BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

Module 1

Introductions to AC
Circuits
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS 2

ENGR. GIAN ANGELO D. GARDUCE

Department of Electrical Engineering

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Module 1: Introductions to AC Circuits

This module discusses the principles of AC Circuits. The basic understanding

about alternating currents, connections of RLC Circuit, resistance, inductance,
capacitance as well as reactance and impedance.

Learning Objectives
After studying this module, students should be able to:
a. To define the basic principle of alternating current.
b. To define the behaviors of resistance, inductance and capacitance in an AC Circuit.
c. To analyze and solve circuit problems regarding RLC Circuits.

1.1 AC CIRCUIT LOADS AND THEIR BEHAVIORS

Terms Related to Alternating Waves

Alternating wave - a wave that varies in magnitude and direction periodically.

Amplitude - the maximum value (either positive or negative) which an alternating quantity
attains during one complete cycle.

Alternation - equal to one-half of a cycle.

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Frequency- number of cycles made per second, unit is Hertz(Hz).

Time period - time in seconds needed by an alternating quantity to complete one cycle.

Wavelength - length of one complete cycle.

Direct Current (DC) - is the flow of electric charge in only one direction. It is the steady state
of a constant-voltage circuit.

Alternating Current (AC) - is the flow of electric charge that periodically reverses direction. If
the source varies periodically, particularly sinusoidally, the circuit is known as an alternating
current circuit. Examples include the commercial and residential power that serves so many of
our needs. The AC voltages and frequencies commonly used in homes and businesses vary
around the world.

Fig. 1: DC Graph of Voltage and Current vs. Time Fig. 2: AC Graph of Voltage and Current vs. Time

Let’s look at this example, in here we can see a light bulb supplied by an AC voltage. In an AC
circuit the electrons move back and forth or it moves alternately instead of flowing in one
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direction. The yellow circles in the pictures represents the electrons, now the current moves in
one direction and as the voltage increases shown in the sine wave the bulb gets brighter. Once
the voltage reaches its peak or the positive maximum value, the voltage starts to drop and the
bulb starts to get dimmer until it reaches the 0 voltage. Once it reaches the 0 voltage the polarity
changes and current starts to move in the opposite direction, and again the voltage increases as it
reaches the negative maximum value and the light bulb gets brighter then dims back down.

Believe it or not the light bulb blinks so fast, at least 100-120 times per second depending on the
frequency of the supplied AC voltage, but this rate is so fast to the human eye that we see it as
constant light.

AC CIRCUIT LOADS

Resistor - It takes a current that is in-phase with voltage across it. In a purely resistive load of an
ac circuit, the current and voltage will both reach their maximum or peak values and
fall through zero at exactly the same time, i.e. they rise and fall simultaneously and are
therefore said to be “IN-PHASE ”.

Ideal Inductor - It takes a current that lags the voltage across it by 90°. In a purely inductive load
of an AC Circuit, the applied voltage reaches its maximum positive value a
quarter ( 1/4 ) of a cycle earlier than the current reaches its maximum positive
value, in other words, the current “LAGS” the voltage by one quarter of a cycle
or 90° as shown in the vector diagram.

XL = wL = 2πfL

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Ideal Capacitor - It takes a current that leads the voltage across 90°. In a purely capacitive load
of an AC Circuit, the applied voltage reaches its maximum positive value a
quarter ( 1/4 ) of a cycle later than the current reaches its maximum positive
value, in other words, the current “LEADS” the voltage by one quarter of a cycle
or 90° as shown in the vector diagram.
1 1
XC = =
wC 2πfC

where: R= resistance of the resistor (ohm, Ω)

L= inductance of the inductor (henry, H)

C = capacitance of the capacitor (farad, F)

XL = reactance of the inductor (ohm, Ω)

XC = reactance of the capacitor (ohm, Ω)

w = angular velocity (radians/sec)

f = frequency of supply voltage (hertz, Hz)

Reactance – It is the opposition of a circuit element to the flow of current due to that element's
inductance or capacitance. Reactance is similar to electric resistance in this aspect, but differs in
that reactance does not lead to dissipation of electrical energy as heat. Instead, energy is stored in
the reactance, and later returned to the circuit whereas a resistance continuously loses energy.

