusoidal signals with different frequencies are orthogonal chapter 1 slide 17)

So the solution is

𝑃eq = 30 ∗ 75 [𝑊] (Boucherot’s Theorem chapter 2 slide 9)

𝑃eq = 𝑉eff,eq 𝐼eff,eq cos 𝜑eq with cos 𝜑eq is the power factor of the equivalent branch and not that
of each light, but again this equivalent branch is resistive → cos 𝜑eq = 0

𝑃 30∗75
→𝑃eq = 230𝐼eff,eq → 𝐼eff,eq = 230
𝑙
= = 9.78 [𝐴]
230

By the way we could’ve solve it in another method

𝟏 𝑻 𝟐
𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝒍 = √𝑻 ∫𝟎 (𝒊𝒕 (𝒕)) with 𝒊𝒍 (𝒕) = 𝒊𝟏 (𝒕) + 𝒊𝟐 (𝒕) + ⋯ + 𝒊𝟑𝟎 (𝒕) and since in this exercise
𝒊𝟏 (𝒕) = 𝒊𝟐 (𝒕) = ⋯ = 𝒊𝟑𝟎 (𝒕) (because the light bulbs have the same voltage and same required
power) so in this exercise we can say that 𝒊𝒍 (𝒕) = 𝟑𝟎𝒊𝒊 (𝒕)
𝟏 𝑻 𝟐 𝟏 𝑻 𝟐
and hence 𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝒍 = √𝑻 ∫𝟎 (𝒊𝒍 (𝒕)) = √𝑻 ∫𝟎 (𝟑𝟎𝒊𝒊 (𝒕)) = 𝟑𝟎𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝒊 with 𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝒊 previously found
So in the current exercise of tutorial 2, we obtained the effective value of the total current
equal to the sum of the effective value of each current BUT PAY ATTENTION IT IS NOT
ALWAYS TRUE. IT IS NOT THE RULE IT IS A SPECIAL CASE

Part b

𝑃𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 2.25
= 0.75 → 𝑃𝑀 = 0.75 = 3 [𝑘𝑊]
𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠
On the side, 𝑃𝑀 = 𝑉eff,𝑀 𝐼eff,𝑀 cos 𝜑 = 230𝐼eff,𝑀 0.6
𝑀 𝑃 3000
→ 𝐼eff,𝑀 = 230×0.6 = 230×0.6 = 21.74 [𝐴]

14
Part c

𝑆 = 𝑉eff,𝑡 𝐼eff,𝑡
*** note: 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element and 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element

We don’t have 𝐼eff,𝑡 at the input of the installation AND 𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝒕 ≠ 𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝒍 + 𝑰𝐞𝐟𝐟,𝑴 check previous note
But of course we have 𝑰̅𝒕 = 𝑰̅𝒍 + ̅𝑰̅̅𝑴̅ because in AC domain we move to complex domain and
then we can apply all the DC rules (here the node rule)

In this exercise we can have the total active and reactive power according to Boucherot’s Theorem
(chapter 2 slide 9)
And then 𝑺𝟐 = 𝑷𝟐𝒕 + 𝑸𝟐𝒕 (chapter 2 slide 6)

𝑃𝑡 = 𝑃𝑙 + 𝑃𝑀 = 30 ∗ 75 + 3000 = 5250 [𝑊] (see previous parts)

𝑄𝑡 = 𝑄𝑙 + 𝑄𝑀 = 𝑉efft 𝐼eff,t sin 𝜑𝑡 + 𝑉eff,𝑀 𝐼eff,𝑀 sin 𝜑𝑀

sin 𝜑𝑡 = 0 because the light bulbs are resistive elements

sin 𝜑𝑀 = ±√1 − 0.62 , but since we have motor load → inductive load → sin 𝜑𝑀 = √1 − 0.62

→ 𝑄𝑡 = 230 ∗ 21.74(√1 − 0.62 ) = 4000.16 [VAR]

Finally, 𝑆 = √𝑃𝑡2 + 𝑄𝑡2 = √(5250)2 + (4000.16)2 = 6600.29 [𝑉𝐴]

