Electric load

Electrical Load

Definition:

        The device which takes electrical energy is known as the electric load. In other words, the electrical load is a device that consumes electrical energy in the form of the current and transforms it into other forms like heat, light, work, etc. The electrical load may be resistive, inductive, capacitive or some combination between them. The term load is used in the number of ways.

Three basic types of loads exist in circuits: capacitive loads, inductive loads and resistive loads. These differ in how they consume power in an alternating current (AC) setup. Capacitive, inductive and resistive load types correspond loosely to lighting, mechanical and heating loads. Some scholars and engineers refer to "linear" and "nonlinear" loads, but these terms are not as useful.

Resistive Loads

Loads consisting of any heating element are classified as resistive loads. These include incandescent lights, toasters, ovens, space heaters and coffee makers. A load that draws current in a sinusoidal waxing-and-waning pattern in concert with a sinusoidal variation in voltage – that is, the maximum, minimum and zero points of the voltage and current values over time line up – is a purely resistive one and includes no other elements.

Inductive Loads

Loads that power electrical motors are inductive loads. These are found in a variety of household items and devices with moving parts, including fans, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, washing machines and the compressors in refrigerators and air conditioners. In contrast to resistive loads, in a purely inductive load, current follows a sinusoidal pattern that peaks after the voltage sine wave peaks, so the maximum, minimum and zero points are out of phase.

Capacitive Loads

In a capacitive load, current and voltage are out of phase as with an inductive load. The difference is that in the case of a capacitive load, the current reaches its maximum value before the voltage does. The current waveform leads the voltage waveform, but in an inductive load, the current waveform lags it.

In engineering, capacitive loads do not exist in a stand-alone format. No devices are classified as capacitive in the way lightbulbs are categorized as resistive, and air conditioners are labeled inductive. Capacitors in large circuits are useful, however, in controlling power use. They are often included at electrical substations to improve the overall "power factor" of the system. Inductive loads increase the cost of a given power system and reduce the amount of power that is converted to another form of energy. Capacitors are installed to offset this drain.