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From: rwb@vi.ri.cmu.edu (Bob Berger)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Urban Myths again
Summary: apparent power, utility charges
Message-ID: <8830@pt.cs.cmu.edu>
Date: 12 Apr 90 12:11:26 GMT
References: <1209@gtx.com> <14306@lambda.UUCP> <1646@rsiatl.UUCP>
Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI
Lines: 9

In article <1646@rsiatl.UUCP>, jgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. De Armond) writes:
> It is true that the lamp draws more AMPS but this is
> wattless current due to the low power factor of the unloaded ballast.

Don't dismiss this "wattless" power so quickly. It is exactly
what you are charged for by the utilities meter. Although you
may feel better because you are not using "real" power, I'm more
concerned with the bill they send me. The rate at which the meter
turns is proportional to the volt-amperes of apparent power.