COMPLEX POWER IN CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE REACTIVE ELEMENTS

This paper provides a detailed discussion of how complex powers combin e in circuits with multiple reactive or phase dependent elements. Reac tive powers in different circuit elements are additive by simple addit ion if and only if either the currents or the voltages are in phase or 180 degrees out; this condition is met by multiple elements on a give n circuit branch, and by multiple circuit branches between common node s. The phase condition is not met between individual reactive circuit elements on different circuit branches, therefore reactive power canno t be determined using simple addition; a more complex procedure is nec essary. The results are of direct importance for properly determining energy storage between multiple circuit elements within an electrical grid.