Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of reactive power?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of reactive power?

• A. Measured in VAR
• B. Involves capacitors and inductors
• C. Consumed as useful work
• D. Stored temporarily in the system

Answer: (C)

Reactive power is a key concept in AC electrical systems and plays a crucial role in maintaining voltage levels, but it does not perform useful work in the same way that active power does. Reactive power is expressed in volt-amperes reactive (VAR), which indicates its measurement. It arises when energy is stored temporarily in capacitors and inductors during each cycle of the AC waveform; this storage leads to a phase difference between voltage and current, but it does not convert fully into useful power to do work. Instead, reactive power sustains the electric and magnetic fields necessary for the operation of inductive devices like motors and transformers. The importance of understanding reactive power lies in its functions to support the voltage level and improve the efficiency of power systems, yet it is critical to note that it is not consumed as useful work, which is the role of active power measured in watts. Thus, identifying that reactive power indeed does not contribute to doing work clarifies why the answer is correct.

Reactive power is a key concept in AC electrical systems and plays a crucial role in maintaining voltage levels, but it does not perform useful work in the same way that active power does. Reactive power is expressed in volt-amperes reactive (VAR), which indicates its measurement. It arises when energy is stored temporarily in capacitors and inductors during each cycle of the AC waveform; this storage leads to a phase difference between voltage and current, but it does not convert fully into useful power to do work. Instead, reactive power sustains the electric and magnetic fields necessary for the operation of inductive devices like motors and transformers.

The importance of understanding reactive power lies in its functions to support the voltage level and improve the efficiency of power systems, yet it is critical to note that it is not consumed as useful work, which is the role of active power measured in watts. Thus, identifying that reactive power indeed does not contribute to doing work clarifies why the answer is correct.