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Electrician Red Seal · Question

A building uses a combination of fluorescent lighting, arc welders, and induction motors. An electrician is asked to assess the power factor at the main service entrance. What type of power factor is most likely to be observed, and why?

Induction motors and arc welders are predominantly inductive loads, meaning they draw lagging reactive power. While fluorescent lighting ballasts can sometimes

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Question: A building uses a combination of fluorescent lighting, arc welders, and induction motors. An electrician is asked to assess the power factor at the main service entrance. What type of power factor is most likely to be observed, and why?

Answer options:

  • Leading, due to the capacitive nature of fluorescent lighting. ✅ Lagging, due to the inductive nature of motors and welders.
  • Unity, as all loads balance each other out.
  • Neutral, indicating no reactive power flow.

Correct answer: Lagging, due to the inductive nature of motors and welders.

Explanation: Induction motors and arc welders are predominantly inductive loads, meaning they draw lagging reactive power. While fluorescent lighting ballasts can sometimes have a slightly leading or corrected power factor, the cumulative effect of significant motor and welder loads typically results in an overall lagging power factor for the facility.

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