Capacitor Power Calculator:
Enter the values of current running through the capacitor, Ic(A) and voltage running through the capacitor, Vc(V) to determine the value of Capacitor power, Pc(W).
Capacitor Power Formula:
Capacitor power (Pc) signifies the rate at which electrical energy is stored or released by a capacitor in an AC circuit.
In AC circuits, capacitors store energy in the electric field between their plates and release it back into the circuit. The power associated with this process is a function of the voltage across the capacitor (Vc) and the current through the capacitor (Ic).
In an AC circuit, the voltage (Vc) across the capacitor constantly changes direction. The capacitor charges and discharges as the voltage changes, leading to a current flow (Ic) that lags behind the voltage.
This lagging current doesn’t do useful work but creates a reactive power exchange with the source.
Capacitor power (Pc) represents the magnitude of this reactive power exchange.
Capacitor power, Pc(W) in watts is calculated by the product of current running through the capacitor, Ic(A) in amperes and voltage running through the capacitor, Vc(V) in volts.
Capacitor power, Pc(W) = Ic(A) * Vc(V)
Pc(W) = capacitor power in watts, W.
Vc(V) = voltage in volts, V.
Ic(A) = current in amperes, A.
Capacitor Power Calculation:
- A capacitor in an AC circuit has a voltage (Vc) of 120 volts (V) across it and a current (Ic) of 2 amperes (A) flowing through it. Calculate the capacitor power.
Given: Vc(V) = 120V, Ic(A) = 2A.
Capacitor power, Pc(W) = Ic(A) * Vc(V)
Pc(W) = 120 * 2
Pc(W) = 240W.
- A capacitor in an AC circuit has a power (Pc) of 180 volt-amperes reactive (VAR) and a voltage (Vc) of 90 volts (V) across it. Calculate the current through the capacitor.
Given: Vc(V) = 90V, Pc(W) = 180W.
Capacitor power, Pc(W) = Ic(A) * Vc(V)
Ic(A) = Pc(W) / Vc(V)
Ic(A) = 180 / 90
Ic(A) = 2A.