Introduction
Understanding AC Current, Reactance (how it occurs) and Power Factor
Alternating current (AC) is a type of electrical current in which the direction of the flow of electrons switches back and forth at regular intervals or cycles. Current, or flow of electric charge, changes direction periodically.
For example, in India, AC power supplied to homes has a frequency of 50 Hz, which means the current changes direction 100 times a second.
In Direct Current (DC) Circuits, only resistance restricts the flow of current.
In Alternating Current (AC) Circuits, there are other aspects that affect the flow of current.
Though similar to resistance, they do not actually consume any power,
But load the system with reactive currents, hence known as Reactance.
Reactance is caused when the alternating waves of voltage and current are out of phase with respect to each other.
It can be represented in the form of waves or a phasor diagram as follows
