Which term describes the electrical load encountered when energizing a line?

The correct term that describes the electrical load encountered when energizing a line is inrush current. Inrush current refers specifically to the surge of current that occurs when electrical equipment or devices are first powered on. This initial surge is often significantly higher than the normal operating current, as it is necessary to overcome the initial resistance in the system and to build up the magnetic fields in inductive components, such as motors and transformers.

Understanding inrush current is crucial because it can affect the performance of electrical systems and may lead to tripping protective devices if not properly managed. This phenomenon is particularly significant when dealing with equipment that requires a large amount of current to start up and can impact the overall stability of the electrical network during the energizing process.

Cold flow, peak load, and load shedding represent different concepts within electrical systems. Cold flow refers to the deformation of materials under a sustained load over time, peak load refers to the maximum load on a system during a specific period, and load shedding is a method used to decrease power output to prevent system overload.