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I'm trying to understand if the average of instantaneous power is equal to real power. My reasoning is that the reactive components average out to zero and from there the average of that signal will give you just the power dissipated by the resistor. Is this true or do we always have to use P=IVpf.
Thanks
Best Answer
Instantaneous power is v x i from the perspective of the power source. So, you average that to produce average power.
It sure is - that is what generates the heat in your resistor and that ultimately is what you get billed for.