AC Power Analysis

AC generators, transformers, and other related high-voltage devices are required to generate, transmit and distribute alternating voltage and current. These types of equipment are rated by Mega Watt (MW) and Mega Voltage-Ampere (MVA). Electrical appliances, such as DVD players, televisions, microwaves, light bulbs, refrigerators, ceiling fans and many more are rated in a Watt (W). Careful attention is required in designing these kinds of equipment to address their power ratings, which in turn addresses the varying electricity bills. The electricity bills depend on the use of energy and the unit of energy is kWh. Power and time are also required to calculate energy. The power is classified as electrical power, mechanical power and fluid power. Electrical power is usually generated and transferred over a long distance using an AC generator, transformer, transmission and distribution lines. The mechanical power is transferred to a short distance using the pulley, chain and conveyor belt. Whereas the fluid power is generated and distributed to a short distance using the pump, motor, valves and piping system. Therefore, knowledge power analysis plays an important role in designing and calculating the energy cost of a system. This chapter will discuss instantaneous power, average power, complex power, power factor, maximum power transfer theorem and power factor correction.