AC6 Module11
AC6 Module11
Learning Outcomes
How does the voltage and current of an RLC circuits response in an Alternating current
system whether it is pure elements or a combination of element in series and in parallel
connection?
Note: The insight that you will post on online discussion forum using Learning Management
System (LMS) will receive additional scores in class participation.
Lecture Guide
In the previous discussions we have looked at resistors, their connections and used Ohm’s
Law and other network analysis and method to calculate the voltage, current and power
associated with them. In all cases both the voltage and current has been assumed to be of a
constant polarity, flow, and direction, in other words Direct Current or DC.
But there is another type of supply known as alternating current or AC whose voltage
switches polarity from positive to negative and back again over time and whose current
with respect to the voltage oscillates back and forth. The oscillating shape of an AC supply
follows that of the mathematical form of a “sine wave” which is commonly called a
Sinusoidal Waveform.
In AC circuit, the most fundamental elements of a resistor, inductor and capacitor are
connected across a voltage supply. All these elements are linear and passive in nature.
Passive components are ones that consume energy rather than producing it; linear elements
are those which have a linear relationship between voltage and current.
There are number of ways of connecting these elements across voltage supply, but the most
common method is to connect these elements either in series or in parallel.
Let us discuss first the relation of voltage and current in each element, then will tackle the
relation of voltage and current when these elements are connected in series and in parallel.
Resistor in AC circuit.
When using pure resistors in AC circuits that have negligible values of inductance or
capacitance, the same principle of Ohm’s Law, circuit rules for voltage, current and power
(and even Kirchhoff’s Laws) apply as they do for DC resistive circuits the only difference this
Offline
time is in the use of the instantaneous “peak-to-peak” or “rms” quantities.
Activities
When working with AC alternating voltages and currents it is usual to use only “rms” values
(e-Learning/
to avoid confusion. The rms or “root mean squared” value of an AC waveform is the effective
Self-Paced)
or DC value equivalent for an AC waveform. Also the schematic symbol used for defining an
AC voltage source is that of a “wavy” line as opposed to a battery symbol for DC and this is
shown below.
Resistors are “passive” devices, that is they do not produce or consume any electrical energy
but convert electrical energy into heat. In DC circuits the linear ratio of voltage to current in
a resistor is called its resistance. However, in AC circuits this ratio of voltage to current
depends upon the frequency and phase difference or phase angle (φ) of the supply. So, when
using resistors in AC circuits the term Impedance, symbol Z is the generally used and we can
say that DC resistance = AC impedance, R = Z. It is important to note, that when used in AC
circuits, a resistor will always have the same
resistive value no matter what the supply frequency from DC to very high frequencies,
unlike capacitor and inductors.
For resistors in AC circuits the direction of the current flowing through them has no effect
on the behavior of the resistor so will rise and fall as the voltage rises and falls. The current
and voltage reach maximum fall through zero and reach minimum at exactly the same time.
i.e, they rise and fall simultaneously and are said to be “in-phase” as shown below.
We can see that at any point along the horizontal axis that the instantaneous voltage and
current are in-phase because the current and the voltage reach their maximum values at the
same time, that is their phase angle θ is 0°. Voltage is considered as the reference
parameter, thus its phase angle θ is 0°.
𝑅=𝑍=
𝑉∠θ
𝐼∠θ ( )
= 𝑍∠ θ𝑉 − θ𝐼 = 𝑍∠0° Ω = (𝑅 + 𝑗0)Ω
since both voltage and current has zero phase angle, the resulting resistance R or should we
say impedance Z also have zero phase angle hence it is said that for purely resistive load the
relation of voltage and current is in phase with each other.
Inductor in AC Circuit.
When an alternating or AC voltage is applied across an inductor the flow of current through
it behaves very differently to that of an applied DC voltage. Because in DC an Inductor is
equivalent to a Short Circuit, because once the Storage Phase has finished, the Current, IL,
that flows through it is stable, IL = V / R, no Self Induced e.m.f. is produced and VL is zero.
