Which component stores energy in an electric field and is commonly used in motor control circuits?

Which component stores energy in an electric field and is commonly used in motor control circuits?

• A. Capacitor
• B. Inductor
• C. Resistor
• D. Transformer

Answer: (A)

Energy stored in an electric field is a property of a capacitor. When a capacitor is charged, opposite charges accumulate on the two plates, creating an electric field in the dielectric between them. The energy stored is 1/2 C V^2, where C is the capacitance and V is the voltage across the plates. In motor control circuits, capacitors provide energy storage for transient demands, smooth voltage on the DC bus, and create a phase shift to start and run certain motors. Other components store energy in magnetic fields (inductors and transformers) or dissipate energy as heat (resistors), so they are not described as storing energy in an electric field. Therefore, the capacitor is the component that stores energy in an electric field and is commonly used in motor control circuits.

Energy stored in an electric field is a property of a capacitor. When a capacitor is charged, opposite charges accumulate on the two plates, creating an electric field in the dielectric between them. The energy stored is 1/2 C V^2, where C is the capacitance and V is the voltage across the plates. In motor control circuits, capacitors provide energy storage for transient demands, smooth voltage on the DC bus, and create a phase shift to start and run certain motors. Other components store energy in magnetic fields (inductors and transformers) or dissipate energy as heat (resistors), so they are not described as storing energy in an electric field. Therefore, the capacitor is the component that stores energy in an electric field and is commonly used in motor control circuits.