MAXIMUM ACTIVE POWER TRANSMISSION EFFICIENCY AND POWER FACTOR DEFINITION IN HYBRID SYSTEMS WITH ARBITRARY WAVEFORMS

Abstract

Based on a theorem giving the maximum available active power with constant transmission losses valid for arbitrary waveforms it is possible rigorously generalize the definitions of power factor based on the definition of apparent power as the maximum power available. Then it could be applied to systems with non-symmetric, non-sinusoidal, and eventually time-varying (ie non-periodic) waveforms or DC grids. By this way, the application may be extended to hybrid multi-wire systems with asymmetrical phases, with different voltages, frequencies or waveforms (i.e. non-sinusoidal waves, such as rectangular or PWM) and even DC, which can be combined eventually sharing the neutral conductor.