What type of current does a non-linear load produce?

A non-linear load produces distorted current primarily due to its behavior when it interacts with the electrical supply. Non-linear loads, such as computers, LED lighting, and variable frequency drives, do not draw current in a smooth, predictable manner throughout each cycle of the AC waveform. Instead, they draw varied amounts of current at different points in time, resulting in a current waveform that is not a perfect sine wave.

This distortion is typically characterized by harmonic frequencies, which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency (usually 60 Hz in North America). The presence of these harmonics alters the current characteristics, creating a waveform that deviates significantly from the ideal sine wave shape, leading to what is termed as "distorted current." Such distortion can have various effects on electrical systems, including increased heating in conductors, transformer core saturation, and potential interference with sensitive electronic equipment.

By contrast, constant current would imply a steady flow without fluctuation, variable current might suggest changes that still adhere to a typical wave, and phase current pertains to the current in a specific phase of a multi-phase system, none of which capture the unique characteristics of non-linear loads effectively. Therefore, distorted current is the most accurate and appropriate description for the type of current produced by non-linear loads