aktiivvõimsust

Aktiivvõimsust, often translated as active power, is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering representing the actual power used by electrical devices to perform work. It is the component of apparent power that is dissipated as heat or converted into mechanical work. In an alternating current (AC) system, power is not solely determined by the product of voltage and current. Instead, it is the product of voltage, current, and the cosine of the phase angle between them. This phase angle arises due to the presence of reactive components like inductors and capacitors in the circuit.

Active power is measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). It is the power that contributes to the operation of a load, such as a motor turning a shaft, a light bulb emitting light, or a heater producing warmth. In contrast, reactive power (reaktiivvõimsust) is power that oscillates back and forth between the source and the load, not doing any useful work but contributing to the electromagnetic field. The sum of active power and reactive power is known as apparent power, measured in volt-amperes (VA). Maintaining a high power factor, which is the ratio of active power to apparent power, is desirable in AC systems as it minimizes losses and improves efficiency. Understanding and managing active power is crucial for efficient energy utilization and the design of electrical systems.