What is one effect of a capacitor on voltage levels in an AC circuit?

A capacitor in an AC circuit primarily influences the phase relationship between the voltage and the current. In a typical AC circuit, when a capacitor is introduced, it creates a situation where the current leads the voltage. This phase shift occurs due to the capacitor's ability to store and release energy in the form of an electric field, which results in a time lag between the peaks of the voltage and current waveforms.

This phase alteration is significant because it affects how the total power in the circuit is utilized. The leading current can contribute to reactive power, which is crucial in alternating current systems, especially in AC motors and transformers. Understanding this phase relationship is essential for designing and analyzing AC circuits effectively.

The other choices do not capture this primary effect accurately. While capacitors can interact with various circuit components impacting overall performance, their most notable characteristic in AC circuits is the alteration of the phase relationship between voltage and current.