Maximum Power Transfer Theorem in AC Circuit

In a.c. network, the maximum power transfer theorem in AC circuit stated as follows:

In a linear network having energy source and impedances, maximum amount of power is transferred from source to load impedance if the load impedance is the complex, conjugate of the total impedance of the network, i.e. if the source impedance is (R_g \pm jX_g)\Omega, to have maximum power transfer, the load impedance must be (R_g \mp j X_g)\Omega.

To prove it, we assume a circuit (Figure 1) where load impedance is ZL and source impedance is Zg, connected in series with the source Vg. Let I be the current through the load.

circuit-explaning-maximum-power-transfer-theorem

Obviously,

I = \dfrac{V_g}{Z_g + Z_L} = \dfrac{V_g}{(R_g + R_L)+j(X_g + X_L)}

 

Therefore, Power (real power) = P_L = I^2R_L

 

 = \dfrac{V_g^2}{(R_g + R_L)^2 + (X_g + X_L)^2}\times R_L        ……..(i)

Let us first find the condition of maximum power flow from source to load when XL is varied keeping Xg constant. This is possible when mathematically

\dfrac{dP_L}{dX_L}=0

 

However, from equation (i),

\dfrac{dP_L}{dX_L} = \dfrac{d}{dX_L}[\dfrac{V^2R_L}{(R_g +R_L)^2 + (X_g + X_L)^2}]

 

=\dfrac{-V^2R_L\times 2(X_g+X_L)}{[(R_g+R_L)^2(x_g+X_L)^2]^2}     ……..(ii)

 

Setting \dfrac{dP_L}{dX_L} = 0, we get from equation (ii),

 X_g = -X_L.

Next, substituting X_g = -X_L on equation (i),

P_L = \dfrac{V_g^2 R_L}{(R_g + R_L)^2} = \dfrac{V_g^2}{4R_g}[1-(\dfrac{R_g - R_L}{R_g + R_L})^2]     ……..(iii)

It may be seen that PL would attain maximum value provided Rg = RL. Thus, maximum power transfer takes place in a.c. network provided Rg = RL and Xg = XL or in other words (Rg + jXg) = (RL -jXL) i.e., Zg = ZL*. This means that the load impedance is the complex conjugate of the source impedance. Consequently, the amount of maximum power transfer becomes \dfrac{V_g^2}{4R_L}, the efficiency being 50%.

In solving the problems, the internal impedance of the network across the load is to be determined as done for problems dealing with application of Thevenin’s theorem. The load impedance, for which power transfer becomes maximum is then the complex conjugate of the source impedance. Next, the open circuit voltage (Vo.c, the Thevenin’s Voltage) is determined across the open circuited terminals and amount of maximum power transfer is  (\dfrac{V_{o.c}^2}{4R_L}) watts.