ELT130-385 Introduction to the RC Circuits Lab 7A

Overall Lab Objective

1. Continue to become familiar with new lab test equipment, the function generator and
the oscilloscope
2. Calculate the time constant for an RC circuit. Estimate the transient response
3. Build the RC circuit and measure pertinent values using the scope while being driven by
the function generator

Part 1 – RC Circuit Calculations

1. The circuit below will be used in both parts of this lab. The resistor Rfg should be
included in your calculations, but not included in the built circuit. The resistor is internal
to the function generator.

Rfg = R=

V=0V-3V +
C = 3.3µF

2. Calculate the time constant of this RC circuit. Recall that 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶

t=RC
=520 Ohms x 3.3 uF
=520 x 3.3x10^-3
= 1.7x10^-3
= 1.7 mSec
3. The square wave in the source above goes from 0V to a maximum of 3V as in Figure 1
below. What will be the maximum voltage across the capacitor? What will be the
minimum voltage across the capacitor?

3V
Maximum Voltage ___________________________ [ ]
0V
Minimum Voltage____________________________[ ]

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ELT130-385 Introduction to the RC Circuits Lab 7A

4. Complete the table below for the expected voltage at the capacitor during the rising
edge of the square wave.

3V

0V

Figure 1 Square Wave Signal

Table 1 Rising Edge Calculations

# of Time Fraction of
Time Voltage
Constants Maximum Voltage

1 63.2% 1.7mS
1.896 V

2 86.5%
3.4ms 2.595V

3 95.0% 5.1 ms 2.85V

4 98.2%
6.8ms 2.946V

5. Complete the table below for the expected voltage at the capacitor during the falling
edge of the square wave.

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ELT130-385 Introduction to the RC Circuits Lab 7A

Table 2 Falling Edge Calculations

# of Time Fraction of
Time Voltage
Constants Maximum Voltage

1 36.8% 1.7mS 1.104 V

2 13.5%
3.4ms 0.405 V

3 5.0%
5.1 ms 0.15 V

4 1.8% 6.8ms 0.054 V

Part II – Building and measuring the rising edge of the RC Circuit

1. See the diagram and picture below for help in building the RC circuit and connecting to
the function generator and oscilloscope. INITIALLY DO NOT INSTALL THE CAPACITOR.

Oscilloscope

+
R=
CH1 CH2
V=0V-3V +
C = 3.3µF

Function Generator
-

Figure 2 Function Generator and Oscilloscope

2. Set the function generator to generate a square wave at a frequency of approximately

60 Hz. This should be a low enough frequency so that one can see the rise and fall times
of the square wave on the scope.
3. Set the scope settings appropriately so that you can properly measure the square wave.
4. Adjust the amplitude of the function generator so that the peak to peak voltage of the
square wave is 3V.
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ELT130-385 Introduction to the RC Circuits Lab 7A

5. Adjust the DC OFFSET of the function generator so that the square wave output voltage
goes from a minimum of 0V to a maximum of 3V. (The DC OFFSET is a new control)
6. INSTALL THE CAPACITOR INTO THE CIRCUIT. DOUBLE CHECK THE POLARITY OF THE
CAPACITOR!!! Make sure that the scope is configured to measure the voltage across
the capacitor. You should now see the rise and fall time of the RC circuit on the scope
7. Trigger the scope so that you can see the rise time fully on the scope. Expand the time
scale to see as much of the rise time as possible
8. Using the CURSOR function of the scope, measure the maximum voltage achieved on
the capacitor. Measure the minimum voltage on the capacitor.

2.82V
Maximum Capacitor Voltage ___________________________ [ ]
160mV
Minimum Capacitor Voltage ____________________________[ [

9. From the start of the rising edge of the signal, measure the voltage at 1 time constant, 2
time constants, 3 and 4 time constants. Enter the values in the table below

Table 3 Rising Edge Measurements

# of Time Calculated Voltage

Time Voltage
Constants (From Part 1)
1 1.896 V
1.7mS 1.9 V

2 2.595V
3.4mS 2.6V

3 2.85V
5.1mS 2.85V

4 2.946V
6.8mS 2.96 v

Figure 3 Function Generator and Scope Probe Connection

10. Compare the calculated voltages from part 1 to your measured values

Part III Measuring the Falling Edge of the RC Circuit

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ELT130-385 Introduction to the RC Circuits Lab 7A

1. Use the same circuit and test configuration as in Part II.

2. Set the trigger of the scope to allow you to see the falling edge of the signal. This may
require changing the EDGE that is used for triggering within the Trigger Menu.
3. Adjust the scope settings so that you can fully see the falling edge of the signal.
4. Starting at the beginning of the falling edge, measure the voltage of the signal at 1, 2, 3
and 4 time constants. Enter the values in the table below.

Table 4 Falling Edge Measurements

# of Time Calculated Voltage

Time Voltage
Constants (From Part 1)
1 1.104 V 1.7mS 1.0 V

2
0.405 V 3.4mS .4 V

3 0.15V 5.1mS .15V

4
0.54 V 6.8mS .5 V

Part IV RC Circuit Summary

1. How do you calculate the time constant of an RC circuit?

T=RC Where R and C are the evquivalent resistance and capcitance respectivley.

2. What is the voltage across the capacitor in an RC circuit of the rising edge of a square
wave of magnitude 1V at the time constant?
.63 mv

3. What is the voltage across the capacitor in an RC circuit of the rising edge of a square
wave of magnitude 1V at the 2 time constants?
.86 mV