If the inductive reactance of a given circuit is −Q, what must be done to correct the power factor to a value of 1?

If the inductive reactance of a given circuit is −Q, what must be done to correct the power factor to a value of 1?

• A. Add capacitive reactance equal to +Q
• B. Remove the inductor
• C. Increase voltage by +Q
• D. Add +Q resistive load

Answer: (A)

In an electrical circuit, the inductive reactance contributes to the overall apparent power, which can lead to a lagging power factor. When the inductive reactance is represented as −Q, it indicates that the circuit is exhibiting inductive behavior, which typically results in a power factor less than 1; this means that the circuit is consuming reactive power because of the inductor. To correct the power factor to a value of 1, which implies that the circuit is purely resistive with no reactive power contributing to the overall load, you need to introduce a capacitive reactance that is equal in magnitude but opposite in effect to the inductive reactance. By adding capacitive reactance of +Q, the reactive components from the inductor and capacitor will cancel each other out, leading to a net reactance of zero. This effectively corrects the power factor to unity (1). The addition of +Q capacitive reactance compensates for the lagging characteristic of the inductive component, creating a balanced system where the active power (real) and reactive power (imaginary) are harmonized. Thus, the overall power factor becomes perfect, indicating optimal efficiency in the circuit.

In an electrical circuit, the inductive reactance contributes to the overall apparent power, which can lead to a lagging power factor. When the inductive reactance is represented as −Q, it indicates that the circuit is exhibiting inductive behavior, which typically results in a power factor less than 1; this means that the circuit is consuming reactive power because of the inductor.

To correct the power factor to a value of 1, which implies that the circuit is purely resistive with no reactive power contributing to the overall load, you need to introduce a capacitive reactance that is equal in magnitude but opposite in effect to the inductive reactance. By adding capacitive reactance of +Q, the reactive components from the inductor and capacitor will cancel each other out, leading to a net reactance of zero. This effectively corrects the power factor to unity (1).

The addition of +Q capacitive reactance compensates for the lagging characteristic of the inductive component, creating a balanced system where the active power (real) and reactive power (imaginary) are harmonized. Thus, the overall power factor becomes perfect, indicating optimal efficiency in the circuit.