The Inductor acts like an ordinary connecting wire, its Resistance is zero. The effect of a
sinusoidal supply produces a phase difference between the voltage and the current
waveforms. Now in an AC circuit, the opposition to current flow through the coils windings
not only depends upon the inductance (L) of the coil but also the frequency (f) of the AC
waveform.
LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Prepared by: NOIME ROBLES GASPAR
Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna
In the purely inductive circuit above, the inductor is connected directly across the AC supply
voltage. As the supply voltage increases and decreases with the frequency, the self-induced
back emf also increases and decreases in the coil with respect to this change.
We know that this self-induced emf is directly proportional to the rate of change of the
current through the coil and is at its greatest as the supply voltage crosses over from its
positive half cycle to its negative half cycle or vice versa at points, 0° and 180° along the sine
wave.
Consequently, the minimum rate of change of the voltage occurs when the AC sine wave
crosses over at its maximum or minimum peak voltage level. At these positions in the cycle
the maximum or minimum currents are flowing through the inductor circuit and this is
shown below.
These voltage and current waveforms show that for a purely inductive circuit the current
lags the voltage by 90°. Likewise, we can also say that the voltage leads the current by 90°.
And the mathematical expression is as shown.
𝑉∠θ
𝑋𝐿 = 𝑍 = 𝐼∠θ
= 𝑍∠(0 − (− 90)) = 𝑍∠90° Ω = (0 + 𝑗𝑋𝐿)Ω
Either way the general expression is that the current lags as shown in the vector diagram.
Here the current vector and the voltage vector are shown displaced by 90°. The current lags
the voltage.
As said earlier, the inductive reactance (XL) depends upon the inductance (L) of the coil
and the frequency (f) of the AC waveform. Its resistance value, reactance for a correct
term, is proportional to the rise and fall of the inductance value and the frequency. Hence it
is represented mathematically as shown.
𝑋𝐿 = 2π𝑓𝐿
Where:
XL = Inductive Reactance, Ohm(Ω)
f = Frequency of AC waveform, hertz(hz)
L = Inductance of the Inductor, Henry(H)
π = radian pi (3.14159265)
Capacitor in AC Circuit.
When capacitors are connected across a direct current DC supply voltage they become
charged to the value of the applied voltage, acting like temporary storage devices and
maintain or hold this charge indefinitely as long as the supply voltage is present.
When a DC voltage is placed across a capacitor, the positive (+v) charge quickly accumulates
on one plate while a corresponding and opposite negative (-v) charge accumulates on the
other plate. For every particle of +v charge that arrives at one plate a charge of the same
sign will depart from the -v plate.
Then the plates remain charge neutral and a potential difference due to this charge is
established between the two plates. Once the capacitor reaches its steady state condition an
electrical current is unable to flow through the capacitor itself and around the circuit due to
the insulating properties of the dielectric used to separate the plates.
This charging current can be defined as: i = C dV/dt.
In the purely capacitive circuit above, the capacitor is connected directly across the AC
supply voltage. As the supply voltage increases and decreases, the capacitor charges and
discharges with respect to this change. We know that the charging current is directly
proportional to the rate of change of the voltage across the plates with this rate of change at
its greatest as the supply voltage crosses over from its positive half cycle to its negative half
cycle or vice versa at points, 0° and 180° along the sine wave.
Consequently, the least voltage rate-of-change occurs when the AC sine wave crosses over at
its maximum positive peak (+VMAX) and its minimum negative peak, (-VMAX). At these two
positions within the cycle, the sinusoidal voltage is constant, therefore its rate-of-change is
zero, so dv/dt is zero, resulting in zero current change within the capacitor. Thus, when
dv/dt = 0, the capacitor acts as an open circuit, so i = 0 and this is shown below.
We know that the current flowing through the capacitance in AC circuits is in opposition to
the rate of change of the applied voltage but just like resistors, capacitors also offer some
form of resistance against the flow of current through the circuit, but with capacitors in AC
circuits this AC resistance is known as Reactance or more commonly in capacitor circuits,
Capacitive Reactance (XC), so capacitance in AC circuits suffers from Capacitive Reactance.
And the mathematical expression is shown below.