Part d

𝑆 6600.29
𝑆 = 𝑉eff,𝑡 𝐼eff,𝑡 → 𝐼eff,𝑡 = 𝑉 = = 28.7 [𝐴]
eff,𝑡 230

Part e

Power factor cos 𝜑𝑡

30∗75+3000
𝑃𝑡 = 30 ∗ 75 + 3000 = 𝑉eff,𝑡 𝐼eff,𝑡 cos 𝜑𝑡 → cos 𝜑𝑡 = = 0.96
230∗28.7

15
Exercise 8:

Electric power distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electric power; it carries
electricity from the transmission system to individual consumers.

Consider that a consumer would like to get electricity from the

power distribution system to power the following electric circuit
where device B requires 2.5 kW at 0.7 power factor lagging and
device C receives 1118 [Var] at 0.894 power factor lagging.
**lagging power factor → current lags the voltage (i.e. (is delayed
with respect to the voltage)
The effective value of the input voltage is 𝑽𝒔 = 𝟐𝟐𝟎 [𝑉] and the
frequency is 50 Hz

a. Find 𝑰𝒔 effective value of the input current that is required to be delivered at the input
of the customer circuit.
b. Find the power factor of the customer circuit
c. If a capacitor is parallelly connected to device B, such that the power factor of the total
network is improved to 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔, lagging, find the impedance value of the capacitor
d. In practical electric power distribution system, the alimentation cables connecting the
customer circuits to the power supply source have internal resistance 𝒓 = 𝟎. 𝟏 [𝜴] that
leads to power loss. Find the relation between the power loss, active power and the power
factor of the customer installation
e. Based on your answer in part d, give an advantage of increasing the power factor other
than its advantage in improving the power efficiency of the system.
f. By the way what should be the phasor voltage at the power supplier end.

Solution

Part a

In time domain
𝑖𝑠 (𝑡) = 𝑖𝐵 (𝑡) + 𝑖𝐶 (𝑡)

In complex domain
𝐼̅𝑠 = 𝐼̅𝐵 + 𝐼̅𝑐

But we don’t have time domain information and hence we cannot find the complex domain
information

The information we have are:

16
For device B
𝑃𝐵 = 2.5 × 103 [𝑊] (we know this value is the active power because of the watt unit) ,
cos 𝜑𝐵 = 0.7 and current is delayed with respect to the voltage → 𝜑𝐼 − 𝜑𝑉 < 0→ 𝜑𝑉 = 𝜑 > 0
→ sin 𝜑 > 0
from this information we can get the efficient current of device B:
𝑃𝐵 = 𝑉𝐵𝑒𝑓𝑓 𝐼𝐵𝑒𝑓𝑓 cos 𝜑𝐵 = 2.5 × 103 [𝑊]
2500
→ 𝐼𝐵,𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 220∗0.7 = 16.23 [𝐴]

For device C
𝑄𝐶 = 1118 [VAR] (we know this value is the reactive power because of the VAR unit) ,
cos 𝜑𝐵 = 0.894 and current is delayed with respect to the voltage → 𝜑𝐼 − 𝜑𝑉 < 0→ 𝜑𝑉 = 𝜑 > 0
→ sin 𝜑 > 0

from this information we can get the efficient current of device B:

𝑄𝐶 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓𝐶 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑐 sin 𝜑𝐶 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑐 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑐 √1 − (0.894)2 = 1118 [𝑉𝐴𝑅]

1118
→ 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑐 = = 11.34 [𝐴]
220∗√1−(0.894)2

Given that 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑠 is not the always the sum of 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝐵 and 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝐶 , we choose to find 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑠 from the
apparent power 𝑆𝑡 , because 𝑆𝑡 can be calculated using the formula 𝑆𝑡 = √𝑃𝑡2 + 𝑄𝑡2 and the total
active and reactive powers at the input of the installation va be obtained using Boucherot’s theorem
and finally 𝑆𝑡 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑠 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝑠

