What type of circuit condition results from a resistance dominating, with negligible reactance?

What type of circuit condition results from a resistance dominating, with negligible reactance?

• A. High power factor and current out of phase with voltage
• B. Low power factor and lagging current
• C. High power factor and current in phase with voltage
• D. Low power factor and leading current

Answer: (C)

In a circuit where resistance dominates and reactance is negligible, the behavior of the current and voltage is characterized by a high power factor. This scenario occurs because the relationship between current and voltage is very close to 1, indicating that they are nearly in phase with one another. When the power factor is high, the current effectively follows the voltage waveform, suggesting that most of the power in the circuit is being used effectively for the intended load. This means that the phase angle between current and voltage is minimal. A phase angle of zero degrees would imply that both current and voltage are perfectly in sync, leading to maximum efficiency and minimal reactive power issues. In practical terms, this reflects that the majority of the power being drawn from the source is being converted into useful work, which is typical in resistive loads such as heaters or incandescent lighting. Hence, in this context, the condition aligns perfectly with a high power factor, confirming that the current is indeed in phase with the voltage.

In a circuit where resistance dominates and reactance is negligible, the behavior of the current and voltage is characterized by a high power factor. This scenario occurs because the relationship between current and voltage is very close to 1, indicating that they are nearly in phase with one another.

When the power factor is high, the current effectively follows the voltage waveform, suggesting that most of the power in the circuit is being used effectively for the intended load. This means that the phase angle between current and voltage is minimal. A phase angle of zero degrees would imply that both current and voltage are perfectly in sync, leading to maximum efficiency and minimal reactive power issues.

In practical terms, this reflects that the majority of the power being drawn from the source is being converted into useful work, which is typical in resistive loads such as heaters or incandescent lighting. Hence, in this context, the condition aligns perfectly with a high power factor, confirming that the current is indeed in phase with the voltage.