Recreational Vehicle (RV) Technician Practice Test

What type of electrical load draws current regardless of the AC voltage level?

1. Inductive load

2. Capacitive load

3. Resistive load

4. Reactive load

The correct answer is: Resistive load

The correct answer is resistive load. A resistive load is characterized by its relationship with electrical current and voltage; it draws a consistent amount of current as long as the voltage is present, regardless of variations in AC voltage level. This type of load converts electrical energy directly into heat or light, making the current draw primarily dependent on the resistance of the load itself. For example, common household appliances like heaters, incandescent bulbs, and toasters utilize resistive loads. They operate efficiently under varying voltage conditions because their resistance remains constant, ensuring that the power consumed is directly related to the load's resistance and the voltage applied. In contrast, inductive loads, such as motors and transformers, draw more current when voltage levels fluctuate and can cause phase shifts between voltage and current, leading to variable current draw depending on the AC voltage level. Capacitive loads also react to changes in voltage but behave differently as they store energy. Reactive loads, which comprise both inductive and capacitive components, exhibit characteristics that make their current draw variable with voltage changes, deviating from the stable, consistent current draw of resistive loads.