𝑉∠θ
𝑋𝐶 = 𝑍 = 𝐼∠θ = 𝑍∠(0 − 90) = 𝑍∠ − 90° Ω = (0 − 𝑗𝑋𝐶)Ω
From the waveform above, we can see that the current is leading the voltage by 1/4 cycle or
90° as shown by the vector diagram. Then we can say that in a purely capacitive circuit the
alternating voltage lags the current by 90° or we can say current leads the voltage by 90°.
For capacitors in AC circuits, capacitive reactance is given the symbol Xc. Then we can say
that Capacitive Reactance is a capacitors resistive value that varies with frequency. Also,
capacitive reactance depends on the capacitance of the capacitor in Farads as well as the
frequency of the AC waveform and the formula used to define capacitive reactance is given
as:
1
𝑋𝐶 = 2π𝑓𝐶
Where:
XC = Capacitive Reactance, Ohm(Ω)
f = Frequency of AC waveform, hertz(hz)
C = Capacitance of the capacitor, Farad(F)
π = radian pi (3.14159265)
2π𝑓 = angular frequency (ω), hertz(hz)
In AC system the pure element circuit almost did not exist instead there are number of ways
of connecting these elements across voltage supply, but the most common method is to
connect these elements either in series or in parallel.
In a series RLC circuit, the three basic elements are in series with each other, which means
that they all have the same current. The formulation covers the general case of three types
of the load being present in a circuit. We can also have the series RL, Series RC or even
series LC which exhibit a resonance state.
Series RLC
In tackling the circuit at hand, we need to know the relationship between the applied
voltage and the current and the power consumption of the circuit, using all the knowledge
that has been gained so far. The j stand in for the imaginary number √(-1). Normally we
would use i for this, but j is used in impedance calculations to avoid confusion with I for
current.
The simplest question with a series RLC circuits is finding the current in the circuit if the
particulars of the loads and the applied voltage are given.
In the RLC circuit, voltage V is the applied voltage, I is the common current for all the three
elements, f is the frequency, and R, L, and C represent the values for resistance, inductance,
and capacitance, respectively, of the three components in the circuit.
The applied voltage in this circuit is divided between the three components. In this regard,
the corresponding voltages across R, L, and C are denoted by VR, VL, and VC, respectively.
Recall that each of these voltages follows the rules that we learned about the relationship
between current and voltage in each component. That is, “the voltage across the resistor is
in phase with the current, the voltage across the capacitor is lagging the current by 90° and
the voltage across the inductor leading the current by 90°”.
The impedance Z of a series RLC circuit is defined as opposition to the flow of current due
circuit resistance R, inductive reactance, XL and capacitive reactance, XC. If the inductive
reactance is greater than the capacitive reactance i.e XL > XC, then the RLC circuit has lagging
phase angle and if the capacitive reactance is greater than the inductive reactance i.e XC > XL
then, the RLC circuit have leading phase angle and if both inductive and capacitive are same
i.e XL = XC then circuit will behave as purely resistive circuit.
As illustrated by vector diagram below, there are two cases, one when XC > XL and one when
XC < XL. For similar values, the value of Z obtained is the same for both cases.
LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Prepared by: NOIME ROBLES GASPAR
Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, the value of the impedance Z can be written as
2 2
𝑍= 𝑅 + (𝑋𝐿− 𝑋𝐶) = 𝑍∠±θ
−1 |𝑋𝐿−𝑋𝐶|
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑅
For the above equation we will take the absolute value of the algebraic sum of XL and XC. If
XL > XC then we have a positive phase angle, and its vector direction is at first quadrant,
when XC > XL then we have a negative phase angle, and its vector direction is at the fourth
quadrant.
In parallel RLC Circuit the resistor, inductor and capacitor are connected in parallel across a
voltage supply. The parallel RLC circuit is exactly opposite to the series RLC circuit. The
applied voltage remains the same across all components and the supply current gets divided
just like what we discuss in DC circuit.
The total current drawn from the supply is not equal to mathematical sum of the current
flowing in the individual component, but it is equal to its vector sum of all the currents,
meaning, we have to consider the angle of each element, as the current flowing in resistor,
inductor and capacitor are not in the same phase with each other; so, they cannot be added
arithmetically.
