Lecture 1: Growth and decay of current in RL circuit

Growth of current in LR Circuit

Let us consider an inductor of self inductance L is connected to a DC source of e.m.f. E through a
resister of resistance R and a key K in series. When the key K is switched on, the current in circuit
started to increase. The current in the circuit does not attain the maximum steady state value
(E/R) at once because the induced e.m.f. produced across the inductor ⎛⎜ − L ⎞⎟ opposes the growth
dI
⎝ dt ⎠
of current. Hence the current in the circuit increases slowly to attain its steady state value.

y
According to KVL, the algebraic sum of
instantaneous voltage drop across the
circuit elements for a closed loop is zero.

de
Thus, for the present RL circuit,
E − V1 − V2 = 0
E = V1 + V2 (1) Fig 1
If at any instant the current in circuit is I R
log e ( E − RI ) = − t + log e ( E )
then the potential drop across resister and L
inductor will be RI and L
dI
dt
an
respectively.
R
log e ( E − RI ) − log e ( E ) = − t
L
Using eq.(1), we can write, ( E − RI ) R
log e =− t
dI (E) L
E = RI + L
dt R
E − RI − t
dI =e L
E − RI = L
.P
E
dt
R R
dI 1 R − t R − t
= dt (2) 1− I = e L I = 1− e L
E − RI L E E
Integrating eq.(2) ⎛ − t ⎞⎟
R
E⎜
.K

dI 1 I = ⎜1 − e L ⎟ (5)
∫ E − RI = L ∫ dt + C ′ R⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
1 1
− log e ( E − RI ) = t + C ′ (3)
R L
Here C ′ is integration constant and is
determined by initial condition.
D

i.e. when t=0, I=0 then from eq.(3) we have

1
− log e ( E ) = C ′ (4)
R
From eqs.(3) and (4), we can write,
1 1 1
− log e ( E − RI ) = t − log e ( E )
R L R

Fig.2

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 Lecture 1: Growth and decay of current in RL circuit

Since , the steady state current or maximum

current (I0)= E/R Inductive Time constant
And dimension of L/R = dimension of time; The Growth of current in RL circuit follows
L following equation.
Say,
R
= τ = inductive time constant
{
I = I 0 1 − e −t / τ }
Hence eq.(4) becomes as, When t=τ then from above eq., we can write
⎛
⎜ − ⎞⎟
t
τ
I = I 0 ⎜1 − e ⎟ (6)
{
I = I 0 1 − e −1 }

y
⎜ ⎟ I = I 0 {1 − (1 / e)}
⎝ ⎠
I = I 0 {1 − (1 / 2.718)}
Eqs. (5) and (6) are called as expression of
I = I 0 {1 − 0.368}

de
growth current in RL circuit.
These expressions indicates that- I = 0.632 I 0
(1) Initially the current in the circuit is zero. I = 0.632 I 0 = 63.2% I 0
(2) It increases exponentially following Thus the time constant for the RL circuit is
expression (1 − e −t τ ) . the time in which the current increases up to
(3) After infinite time current reaches to its
steady state value (I0).
an 63.2% of maximum current.

Decay of current in LR Circuit

Let us consider a charged inductor of self inductance L is connected to a resister of resistance R
through a key K in series. When the key K is switched on, the inductor discharges through resister.
.P
The current in circuit started to decrease due to loss of inductive energy through resister.
According to KVL, the algebraic sum of
instantaneous voltage drop across the
circuit elements for a closed loop is zero.
.K

Thus E − V1 − V2 = 0
E = V1 + V2
Here E=0, Thus V1 + V2 = 0 (1) Fig.1
If at any instant the current in circuit is I Integrating eq.(1)
then the potential drop across resister and dI R
∫ = − ∫ dt + C ′
D

dI I L
inductor will be RI and L respectively.
dt R
log e I = − t + C ′ (3)
Using eq.(1) L
dI Here C ′ is integration constant and is
RI + L =0
dt determined by initial condition.
dI i.e. when t=0, I=I0 then from eq.(3) we have
L = − RI
dt log e I 0 = C ′ (4)
dI R
= − dt (2) From eqs. (3) and (4), we can write,
I L

