Definition – Electrical Load is a device or equipment which works/operates on electrical power.

Generally there are three types of load –

• Resistive load,
• Inductive load, &
• Capacitive load.

• Resistive Load –

When voltage is applied to a resistive load, current flows in the circuit & follows the same cycle with respect to time as voltage. In other words, there is no gap between voltage & current with respect to time.

Example–Incandescent Lamps & Heaters.

• Inductive Load –

When voltage is applied to an inductive load, it draws a large amount of current (initially for few cycles/seconds) and then it settles down to the full load current. In this case, current reaches its peak after the voltage. Hence in this case, there is a gap between voltage & current with respect to time & this gap is called power factor. All inductive loadswork on electromagnetic field system which is responsible of lagging power factor.

Examples – Induction motors, Transformers, choke, Induction Heaters, electromechanical relays etc

• Capacitive Load –

A capacitive load is a load in which current wave reaches its peak before the voltage & that is responsible for leading power factor.

Example – synchronous motors and capacitors.

 

(Note – The effect of type of load is responsible for power factor in electrical system. This effect can be understood with the help of diagrams which is given below.)