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2.1 Basics For Electrical Circuits
2.1 Basics For Electrical Circuits
2.1 Basics For Electrical Circuits
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.