Capacitive Circuit

John Lemuel F. Balili

Department of Electrical Engineering

Cebu Institute of Technology –

University

Cebu City, Philippines

[email protected]

Abstract─ This experiment investigates the under an AC signal. Using capacitors, a signal
behavior of a purely capacitive circuit in alternating generator, and an oscilloscope, the objectives
current (AC) systems, focusing on the calculation of include calculating the capacitive reactance,
the capacitive reactance as a function of frequency, measuring the phase relationship between current
the measurement of the phase relationship between and voltage, and determining the equivalent
voltage and current, and the determination of the capacitance for capacitors connected in series and
equivalent capacitance for capacitors in series and parallel. By comparing experimental results with
parallel configurations. The experiment utilizes theoretical predictions, the study reinforces the
essential electrical components such as capacitors, a principles of capacitive circuits and highlights their
signal generator, and an oscilloscope to analyze the practical applications in electrical systems.
circuit. The theoretical principle that current leads
II. INSTRUMENTS, COMPONENTS AND
voltage by 90° in a purely capacitive circuit is
METHODS
validated through experimental measurements. Both
theoretical and practical results are compared to This experiment requires a set of specific
verify the sinusoidal behavior and phase-shifting instruments and components and follows a
properties in capacitive circuits, highlighting their systematic procedure to ensure accurate results and
significance in AC circuit analysis. observations. The instruments and components are
the following;
I. INTRODUCTION
a.) Instruments and Components
In electrical engineering, the study of AC
circuits is fundamental for understanding how • Oscilloscope
alternating current interacts with various • Signal Generator
components, such as resistors, capacitors, and • Cable Set
inductors. Capacitors play a critical role in AC • R1 = 10 Ω – ¼ W – 5%
systems by exhibiting frequency-dependent
• C1 = 1 µF – Metallized film
reactance and introducing a phase shift between
• C2 = 0.1 µF – Metallized film
current and voltage. In a purely capacitive circuit,
the current leads the voltage by 90°, a characteristic b.) Wiring Diagram
that distinguishes capacitors from resistive and
inductive components. A pure capacitor supplied by
a sinusoidal voltage takes current that leads the
impressed voltage by exactly 90°. In phasor
representation, the RMS or effective value of the
−𝑗1
current (i) is given by 𝑣𝐸𝐹𝐹 = ( 𝜔𝑐 ) (𝑖𝐸𝐹𝐹 )
where the j operator (√−1) mathematically
1
indicates the phase shift. The quantity known as
𝜔𝐶
the capacitive reactance (XC), represents the
opposition offered by the capacitor to the AC
current, expressed in ohms. This experiment aims to
analyze the behavior of a purely capacitive circuit
 was calculated and recorded in Table 3.1. These
procedures were repeated for all frequencies listed
in Table 3.1.

Refer to figure 3.1b

The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 3.1b.

The oscilloscope was adjusted to the following
settings: CH1 at 1V/div, CH2 at 20mV/div,
Time/Div at 0.2ms, and coupling set to AC. The
signal generator was adjusted to a 6V peak-to-peak
(p-p) output at 1kHz. The peak input voltage and the
peak voltage across R1 were measured and recorded
in Table 3.2. The peak current was calculated and
recorded in Table 3.2. The total series capacitance
and the total series capacitive reactance were
calculated and recorded in Table 3.2.

Refer to figure 3.1c

The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 3.1c.

c.) Methods: The oscilloscope was adjusted to the following
settings: CH1 at 1V/div, CH2 at 0.1V/div, Time/Div
Preparation: Ensure that all the necessary at 0.2ms, and coupling set to AC. The signal
instruments and components for the experiment are generator was adjusted to a 6V peak-to-peak (p-p)
gathered and set up in the designated workspace. output at 1kHz. The peak input voltage and the peak
voltage across R1 were measured and recorded in
Procedure:
Table 3.2. The peak current was calculated and
Refer to figure 3.1a recorded in Table 3.2. The total parallel capacitance
and the total parallel capacitive reactance were
The module DL 3155M07 was inserted into the calculated and recorded in Table 3.2.
console, and the main switch was set to the ON
position. The circuit was then connected as depicted III. DATA AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
in Figure 3.1a. The oscilloscope was configured
This section presents the data collected from the
with the following settings: Channel 1 (CH1) at
experiment.
1V/div, Channel 2 (CH2) at 50mV/div, Time/Div at
0.2ms, and coupling set to AC. The signal generator
was supplied, and its output was adjusted to 6V
peak-to-peak (D-D) at 500 Hz. The signal displayed a. Tables
on the oscilloscope was then drawn in Graph 3.1,
with the input signal represented by a continuous
line and the signal across R1 by a dotted line. The Table 3.1
peak input voltage and the peak voltage across R1
were measured and recorded in Table 3.1. The peak f VI(p) VR1(p) T
I(p)
current was calculated and also recorded in Table [Hz] [V] [mV] div ms
3.1. The period of the alternating voltage was 500 3 100 10 10 2
measured in divisions and then converted to 1000 3 400 40 5.2 1.04
milliseconds, with the results recorded in Table 3.1.
4000 3 80 8 1.2 0.24
The number of degrees per division was calculated
N° N°
and recorded in Table 3.1. The input wave was f θ XCL
degrees per horizontal
centered on the screen. The number of vertical [Hz] degrees [Ω]
division division
divisions from the screen's center between the
500 36 2.2 79.2 318.31
voltage and current waveforms was read and
recorded in Table 3.1. The phase angle was 1000 69.23 1.2 83.076 159.15
determined by multiplying the result from step 12 by 4000 300 0.2 60 39.79
the result from step 11, and this value was recorded
in Table 3.1. Finally, the capacitive reactance (XC1)
Table 3.2
f VI(p) VR1(p) I(p) total capacitance is the sum of the individual
[Hz] [V] [mV] mA capacitances.
Series
1000
Capacitors While the overall trends observed in the experiment
Parallel align with theoretical predictions, some minor
1000
Capacitors discrepancies were noted. The age-related
f XCL(ser) CI(ser) XCL(par) CI(par) degradation of critical equipment, such as the signal
[Hz] [Ω] [µF] [Ω] [µF] generator and oscilloscope, compromises the
Series reliability of the data. As noted by the instructor,
1000 1750.88 0.0909
Capacitors
these outdated instruments may introduce
Parallel
1000 144.69 1.1 inaccuracies, further affecting the precision of
Capacitors
experimental results.

