EE2003

Circuit Theory
Chapter 8
Second-Order Circuits
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 Second-Order Circuits
Chapter 8
8.1 Examples of 2nd order RLC circuit
8.2 The source-free series RLC circuit
8.3 The source-free parallel RLC circuit
8.4 Step response of a series RLC circuit
8.5 Step response of a parallel RLC

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 8.1 Examples of Second
Order RLC circuits (1)
What is a 2nd order circuit?

A second-order circuit is characterized by a second-

order differential equation. It consists of resistors
and the equivalent of two energy storage elements.

RLC Series RLC Parallel RL T-config RC Pi-config

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 8.2 Source-Free Series
RLC Circuits (1)
• The solution of the source-free
series RLC circuit is called as the
natural response of the circuit.

• The circuit is excited by the energy

initially stored in the capacitor and
inductor.

The 2nd d 2 i R di i
order of 2
+ + =0
expression
dt L dt LC

How to derive and how to solve?

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8.2 Source-Free Series
RLC Circuits (2)

Method will be
illustrated
during the lecture

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 8.2 Source-Free Series
RLC Circuits (3)
There are three possible solutions for the following
2nd order differential equation:
d 2 i R di i
2
+ + =0
dt L dt LC

d 2i di
=>
2
+ 2a + w 0i =0
2
where a=
R
and w0 =
1
dt dt 2L LC
General 2nd order Form

The types of solutions for i(t) depend

on the relative values of a and w.
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 8.2 Source-Free Series
RLC Circuits (4)
There are three possible solutions for the following
2nd order differential equation:

d 2i di
2
+ 2a + w 0i =0
2

dt dt

1. If a > wo, over-damped case

i (t ) = A1e s1t + A2 e s2t where s1, 2 = − a  a − w0
2 2

2. If a = wo, critical damped case

i (t ) = ( A2 + A1t )e −at where s1, 2 = − a
3. If a < wo, under-damped case

i (t ) = e −at ( B1 cos w d t + B2 sin w d t ) where w d = w 02 − a 2

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 8.2 Source-Free Series
RLC Circuits (5)
Example 1
If R = 10 Ω, L = 5 H, and
C = 2 mF in 8.8, find α,
ω0, s1 and s2.

What type of natural

response will the circuit
have?

• Please refer to lecture or textbook for more detail elaboration.

Answer: underdamped
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 8.2 Source-Free Series
RLC Circuits (6)
Example 2
The circuit shown below
has reached steady state
at t = 0-.

If the make-before-break
switch moves to position b
at t = 0, calculate i(t) for
t > 0.

• Please refer to lecture or textbook for more detail elaboration.

Answer: i(t) = e–2.5t[5cos1.6583t – 7.538sin1.6583t] A
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8.3 Source-Free Parallel
RLC Circuits (1)
0
1
Let i (0) = I 0 =  v(t )dt
L
v(0) = V0
Apply KCL to the top node:

t
v 1 dv
+  vdt + C = 0
R L − dt

Taking the derivative with

respect to t and dividing by C

The 2nd d 2 v 1 dv 1
order of 2
+ + v=0
dt RC dt LC
expression
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 8.3 Source-Free Parallel
RLC Circuits (2)
There are three possible solutions for the following
2nd order differential equation:

d 2v dv 1 1
2
+ 2a + w02v = 0 where a = and w0 =
dt dt 2 RC LC

1. If a > wo, over-damped case

v(t ) = A1 e s1t + A2 e s2t where s1, 2 = − a  a 2 − w0
2

2. If a = wo, critical damped case

v(t ) = ( A2 + A1t ) e −at where s1, 2 = − a
3. If a < wo, under-damped case

v (t ) = e −at ( B1 cos wd t + B2 sin wd t ) where w d = w 02 − a 2

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 8.3 Source-Free Parallel
RLC Circuits (3)
Example 3
Refer to the circuit shown below.
Find v(t) for t > 0.

• Please refer to lecture or textbook for more detail elaboration.

Answer: v(t) = 66.67(e–10t – e–2.5t) V
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 8.4 Step-Response Series
RLC Circuits (1)
• The step response
is obtained by the
sudden application
of a dc source.

The 2nd d 2 v R dv v vs
order of 2
+ + =
expression dt L dt LC LC

The above equation has the same form as the equation for
source-free series RLC circuit.
• The same coefficients (important in determining the
frequency parameters).
• Different circuit variable in the equation.
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 8.4 Step-Response Series
RLC Circuits (2)
The solution of the equation should have two components:
the transient response vt(t) & the steady-state response vss(t):

v (t ) = vt (t ) + v ss (t )
• The transient response vt is the same as that for source-free case
vt (t ) = A1e s1t + A2 e s2t (over-damped)
vt (t ) = ( A1 + A2t )e −at (critically damped)
vt (t ) = e −at ( A1 cos wd t + A2 sin wd t ) (under-damped)

• The steady-state response is the final value of v(t).

➢ vss(t) = v(∞)
• The values of A1 and A2 are obtained from the initial conditions:
➢ v(0) and dv(0)/dt. 14
 8.4 Step-Response Series
RLC Circuits (3)
Example 4
Having been in position for a long time, the
switch in the circuit below is moved to position b
at t = 0. Find v(t) and vR(t) for t > 0.

• Please refer to lecture or textbook for more detail elaboration.

Answer: v(t) = {10 + [(–2cos3.464t – 1.1547sin3.464t)e–2t]} V

vR(t)= [2.31sin3.464t]e–2t V 15
 8.5 Step-Response Parallel
RLC Circuits (1)
• The step response
is obtained by the
sudden application
of a dc source.

The 2nd d 2i 1 di i Is
order of 2
+ + =
dt RC dt LC LC
expression

It has the same form as the equation for source-free parallel

RLC circuit.
• The same coefficients (important in determining the
frequency parameters).
• Different circuit variable in the equation.
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 8.5 Step-Response Parallel
RLC Circuits (2)
The solution of the equation should have two components:
the transient response vt(t) & the steady-state response vss(t):

i (t ) = it (t ) + iss (t )
• The transient response it is the same as that for source-free case
it (t ) = A1e s1t + A2 e s2t (over-damped)
it (t ) = ( A1 + A2t )e −at (critical damped)
it (t ) = e −at ( A1 cos wd t + A2 sin wd t ) (under-damped)

• The steady-state response is the final value of i(t).

➢ iss(t) = i(∞) = Is
• The values of A1 and A2 are obtained from the initial conditions:
➢ i(0) and di(0)/dt. 17
 8.5 Step-Response Parallel
RLC Circuits (3)
Example 5
Find i(t) and v(t) for t > 0 in the circuit shown in
circuit shown below:

• Please refer to lecture or textbook for more detail elaboration.

Answer: v(t) = Ldi/dt = 5x20sint = 100sint V

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