Types of Electrical Loads

By Kiran Daware Miscellaneous, Power System

An electrical load is a device or an electrical component that consumes electrical

energy and convert it into another form of energy. Electric lamps, air conditioners,
motors, resistors etc. are some of the examples of electrical loads. They can be
classified according to various different factors. Some popular classifications of
electrical loads are as follows.

Resistive, Capacitive, Inductive

Electrical loads can be classified according to their nature as Resistive, Capacitive,
Inductive and combinations of these.

Resistive Load

 Two common examples of resistive loads are incandescent lamps and electric
heaters.
 Resistive loads consume electrical power in such a manner that the current wave
remains in phase with the voltage wave. That means, power factor for a resistive
load is unity.

Capacitive Load

 A capacitive load causes the current wave to lead the voltage wave. Thus, power
factor of a capacitive load is leading.
 Examples of capacitive loads are: capacitor banks, buried cables, capacitors
used in various circuits such as motor starters etc.

Inductive Load

 An inductive load causes the current wave to lag the voltage wave. Thus, power
factor of an inductive load is lagging.
 Examples of inductive load include transformers, motors, coils etc.

Combination Loads

 Most of the loads are not purely resistive or purely capacitive or purely inductive.
Many practical loads make use of various combinations of resistors, capacitors
and inductors. Power factor of such loads is less than unity and either lagging or
leading.
 Examples: Single phase motors often use capacitors to aid the motor during
starting and running, tuning circuits or filter circuits etc.
Types of loads in power system
Domestic load / residential load

Domestic load consists of lights, fans, home electric appliances (including TV, AC,
refrigerators, heaters etc.), small motors for pumping water etc. Most of the domestic
loads are connected for only some hours during a day. For example, lighting load is
connected for few hours during night time.

Commercial load

Commercial load consists of electrical loads that are meant to be used commercially,
such as in restaurants, shops, malls etc. This type of load occurs for more hours during
the day as compared to the domestic load.

Industrial load

Industrial load consists of load demand by various industries. It includes all electrical
loads used in industries along with the employed machinery. Industrial loads may be
connected during the whole day.

Municipal load

This type of load consists of street lighting, water supply and drainage systems etc.
Street lighting is practically constant during the night hours. Water may be pumped to
overhead storage tanks during the off-peak hours to improve the load factor of the
system.

Irrigation load

Motors and pumps used in irrigation systems to supply the water for farming come
under this category. Generally, irrigation loads are supplied during off-peak or night
hours.

Traction load

Electric railways, tram cars etc. come under traction loads. This type of loads reaches
its peak during morning and evening hours.

Some other classifications of electrical loads

According to load nature

 Linear loads
  Non-linear loads

According to phases

 Single phase loads

 Three phase loads

According to importance

 Vital electrical loads (e.g. required for life safety)

 Essential electrical loads
 Non-essential / normal electrical loads

Electrical loads may also be classified in may different manners, such as according to
their functions.