How a capacitor delivers reactive power?

Here's why a capacitor delivers reactive power:

A capacitor delivers reactive power by alternately storing and releasing energy in the form of an electric field. In an AC circuit, when the voltage across a capacitor increases, the capacitor stores electrical energy in its electric field.

As the voltage decreases, the capacitor releases this stored energy back into the circuit. The flow of energy is reactive, meaning it oscillates back and forth between the capacitor and the circuit without being consumed.

Reactive power is associated with the exchange of this stored energy and is measured in units called volt-amperes reactive (VAR). Capacitors, therefore, contribute to the reactive power in a system, helping to balance the reactive elements and improve power factor.

Bonus: Why an inductor consumes reactive power? An inductor consumes reactive power because of the energy exchange involved in storing and releasing energy in its magnetic field, leading to a lag in the current with respect to voltage in an AC circuit.

Or simply we can say that when AC voltage is applied to an inductor it produces the alternating magnetic field and to produce that field some energy is required, it can't perform this by its own. So that energy is consumed as Reactive power.

In the other hand a capacitor doesn't produce such magnetic field like an inductor, instead it stores and then release the same energy back to the system. Hence no energy is consumed and so it can deliver the Reactive power as a response to applied AC voltage.

So, to summarize:

Inductor: Consumes reactive power due to the energy exchange associated with its magnetic field. Capacitor: Delivers reactive power as it stores and releases energy without net consumption.

While writing the post AJAY GUPTA sir just said a funny line in between his lecture, "Chalo chalte hain National Grid dekhne girlfriend ke sath" 🤣🤣

•