What are the three (3) kinds of loads fed by an AC Circuit?

• A. Resistive, inductive, and capacitive
• B. Copper, aluminum, and tin-coated
• C. Hydro, coal, and nuclear
• D. Transmission, distribution, and service meter

Answer: (A)

In AC circuits, loads are categorized by how they draw current relative to the applied voltage. The three main types are resistive, inductive, and capacitive. A resistive load behaves like a pure resistor, so current and voltage are in step and the load draws real power with a near-unity power factor. An inductive load, such as motors and transformers, uses energy stored in magnetic fields; the current lags behind the voltage because the inductor resists changes in current, causing a lagging power factor. A capacitive load, like capacitor banks, stores energy in electric fields; the current leads the voltage, producing a leading power factor. These are the fundamental load kinds for AC circuits. The other options refer to conductors, energy sources, or system components, not loads.