1. What is an AC Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in an AC circuit based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians determine the actual power consumption in AC electrical systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real power (watts)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The product of voltage and current gives apparent power, which is then multiplied by the power factor to get real power.

3. Importance of AC Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper circuit design, prevents overloads, and helps in energy efficiency analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 1.0 for purely resistive loads). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing the efficiency of power usage in an AC circuit.

Q2: When would power factor be less than 1?
A: With inductive or capacitive loads (motors, transformers, etc.) where current and voltage are out of phase.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Resistive loads: 1.0, Motors: 0.8-0.9, Fluorescent lights: 0.5-0.9.

Q4: How does this differ from DC power calculation?
A: DC power is simply V×I, while AC power requires the additional power factor for real power calculation.

Q5: Why is real power important?
A: Real power represents the actual energy consumed and is what you pay for on your electric bill.