Power actually available in an AC circuit is called?

Power actually available in an AC circuit is called?

• A. Apparent Power
• B. Reactive Power
• C. True Power
• D. Complex Power

Answer: (C)

Real (true) power is the power actually available to do work in an AC circuit. It represents the portion of power that is converted to useful work (or heat, light, etc.) and is measured in watts. It depends on the phase relationship between voltage and current, given by P = V_rms I_rms cos(phi). When voltage and current are in phase (phi = 0), all the power is real power. The other forms of power help describe what’s happening with the rest. Apparent power, S = V_rms I_rms, represents the total power flowing, regardless of phase. Reactive power, Q = V_rms I_rms sin(phi), is the portion alternately stored and returned by inductors and capacitors and does not perform net work over a cycle. Complex power combines these as S_complex = P + jQ. So the power that actually does work in an AC circuit is true (real) power.

Real (true) power is the power actually available to do work in an AC circuit. It represents the portion of power that is converted to useful work (or heat, light, etc.) and is measured in watts. It depends on the phase relationship between voltage and current, given by P = V_rms I_rms cos(phi). When voltage and current are in phase (phi = 0), all the power is real power.

The other forms of power help describe what’s happening with the rest. Apparent power, S = V_rms I_rms, represents the total power flowing, regardless of phase. Reactive power, Q = V_rms I_rms sin(phi), is the portion alternately stored and returned by inductors and capacitors and does not perform net work over a cycle. Complex power combines these as S_complex = P + jQ.

So the power that actually does work in an AC circuit is true (real) power.