What is another term for true power?

True power is commonly referred to as active power. This term is used to describe the actual power consumed by an electrical circuit to produce work or generate heat. In an AC (alternating current) circuit, active power is measured in watts (W) and is the portion of power that performs useful work, as opposed to reactive power, which does not directly contribute to work but instead oscillates back and forth between the source and reactive components of the circuit.

The distinction is important in power systems since it helps in assessing the effectiveness of electrical systems and ensuring that energy is used efficiently. Understanding this concept is essential for those working with electrical systems to grasp how much of the supplied power goes into performing actual tasks, as opposed to being lost in reactive components or stored in magnetic fields.