Resistive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption

Do you know all about a Resistive Load? Don't worry here we are going to discuss all about a Resistive Load, examples, properties, and power consumption by resistive loads. According to the nature of the electrical load, there are mainly three types of load - 1. Resistive Load 2. Inductive Load and 3. Capacitive Load. These all have different properties, advantages, and disadvantages. So let's discuss the resistive load.

What is Resistive Load?

In simple words, anything that can consume electrical energy and convert it into another form of energy is called the electrical load. The electrical load, which consumes electrical energy in a pure form and shows its resistance effect is called Resistive load. The resistance effect covers two factors, first, it tries to block the flow of electrical current, and second, it converts the electrical energy into heat energy. So, we can also say, the electrical load, which converts electrical energy into heat energy is called the resistive load. Although the definition of resistive load can be explained in multiple ways.

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

Resistive Load Examples

There are so many examples of resistive load used in daily life, industrial applications, and experiment purposes. So here some examples are,

• Electrical Heater (the most common resistive load)
• Incandescent Lamps (Converts electric energy into light and heat)
• Electric Soldering Iron
• Resistive Load Bank
• Electric Iron
• Heating coils

Read Also: 

• Inductive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption
• Capacitive Load Examples, Properties, Power Consumption
• When Capacitor store more Energy Series or Parallel connection?

Resistive Load Properties and Characteristics

1. Resistive load shows the same effect for both AC and DC, just it needs more AC current than DC to provide the same function.

2. The voltage and current consumed by a resistive load always are in the same phase.

3. As the voltage and current are in the same phase, so the phase difference or angle between voltage and current is zero, so the power factor for a resistive load is always Unity.

4. Resistive load never stores electrical energy, in fact, it dissipates or wastes the electrical energy in the form of heat.

5. As the power factor is Unity, resistive load always consumes the active power only, although the apparent power and active power for a resistive load are always the same.

6. For a resistive load, electrical energy always flows from the source to the load, there is no feedback current, or reverse current like in a capacitive load or inductive load.

7. Resistive loads are constant current-consuming load, which means it does not change with load variations like an inductive load(electric motor).

Read Also: [Explained] Why Inductor block AC and Capacitor block DC?

Power Consumption by Resistive Load

For DC Circuit,

The power consumption formula for DC is P = V*I

                                                                         = IR*I  (as V =IR)

                                                                         = I^2R

So, as there is no power factor in the DC circuit, the power consumption by a resistive load depends upon its resistance value and the voltage applied across the load.

For AC Circuit,

In an AC circuit, there are three types of power - 1. Apparent Power 2. Active Power 3. Reactive Power

A resistive load only consumes active power, and the formula is, P = V*I*cosϕ

                                                                                                          = V*I*1 (as the power factor is unity)

                                                                                                          = VI (equals to apparent power)

****Although a resistive load shows the same properties for both AC and DC but remember that a resistive load takes more time for AC than DC to produce the same heat because of AC current is not constant it varies with time****

Read Also: Why Resistance of a Winding or Coil always measured with DC not AC?

Resistive Load Uses and Applications

1. Resistive Load such as the electric heater is used for heating applications for both domestic and industrial purposes for water heating, cooking, room heating, etc.

2. Resistive Loads such as Incandescent Lamps are used for illumination purposes.

3. Resistive load such as a resistive load bank is used for experimental and electronic testing 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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