b. Discussion of Results The experimental results successfully validate the

theoretical principles of capacitive circuits,
The experiment aimed to analyze the behavior of a including the inverse relationship between
purely capacitive circuit, focusing on the capacitive reactance and frequency, the behavior of
relationship between capacitive reactance XC and phase shifts, and the properties of equivalent
frequency, as well as the equivalent capacitance in capacitance in series and parallel configurations.
series and parallel configurations. Based on the These findings reinforce the significance of
gathered data, several key observations and trends capacitors in AC circuit analysis and provide a
were identified. hands-on understanding of their practical
applications.
From the results for the single capacitor at
frequencies of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 4000 Hz, it is c. Graphs
evident that capacitive reactance decreases with an
increase in frequency. At 500 Hz, the reactance was From figure 3.1a configurations
318.31 Ω, which reduced to 159.15 Ω at 1000 Hz At 500 Hz CH1:
and further to 39.79 Ω at 4000 Hz. This behavior
aligns with the theoretical equation for capacitive
1
reactance, 𝑥𝐶 = , indicating an indirect
2𝜋𝑓𝐶
proportional relationship between frequency and
reactance. Higher frequencies allow more current to
flow, reducing opposition to the AC signal.

The measured phase angles θ confirm the expected

behavior of capacitors in AC circuits, where current
leads voltage. At lower frequencies (500 Hz), the At 1000 Hz CH1:
phase angle was approximately 79.2°, while at 1000
Hz and 4000 Hz, the angles were 83.07° and 60°,
respectively. The slight deviations from the ideal 90°
phase shift may be due to experimental limitations.
age-related degradation of equipment compromises
data reliability, as noted by the instructor.

For the series capacitors at 1000 Hz, the equivalent

reactance XC(ser) was measured to be 1750.88 Ω
corresponding to an equivalent capacitance C(ser) of At 4000 Hz CH1:
0.0909 µF. This value is consistent with the
theoretical relationship for series combinations,
where the total capacitance is lower than the
individual capacitances. Conversely, for parallel
capacitors, the equivalent reactance XC(par) was
significantly lower a 144.69 Ω, yielding an
equivalent capacitance C(par) of 1.1 µF. This result
aligns with the parallel capacitance rule, where the
At 1000 Hz CH2: The graphs in Figure 3.1a configurations illustrate
the waveforms captured on the oscilloscope for
various frequencies (500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 4000 Hz)
during the experiment. These waveforms represent
the input sinusoidal voltage (continuous line) and
the voltage across R1 (dotted line) highlighting the
phase relationship and amplitude variations in the
capacitive circuit. At 500 Hz, the waveforms exhibit
a significant phase shift of approximately 79.2° ,
reflecting the dominance of capacitive reactance
At 4000 Hz CH2: (XC) at lower frequencies. The input voltage
amplitude, set at 1V/div, is much larger than the
voltage across R1 measured at 50mV/div, indicating
limited current flow due to higher reactance. As the
frequency increases to 1000 Hz, the phase shift
slightly increases to 83.07° , and the voltage across
R1 becomes more prominent as the reactance
decreases, allowing more current to flow. At 4000
Hz, the phase shift further reduces to approximately
60°, demonstrating the substantial decline in
capacitive reactance with higher frequency. The
At 500 Hz Dual: waveforms also appear increasingly compressed
horizontally due to shorter periods associated with
higher frequencies. Across all frequencies, the input
voltage consistently leads the voltage across R1, as
expected in a capacitive circuit. Minor deviations in
phase angles and amplitudes are likely due to
equipment limitations, including age-related
degradation of the oscilloscope and signal generator.
Overall, the graphs provide a clear visualization of
theoretical principles, validating the relationship
At 1000 Hz Dual: between capacitive reactance, frequency, and phase
shift, and offering practical insights into the
behavior of capacitors in AC circuits.