In the parallel RLC circuit, all the components are connected in parallel; so the voltage
across each element is same. Therefore, for drawing phasor diagram, take voltage as
reference vector and all the other currents i.e IR, IC, IL are drawn relative to this voltage
vector. The current through each element can be found using Kirchhoff’s Current Law, which
states that the sum of currents entering a junction or node is equal to the sum of current
leaving that node. Like in series RLC we can have also the combination of RL, RC and LC.
Since,
𝑉∠0°
𝐼𝑆 = 𝑍∠±θ
By omitting V from both sides, the relationship between Z and R, L, and C can be found then
as
2
( )
2
1 1 1 1
𝑍
= 2 + 𝑋𝐿
− 𝑋𝐶
𝑅
1
𝑍 =
2
( )
2
1 1 1
2 + 𝑋𝐿
−𝑋
𝑅 𝐶
| 1 1 |
| − |
−1 | 𝑋𝐿 𝑋𝐶 |
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1
𝑅
There is another thing we need to consider, and that is the series-parallel combination of
these elements. But just like we discuss in DC circuit, the idea of analyzing such circuit is
the same except that we consider summing up the connected elements vectorially and not
algebraically.
Example.
For the given circuit diagram calculate the RLC series circuit impedance, current, voltage
across each component and *power factor. Also draw the phasor diagram of current and
voltage, impedance triangle and voltage triangle.
First of all, let me calculate the total impedance with the following formula
Resistance: R=12Ω
Inductive Reactance: XL=ωL=2πfL=2×π×50×0.15=47.13Ω
Capacitive Reactance: XC=1/ωC=1/2πfC=1/(2×π×50×100×10−6) =31.83Ω
Now the total impedance will be
Observing the above individual voltages, their scaler summation can get us a larger voltage
than the source voltage. Take a look at the following vector diagram.
As from the above calculation, we have observed that inductive reactance is larger than
capacitive, so the power factor is considered lagging.
cos θ =0.619
θ=cos−1 0.619 =51.8° lagging
2. In a series RLC circuit, R = 30 Ω, L = 15 mH, and C = 51 μF. If the source voltage and
frequency are 12 V and 60 Hz, respectively, what is the current in the circuit? Show the
Source Voltage and circuit current relationship.
Solution
XL=2∗3.14∗60∗15x10-3 = 5.65Ω
XC=1/(2∗3.14∗60∗51x10-6 )= 52.63Ω
2 2
𝑍= 30 + (5. 65 − 52. 63) = 55. 77Ω
I=12/55.77=215mA
𝑉∠θ 12∠0
𝐼= 𝑍∠θ
= 55.77∠−75.67
= 215𝑚𝐴∠(0 − (− 75. 67)) = 215𝑚∠75. 67° 𝐴
*Reactive component can be Inductive Reactance (XL) or Capacitive Reactance (XC) or the
combination of the two elements.
Polar Coordinate
𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ
𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ
−1 |𝑦|
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥
After getting the value of x and y, use rectangular coordinate form in adding and subtracting
the value after which convert it back to polar form.
Example:
1. A 50Ω resistor, a 20mH coil and a 5uF capacitor are all connected in parallel across a 50V,
100Hz supply. Calculate the total current drawn from the supply, the current for each
branch, the total impedance of the circuit and the phase angle. Also construct the current
triangles representing the circuit.
LSPU SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE: BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Prepared by: NOIME ROBLES GASPAR
Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna
Solution:
Total impedance Z
2
( ) 2
2 2
1
𝑍
=
1
𝑅
2 +
1
𝑋𝐶
−
1
𝑋𝐿
=
1
50
2 + ( 1
318.3
−
1
12.6 ) = 0. 078
1
𝑍 = 0.078
= 12. 8Ω
𝑉 50𝑉
𝑍= 𝐼𝑆
= 3.87𝐴
= 12. 9Ω
Phase angle
1 1
−1 || 12.6 − 318.3 ||
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1
50
−1
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 3. 81 = 75. 3°
2. In the circuit shown, R = 55 Ω, L = 0.08 H, and C = 1 μF, find the impedance of the circuit
and the applied voltage.