So:
▪ 𝑃𝑡 = 𝑃𝐵 + 𝑃𝐶 (Boucherot’s theorem chapter 2 slide 9)

𝑃𝐵 = 2.5 × 103 [𝑊] given

𝑃𝐶 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝐶 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝐶 cos 𝜑𝐶 = 220 × 11.34 × 0.894 = 2230.35 [𝑊]

So, 𝑃𝑡 = 2500 + 2230.35 = 4730.35 [𝑊]

▪ 𝑄𝑡 = 𝑄𝐵 + 𝑄𝐶 (Boucherot’s theorem chapter 2 slide 9)

𝑄𝐶 = 1118 [𝑉𝐴𝑅] given

𝑄𝐵 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝐵 𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓,𝐵 sin 𝜑𝐵 = 220 × 16.23 × √1 − 0.72 = 2549.92 [𝑉𝐴𝑅]

17
So, 𝑄𝑡 = 2549.92 + 1118 = 3667.92 [𝑉𝐴𝑅]

𝑆𝑡 = √𝑃𝑡2 + 𝑄𝑡2 = √(4730.35)2 + (3667.92)2 = 5985.8 [𝑉𝐴] (chapter 2 slides 6 and 9)

Finally, 𝑆𝑡 = 𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠 (chapter 2 slides 5 and 6)

𝑆 5985.8
𝐼𝑠 = 𝑉𝑡 = = 27.2 [𝐴]
𝑠 220

Part b
Customer circuit
seen as one
component with
power factor

cos 𝜑𝑡

𝑃 4730.35
𝑃𝑡 = 𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠 cos 𝜑𝑡 → cos 𝜑𝑡 = = = 0.79
𝑆 5985.8

Part c

As we did in exercise 4 part c

𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡 ′ = 𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡 − |𝑄𝑐 | (chapter 2 slide 10)

sin 𝜑 ′
tan 𝜑𝑡′ = cos 𝜑′ with sin 𝜑𝑡′ = √1 − cos 𝜑′ > 0 because we have a lagging current

√1−0.962
→tan 𝜑𝑡′ == = 0.29
0.96

sin 𝜑 √1−0.792
and for the same reason tan 𝜑𝑡 = cos 𝜑 𝑡 = = 0.78
𝑡 0.79

2 2
On the other side, 𝑄𝑐 = 𝑋𝑐 𝐼eff,c = 𝑋𝑐 (𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐 ) (chapter 2 slide 8)

18
Don’t forget 𝑉eff is the effective voltage across the studied element, 𝐼eff is the effective current
flowing through the studied element
We don’t have 𝐼eff,c the current flowing through the capacitor but we have 𝑉eff,𝑐 , it is the input
1
voltage 𝑉s as the capacitor is parallel to the installation → 𝑄𝑐 = 𝑋𝑐 (𝐶𝜔𝑉s )2 = − 𝑐𝜔 (𝐶𝜔𝑉s )2 =
−𝐶𝜔𝑉s2
With 𝜔 = 2𝜋 × 50 = 100𝜋 and 𝑉s = 220
2
→ 𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡′ = 𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡 − | − 𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐 |
2
→ 𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡′ = 𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡 − 𝐶𝜔𝑉eff,𝑐

4730.35 × 0.29 = 4730.35 × 0.78 − 𝐶 × 100𝜋 × (220)2

4730.35×0.78−4730.35×0.29
𝐶= = 152 × 10−6 [𝐹] = 152 [𝜇𝐹]
100𝜋×(220)2

The question is find the impedance value of the capacitor

𝑗 𝑗
̅̅̅
𝑍𝑐 = − 𝑐𝑤 = − 100𝜋×152×10−6 = −20.88𝑗

Part d

The customer circuit + the capacitor are

seen as a single component

′
with power factor 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔

and active power 𝑷𝒕 = 4730.35

Check the session when we explained chapter 2 slide 10

The power loss in the cable 𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝑟 𝐼′2eff = 𝑟 𝐼′2s
𝑃𝑡
The effective value of the current flowing through the cable is 𝐼′𝑠 = 𝑉 (chapter 2 slide 10)
s cos 𝜑′𝑡

