Experiment 3 Watt, VAR, Volt-Ampere, and Power Factor

OBJECTIVE
 To study the relationship among watt, VAR and volt-ampere.
 To determine the apparent, active, and reactive power of an inductive load.
 To improve the power factor of an inductive load.

DISCUSSION
We now know the following facts:

a) Apparent power supplied to a load is the simple product of voltage and current.
b) Active power supplied to a load is measured by a wattmeter.

When reactive power is involved, the apparent power is larger than the active power. Reactive
power may be inductive or capacitive. In most electromechanical devices, the reactive power
will be inductive due to the inductance presented by coils. Reactive power can be calculated by
the equation:

√ (1)

If the phase angle between the voltage and current is known, the active power can be found by
the equation:

(2)

The ratio of active power to apparent power is called the power factor of an AC circuit. Power
factor can be found by the equation:

(3)

The value of the power factor depends on how much the current and voltage is out of phase.
When the current and voltage are in phase, the active is equal to I × V, or in other words, the
power factor is unity. When current and voltage are out of phase by 90°, as in a purely capacitive

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or inductive circuit, the power factor is zero, resulting in a zero value of active power. In circuits
containing both resistance and reactance, the value of the power factor is some value between
one and zero. If the phase angle θ between the voltage and current is known, the power factor
can be found by the equation:

(4)

Alternating current motors draw reactive power from the supply line to create the magnetic field
which they require. In addition, such motors also absorb active power, most of which is
converted into mechanical power, while the rest is dissipated in the form of heat.

The reactive power travels back and forth between the motor and the AC supply. Reactive power
does no useful work, except that it creates the magnetic field for the motor. If a capacitor is
placed in parallel with the motor, and the reactive power drawn by the capacitor is exactly equal
(but of opposite sign) to that drawn by the motor, then one reactive power will neutralize the
other. The result being that the power transmission line need no longer carry any reactive power
at all. This can result in a very substantial reduction of current in the transmission line, which
improves line regulation and reduces need for large diameter transmission wires.

Prior to the addition of the capacitor, the power factor of the motor is quite low. Once the
capacitor is in place, the combination (motor + capacitor) improves the power factor. By proper
choice of capacitance, the power factor can be made close to unity.

Note: In this Experiment, we will use an Inductive Load to stimulate the inductive load
represented by a single-phase induction motor.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
 Workstation

AC power supply, Single-Phase Wattmeter, AC Voltmeter, AC Ammeter, Resistance

Module, Inductance Module, Capacitance Module

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PROCEDURE
CAUTION!

High voltages are present in this Experiment! Do not make or modify any banana jack
connections with the power on unless otherwise specified!

The grading in this section is 1 point for each correct answer.

1. Using your Resistive Load, Inductive Load, AC Ammeter, AC Voltmeter, Single-Phase

Wattmeter, and Power Supply, connect the circuit shown in Figure 3-1. The resistance and
Inductance modules simulate the load of a single phase AC motor.

Figure 3-1

2. Connect all three resistance and inductance sections in parallel. Close all three 300 Ω toggle
switches of the resistance module. Close all three 300 Ω toggle switches of the inductance
module.

3. Turn on the power supply and adjust for 120 V AC as indicated by the AC voltmeter
connected across the R-L load.

a. Measure and record the line current.

IL= A AC

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 b. Measure and record the active power.

P= W

4. a. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

b. Calculate the apparent power.

|S|= VA

c. Calculate the power factor.

PF = __________________

d. Calculate the reactive power.

Q= VAR

5. Connect the Capacitive Load in parallel with your resistance and inductance modules as
shown in Figure 3-2. Connect all three capacitance sections in parallel. Open all of the
associated capacitor toggle switches.

Figure 3-2

6. a. Turn on the power supply and adjust for 120 V AC as in procedure 3.

b. Start to add capacitance to your circuit by closing the switches one at a time. Note that
the line current diminishes as capacitance is added. At some point, as you keep adding

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 more capacitance, the line current will start to increase. (The line current has gone
through a minimum value).

c. Adjust your capacitance for minimum line current.

d. Measure and record the line current.

IL = A AC

e. Measure and record the active power.

P= W

7. a. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

b. Calculate the apparent power.

|S| = VA

c. Calculate the power factor.

PF = _______________

d. Calculate the reactive power.

Q= VAR

8. Compare the results of procedures 3 and 4 with the results of procedures 6 and 7.

a. Has there been a significant reduction in line current by adding capacitance?

Yes No

b. Does the capacitance supply or absorb the reactive power?

_______________________________________________

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 c. Is the active power approximately the same whether the capacitance is added or not?
Explain.

Yes No

9. Turn on the power supply and adjust for 120 V AC as before.

a. Close all of the capacitance switches and measure the line current.

IL = A AC

b. Carefully adjust the switches for minimum line current, while maintaining exactly 120 V
AC across the R-L load.

What reactance value gives the lowest line current?

XC = Ω

c. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. An electro-magnet draws 3 kW of active power and 4 KVAR of reactive power. (4)

a) Calculate the apparent power

S= VA

b) Calculate the power factor

PF =__________ lagging / leading

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2. A capacitor supplying 4 KVAR is placed in parallel with the electro-magnet of Question 1.
(10)

a) Calculate the new value of apparent power.

S= VA

b) What is the new value of reactive power?

Q= VAR

c) What is the new value of active power?

P= W

d) What is the new power factor?

PF = ______________ lagging / leading

e) Compared with the operating condition in review question 1, did the addition of this
capacitor improve the power factor? Explain.

Yes No

3. If the capacitor of Question 2 is replaced with one supplying 8 KVAR, calculate: (10)

a) The new value of apparent power

S= VA

b) The new reactive power

Q= VAR

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 c) The new active power

P= W

d) The new power factor

PF =_____________ lagging / leading

e) Compared with the operating condition in review question 1, did the addition of this
capacitor improve the power factor? Explain.

Yes No

4. Did the adding of capacitance in the experiment, change the current through the resistance-
inductance combination? Explain. (2)

No

5. Is the active power supplied to a motor affected by placing of capacitors in parallel with the
motor? Explain. (2)

Yes No

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