Which component stores charge and can be used to improve power factor in AC circuits?

Which component stores charge and can be used to improve power factor in AC circuits?

• A. Capacitor
• B. Transformer
• C. Resistor
• D. Inductor

Answer: (A)

Capacitors store charge and provide reactive power in AC circuits. This allows them to supply current ahead of the voltage, offsetting the lagging reactive power from inductive loads and reducing the phase difference between current and voltage. By supplying leading reactive power, a capacitor improves the power factor, making more of the apparent power translate into useful real power. A resistor dissipates energy as heat and doesn’t provide reactive support. An inductor stores energy but adds lagging reactive power, typically worsening the power factor unless used in a compensating network. The capacitor’s ability to store charge and supply reactive power is what makes it the right choice for improving power factor.

Capacitors store charge and provide reactive power in AC circuits. This allows them to supply current ahead of the voltage, offsetting the lagging reactive power from inductive loads and reducing the phase difference between current and voltage. By supplying leading reactive power, a capacitor improves the power factor, making more of the apparent power translate into useful real power. A resistor dissipates energy as heat and doesn’t provide reactive support. An inductor stores energy but adds lagging reactive power, typically worsening the power factor unless used in a compensating network. The capacitor’s ability to store charge and supply reactive power is what makes it the right choice for improving power factor.