1. What is Phase Angle?

Phase angle (θ) represents the phase difference between voltage and current in AC circuits. It's a crucial parameter in electrical engineering that indicates whether a circuit is predominantly resistive, capacitive, or inductive.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the phase angle formula:

Where:

• \( X \) — Reactance (Ω)
• \( R \) — Resistance (Ω)
• \( \theta \) — Phase angle (degrees or radians)

Explanation: The arctangent function calculates the angle whose tangent is the ratio of reactance to resistance. This gives the phase shift between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Phase Angle Calculation

Details: Phase angle calculation is essential for power factor correction, impedance matching, filter design, and analyzing AC circuit behavior. It helps determine the reactive power component in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter reactance and resistance values in ohms (Ω). Resistance must be a positive non-zero value. 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 phase angle values?
A: Phase angle typically ranges from -90° to +90°, representing the full spectrum from purely capacitive to purely inductive circuits.

Q4: How does phase angle relate to power factor?
A: Power factor is the cosine of the phase angle (cos θ). It represents the ratio of real power to apparent power in AC circuits.

Q5: When is phase angle zero?
A: Phase angle is zero in purely resistive circuits where voltage and current are in phase, resulting in maximum power transfer.