Electrical Load & types of electrical load

What are loads in electrical?

An electrical device that uses electricity to do effective work is called an electrical load. Electric load converts electrical energy into thermal energy or mechanical energy based on its use.

Example of Electric loads

For example, an electric pump motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy for pumping liquid. An electric lamp converts electrical energy into light and heat energy, etc.

Types of Electrical loads

There are many electrical devices in homes, restaurants, malls, industries, etc are consuming electricity. So, electrical engineers mentioning all these equipment as electrical load. 

Electrical engineers smartly classified the electrical loads based on utilization, place of utilization, and duty cycle of load.

• Loads based on nature of utilization with an electric unit

1. Resistive Load (ohm)
2. Inductive Load (henry)
3. Capacitive Load (Farad)

• Power system loads based on its place of consumption

1. Industrial Load
2. Commercial Load
3. Domestic Load
4. Agricultural Load
5. Municipal load

• Electrical Loads based on its duty cycle

1. Continuous and Non-continuous Load
2. Intermittent Load
3. Standby load

Nature of loads

I think you know about active power, reactive power, and apparent power. These types of the load are classified based on their power consumption.

Resistive load (ohm)

Electrical equipment which absorbs only active power to do a useful task is called resistive load. It consumes only active power (kW). Resistive load converts electrical energy into heat energy by opposing electric current. It is measured in ohm.

So we can easily say that resistive load consists of only heating elements such as a resistor.

The waveform of such loads is perfectly in phase with each other. Both voltage and current waveform reach their peak value and zero at the same time. Current follows the voltage.

From this, we can say, that resistive load only consumes active power and the power flow will happen only from source to load. The power factor of this type of load is always unity. 

Examples of resistive load are lights, iron boxes, heaters, Microwave ovens, etc.

Inductive load (henry)

Electrical equipment which absorbs only reactive power(Kvar) is called inductive load. This type of load only consumes reactive power(var). Inductive load converts electrical energy into electromagnetic induction. So we can easily say that this type of load consists of only inductive elements such as inductors or coils. It is measured in henry.

The current and voltage waveform of such loads are out of phase with each other at some random deg. It means the Current waveform and voltage waveform will never reach their peak value and zero at the same time. When the current is at zero, then the voltage will be at its peak value.

Due to its inductive nature current wave lags behind the voltage wave. In this case, power flow will happen from source to load and even load to source. 

So power factor will be lagging in nature, not unity. This type of inductive electrical load affects the power factor heavily. For pure inductive load, the power factor will be 0.

Examples, of inductive loads, are electric motors, washing machines, fans, solenoid valves,s, etc.

Capacitive load (Farad)

Electrical load absorbs active power and supplies reactive power to improve the power factor is called capacitive load. In between the absorption and delivering it stores energy in the form of electric current. It is measured in farad.

It is used for reactive power compensation, hence it improves power factor.

The current and voltage waveform of such loads are out of phase with each other at some random deg. Due to its capacitive nature current waveform leads to the voltage waveform. So power factor of the capacitive load is leading. For pure capacitive load power factor will be 0.

An example of the capacitive load is a capacitor bank, a Synchronous condenser.

Power System Load

Power supplying companies classifies their loads based on consumers. So they named "power system load" for this classification.

Industrial load

The power consumed in the industrial area and industrial equipment is called industrial load.

The industrial load consists of electrical motors, Lighting, Computers, Control panels, Machines, etc,.The operating hours of the industries depend on the type of industry. Industrial loads always require medium voltage for operation.

Industries consume electric power from 25 kW to 500 kW. So power companies divided industrial load into small scale industries, medium scale industries,  and Large scale industries.

• Small scale industries are capable to consume 25 kW.
• Medium-scale industries consume power between 25kW to 100 kW.
• Large scale industries consume power above 500 kW.

For, industrial load there will be no seasonal variation.

Commercial load

The power consumed by electrical appliances in commercial places such as malls, restaurants, shops is called commercial load. The commercial load consists of lighting, Air conditioner, for restaurant and all electrical appliances used in malls, etc.

Commercial load consumes power during daytime for a maximum of 8-10 hours. This type of load also has seasonal variation due to the extensive use of electrical appliances.

Commercial load three-phase supply for energizing electrical appliances.

Domestic load

The power consumed by household items in residential areas is called domestic load. The domestic load consists of lights, ceiling fans, heater, Air-cooler, refrigerator, etc. 

Domestic load consumes power during both day and night time but with limited hours of operation. For example, lighting requires power during nighttime. 

This type of load also has seasonal variation. For example, the operation of Air cooler is required in summer but not required in winter.

Agricultural load

Agricultural load is also called irrigation load. The power consumed by electrical equipment for agriculture purposes is called agriculture load.

The agricultural load consists of an electric pump, lights. The power consumed by agricultural loads is very less when compared to other loads. 

Municipal load 

The municipal load consists of an electric pump for water supply and drainage purposes,  street lighting, etc. The power consumption period depends on the need.

I think this is an interesting topic to discuss Mention the municipal loads in your country. (post a comment)👲

Load based on the duty cycle

Electrical loads are also classified based on their duty cycle or operating time.

Continuous and Non-continuous load

Electrical devices capable of operating for more than 3 hours a day at maximum power without interruption or rest are called continuous load.

For example, the refrigerator is a continuous load

If the electrical equipment operates for less than 3 hours at its full load current, then it is called non-continuous load.

Intermittent load

The electrical appliances which operate at a particular period of time for fewer minutes are called intermitted load. The operating time of electrical appliances and hours of operation cannot be predictable for this type of load and operating hours also less.

For example, the operation of the electric motor in the lift.

Standby load

The electrical equipment requires electric current even after the power supply cut off. These standby loads vary depending on their application. These loads are supplied by standby power such as solar power, DG, or inverter, etc.

For example, a Personnel computer requires power even after the AC power supply cuts off to save the document. 

Conclusion

I think now you can define electric load with its types. 

Mention the total connected load in your room? (Post a comment) if possible.