A new approach to the definition of electric power, under conditions of distorted voltages and currents

Abstract

A generalized time-domain definition of electric power, using autocorrelation and cross-correlation techniques, is proposed for measurement, characterization and compensation of fictitious power in any network, under conditions of nonsinusoidal and in general aperiodic voltage and current waveforms. This leads to the proposal of a new equivalent network parameter, disseptance, which describes the nonlinear properties of the load. The problems associated with the existing definitions of electric power are pointed out by means of a descriptive summary of the different power definitions and their associated limitations. A new philosophy for compensation of fictitious power in distorted supplies, is based on this definition of power and network parameters.