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 Lecture 1: Growth and decay of current in RL circuit

R when A is connected to C then the charged inductor

log e I = − t + log e I 0 discharges through resister.
L
R C
I R I − t S
R
log e =− t ⇒ =e L L A
I0 L I0 10Ω 50H
Key = K B
R
− t
I = I0 e L (5) E

Since , dimension of L/R = dimension of time; 2V

L In the Given circuit,
Say, = τ = time constant

y
R Maximum current= I 0 = E / R = 2 / 10 = 0.2 amp
Hence eq.(5) becomes as, Time constant = τ = L / R = 50 / 10 = 5 sec
I = I 0 e −t / τ (6) The calculated growth and decay of current in the

de
given circuit are presented in the Table A and is
Eqs. (5) and (6) are called as expression for shown in Fig.A.
decay of current in RL circuit. These Table A
expressions indicate that Initially the current t I growth I decay
(sec) (amp) (amp)
has maximum value I0 and It decreases
0 0 0.2
exponentially following expression (e − t τ ) . 5 0.126424 0.073576
an 10
15
0.172933
0.190043
0.027067
0.009957
20 0.196337 0.003663
25 0.198652 0.001348
30 0.199504 0.000496
Fig. A
.P
0.2
0.18

Fig.2 0.16

Inductive Time constant 0.14

Current (amp)

0.12 Growth
The expression for decay of current in LR
.K

0.1 Decay
circuit is
0.08
−t / τ
I = I0 e 0.06
0.04
When t=τ then from above eq., we can write
0.02
−1 1 1
I = I0 e = I0 = I0 = 0.368 I 0
D

0
e 2.718 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time (sec)
I = 0.368 I 0 = 36.8% I 0
Thus the time constant for the RL circuit is The above Table and Figure indicate that when t=5τ
then the growth current increases up to
the time in which the current decays from approximately maximum value I0 and decay current
steady state value to 36.8% of maximum decreases up to zero value.
current.
Note A: In the following LR circuit, when A is
connected B then current rises in the circuit and
inductor charges through resister. Furthermore,
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 Lecture 1: Growth and decay of current in RL circuit
Note B: Example 1: The time constant of an inductance coil
L henry volt is 2.5x10-3 sec. When 60 Ω resistance is added in
Unit of = = series, the time constant reduces to 0.5x10-3 sec. Find
R ohm (amp/sec) ohm
volt . sec volt . sec the inductance and resistance of coil.
= = = sec Solution: The time constant for LR circuit is τ and
amp . ohm volt
after addition of 60 Ω resistance, it becomes τ′ .
Dimension of τ for LR circuit= dimension of time
L
τ= (1)
Note C: Rate of current growth in LR circuit R
Since (
I = I 0 1 − e−t / τ ) τ′ =
L
(2)

y
R + 60
t
dI I 0 − τ 1 From eqs.(1) and (2), we have
⇒ = e ∝ τ′ R
dt τ τ =

de
Hence the growth of current in LR circuit is The τ R + 60
negative sign indicates that current decays with 0.5 × 10 −3 R
time.. i.e. =
−3 R + 60
2.5 × 10
1. If τ: small then current growth: fast
1 R
2. If τ: large then current growth: slow =
5 R + 60
5 R = R + 60
Note D: Rate of current decay in LR circuit
−
t
an 4 R = 60
R = 15 Ω
Since I = I 0e τ
Using eq.(1)
I −
t L=τR
dI 1
⇒ =− 0 e τ ∝− L = 2.5 × 10 −3 × 15
dt τ τ
L = 37.5 × 10 −3
.P
Hence the growth of current in LR circuit is
inversely proportional to time constant. The negative
sign indicates that current decays with time.. L = 3.75 × 10 −2 henry
1. If τ: small then current growth: fast Example 2: An inductor of inductance 50henry and
2. If τ: large then current growth: slow a resister of resistance 30Ω is connected to a d.c.
.K

source in series. Find the time in which the current

Note E: Both growth and decay of current in LR reaches to half of maximum current in the circuit.
circuit is inversely proportional to time constant. Solution: Given that,
L= 50 henry, R= 30 Ω, I=I0/2 and t=?
(
I = I 0 1 − e − Rt / L )
( )
D

