What is Reactance?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactance

I like that analogy cnpower, the resevoir is a very good way to describe the action of reactive components.

John.

Reactance (by definition) is the imaginary part of the impedance "Z".

Z=R+jX

Where: Z is the impedance, R is the resistance j is √‾-1 and X is the reactance. the inductive part is already included in the Z part of the equation. Vector analysis will show you that the power loss is done at R and Z. No power loss can occur over an imaginary component.

There are different types of reactances, be it electrical, mechanical or acoustic. in all of them it relates to the imaginary part hence, no power loss.

Somehow I have the feeling that you are confused between reactance and inductance. They are NOT the same. Power loss CAN and WILL occur over an inductor. A pure inductor is theoretical, and in real life is getting close to be one only under very precise circumstances.

Although nice analogy, The water tank is a real part of the assembly as described by CNpower, and maybe a part of "C" or "R", and in no way is imaginary.

Wangito.

Reactance measurements indicate how the component (capacitor or inductor) reacts to a given input. Each component in the ac circuit then misaligns the ac current and voltage where they are out of phase or misaligned in the times they reach the next component which is the reactive power (wasted power).

A capacitor instantly rushes current through it and builds up voltage like cnpower indicated until it's at source voltage in it's time period + 1/3 time period. (ie current leads the voltage)

An inductor doesn't react to change quickly and will instantly drop voltage over it by blocking the current and acting like a dam at cnpower's reservoir and will then start releasing current through it until it has completely opened the floodgates and drops no more voltage across it after it's time period + 1/3 time period. (ie current lags the voltage)

What is that +1/3 time period????Can u explain???

look restistance ,capacitance and inductance r dealt as completely different things. if we consider reactance as a complex number to use the more general form of ohm's law. engineers use it to reduce the number of equations and in this way it beomes more easy mathematically..and yes practically reactance is just real.