Assignment 12

Alternating Currents

1. An alternating current I / A varies with time t/s according to the equation I = 5.0 sin
(100t)
(a) Deduce the frequency of the alternating current. [2]
(b) What is the mean power developed by the current in a resistive load of resistance
10 ? [2]

Solution
(a) Comparing equation with I = I0 sin ωt,
ω = 100  where ω = 2f
2f = 100 
f = 50 Hz

(b) Given I0 = 5.0 A

Mean power dissipated Pav
= Irms2 R
5.0 2
=( ) (10)
2
= 125 W

2. A transformer on a pole near a factory steps the voltage down from 3600 V (r.m.s.) to
120 V (r.m.s.). The transformer is to deliver 1000 kW to the factory at 90 % efficiency.
Find
(a) the power delivered to the primary, [2]
(b) the current in the primary, and [1]
(c) the current in the secondary. [1]

Solution:
(a) 0.90 Pp = Ps
0.90 Pp = 1 000 × 103
Pp = 1.1 × 106 W

(b) Pp = Ip Vp
1.1 × 106 = Ip × 3600
Ip = 310 A

(c) Ps = Is Vs
1000 x 103 = Is × 120
Is = 8300 A

3. When a light bulb is connected to an a.c. supply, the average alternating voltage across
it is zero. Why does the bulb still light up? [2]

Solution:
Even though the average current is zero, the electron flow still resulted in collisions with
the atoms of the bulb filament (B1). These constant collisions raise the temperature of
the filament atoms (B1) such that light is subsequently emitted.

1
4. A transmission line that has a resistance per unit length of 4.50 x 10 -4  m-1 is to be used
to transmit 5.00 MW over 6.44 x 10 5 m. The output voltage of the generator is 4.50 kV
(r.m.s.)

(a) Calculate power loss in the line if an ideal transformer is used to step up the voltage
to 500 kV (r.m.s) for transmission? [4]
(b) Compute the fraction of the input power is lost to the line under these circumstances?
[1]
(c) What difficulties will be encountered on attempting to transmit the 5.00 MW at the
generator voltage at 4.50 kV (r.m.s.) [2]

Solution
(a) Total resistance in transmission line, R
= 4.50 x 10-4 x 6.44 x 105 [1]
= 289.9 

For an ideal transformer:

Power input = Power output
Ip Vp = Is Vs [1]
5.00 x 106 = 500 IS
IS = 10 A [1]

Ploss in the line

= Is2 R = 102 x 289.9
= 2.90 x 104 W [1]

Ploss 2.90 �104

(b) = = 0.00580 [1]
Ptotal 5.00 �106

(c) Transmitting at the lower voltage means the transmission current will be about 100
times greater. This means power loss will be about 10 000 times greater [1]. The
cross-sectional area of wire needed to run this transmission current needs to be
larger, i.e. cost of production may be higher [1].