Solution
XL=2∗ᴫ∗60∗0.08=30.16Ω
XC=1/(2∗ᴫ∗60∗0.000001)=2652.66Ω
1
𝑍= = 27. 40Ω
2 2
1
55
2 (
+
1
30.16
1
− 2652.66 )
Let’s the upper part be Z1 = 70+60j and the bottom part be Z2 = 40-25j.
Why +60j? Because it is in inductive reactance. Then why -25j? Its because it is capacitive
reactance.
𝑍1𝑍2 (70+60𝑗)(40−25𝑗)
𝑍𝑇 = 𝑍1+𝑍2
= (70+60𝑗)+(40−25𝑗)
(70+60𝑗)(40−25𝑗)
= (110+35𝑗)
4349.074(∠8.59°)
= 115.4∠17.65°
4349.074
= 115.4
(∠8. 59° − 17. 65°)
Hence,
ZT = 37.22 - 5.93jΩ - negative sign of the reactance shows
that the impedance is more of a
capacitive load.
𝑍1𝑍2 (200−40𝑗)(60+130𝑗)
𝑎. 𝑍𝑇 = 𝑍1+𝑍2
= (200−40𝑗)+(60+130𝑗)
(200−40𝑗)(60+130𝑗)
= (260+90𝑗)
(204∠−11.31°)(143.2∠65.22°)
= 275.1∠19.09°
(204)(143.2)(∠−11.31°+65.22°)
= 275.1∠19.09°
(29212.8)(∠53.91°)
= 275.1∠19.09°
29212.8
= 275.1
(∠53. 91° − 19. 09°)
b. Phase Angle - we see the angle at the ZT, that is the phase angle, but let’s calculate it using
the given formula,
−1 60.64
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 87.18
−1
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 0. 6955 = 34. 82°
Performance Tasks
PT 13
Check Your Understanding. Analyze the following given problem statement. Show your
solution. Encircle your final answer. Maximum of ten (10) points will be given for every
given problem. Reduce your answer to two (2) decimal places.
1. A series connected 100Ω resistor, a 0.0200H inductor and a 1.2µF capacitor are connected in parallel with a
circuit made up of a 110Ω resistor in series with 2.4µF. A supply of 150V, 60Hz is connected across them.
Calculate the total current from the supply. Determine also the total impedance and phase angle.
2. Given that the current in a given circuit is 3.9 - 6.04j mA and the impedance is 5.16 + 1.14j kΩ, find the
magnitude of the voltage. Draw the voltage and current relation diagram. (hint: phase angle of voltage is not
zero)
3. If R = 10Ω, L = 0.6H, C=200µF is connected to a 10V, 50Hz source. If these elements are connected in series
what is the total impedance and the phase angle of the circuit.
4. From problem # 3, If these elements are connected in parallel, what is the total impedance and the phase
angle of the circuit.
5. From the circuit shown below, If the supply voltage is 50V, 60Hz, determine the total impedance, total current
and draw the voltage and current relation of the given circuit.
Learning Resources
References
Boylestad, R. (2015). Introductory Circuit Analysis, 13th Edition. Pearson.
Hayt, J. e. (n.d.). Engineering circuit Analysis, 7th Edition. 2007: McGraw-Hill Education.
Romeo A. Rojas, J. (n.d.). 1001 Solved Problems in Electrical Engineering.
Sadiku. (2007). Fundamentals of Electric Circuit, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
Theraja, B. L. (2005). A textbook of Electrical Technology Volume 1. S. Chand and Co. Ltd.
V. K. Mehta, R. M. (2008). Basic Electrical Engineering, Revised Edition. S. Chand and Co. Pvt. Ltd.
https://www.electrical4u.com/rlc-circuit/
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/alternating-current/chpt-5/review-of-r-x-and-z/
https://electricala2z.com/electrical-circuits/parallel-rlc-circuit-analysis-example-problems/
https://electricala2z.com/electrical-circuits/series-rlc-circuit-analysis-example-problems/
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