1. What is AC Power Consumption?

AC Power Consumption refers to the amount of electrical power consumed by AC appliances, calculated using voltage, current, and power factor. It represents the actual power used by electrical devices in alternating current systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the AC power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, 0-1)

Explanation: This formula calculates the real power consumed by AC electrical appliances, taking into account the phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the efficiency of power usage in AC circuits. A power factor of 1 indicates perfect efficiency, while lower values indicate poor power utilization and increased energy losses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (between 0 and 1). All values must be positive numbers with power factor ranging from 0 to 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between real power and apparent power?
A: Real power (P) is the actual power consumed and measured in watts, while apparent power (S = V×I) is measured in VA and includes both real and reactive power components.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor increases energy losses in transmission lines, reduces system capacity, and may result in higher electricity bills for industrial consumers.

Q3: What are typical power factor values?
A: Resistive loads (heaters, incandescent lamps) have PF ≈ 1, inductive loads (motors, transformers) have PF < 1, typically 0.7-0.9.

Q4: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor correction can be achieved by adding capacitors to counteract inductive loads, bringing the power factor closer to 1.

Q5: Does this formula work for DC circuits?
A: For DC circuits, power factor is always 1, so the formula simplifies to P = V × I.