Electrical load

An electrical load is an electrical component or portion of a circuit that consumes (active) electric power,^[1]^[2] such as electrical appliances and lights inside the home. The term may also refer to the power consumed by a circuit. This is opposed to a power supply source, such as a battery or generator, which provides power.^[2]

The term is used more broadly in electronics for a device connected to a signal source, whether or not it consumes power.^[2] If an electric circuit has an output port, a pair of terminals that produces an electrical signal, the circuit connected to this terminal (or its input impedance) is the load. For example, if a CD player is connected to an amplifier, the CD player is the source, and the amplifier is the load.^[2]

Load affects the performance of circuits with respect to output voltages or currents, such as in sensors, voltage sources, and amplifiers. Mains power outlets provide an easy example: they supply power at constant voltage, with electrical appliances connected to the power circuit collectively making up the load. When a high-power appliance switches on, it dramatically reduces the load impedance.

The voltages will drop if the load impedance is not much higher than the power supply impedance. Therefore, switching on a heating appliance in a domestic environment may cause incandescent lights to dim noticeably.

^ Karady, George G.; Holbert, Keith E. (2013-05-03). Electrical Energy Conversion and Transport: An Interactive Computer-Based Approach. ISBN 1118498038.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Glisson, Tildon H. (2011). Introduction to Circuit Analysis and Design. USA: Springer. pp. 114–116. ISBN 978-9048194421.

[Karady-1] Karady, George G.; Holbert, Keith E. (2013-05-03). Electrical Energy Conversion and Transport: An Interactive Computer-Based Approach. ISBN 1118498038.

[Glisson-2] Glisson, Tildon H. (2011). Introduction to Circuit Analysis and Design. USA: Springer. pp. 114–116. ISBN 978-9048194421.

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