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Difference Between Resistive Load, Intective Load A...

Electrical loads in AC circuits are categorized into resistive, inductive, and capacitive types, each affecting the voltage-current relationship and power factor. Resistive loads convert electrical energy into useful work without phase shift, while inductive loads store energy in a magnetic field causing current to lag, and capacitive loads store energy in an electric field causing current to lead. Understanding these categories is essential for improving circuit efficiency and managing power factors.

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357 views1 page

Difference Between Resistive Load, Intective Load A...

Electrical loads in AC circuits are categorized into resistive, inductive, and capacitive types, each affecting the voltage-current relationship and power factor. Resistive loads convert electrical energy into useful work without phase shift, while inductive loads store energy in a magnetic field causing current to lag, and capacitive loads store energy in an electric field causing current to lead. Understanding these categories is essential for improving circuit efficiency and managing power factors.

Uploaded by

jesvinprincy56403
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Electrical loads are categorized into three main types based on how they affect the relationship

between voltage and current in an AC circuit: resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads. These
relationships are critical as they determine a circuit's power factor, which measures how
efficiently the electrical power is being used.

Resistive Load
A resistive load consumes electrical energy and converts it into another form, typically heat or
light, without creating a significant phase shift between voltage and current. In a purely resistive
circuit, the voltage and current waveforms are in sync, meaning they rise and fall at the same
time. This is also called being in-phase.
●​ Characteristics:
○​ Energy Use: Converts all electrical energy into useful work (e.g., heat or light) and
does not store energy.
○​ Power Factor: The power factor is unity (1), which is the most efficient state. This
means all the apparent power supplied to the load is "real power" used to do work.

●​ Examples: Incandescent light bulbs 💡 🔥


○​ Phase Shift: The phase angle between voltage and current is zero.
, electric heaters , toasters, and ovens.

Inductive Load
An inductive load stores energy in a magnetic field. When an AC current flows through a coil or
winding, it creates a magnetic field. This field resists changes in current, causing the current to
lag behind the voltage. This delay in current is a key characteristic of inductive loads.
●​ Characteristics:
○​ Energy Use: Consumes both real power (for useful work) and reactive power (to
build and maintain the magnetic field). The reactive power is returned to the source.
○​ Power Factor: The power factor is lagging (less than 1). The closer the value is to
0, the more inefficient the system is.
○​ Phase Shift: Current lags voltage. For a pure inductive load, the phase angle is
90° lagging.
●​ Examples: Electric motors, transformers, solenoids, and fluorescent lighting ballasts.
These are often referred to as "heavy lifters" in an electrical system because they require
a "push" to get going.

Capacitive Load
A capacitive load stores energy in an electric field. This is the opposite of an inductive load. A
capacitor resists changes in voltage, causing the current to lead the voltage. This means the
current waveform peaks before the voltage waveform.
●​ Characteristics:
○​ Energy Use: Consumes both real power and reactive power (for storing energy in
the electric field). The reactive power is returned to the source.
○​ Power Factor: The power factor is leading (less than 1).
○​ Phase Shift: Current leads voltage. For a pure capacitive load, the phase angle is
90° leading.
●​ Examples: Capacitors, synchronous motors, and long underground cables. Capacitive
loads are often used to correct a lagging power factor caused by inductive loads.

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