Why does an alternator output voltage gets higher when it is connected to capacitive load than it was with a inductive or resistive load?
I understand that when a capacitive load is connected it improves the power factor. But how does power factor increases output voltage?
Is there any resonance effect when a capacitive load is connected? And if so how does that affect the output voltage?
The equivalent circuit of an alternator consists of the an ideal AC voltage generator in series with a "source impedance" which can be modelled by a resistor in series with an inductor. When this impedance is shunted with a capacitor, then, for a certain range of values of the R, L, and C components, a "resonant rise" in the voltage across the inductor will occur, with the result that the overall output voltage is increased.