From figure 3.1b configurations

At 500 Hz CH1:

At 4000 Hz Dual:

At 1000 Hz CH1:
At 4000 Hz CH1: At 1000 Hz Dual:

At 500 Hz CH2: At 4000 Hz Dual:

At 1000 Hz CH2: The graphs in Figure 3.1b configurations illustrate

the waveforms observed on the oscilloscope for a
series capacitive circuit at frequencies of 500 Hz,
1000 Hz, and 4000 Hz. The input sinusoidal voltage
(CH1) and the voltage across R1 (CH2) demonstrate
the expected behavior of a capacitive circuit. At 500
Hz, the waveforms reveal a significant phase
difference, with the input voltage leading the voltage
across R1 , as anticipated due to the high capacitive
reactance at lower frequencies. The amplitude of the
signal on CH2, displayed at 20mV/div, is notably
smaller compared to the input voltage on CH1 at
At 4000 Hz CH2:
1V/div, highlighting the reduced current flow caused
by the opposition of the capacitor at this frequency.
As the frequency increases to 1000 Hz, the phase
difference decreases, reflecting the reduction in
capacitive reactance, and the voltage across R1,
becomes more prominent, indicating a higher
current flow in the circuit. At 4000 Hz, the
waveforms exhibit minimal phase shift and
compressed periods, consistent with the
characteristics of high-frequency signals. The
reduced capacitive reactance at this frequency
At 500 Hz Dual: results in a larger voltage across R1, and smaller
phase difference, aligning with theoretical
predictions. These observations confirm the
relationship between frequency and capacitive
reactance, where reactance decreases as frequency
increases. Minor deviations from theoretical values
can be attributed to equipment limitations or
measurement inaccuracies, highlighting the
importance of precise instrumentation in analyzing
AC circuit behavior.
From Figure 3.1c configurations expectations may be attributed to experimental
inaccuracies or equipment limitations, emphasizing
At CH1: the need for precision in instrumentation for
accurate circuit analysis.

V. CONCLUSION

The experiment successfully investigated the

behavior of capacitive AC circuits by measuring the
current, voltage, and phase relationships at various
frequencies and configurations, and by comparing
At CH2:
these measurements with theoretical calculations.
The results demonstrated key characteristics of
capacitive circuits, including the current leading the
voltage by approximately 90 degrees and the
influence of frequency on capacitive reactance and
current flow. Measured values for peak voltage, peak
current, and phase angle were reasonably consistent
with theoretical expectations, though slight
deviations were observed. These discrepancies can
be attributed to the age-related degradation of
equipment, such as the oscilloscope and signal
At Dual: generator, which impacted data reliability and
accuracy.

The experiment further confirmed the theoretical

relationships governing series and parallel
capacitive circuits, particularly the reduction of
capacitive reactance with increasing frequency and
the combined effects of capacitance in different
configurations. The results reinforced the
importance of accurate calculations for capacitive
reactance and capacitance in analyzing circuit
behavior.
The graphs in Figure 3.1c illustrate the waveforms
for a parallel capacitive circuit at 1 kHz, as observed Overall, the experiment met its objectives by
on the oscilloscope. The input voltage (CH1) validating theoretical principles through
remains steady at 6V peak-to-peak, consistent with experimental observation and by highlighting the
the signal generator's output, while the voltage critical role of reliable and calibrated instruments in
across R1 (CH2) shows a higher amplitude due to the achieving precise measurements. Future studies
parallel configuration of the capacitors, which could explore the impact of varying capacitor
increases the overall capacitance and reduces the values, different circuit configurations, or the
capacitive reactance. This reduction allows greater incorporation of inductors and resistors to gain a
current flow, resulting in the observed increase in more comprehensive understanding of AC circuit
R1’s voltage amplitude at 0.1V/div. The waveforms behavior. Additionally, using more advanced and
demonstrate a phase relationship where the current modern equipment could further improve
leads the voltage by nearly 90 degrees, aligning with measurement precision and enhance the reliability of
the theoretical behavior of capacitive circuits. The experimental results.
compressed waveform periods also highlight the
influence of the higher frequency on the circuit's
response. Calculations of total parallel capacitance
and capacitive reactance, as recorded in Table 3.2,
support these observations, confirming the reduced
reactance and increased current flow in the parallel
configuration. Minor deviations from theoretical
V. REFERENCES

• https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Un
iversity_Physics/University_Physics_(Ope
nStax)/University_Physics_II_-
_Thermodynamics_Electricity_and_Magn
etism_(OpenStax)/15:_Alternating-
Current_Circuits/15.08:_Alternating-
Current_Circuits_(Summary)
• https://www.britannica.com/science/electri
city/Alternating-current-circuits
• https://www.doubtnut.com/qna/646007621
• https://youtu.be/t5PyB5yuugE

VI. APPENDIX

Calculations