🔍 Key Concepts

• Power factor as the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current • How inductive loads (motors, transformers) affect the phase angle • How capacitive components shift current relative to voltage

💭 Think About

• Think about which type of load (inductive or capacitive) tends to make current lag the voltage and which makes it lead. • If a circuit already has a lagging power factor, what kind of component would you add to move the current back toward being in phase with the voltage? • Consider whether you can ever need both inductance and capacitance, depending on whether the power factor is leading or lagging.

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify whether a lagging power factor is typically caused by inductive or capacitive loads. • Identify whether capacitors tend to make current lead or lag voltage, and whether inductors do the opposite. • Check whether the question is asking about one specific condition (only leading or only lagging) or about both possible conditions.