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Studying the fundamentals of circuit theory, I was reading the Wikipedia article on the Passive Sign Convention and found out about the Active Sign Convention (ASC). After searching many introductory circuit theory books - such as Nilsson's and Dorf's ones -,I realized that almost none of them mentions "Active Sign Convention". When some circuit element is with the current entering in the negative terminal, they say something like "the current and voltage reference directions are not in conform to the passive sign convention", as shown in the pictures below:

Do not adhere to the passive convention Images sources: Introduction to Electric Circuits, 9th Edition - James A. Svoboda, Richard C. Dorf

Searching more about the ASC, I have found these lecture notes that states (page 6):

Also, what's with the "Not Passive Sign Convention"? In general, circuit elements that absorb power (like resistors) are called passive elements, and circuit elements that supply power (to the circuit!) are called active elements. But for some reason, the opposite of the passive sign convention is not called the active sign convention. (Of course, people use the term active sign convention, but they are not supposed to. If you want to be an alpha geek, find out why and go around correcting them!) Instead, the awkward term "Not passive sign convention" is used. Actually, the full blown correct expression is "The element does not conform to the passive sign convention." But that's way too long to say or write (unless you are being the alpha geek).


So, my question is: Why "the opposite of the passive sign convention is not called the active sign convention"? Why they use "the current and voltage reference directions are not in passive sign convention" instead of "the current and voltage reference directions are in the active sign convention"?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Sometimes, people name something so they can communicate more efficiently, once the parties each share the name and its meaning (without having to explain it all over again.) Sometimes, it's better NOT to then create two names for the two different permutations. If might be even more efficient for communication once both are shared, but then you have to establish twice the sharing in the first place. So it might be sometimes better to find a middle balance. But you are asking to get into the minds of those who write such stuff. I'd have avoided the naming entirely. So I can't help you there. \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    Mar 19, 2019 at 22:10
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    \$\begingroup\$ My opinion, having taught circuit theory for a few years, is that there is no benefit in talking about an "active sign convention". And you misstated a bit; it is not an element that does not follow the PSC, it is the directions of current and voltage that may not satisfy the PSC. Every text I used teaches that if the current and voltage follow the PSC then P=VI, otherwise P= -VI. Positive power is power absorbed, negative power is power provided. Also, Ohm's Law needs a negation if PSC is not followed. \$\endgroup\$ Mar 19, 2019 at 22:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ @ElliotAlderson "it is not an element that does not follow the PSC, it is the directions of current and voltage that may not satisfy the PSC". I fixed it now, thanks. \$\endgroup\$ Mar 19, 2019 at 23:25
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    \$\begingroup\$ @ViniciusACP I can't help you with, "*why the author of the lecture" appears to speak out of both sides of the mouth at once. You'd have to ask them. I can't read their mind for you. Like I said, I wouldn't even use either phrasing even when communicating to others unless there was a really good reason. I think you may be worrying too much about this. But perhaps that's because someone is forcing you to worry about it. Just avoid them, I'd say, if so. This is too much ado over some foolish conundrum that means nothing in the end. (In my opinion.) \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    Mar 20, 2019 at 0:18
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    \$\begingroup\$ There's no need to introduce a term that won't ever be used in the book again. They're trying to teach what passive sign convention is, not what the opposite thing is. My book doesn't even mention the opposite. It's confusing enough for beginners to handle just the one. \$\endgroup\$
    – DKNguyen
    Mar 20, 2019 at 3:54

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In a two-terminal device/machine/load/appliance, the reference direction of the instantaneous current \$i(t)\$ and the reference polarity of the instantaneous voltage \$v(t)\$ either satisfy or not the passive sign convention. If the passive sign convention is satisfied at the device, then the product \$v(t) i(t) = p(t)\$ is the instantaneous power consumed by the device, while the product \$-v(t) i(t) = -p(t)\$ is the instantaneous power generated by the device.

If the passive sign convention is not satisfied at the device, then the active sign convention is satisfied at the device. In that case, the product \$v(t) i(t) = p(t)\$ is the instantaneous power generated by the device, while the product \$-v(t) i(t) = -p(t)\$ is the instantaneous power consumed by the device.

When using the PSC or the ASC, it is of utmost importance to correctly consider both the reference direction/reference polarity and the sign of instantaneous current and instantaneous voltage.

The PSC and ASC apply as well to the average power or active power \$P\$. Simply change "instantaneous power" with "active/average power" in the above sentences. You can also use the PSC and ASC with phasors.

Using the PSC, the (consumed) active power of a resistor is always positive. Using the ASC, the (generated) active power of a resistor is always negative. For both conventions, the (consumed or generated) active power of a generator could be positive or negative, because it is possible for a generator/source/battery to generate positive active power (which is the most common case) or to consume positive active power (for example, a battery recharging).

The PSC is usually used for passive devices, while the ASC is usually used for active devices such as generators. But you can use both conventions for both types of devices. You must keep track of this if you're going to apply the law of conservation of instantaneous power to a whole circuit/power system.

Checking whether the PSC or ASC is satisfied is also important for the \$i\$-\$v\$ equations of resistors, inductors and capacitors. If the PSC is satisfied, then \$v = R \, i\$, \$v = L \, \dfrac{\mathrm di}{dt}\$, and \$i = C \, \dfrac{\mathrm dv}{dt}\$ respectively (or \$\tilde V = R \, \tilde I\$, \$\tilde V = j \omega L \, \tilde I\$, and \$\tilde I = j \omega C \, \tilde V\$ respectively if you're using phasors ). If the ASC is satisfied, you must multiply either side (only one side) of those equations by \$-1\$ (or \$-1 = 1 \, \angle 180^\circ\$ if you're using phasors).


Why "the opposite of the passive sign convention is not called the active sign convention"?

It is.

It's like the sides of a coin. If you flip it, either you get heads or tails. If you don't get heads (e.g. the PSC is not satisfied), then you got tails (e.g. the ASC is satisfied).

To prove the above, I made the following image.

Passive sign convention and active sign convention

Suppose we start with the reference polarity for the instantaneous voltage and the reference direction for the instantaneous current as shown in a). Thus the PSC is satisfied (because \$i\$ enters the \$+\$ reference terminal). If we then swap the reference polarity for the voltage, we get b), and so the ASC is satisfied (because \$i\$ enters the \$-\$ reference terminal). If we then swap the reference direction for the current, we get d), and so the PSC is satisfied (because \$i\$ enters the \$+\$ reference terminal). If after that we swap the reference polarity for voltage, we get c), and so the ASC is satisfied (because \$i\$ enters the \$-\$ reference terminal). Lastly, if we now swap the reference direction for the current, we get a) again, and so the PSC is satisfied.

Why they use "the current and voltage reference directions are not in passive sign convention" instead of "the current and voltage reference directions are in the active sign convention"?

They could've said "the ASC is satisfied". However, as suggested in the comments, they probably instead said "the PSC is not satisfied" to not confuse the novice student.

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