What is Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula in AC Circuits

We have solved the problem of maximizing the power delivered by a power-supplying resistive network to a load RL. Now we will talk about what is maximum average power transfer.

Representing the circuit in Thevenin equivalent circuit, we proved that the maximum power would be delivered to the load if the load resistance is equal to the Thevenin resistance RL = RTh.

We now extend that result to ac circuit. Make sure to read what is ac circuit first.

Maximum Average Power Transfer

Consider the circuit in Figure.(1), where an ac circuit is connected to a load ZL and is represented by its Thevenin equivalent.

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
Figure 1. Finding the maximum average power transfer : (a) circuit with a load, (b) the Thevenin equivalent

The load is usually represented by an impedance, which may model an electric motor, an antenna, and so forth.

In rectangular form, the Thevenin impedance ZTh and the load impedance ZL are

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(1a)
Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(1b)

The current through the load is

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(2)

The average power delivered to the load is

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(3)

Our objective is to adjust the load parameters RL and XL so that P is maximum.

To do this we set ∂P/∂RL and ∂P/∂XL equal to zero. From Equation.(3), we obtain

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(4a)
Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(4b)

Setting ∂P/∂XL to zero gives

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(5)

and setting ∂P/∂RL to zero results

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(6)

Combining Equations.(5) and (6) leads to the conclusion that for maximum average power transfer, ZL must be selected so that XL = -XTh and RL = RTh, i.e,.

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(7)

For maximum average power transfer, the load impedance ZL must be equal to the complex conjugate of the Thevenin impedance ZTh.

This result is known as the maximum average power transfer theorem for the sinusoidal steady state. Setting RL = RTh and XL = -XTh in Equation.(3) gives us the maximum average power as

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(8)

In a situation in which the load is purely real, the condition for maximum power transfer is obtained from Equation.(6) by setting XL = 0; that is,

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
(9)

This means that for maximum average power transfer to a purely resistive load, the load impedance (or resistance) is equal to the magnitude of the Thevenin impedance.

Read also : instantaneous and average power

Maximum Average Power Transfer Examples

For better understanding let us review examples below :

1. Determine the load impedance ZL that maximizes the average power drawn from the circuit of Figure.(2). What is the maximum average power?

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
Figure 2

Solution :

First, we obtain the Thevenin equivalent at the load terminals. To get ZTh, consider the circuit is shown in Figure.(3a). We find

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
Figure 3. Finding the Thevenin equivalent of the circuit in Figure.(2)

To find VTh, consider the circuit in Figure.(3b). By voltage division,

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

The load impedance draws the maximum power from the circuit when

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

According to Equation.(8), the maximum average power is

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

2. In the circuit in Figure.(4), find the value of RL that will absorb the maximum average power. Calculate that power.

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
Figure 4

Solution :

We first find the Thevenin equivalent at the terminals of RL.

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

By voltage division,

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

The value of RL that will absorb the maximum average power is

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

The current through the load is

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula

The maximum average power absorbed by RL is

Maximum Average Power Transfer Formula
 
 

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