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Voltage Phase Angle Calculator

Phase Angle Formula:

\[ \theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{X}{R}\right) \]

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1. What is Voltage Phase Angle?

The voltage phase angle (θ) represents the phase difference between voltage and current in an AC circuit. It indicates whether the circuit is predominantly inductive or capacitive and determines the power factor of the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the phase angle formula:

\[ \theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{X}{R}\right) \]

Where:

Explanation: The arctangent function calculates the angle whose tangent equals the ratio of reactance to resistance, providing the phase shift between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Phase Angle Calculation

Details: Phase angle calculation is crucial for determining power factor, analyzing AC circuit behavior, designing filters, and optimizing electrical system efficiency. It helps identify whether a circuit is resistive, inductive, or capacitive.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter reactance and resistance values in ohms. Both values must be positive and non-zero. The calculator will compute the phase angle in degrees.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive phase angle indicate?
A: A positive phase angle indicates an inductive circuit where current lags behind voltage.

Q2: What does a negative phase angle indicate?
A: A negative phase angle indicates a capacitive circuit where current leads voltage.

Q3: What is the range of possible phase angles?
A: Phase angles range from -90° to +90°, with 0° representing a purely resistive circuit.

Q4: How is phase angle related to power factor?
A: Power factor equals the cosine of the phase angle (cos θ). A phase angle of 0° gives unity power factor.

Q5: When is phase angle calculation most important?
A: Critical in power systems analysis, motor control, filter design, and any application involving AC power quality and efficiency.

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