1. What is Phase Angle?

Phase angle (φ) in AC circuits represents the phase difference between voltage and current. It's calculated from the ratio of reactance to resistance and indicates whether a circuit is predominantly inductive or capacitive.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the phase angle formula:

Where:

• \( \phi \) — Phase angle in degrees
• \( X \) — Reactance in ohms
• \( R \) — Resistance in ohms

Explanation: The arctangent function calculates the angle whose tangent equals the ratio of reactance to resistance, providing the phase shift between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Phase Angle Calculation

Details: Phase angle calculation is essential for analyzing AC circuits, determining power factor, designing filters, and understanding the behavior of reactive components in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter reactance and resistance values in ohms. Both values must be positive, with resistance greater than zero. 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 possible 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 is phase angle related to power factor?
A: Power factor equals the cosine of the phase angle (cos φ), representing the ratio of real power to apparent power.

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.