Angular Velocity - This is the rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time.
“Angular velocity” is a measurement of the rate of change of angular position of an object over a
period of time. It is denoted by ω. It is a vector quantity.
ω = 2π f (rad/s)

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1.2 RLC CIRCUIT, REACTANCE AND IMPEDANCE

Impedance (Z) – The overall resistance to the flow of current in RLC Circuit is known as
impedance. It is found by combining the resistance, capacitance and inductance. However, in an
RLC circuit the resistance and reactance cannot be combined directly so they are added as
vectors.

Rectangular Form: Polar Form:

Z = R + j XL Z =z∠θ

Z = R – j XC where: z = magnitude of impedance

Z = R + jX z = √R2 + X 2
θ = phase angle
X
θ = tan-1( )
R

Equivalent Impedance Expression in Complex Number Format

CIRCUIT ELEMENTS EQUIVALENT IMPEDANCE

R R
L j XL

C - j XC
Series RL R + j XL

Series RC R - j XC

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Series LC j (XL - XC)

Series RLC R + j (XL - XC)

Series RLC Circuit

We all know that in a series circuit, the current flowing is constant or the same in all elements.
Vt = ItZt
where: Vt = voltage (volts, V)
It = current (ampere, A)
Zt = impedance (ohms, Ω)

Sample Problems:

1. A 100 mH inductance is connected is series with a 40-ohm resistor. The voltage across is
220∠0 volts, what is the current flowing through the circuit? Assume the supply
frequency is 60 Hz.
➢ We need to find the current(I) flowing through the circuit.

➢ Given the circuit in our problem we need to find first the equivalent reactance of our
inductor for us to solve the problem.

XL = 2πfL

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XL = 2π(60Hz)(100 x 10-3 H)

XL = 37.7 Ω
➢ Now we can find the total impedance of the circuit. Since we have an inductive reactance,
we can write the impedance as

Z = R + j XL
Z = 40 + j 37.7 Ω
➢ We can now solve the current through the circuit using
V = IZ
V
I=
Z

Note: In solving AC circuit problems, we use complex mode (Mode 2) in our calculator
since we are solving vector quantities. The rectangular form of the impedance can be
written as “a + bi” where “a” is the real number which is the resistance and “b” is the
imaginary which is the reactance.

➢ Substituting the given we get

220∠0 V
I=
40 + j 37.7 Ω

I = 4.002 ∠ - 43.304 A

Note: You will notice in your calculator that the answer you will get is in rectangular
form. In solving currents, it must be always in polar form since we need the exact
magnitude of the circuit. In order to change rectangular into polar form in complex mode,
simply press “Shift, 2(cmplx), 3(r ∠ θ)”

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2. A 40 microfarad capacitor is connected in series with a 40 ohm resistor. If the voltage is

220 V, what is the current?
➢ We need to find the current(I) flowing through the circuit.

➢ Given the circuit in our problem we need to find first the equivalent reactance of our
capacitor for us to solve the problem.
1
XC =
2πfC
1
XC =
2π(60Hz)(40x10−6F)

XC = 66.314 Ω
Note: If the supply has no given frequency, we always assume 60Hz since it is the
standard frequency in the Philippines.
➢ Now we can find the total impedance of the circuit. Since we have a capacitive reactance,
we can write the impedance as

Z = R – j XC

Z = 40 - j 66.314 Ω
➢ We can now solve the current through the circuit using
V
V = IZ I=
Z
220 V
I=
40 − j 66.314 Ω

I = 2.841 ∠ 58.902 A

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3. A series circuit consisting of a 0.08 H inductor and a 150 µF capacitor is connected

across a 100V, 60Hz source. Determine the current drawn.
➢ We need to find the current(I) flowing through the circuit.

