How does the inductive load affect the power factor of a circuit?

Inductive loads, such as motors and transformers, create a phase shift between the voltage and current in an AC circuit. When an inductive load is present, the current lags behind the voltage, resulting in a phase difference that affects the overall power factor of the circuit.

The power factor is defined as the cosine of the angle (phi) between the voltage and the current waveforms. In circuits with inductive loads, this angle increases, causing the power factor to decrease. A lower power factor indicates that a greater proportion of the current is reactive (not contributing to actual work) compared to the current that is real (doing useful work). This inefficiency can lead to higher energy costs and reduced capacity in power systems.

In summary, inductive loads lower the power factor because they introduce a phase difference that causes the current to lag behind the voltage, reducing the efficiency with which electrical power is utilized in the circuit.