𝑃2
→ 𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝑟 𝑉 2 cos𝑡2 𝜑′
s 𝑡

19
Part e
In addition to improving the power efficiency of the system, increasing the power factor helps in
decreasing the loss in the distribution system (distribution wires)

Part f

𝑉̅supplier = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,supplier 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+𝜑supplier)

We need to find the effective value and the phase:

To find the effective value:

The apparent power to be delivered by the supplier is

2 2
𝑆𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = √(𝑃𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 ) + (𝑄𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 )

▪ 𝑃𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = 𝑃𝑡 + 𝑃resistance (Boucherot’s theorem)

With:
𝑃𝑡 is the active power of the customer circuit after the addition of the capacitor (it has the same
value as before adding the capacitor, the reason is explained multiple times)
→𝑃𝑡 = 4730.35 (calculated in part a)

𝑃resistance is the active power due to the internal resistance of wires

𝑃2 (4730.35)2
𝑃resistance = 𝑟 𝐼′2s = 𝑟 𝑉 2 cos𝑡2 𝜑′ (found in part d) →𝑃resistance = 0.1 (220)2(0.96)2 = 50.16 [𝑊]
s 𝑡

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Hence, 𝑃𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = 4730.35 + 50.16 = 4780.51 [𝑊]

▪ 𝑄𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = 𝑄𝑡′ + 𝑄𝑟

With :
▪ 𝑄𝑡′ is the reactive power of the customer circuit after the addition of the capacitor
𝑄𝑡′ = 𝑄𝑡 + 𝑄𝑐 (chapter 2 slide 10)

𝑄𝑡 = 3667.92 [𝑉𝐴𝑅] calculated in part a

1
𝑄𝑐 = 𝑋𝑐 (𝐶𝜔𝑉s )2 = − 𝑐𝜔 (𝐶𝜔𝑉s )2 = −𝐶𝜔𝑉s2 with 𝐶 = 152 × 10−6 [𝐹] calculated in part c

→𝑄𝑐 = −152 × 10−6 × 100𝜋 × (220)2 = −2311.2

→𝑄𝑡′ = 𝑄𝑡 + 𝑄𝑐 = 3667.92 − 2311.2 = 1356.7 [𝑉𝐴𝑅]

Another method to find 𝑸′𝒕 :

𝑄𝑡′
tan 𝜑𝑡′ = (Chapter 2 slide 6, or even slide 10)
𝑃𝑡′

→ 𝑄𝑡′ = 𝑃𝑡 tan 𝜑𝑡′ = 4730.35 × 0.29

▪ On the other side 𝑄𝑟 is the reactive power of the internal resistance of the wire
𝑄𝑟 = 0 because a resistor doesn’t have a reactive power (chapter 2 slide 4)

Hence,
𝑄𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = 𝑄𝑡′ + 𝑄𝑟 = 𝑄𝑡′ = 1356.7

→ 𝑆𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = √(4780.51)2 + (1356.7 )2 = 4969.3 [𝑉𝐴]

𝑆𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟
And on the other 𝑆𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,supplier 𝐼𝑠′ → 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,supplier = 𝐼𝑠′

With 𝑆𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 = 4969.3

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 𝑃𝑡 4730.35
and 𝐼𝑠′ = 𝑉 (check part d) → 𝐼𝑠′ = 220×0.96 = 22.4 [𝐴]
s cos 𝜑′𝑡

𝑆𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟 4969.3
So, 𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓,supplier = = = 221.84
𝐼𝑠′ 22.4

To find the phase: 𝜑supplier)

𝑄supplier
tan 𝜑supplier = (Chapter 2 slide 6)
𝑃supplier

1356.7
→tan 𝜑supplier = 4780.51 = 0.28 → 𝜑supplier = arctan 0.28 = 0.28 [𝑟𝑑]

Finally the phasor pf the supplier voltage is : 𝑉̅supplier = 221.84𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+0.28)

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