2007-01-14 18:39:32 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Real power represents voltage in phase with current, and is real energy that the power company will charge you for. Reactive power is voltage ninety degrees out of phase with current; it can be either capacitive or inductive, depending on which is leading. Since there is no actual energy consumption, the power company can't bill you for it, but they will get irate if your load has significant reactive power, as that requires current which they aren't getting paid for. So, if you are running a steel mill with lots of big motors, and as a result have lots of inductive power, they may charge you extra.
2007-01-14 18:52:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you rhsaunders. I could have used your help on this question, in which i think the best answer was wrong: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmNx8sgGednKbM_6JVxDS1AjzKIX?qid=20061219231236AAQgL5K
2007-01-16 04:11:52 · answer #2 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