AC Power Triangle Calculator
Derive apparent power, signed reactive power, and phase angle from nonnegative real power and a leading or lagging power factor.
Description
Derive apparent power, signed reactive power, and phase angle from nonnegative real power and a leading or lagging power factor.
Derive apparent power, signed reactive power, and phase angle from nonnegative real power and a leading or lagging power factor.
When to use AC Power Triangle Calculator
Use this calculator for first-pass circuit analysis when the quantities belong to the same operating condition and use compatible SI units.
- Real power
- A finite numeric input greater than or equal to 0.
- Power factor
- Magnitude greater than zero and at most one.
- Reactive mode
- A text input.
How the calculation works
The formula below determines the tool output. Apparent power: The calculated apparent power in VA. Reactive power: Positive for lagging and negative for leading loads. Phase angle: Positive for lagging and negative for leading loads.1
S = P / power factor; |Q| = √(S² − P²); angle = ±acos(power factor) 1Limitations and assumptions
The calculation uses the stated ideal lumped-circuit relationship. It does not model component tolerance, wiring impedance, transients, nonlinear devices, harmonics, temperature dependence, or measurement uncertainty unless those effects are already reflected in the inputs.
Alternative or Complementary approaches
Complement the ideal calculation with measured values and component tolerances. Related voltage, current, resistance, and power calculations can cross-check whether the supplied operating point is internally consistent.
References
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AC power — Wikipedia contributors
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