Active Power
Active power is the actual power consumed to perform useful work in an electrical system, measured in watts or kilowatts.
Definition
Active power (also called real power) is the portion of electrical power that performs actual useful work — running motors, lighting, heating — measured in watts or kilowatts. It's distinct from reactive power, which doesn't perform useful work but is still drawn from the supply.
Why It Matters
Active power is what's typically billed and reported as energy consumption; understanding its distinction from reactive and apparent power matters mainly for power factor and billing accuracy discussions.
How ecolyptus Helps
ecolyptus's consumption tracking is based on active power (kWh), consistent with standard billing conventions.