What equation represents the power triangle?

The power triangle is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering that relates apparent power, real power, and reactive power in AC circuits. The equation representing the power triangle is derived from the geometric relationship between these three quantities.

In the power triangle:

• Apparent power (denoted as S) is represented as the hypotenuse of the triangle.

• Real power (denoted as P) is one leg of the triangle.

• Reactive power (denoted as Q) is the other leg.

The relationship shows that the square of the apparent power is equal to the sum of the squares of the real and reactive power. This can be mathematically formulated as S^2 = P^2 + Q^2.

This equation highlights how the magnitude of apparent power can be determined through the Pythagorean theorem, reinforcing the connection between these types of power in AC circuit analysis. In practical terms, it emphasizes the importance of both real and reactive power in understanding the overall power usage in electrical systems.