Complex Power & Power Triangle

Inside this lesson

Express complex power as S = V·I* using RMS phasors and decompose it into real and reactive components
Compute real power P (watts), reactive power Q (VAR), and apparent power |S| (VA) from voltage, current, and impedance
Interpret the power triangle and relate the power-factor angle to the phase difference between voltage and current
Determine whether a load is inductive or capacitive from the sign of Q, and compute the power factor

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Educational content covering topics typical of a first- and second-year electrical engineering curriculum. Not a substitute for accredited coursework, and not suitable for real circuit or system design without review by a licensed professional engineer.