Which type of power represents the total power supplied to a circuit?

Apparent power is defined as the total power supplied to an electrical circuit, combining both the power that does useful work (true power) and the power that oscillates back and forth and does not perform any work (reactive power). It is measured in volt-amperes (VA) and represents the overall power consumed by the circuit regardless of the phase difference between current and voltage.

In electrical systems, apparent power is crucial because it accounts for both components of power, enabling engineers to design circuits that can handle the total load effectively. This is especially important in alternating current (AC) circuits, where true power and reactive power differ because of the phase angle between voltage and current. Understanding apparent power allows for a more comprehensive approach to power management in electrical systems.