What type of load does active power refer to in an AC circuit?

Active power in an alternating current (AC) circuit refers to the real power consumed by a load. This power is measured in watts and represents the actual energy that is converted into useful work, such as heating, lighting, or running motors. When active power is discussed, it implies that the load is consuming energy that can perform work, thus it is often associated with resistive components that convert electrical energy into other forms of energy.

This concept is fundamental as it differentiates between different types of power in electrical systems. While reactive power involves energy storage in magnetic or electric fields and does not perform any net work (not utilized for useful output), active power is the portion of power that directly does real work in the system.

Although resistive loads are one type of load that consumes real power, active power itself is not limited to purely resistive loads; it applies to any load that consumes real power. Thus, this choice encompasses the general understanding of active power in AC circuits.