➢ Given the circuit in our problem we need to find first the equivalent reactance of our
inductor and capacitor.
1
XL = 2πfL XC =
2πfC
1
XL = 2π(60Hz)(0.08 H) XC =
2π(60Hz)(150x10−6 F)

XL = 30.159 Ω XC = 17.684 Ω
➢ Now we can find the total impedance of the circuit. Since we have an inductive and
capacitive reactance, we can write the impedance as

Z = j (XL - XC)

Z = j (30.159 – 17.684)
Z = j 12.475 Ω
➢ We can now solve the current through the circuit using
V
V = IZ I=
Z
100 V
I=
j 12.475 Ω

I = 8.016 ∠ -90 A

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4. A series circuit consisting of a 10 ohm resistor, 0.04 H inductor and a 50 microfarad

capacitor is connected across a 100V, 60Hz source. Determine the current flowing
through the circuit.
➢ We need to find the current(I) flowing through the circuit.

➢ Given the circuit in our problem we need to find first the equivalent reactance of our
inductor and capacitor.
1
XL = 2πfL XC =
2πfC
1
XL = 2π(60Hz)(0.04 H) XC =
2π(60Hz)(50x10−6F)

XL = 15.08 Ω XC = 53.051 Ω
➢ Now we can find the total impedance of the circuit. Since we have an inductive and
capacitive reactance, we can write the impedance as

Z = R + j (XL - XC)

Z = 10 + j (15.08 – 53.051)
Z = 10 – j 37.971 Ω
➢ We can now solve the current through the circuit using
V
V = IZ I=
Z
100 V
I=
10 – j 37.971 Ω

I = 2.547 ∠ 75.246 A

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5. Determine the phase angle in the series circuit which consists or R= 25ohms and L= 0.2H
across a power supply of 200V, 30 Hz?
➢ We need to find the phase angle(θ) of the circuit impedance. Using the formula for phase
angle, but first we need to find the reactance.
X
θ = tan-1( )
R
➢ Since we have an inductor, we find its equivalent inductive reactance

XL = 2πfL

XL = 2π(30Hz)(0.2 H)

XL = 37.7 Ω

➢ Substituting the given we can now get the phase angle

37.7
θ = tan-1 ( )
25
θ = 56.45°

6. A 25 Ω resistor is connected in series with a coil of 50 Ω resistance and a 150 mH

inductance. What is the phase angle of the total impedance?
➢ We need to find the phase angle(θ) of the total impedance.
➢ When we say “coil” it is always composed of a resistor and an inductor, so if we are going
to draw it in a circuit, we get

coil

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➢ Let us find first the equivalent reactance of our inductor.

XL = 2πfL

XL = 2π(60Hz)(150 x 10-3 H)

XL = 56.549 Ω

➢ Now we can find the total impedance of the circuit.

Z = (R1 + Rcoil) + j XL
Z = (25 + 50) + j 56.549 Ω
Z = 75 + j 56.549 Ω
where: Rt = 75 Ω

XL = 56.549 Ω
➢ Using the formula for phase angle
X
θ = tan-1( )
R
56.549
θ = tan-1( )
75
θ = 37.016°
➢ We can also convert the impedance from its rectangular form into polar form through
calculator.
Z = 75 + j 56.549 Ω Z = 93.924 ∠ 37.011 Ω
θ = 37.011°

7. The resistance of a coil is measured to be 20 ohms. A 230V, 50Hz is supplied on this coil
and the current taken is 3.2A. Determine the inductance of the coil in mH.
➢ We need to find the inductance(L) of the coil. coil

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➢ In order for us to find the inductance of the coil, we must get first its equivalent inductive

reactance or the XL
➢ Since the resistance of the coil is given we can get the reactance if we know the
impedance of the coil. Using the formula below we can get the magnitude of the
impedance.
V
V = IZ Z=
I
230 V
Z=
3.2 A
Z = 71.875 Ω

Note: This is only the magnitude of the impedance in polar form without the angle.

