wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (07/11/86)
///// I just saw an ad in a computer trade rag that had the headline, "Finally: True Power for VARs". In their case, I'd imagine that they were referring to value added retailers rather than volt-amps reactive. I guess if you were inclined to be a cynic, you could imagine that the computer manufacturer was firing a humorous insult to their retailers. Explaining: [theortically] a value added retailer merely includes a copy of 1-2-3 or the like with a pee-cee, doubles the price, and advertises it as a "powerful data management system". Now, the pun is that VARs are power that circulates in an electrical system that does no useful work, as the phase angle of the current to voltage [ VIcos(theta)] results in no power delivered to the load. The result is that the distribuiton system must be set up (in the case of electricity meaning fatter wires) to accomodate the presence of the VARs, which results in higher cost to the end user. Couldn't resist the pun, I'll try not to let it happen again. Bill