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.