Phasor Diagram

Electric circuits and the movement of the electric current through the circuit is an important concept in physics. Phasor diagrams help in the understanding of the concept better by simplifying the same and also help understand the relationship between two or more alternating quantities of the same frequency through graphical representation. 

A phasor is a complex number representing a sinusoidal function where the amplitude, angular frequency, and initial phase are time-invariant. They are crucial for electrical networks and understanding multiple sinusoids in the same frequency and how they exist through graphical representation. The article includes the important concept of phasor diagrams and their applications.

Phasor diagrams  

• The phasor diagram in physics helps in showing the relationship between two or more sine waves, with both possessing the same frequency. 

• In the diagram, every phasor consists of the same angular velocity as it represents sine waves of identical frequency. 

• When the phasor diagrams are used for practical purposes, it is mostly static. In the diagrams, the length of each phasor arm is directly related to the amplitude of the wave it represents. 

• In contrast, the angle between the phasors is equal to the angle of the phase difference between sine waves. 

• The angular difference of two sinusoidal waveforms is represented by the phase difference between sinusoidal waveforms of the same frequency. 

• The relationship between one sinusoidal waveform to another is represented by “lead” and “lag” or “in-phase” or “out-phase”. 

When the phasors represent the alternating sinusoidal waveforms of the same frequency, it is easy to subtract or add and simplify the process. It is crucial for vector physics and its understanding.

• The length of the phasor in the diagram is directly proportional to the sinusoidal wave amplitude.

• The direction of rotation of the phasors is available in the anti-clockwise direction.

• The sinusoidal waveforms, which are graphically represented in the phasor diagram graph, are all of the same wavelengths.

AC Voltage and circuit represented by Phasor Diagram

The phasor diagram in physics helps understand the AC voltage and how the electric current flows through the circuit. The phasor is a vector that helps represent the sinusoidal function at the same wavelength. Let us assume that alternating voltage and current obey sine law, which leads to the generation of the sine waveform EMFs. The sinusoidal quantity (voltage or current) in a fixed length that moves in a counterclockwise direction with the same angular velocity is represented as sinusoidal quantity. Below is the representative diagram of the phasor: 

Hence, the generalised sinusoidal expression of the diagram is shown by:

 A(t) = AmSin(wt ± Φ)

The phasor is a vector that rotates about the origin with an angular speed of w. The vertical components of the phasors are represented by the quantities, which vary sinusoidally for equations represented by v and i. 

Application of the Phasor Diagram 

• The phasor diagram in physics has many functions and especially plays an important role in understanding the importance of alternating current. The phasor diagrams are helpful in the visualisation and understanding of the function of the AC circuit. It even helps in understanding the phase shifts between the sinusoidal values.

• The phasor diagram is an important concept that helps in metallurgy and material engineering involved in developing alloy of specific applications, alloy fabrication, design and control of heat treatment procedures, and improving the efficiency of alloy design in commercial applications.

• Phasor diagrams are used in predicting the temperature where the melting or freezing begins or ends during the composition of the alloy system. It even helps in predicting the safe temperature necessary for heat treatments. 

• The alloy system helps determine the total number of phases, its type, and overall composition of all the phases for the alloy at a given temperature.

• The concept and phasor diagram meaning are exploited in various industrial applications and processing. This involves producing the hacksaw blades, the development of an age-hardening alloy that is resistant to corrosion and water, developing standard and high-quality stainless steel, carbide cutting tools, and developing solid-state electronics.

Limitations of Phasor Diagrams 

The phasor diagrams have multiple limitations despite their immense use in developing electric circuits, industrial applications, and the development of quality alloys. Here are some of the limitations:

• The diagrams do not provide information regarding whether a transformation can be suppressed and the cooling rate necessary to avoid the transformation.

• The phasor diagrams can hinder the formation of alloy as it does not indicate whether a high-temperature phase can be retained with the help of rapid cooling at room temperature.  

• Practical application and use of the diagrams in various processes like electronics, metallurgical industries, etc., require a high degree of calibration.

Conclusion

In summary, the phasor diagram in physics is an important concept representing the phasors in alternating quantities at the same frequency in the form of graphical representation. The topic gives an insight into what the diagram is all about and how it is applied across physics and various industries.