Much noise has been radiated. I speculate that a reminder about what
linearity means might get things back on track. In a linear network (lumped
or distributed) superposition (of linear signals) produces correct results.

The last statement works in both directions. (The degree to which a
network is linear is the same as the degree to which superposition is
valid.) (If one supplies a large enough signal to any network, it will
become non-linear - as in letting-out-the-smoke-put-in-at-the-factory.)

The catch in all of the above is that superposition only applies to
linear signals and power (however indicated) is not a linear signal.
Power, which could be complex power S = V*I* (the phasor voltage time the
conjugate of the phasor current) or the magnitude of S (apparent power) or
the real part of S ("real" power), simply does not obey superposition even
in a network that is linear.

Bottom line: assuming the use of networks (lumped or distributed) that
are essentially linear, one is only allowed to combine phasor voltages or
phasor currents (but not their product nor the square of such linear
signals). Once combined, the resultant voltage and the resultant current
may be used to find a measure of power. (The "combined" mentioned must be
a linear, additive process.)

It seems to me that Roy, and others, have plowed this ground many times.

73 Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:

"Roy Lewallen" wrote in message
snip

I've posted many, many times on this topic and have shown a number of
cases where the load is perfectly matched but the power dissipated in
the source resistor is less than or greater than the "reverse power",
clearly demonstrating that this concept is incorrect. There are several
examples at Food for thought.txt available at
http://eznec.com/misc/food_for_thought/.

Because I've posted so much on the topic I won't do it all again. But I
know at least one person on this newsgroup would be glad to have an
opportunity to express his views once again. I'll leave this discussion
to those who want to revisit it; I don't. But I do want to caution
readers that this view of "reflected power" is demonstrably incorrect.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL