True or False: In an electric utility circuit, reactive current makes up the bulk of the total impedance.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

In alternating current circuits, the total opposition to current, impedance, has two parts: resistance and reactance. The magnitude of impedance is found from Z = sqrt(R^2 + X^2). Reactive current is tied to the reactance, which causes energy to be stored and returned (through inductors and capacitors) and creates a phase shift between voltage and current. But the impedance isn’t determined by reactance alone; the resistive part contributes real power loss and adds to the total opposition as well. In many utility circuits, conductor losses, transformer winding resistance, and loads provide a substantial resistive component, so the impedance is not dominated by reactance. Therefore, reactive current does not inherently make up the bulk of the total impedance; the impedance is typically a mix of both parts, reflected in the power factor.