What type of equipment can correct a lagging power factor in addition to regulators and substations?

Capacitors are essential in correcting a lagging power factor because they provide reactive power which counteracts the inductive loads that typically cause lagging power factors. A lagging power factor indicates that the current waveform lags behind the voltage waveform, often due to inductive loads such as motors and transformers. By connecting capacitors in parallel with these loads, they supply leading reactive power, which helps to reduce the total amount of reactive power drawn from the system, thus improving the power factor.

The role of capacitors in power factor correction is fundamental in ensuring that electrical systems operate efficiently, leading to reduced energy losses, improved voltage regulation, and lower electricity bills for consumers. This is why capacitors are frequently used in conjunction with regulators and substations to enhance overall system performance.

In contrast, while inductors also influence the power factor, they contribute to lagging power factors rather than correcting them. Transformers serve a different purpose, primarily dealing with the regulation of voltage levels and not directly with power factor correction. Resistors, on the other hand, dissipate energy as heat and do not help in correcting power factor issues. Therefore, capacitors stand out as the appropriate choice for addressing lagging power factor scenarios.