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The power factor for an L-R A.C. circuit is ______.

Asked in GSEB Board July 2018 · Power factor

Answer: (3) R/(√R²+X_L²)

Step-by-step solution

The power factor is cos φ, where φ is the phase angle between the source voltage and the current.

In an LR circuit the voltage across R is in phase with the current and the voltage across L leads it by 90°.

The impedance triangle has sides R and X_L at right angles and hypotenuse Z=√R²+X_L².

cos φ=R/Z=R/(√R²+X_L²).

So the power factor is R/(√R²+X_L²).

Why the other options are wrong

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