Reactive power is the product of a negitive multiplied by a positive factor. If you consider a sine wave with the voltage and current in phase the product of the two will yield a positive value + time a +, for one half cycle then a - times a - the next half cycle. this will always equals a positive product.
When reactive loads are installed the current and voltage are not always in phase and at times the instantanious valuesare of opposite polarity, this will yield a positive and negitive factor of which the product will have a negitive value( + times - equals a - product).
Negitive watts does not record on a watt meter. thus phantom power
[This message has been edited by cpal (edited 10-21-2004).]
