Capacitive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption

Among the three types of electrical load according to nature or characteristics, Capacitive Load is one of them. Although there are very few applications of capacitive loads than others, but we have to know capacitive load examples, properties, and power consumption formulas. In fact, we must have knowledge about the properties of every electrical load, because we can arrange necessary systems and take precautions for that particular load.

What is Capacitive Load?

The electrical load which is capacitive in nature and causes the consuming current to lead behind the voltage is called Capacitive Load. Like an inductive load capacitive load also consumes both active and reactive power. The phase difference between current and voltage consumed by a pure capacitive load is 90 degrees leading. Although the practically pure capacitive load is not available. All capacitive loads have capacitance as well as resistance properties.

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

Capacitive Load Examples

Here some important examples of capacitive load are noted below,

• Synchronous Motor
• Capacitor Banks(although it can not be called an electrical load)
• Radio Circuits
• TV Picture Tubes
• Buried Cables

Read Also: 

• Inductive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption
• Resistive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption

Capacitive Load Properties and Characteristics

1. Capacitive load consumes both active and reactive power.

2. A pure capacitive load has zero resistance although practically it is not possible, as every capacitive load has some internal resistance.

3. The current consumed by a capacitive load always leads behind the voltage applied across the load.

4. A pure capacitive load causes the power factor zero leading but as there is no pure capacitive load so a capacitive load causes the power factor leading.

5. The capacitive load does not show the same effect for AC and DC, it provides high reactance to the DC current and low reactance to the AC current.

6. A capacitive load can store electrical energy in the form of electric charge and also can return back to the circuit or source.

7. Capacitive loads are very low power-consuming loads compared to a resistive and inductive loads.

8. A capacitive load does not waste electrical energy like a resistive load.

Read Also: RLC Series and Parallel RESONANCE Comparison and Applications

Power Consumed by Capacitive Load

The active power formula for a capacitive load is P = VIcosΦ, where P= power, V= voltage, I = current, and cosΦ = power factor

The reactive power formula for a capacitive load is  Q = VIsinΦ

Read Also: The main important difference between AC and DC-Full explanation

Capacitive Load Uses and Applications

1. Capacitive loads such as synchronous motors are used for power factor improvement purposes as well as to drive mechanical loads also.

2. When capacitor banks are directly connected to a power supply without any other load then it does not consume any power means if it consumes power again returns back to the source, so a capacitor bank cannot be called an electrical load alone. When it is used with an inductive load parallelly then it consumes the reactive power to balance the power factor and then it can be called an electrical load which consumes reactive power only.

3. Other capacitive loads such as radio circuits, and telecom circuits are used for electronic communication and signal transmission purposes.

Read Also: 

• Resistance Formula | All Formulas and Equations Explain
• Capacitance Formula | All Formulas and Equations Explain
• Difference between properties of Resistor, Inductor, and Capacitor
• Electrical CIRCUIT and NETWORK Differences, Definition, Types
• The amazing facts about LC TANK CIRCUIT | Working, Applications

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