➢ Since we know the magnitude of the impedance, we can get now the reactance.
z = √R2 + X 2

XL = √Z 2 − R2

XL = √(71.875)2 − (20)2

XL = 69.036 Ω
➢ We can now solve the inductance of the coil using the formula

XL = 2πfL
XL
L=
2πf
69.036 Ω
L=
2π(50Hz)
L = 219.748 mH

8. An 8-ohm resistor is connected in series with an inductive coil and the combination is
connected across a 120 V, 60Hz source. A voltmeter connected across the resistor reads
32V and when connected across the coil it reads 104V. Determine the resistance of the
coil.

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➢ We need to find the resistance of the coil(Rcoil)

➢ In order to get the resistance of the coil, we can create equations from impedances.
Impedance from the coil only and the total impedance.
➢ Since we know that in series circuit, the current is constant in all series elements. We can
get the current from the voltage drop of resistor 1.
V1
I=
R1
32 V
I=
8Ω
I=4A

Note: This is only the magnitude of the current in polar form without the angle.

➢ Since we already know the current flowing in the circuit, we can also get the magnitude of
the impedance of the coil only.
Vcoil
Zcoil =
I
104 V
Zcoil =
4A
Zcoil = 26 Ω

Note: This is only the magnitude of the coil impedance in polar form without the angle.

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➢ We can now create equation from the impedance of the coil and call it equation 1.

Zcoil2 = Rcoil2 + XL2

(26)2 = Rcoil2 + XL2

676 = Rcoil2 + XL2 Eq.1

➢ Since we also know the supply voltage, we can also get the total impedance of the circuit
and create another equation.
Vt
Zt =
I
120 V
Zt =
4A
Zt = 30 Ω

Note: This is only the magnitude of the total impedance in polar form without the angle.

Zt2 = Rt2 + XL2

(30)2 = (8 + Rcoil)2 + XL2

900 = 64 + 16Rcoil + Rcoil2 + XL2

836 = 16Rcoil + Rcoil2 + XL2 Eq.2

➢ Since we have now two equations, we can substitute Eq. 1 to Eq. 2 to get the resistance of

the coil. We can equate the equation 1 to XL2 then substitute to Eq. 2

676 – Rcoil2 = XL2 Eq.1

➢ Substituting Eq. 1 to Eq. 2

836 = 16Rcoil + Rcoil2 + 676 – Rcoil2

836 – 676 = 16Rcoil
160 = 16Rcoil
160 16Rcoil
=
16 16
Rcoil = 10 Ω

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Practice Problems:

1. Determine the phase angle in the series circuit which consists or R= 25ohms and C=
20µF across a power supply of 200V, 40 Hz.

2. A resistance of 30 ohms is in series with a capacitor. A 200V, 50Hz is supplied on this

series combination and the current taken is 3.2A. Determine the capacitance of the coil in
µF.

3. Find the total impedance in polar form if there are three impedances connected in series
which are 22∠- 11 ohms, 26∠44 ohms and 43∠-62 ohms.

4. A series circuit consisting of a 13-ohm resistor, 0.05 H inductor and a 10-microfarad

capacitor is connected across a 100V. Determine the frequency of the supply if the
current flowing is 5A.

5. A series circuit consisting of a resistor, 0.05 H inductor and a 100-microfarad capacitor is

connected across a 100V, 60Hz. Determine the value of the resistor if the phase angle is
80 degrees.

6. An inductance is connected to 115V, 25Hz and takes a 5A. What current will it take
when the inductance and frequency are both doubled having same voltage?

7. When connected to a 220V, 50Hz supply and impedance coil circuit takes 5 A, but this
current falls to 4.4 A when a 10-ohm resistor is added in series. Find the inductance of
the coil.

End of Module 1

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References:

Romeo A. Rojas Jr. (May 2001). 1001 Solved Problems in Electrical Engineering. Excel Review
Center, Jaime R. Tiong.

Romeo A. Rojas Jr. (January 2004). Complete Electrical Engineering Formulas and Principles.
Excel Review Center.

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