Power, power factor, and reactive volt-amperes

As part of the symposium on reactive power to be conducted at the Institute´s Schenectady, N. Y., meeting, May 10–12, 1933, the following article discusses the relations between power, reactive volt-amperes, and power factor for sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal electromotive forces and currents. Vector equations for these relations are derived, and polyphase power and reactive volt-amperes are defined. Non-linear circuits are discussed. The method of symmetrical components is used for the analysis.