I0
= I 0 1 − e − 30t / 50
2
1
= 1 − e − 0.6 t
2
1
e − 0.6 t =
2
e 0.6 t = 2
0.6 t = log e 2

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 Lecture 1: Growth and decay of current in RL circuit

log e 2 2.3026 log10 2 Example 5 A resister of 5 Ω and an inductor of

t= = 4henry is connected to source of 10 volt in series.
0.6 0.6
2.3026 × 0.3010 0.6931 Find the time in which current in circuit becomes
t= = 1amp.
0.6 0.6
Solution: Given that, R= 5 Ω, L=4henry, E=10volts
t = 1.155 sec
I=1amp, t=?
Example 3: An inductor of inductance 40henry and
a resister of resistance 10Ω is connected to a d.c.
E
(
I = 1 − e − Rt / L
R
)
source of 6volts. Find the current after 4 sec.
1=
10
( )
1 − e − 5×t / 4

y
Solution: Given that, 5
E=6 volts, L= 40 henry, R= 10 Ω, t=4sec, I=? 1
= 1 − e − 5×t / 4
E
(
I = 1 − e − Rt / L =
6
) ( )
1 − e −10×4 / 40 2

de
R 10 1 1
e − 5×t / 4 = 1 − =
( ) ⎛ 1⎞
I = 0.6 1 − e −1 = 0.6⎜1 − ⎟ 2 2
⎝ e⎠ e 5×t / 4 = 2
⎛ 1 ⎞
⎟ = 0.6 × (1 − 0.368)
5t
I = 0.6 × ⎜1 − = log e 2 = 2.3026 log10 2
⎝ 2.713 ⎠ 4
I = 0.6 × 0.632 4
I = 0.379 amp
an t = × 2.3026 × 0.3010 = 0.8 × 0.6931
5
t = 0.554 sec
Example 4 In an LR circuit with source, the current
reaches to one third of its maximum value within Example 6 A charged inductor of 40henry discharges
5sec. Find the time constant of the circuit. through a resister of 5Ω. Find the time in which
Solution: Given that, I=I0/3 , τ=? current decays to 36.8% of its maximum current.
( )
.P
I = I 0 1 − e −t /τ Solution: Given that, R= 5Ω, L=40henry ,
If I=36.8%I0, t=?
I0
3
(
= I 0 1 − e −t / τ ) We know that when I=36.8%I0, t=τ
t = τ = L / R = 40 / 5 = 8
1
(
= 1 − e −t / τ ) t = 8 sec
.K

3
1 2 3 Example 7 The time constant for a RL circuit is
e − t / τ = 1 − = ⇒ e t /τ = 5sec. In case of decay of current, find the time in
3 3 2 which current decays to half of its maximum.
t ⎛3⎞ ⎛3⎞ Solution: Given that, τ= 5sec, I=I0/2, t=?
= log e ⎜ ⎟ = 2.3026 × log10 ⎜ ⎟
τ ⎝2⎠ ⎝2⎠
I = I 0 e −t / τ
= 2.3026 × (log10 3 − log10 2)
t
D

I0 1
τ = I 0 e −t / 5 ⇒ = e −t / 5
2 2
= 2.3026 × (0.4771 − 0.3010)
t
τ et / 5 = 2
t
= 2.3026 × (0.1761) = 0.4055
t
= log e 2 = 2.3026 log10 2
τ 5
t 5 t = 5 × 2.3026 × 0.3010 = 5 × 0.6931
τ= = = 12.33 sec t = 3.466 sec
0.4055 0.4055
τ = 12.33 sec

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