1. What is Phase Angle?

The phase angle (φ) represents the phase difference between current and voltage in an AC circuit. It indicates whether the circuit is predominantly inductive or capacitive and determines the power factor of the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the phase angle formula:

Where:

• \( \phi \) — Phase angle (radians)
• \( X_L \) — Inductive reactance (Ω)
• \( X_C \) — Capacitive reactance (Ω)
• \( R \) — Resistance (Ω)

Explanation: The formula calculates the angle whose tangent is the ratio of net reactance to resistance. Positive values indicate inductive behavior, negative values indicate capacitive behavior.

3. Importance of Phase Angle Calculation

Details: Phase angle is crucial for understanding power factor, circuit behavior, resonance conditions, and optimizing energy efficiency in AC systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values in ohms (Ω). Resistance must be positive. The calculator provides results in both radians and degrees for convenience.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive phase angle mean?
A: A positive phase angle indicates the circuit is predominantly inductive, meaning current lags behind voltage.

Q2: What does a negative phase angle mean?
A: A negative phase angle indicates the circuit is predominantly capacitive, meaning current leads voltage.

Q3: What is the range of possible phase angles?
A: Phase angles range from -90° to +90° (-π/2 to +π/2 radians), representing purely capacitive to purely inductive circuits.

Q4: What happens at resonance?
A: At resonance, X_L = X_C, making the numerator zero, resulting in a phase angle of 0° (current and voltage in phase).

Q5: How is phase angle related to power factor?
A: Power factor = cos(φ), where φ is the phase angle. A phase angle of 0° gives unity power factor (most efficient).