What is an Electrical Load

Higher temperatures during the summer season usually mean a higher electricity bill because there is an increase in the overall demand during this time. Several factors affect electricity prices and the U.S. Energy Information Administration or EIA outlined the variables that affect the cost of said prices.

If you are a homeowner or someone who contributes to paying the monthly utility bills, you probably want to know budget tips or ways on how you can cut the costs of your expenses especially when it comes to your electricity bill.

One of the initial steps that you can do is to assess your home’s electrical load. This means that you will look into the appliances, gadgets, or anything in your home that uses electricity. Doing so would also help you make informed decisions about transitioning into cleaner, more sustainable, and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind if you still haven’t made the shift yet.

Understanding Electrical Load

In the context of homes or residential use, an electrical load is the amount of electricity that computers, light bulbs, refrigerators, and other devices need to function. Simply put, it is any object that transforms electrical energy into another form of energy such as light, heat, or motion.

It is called “electrical load” because it puts a load on the supply of electricity in order to work. For instance, when you use a washing machine during laundry day, the electrical load of the machine takes the electrical energy from the power source and converts it into mechanical motion or energy.

Kinds of Electrical Load

Resistive Load

Common household items that flow through a resistive load are water heaters, irons, toasters,  incandescent light bulbs, or basically any device that converts electrical energy into heat. 

The name comes from how the electric current flows through a material.  The resistor in the circuit adds resistance to the flow of current and this converts the electrical energy into heat energy. 

Additionally, the voltage and current in this type of electrical load are proportional and are linked to the amount of power that is consumed. This means that an increase in either or both voltage and current will most likely result in higher power consumption.

Inductive Load

This type of electrical load uses electromagnetic function to make appliances and other electrical devices work. The most common household items that typically have inductive loads are washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, and even power tools. It allows these gadgets to perform various tasks around the house by using their motors to create motion and circulate air, among others.

The term inductive comes from the process called inductance. It involves devices that use coils or wires to create magnetic fields when electricity flows through them. This magnetic field makes the motor in these appliances start moving.

Capacitive Load

Some appliances that use capacitive loads include microwave ovens, freezers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and other devices that require energy storage, voltage regulation, and power factor correction.

Unlike inductive load which stores energy in a magnetic field, capacitive load stores energy in an electric field. They do have similarities because they both store and release energy and they do not directly convert electrical energy into other forms. Both types also have an impact on how effective electrical power is being used. 

Capacitors are important components in electronics and electrical systems, but they require other components or loads to be connected in a circuit to be part of a system that generates useful work or performs specific tasks. In other words, this type cannot stand alone.

​​Mixed Load

It is important to note that some common appliances or devices have components that show both resistive and inductive behavior. This means that common electrical household items combine both types to work properly. For example, hairdryers utilize resistive components to generate heat or warm air while inductive elements make the fan in the hairdryer work efficiently. 

Although some appliances use combined components, the dominant type of electrical load is primarily based on the purpose and design of the device. 

The abovementioned types of electric loads differ in how they consume and utilize power. 

They can easily be distinguished by the common household appliances that are used for lighting, mechanical, and heating purposes.

Electrical Load and Solar Panel Systems

Having backup power is beneficial but if you want to fully transition to alternative energy sources that are clean, renewable, and sustainable, you need to have an idea about your home’s electrical load. 

Understanding your home's electrical load is a crucial aspect when determining the appropriate size for your whole home’s solar system, especially if your goal is to cover your entire energy consumption with solar panels.

You can start by gathering information and taking note of the power ratings of your home electronics and appliances by manually finding the watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) or you can use a power meter for this. You can then calculate the individual loads of the devices, determine the operating hours of the appliances, and consider other factors such as peak demand and efficiency. If you're unsure about the process or need precise calculations, consider consulting an electrician or contact us. We can help you with accurate load calculations and system sizing.

 * We want to give credit where credit is due. Professional writer, Shobe Cruz, contributed research and content to this blog titled: What is an Electrical Load Thank you, Shobe, for your contributions!