Question

Define the cold load pickup. What are the components of cold load pickup.

Short answer

The cold load pickup is associated with starting the load from off state and its components are discussed.

Step-by-step solution

Define the cold load pickup.

The cold load pickup is the process when an energized load is started again when it is kept as idle or de-energized for long hour. The load has different characteristics during the cold load pick up as compared to normal operating conditions. The value of the current at the starting of the cold load is also higher almost 10 times of the normal operating condition.

Determine the answer

The cold load pickup includes the filament lamps to access the synchronization of the multiple operating units, loads such as air conditioners, refrigerators, furnaces and the water heaters as these loads are controlled ones.

The current at the time of starting is also high comparable to operating conditions in case of the lamp filament this is because the filament offers lower resistance at the starting and as the temperature increases the resistance also increases.

Consider the case of the motor, at the starting the current is almost 400% of the normal rated current and this current is reduced as the motor picks up the speed.

Therefore, the cold load pickup is associated with starting the load from off state and its components are discussed.