What is the difference between resistive inductive and capacitive loads?

An electrical load is a device or an electrical component that consumes electrical energy and convert it into another form of energy. Electric lamps, air conditioners, motors, resistors etc. are some of the examples of electrical loads. They can be classified according to various different factors. Some popular classifications of electrical loads are as follows.
Electrical loads can be classified according to their nature as Resistive, Capacitive, Inductive and combinations of these.

• Two common examples of resistive loads are incandescent lamps and electric heaters.
• Resistive loads consume electrical power in such a manner that the current wave remains in phase with the voltage wave. That means, power factor for a resistive load is unity.

• A capacitive load causes the current wave to lead the voltage wave. Thus, power factor of a capacitive load is leading.
• Examples of capacitive loads are: capacitor banks, buried cables, capacitors used in various circuits such as motor starters etc.

• An inductive load causes the current wave to lag the voltage wave. Thus, power factor of an inductive load is lagging.
• Examples of inductive load include transformers, motors, coils etc.

• Most of the loads are not purely resistive or purely capacitive or purely inductive. Many practical loads make use of various combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors. Power factor of such loads is less than unity and either lagging or leading.
• Examples: Single phase motors often use capacitors to aid the motor during starting and running, tuning circuits or filter circuits etc.

Domestic load consists of lights, fans, home electric appliances (including TV, AC, refrigerators, heaters etc.), small motors for pumping water etc. Most of the domestic loads are connected for only some hours during a day. For example, lighting load is connected for few hours during night time.
Commercial load consists of electrical loads that are meant to be used commercially, such as in restaurants, shops, malls etc. This type of load occurs for more hours during the day as compared to the domestic load.
Industrial load consists of load demand by various industries. It includes all electrical loads used in industries along with the employed machinery. Industrial loads may be connected during the whole day.
This type of load consists of street lighting, water supply and drainage systems etc. Street lighting is practically constant during the night hours. Water may be pumped to overhead storage tanks during the off-peak hours to improve the load factor of the system.
Motors and pumps used in irrigation systems to supply the water for farming come under this category. Generally, irrigation loads are supplied during off-peak or night hours.
Electric railways, tram cars etc. come under traction loads. This type of loads reaches its peak during morning and evening hours.

• Linear loads
• Non-linear loads

• Single phase loads
• Three phase loads

• Vital electrical loads (e.g. required for life safety)
• Essential electrical loads
• Non-essential / normal electrical loads

Electrical loads may also be classified in may different manners, such as according to their functions.

The main difference between Resistive Load and Inductive Load is resistive load converts the electrical energy into heat whereas the inductive load converts the electrical energy into magnetic energy. There are ao many differences between inductive load and resistive are available. Let's know all of them.

Some examples of resistive load are electric heater, filament bulbs, etc. Resistive loads are very constant in nature. They only oppose the flow of current and do not make any changes in the voltage and current.

Resistive load generally produces heat when an electrical supply provided to it. Resistive loads are very simple in construction also. They only have a coil of conductive wires. The main function of the resistive load is to produce heat and it depends upon the length and cross-sectional of the wire. Also, it depends upon the duration of the current flow and its magnitude.

Some major properties of a resistive load are,

1. They do not make any phase difference between voltage and current.
2. The resistive load cannot store electrical energy, in fact, they waste electrical power in form of heat.
3. Resistive load always shows the same characteristics for both AC and DC supply.
4. Resistive load always causes a unity power factor.
5. The resistive load cannot produce reverse power to the circuit.

Read Also: Resistance Reactance Difference, Effects, Example, Application

Some examples of Inductive Loads are Electric Motor, Induction cookers, etc. Inductive loads are those which not constant in nature. Their characteristics change with changes in the nature of the power supply. In fact, they can change the nature of the power supply. Inductive loads are the more power-consuming or heavy load among others because they can drive the mechanical load also. Inductive load not constant in nature also, unlike a resistive load it can take any amount of current according to its applications.

Some major properties of an Inductive Load are,

1. The inductive load can make a phase difference between voltage and current.
2. Inductive load shows different properties for AC and DC. In fact, its properties depend upon the frequency also.
3. The inductive load can store electrical energy in form of a magnetic field for a very short time.
4. Inductive load always causes a lagging power factor.
5. The inductive load can produce reverse power to the circuit.

Read Also: When Capacitor store more Energy Series or Parallel connection?

Resistive Load	Inductive Load
It converts electrical energy into heat energy	It converts electrical energy into magnetic energy
It cannot store electrical energy	It can store electrical energy in form of a magnetic field
It cannot change any phase difference between voltage and current	It can change the phase difference between voltage and current
It waste much electrical energy in form of heat	It waste electrical energy very less due to its internal resistance only
It cannot generate reverse power to the circuit	It can generate reverse to the circuit
It makes power factor unity	It makes power factor lagging
It shows same properties for both AC and DC power Supply	It shows different properties for AC and DC Power Supply

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(1) The main difference between Inductive Load and Capacitive load is, inductive load causes to lag the current behind the voltage whereas capacitive load causes to lead the current behind the voltage. According to the nature of the load, there are three types of load - 1. Resistive Load 2. Inductive Load 3. Capacitive Load. Let's see the other differences between Capacitive Load and Inductive Load

(2) The main function of an inductive load is to convert electrical energy into magnetic energy. Generally, it produces a magnetic field when connected to a power supply. On the other hand, the main function of capacitive load is to store the electrical energy or returns the electrical energy to the power circuit after consumption. So, the capacitive load does not consume power, if consume, again it returns to the circuit.

Read Also: Inductive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption

(3) Inductive loads have inductive coils made by electrical conductors. So, they also offered electrical resistance against the power supply due to the internal resistance of the wire of the coil. On the other hand, the capacitive load does not offer resistance like inductive loads, they have very low internal resistance.

(4) The inductive load can make electrical power loss(copper loss or iron loss) due to their internal resistance, wasting of magnetic flux, etc but the capacitive load does not make so much electrical power loss.

Read Also: Capacitive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption

(5) Inductive load causes to make lagging power factor whereas the capacitive load causes to make leading power factor. For example, an electric motor such as an induction motor is the inductive load. When it is connected to the power supply, it consumes both active and reactive power. It causes the consuming current to lag behind the supply voltage. So it causes the power factor lagging. On the other hand, a Synchronous Motor is a capacitive load that causes to leads the current behind the supply voltage. So, it causes the power factor leading.

(6) Most of the inductive loads such as electric motors, actuators are heavy in nature, which means they consume a large amount of current. On the other hand, most of the capacitive loads are lighter in nature. Mainly they are used for protection, controlling, power factor improving, and reactive power compensating purposes.

Read Also: Motor or Heater which consume more Electricity?

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