In an electrical circuit, what does ELI relate to?

The acronym ELI stands for "Electromotive force leads current." In the context of AC circuits, this relationship indicates that voltage (or electromotive force) leads current by 90 degrees. This phenomenon occurs primarily in inductive components of the circuit. When an alternating current flows through an inductor, the inductor stores energy in its magnetic field, causing the current to lag behind the voltage.

This leads to the phase difference where the maximum voltage occurs before the maximum current in the cycle, illustrating the characteristic behavior of inductors in AC circuits. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing and designing AC circuits, as it affects how power is transferred and utilized within electrical systems.