In an inductive circuit, what is the relationship between current and voltage?

In an inductive circuit, the relationship between current and voltage is characterized by the phenomenon of phase shift caused by the properties of inductance. Specifically, in an inductive load, the current waveform lags behind the voltage waveform. This occurs due to the time it takes for the magnetic field around the inductor to build up and change in response to the alternating current.

When voltage is applied across an inductor, the current does not immediately reach its maximum value; instead, it takes some time to reach this peak due to the inductive reactance. This creates a scenario where the current waveform peaks later than the voltage waveform, leading to the situation where the current lags the voltage.

In contrast, in purely resistive circuits, voltage and current are in phase, meaning they reach their peaks at the same time. In capacitive circuits, the current leads the voltage, as capacitors respond to changes in voltage more quickly than inductors respond to changes in current. Therefore, knowing this behavior helps HVACR technicians predict how inductive loads will perform and manage them effectively in electrical systems.