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What is the reactive power of a 3-phase, delta-connected system with line voltage of 100 V and line current of 40 A if the phase difference between the voltage and the current is 36.87°?
2.155 kVAR
6.155 kVAR
4.155 kVAR
8.155 kVAR
155 kVAR
The reactive power (Q) in a 3-phase system is calculated using the formula Q=3VLILsinϕ. For a system with VL=100 V, IL=40 A, and ϕ=36.87°, the value is 3×100×40×sin(36.87°)≈4156 VAR or 4.156 kVAR.
IS 12065:1987
The reactive power (Q) in a 3-phase system is calculated using the formula Q=3VLILsinϕ. For a system with VL=100 V, IL=40 A, and ϕ=36.87°, the value is 3×100×40×sin(36.87°)≈4156 VAR or 4.156 kVAR.
Q=3VLILsinϕ — Formula for 3-phase reactive power
sin(36.87°)≈0.6 — Trigonometric value for the given angle
In a 3-phase system, the total reactive power is the sum of the reactive power in the three individual phases. Since QL=VphIphsinϕ and in delta connection VL=Vph while IL=3Iph, the total reactive power simplifies to 3VLILsinϕ. The phase angle 36.87° corresponds to a power factor of 0.8, where sin(36.87°)=0.6.
In delta connection, line voltage equals phase voltage (VL=Vph)
Line current is related to phase current by IL=3Iph
Reactive power is measured in VAR (Volt-Ampere Reactive)
The power factor angle ϕ is the phase difference between phase voltage and phase current
Higher power transfer efficiency in 3-phase systems
Allows for calculation of VAR compensation requirements for grid stability
Requires precise measurement of phase angle
Reactive power does not perform useful mechanical work
AC motor power analysis
Transmission line reactive compensation sizing
The value sin(36.87°) is derived from the common 3−4−5 triangle, where sinϕ=3/5=0.6.
Option B (6.155 kVAR) usually results from mistakenly using cosϕ instead of sinϕ or misplacing the 3 factor.
C is correct — The calculated reactive power using Q=3VLILsinϕ yields approximately 4.156 kVAR.
Always verify if the question asks for Active Power (P=3VLILcosϕ) or Reactive Power (Q=3VLILsinϕ) before calculating.