Electrical & Electronics Engineering Department

Electrical Circuits 2 (Laboratory)

CIRCUIT2LAB – L093

Experiment No. 3

IMPEDANCE OF RC CIRCUITS: SERIES RC

CIRCUITS
Engr. Jomel R. Cristobal, R.E.E
Principal Engineer C
Grid Code Compliance and TDP Monitoring Department
National Transmission Corporation
jomelcristobal@ymail.com

Name Signature
1. Bandigan, Harvey Dominic C.
2. Bueta, Denzel Mark R.
3. Calara, Victor Emmanuel B.
4. Lubag, Patrick Angelo B.
5. Mansibag,George Jr D.
6. Pagarigan Andre Joseph
7. Pineda, Pauline H.
8. Trinidad, Paulo Isaac

Introduction
In this experiment, we should be able to measure properly the voltage and current in a
series RC circuit, calculate the voltage and current in a series RC circuit, and lastly
evaluate results by comparing measured and calculated values.

When the capacitors are in series, the total capacitive reactance (X CT) is the sum
of the individual reactances. XCT = XC1 + XC2 + XC3 + …
Capacitive reactance increases as the number of capacitors in series increases,
resulting in lower circuit current and higher circuit impedance. Also, as the capacitive
reactance increases, the phase angle between the applied voltage and circuit current
increases.
The same amount of current flows through each component in a series RC
circuit. Figure 3.1-1 shows a series RC circuit. To determine circuit impedance (Z),
calculate total resistance and total capacitive reactance, and combine them with the
square-root-of-the-sum-of-the-squares method.
2 2
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 XCT = XC1 + XC2 Z= √ RT + XC T

RT = (500 + 750 + 1500)Ω XCT = (1+2)k Ω Z= √ 2,7502 +30002

RT = 2.75 kΩ XCT = 3 kΩ Z = 4.07 kΩ

Figure 3.1-1
The applied voltage (Vac), Z, and Ohm’s law are then used to calculate circuit current.

I= Vac/ Z
I= 8/ 4070
I= 0.00197 Apk-pk

You calculate the voltage drop across individual components from the circuit current (I),
the resistance or capacitive reactance of the individual component under the test, and
Ohm’s law. For example, the voltage drop across C1 (Vc1) is found as follows.
 Vc1 = (I) (XC1)
Vc1 = (0.00197) (1000)
Vc1 = 1.97 Vpk-pk

As with RL circuits, the square root of the sum of the squares of the individual voltage
drop in series RC circuit equals the applied voltage. For the circuit in Figure 3.1-1, you
can determine Vac with the following equation.

Vac=√(V RT ¿¿ 2+V XCT 2)¿

Figure 3.1-2 shows this relationship in a phasor diagram. Due to the capacitive
reactance, the resultant phasor (Vac) is located in the fourth quadrant of the x-y
coordinate system.
INTRODUCTION 3.2
In this experiment, we should be able to measure properly the voltage and
current in a parallel RC circuit, calculate the voltage and current in a parallel RC circuit,
and lastly evaluate results by comparing measured and calculated values.

Just as with inductors in parallel, the total capacitive reactance of capacitors in

parallel is found from the reciprocal formula.
1
X CT =
1 1 1
+ + +.. .
XC 1 XC 2 XC 3

When just two capacitors are in parallel, total capacitive reactance is the product
over the sum.
X C 1+ X C 2
X CT =
X C 1+ X C 2

Capacitive reactances decreases as the number of capacitors in parallel

increases, resulting in a higher circuit and lower circuit impedance. Because the
capacitive reactance decrease, more current flows the reactive branch of the
circuit, so the phase angle between the applied voltage and circuit current
increases.
The voltage across each component in a parallel RC circuit is the same. Figure
3.2-1 shows parallel RC circuit. The total capacitive reactance is found as follows.
X C 1+ X C 2
X CT =
X C 1+ X C 2
2000 x 1200
X CT =
2000+1200
X CT =750Ω

The total resistance equals R1.

RT = R1 = 500 Ω
With total resistive and reactive elements known, the circuit is simplified to a
parallel RC circuit consisting of two distinct branches – one resistive branch and
one reactive branch. Figure 3.2-2 shows the simplified RC circuit.

Figure 3.2-1
 Figure 3.2-2

The individual branch currents are determined from the applied voltage (Vac),
the branch impedances, and Ohm’s law. The current flowing through the
resistive branch (IR) of the circuit is 20 mApk-pk.
V ac 10
I R= = =0. 02 A pk-pk (20 mA pk-pk )
RT 500

The current through the capacitive branch (Ic) is 13.3 mA pk-pk.

V ac 10
IC = = =0. 0133 Apk-pk (13. 3 mA pk-pk )
X CT 750

Total circuit current (LT) is 24 mApk-pk.

I T =√ I 2R +I 2C = √(20mA)2 +(13.3mA )2=24 mA pk-pk

Finally, you can determine the circuit impedance from Vac, I T’ and Ohm’s law.

V AC 10V pk−pk
Z= = =0 .417 k Ω(417 Ω)
I T 24 mA pk− pk

Z=Vac /¿
III. Preliminary Data Sheet
 ACTIVITY 3A
IMPEDANCE OF RC CIRCUITS: SERIES RC CIRCUITS
Objectives of the Activity
The objectives of this activity are to:
1. calculate the reactance, total impedance, current component voltage drops,
and phase angle of a series RLC circuit by using standard electronic formulas.
2. verify the results with a sine wave generator and an oscilloscope.

3A.7 Procedure/s

1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the AC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into
the base unit. Install the GENERATOR BUFFER if required. Turn on the power
sources.
2. Locate the CAPACITIVE/ CAPACITIVE REACTANCE circuit block, and connect
the circuit shown in Figure 3.1-3. Adjust VGEN for a 10 VPK-PK’ 1 kHz sine wave.
3. Measure and record the voltage drop across R1 and C3. Use the ADD-INVERT
method to measure VR1. Can you find the resultant of these two voltages (V GEN)
by adding them together?
VR1= 6.8 V pk-pk , VC3 =_7.8 V pk-pk , VGEN = _10 V pk-pk

4. Determine the square root of the sum of the squares of V R1 and VC3. Does the
resultant equal the magnitude of the 10 Vpk-pk applied voltage
V GEN =√¿ ¿ ¿ ¿) ?
VGEN = 10.3 V pk-pk, Yes. It is equal to the applied voltage.

5. Measure the circuit current (I) by using the current sensing resistor R 2. Record
your result in Table 3.1-1.

SERIES RC CIRCUIT SERIES RC CIRCUIT

WITH SINGLE WITH TWO
CAPACITOR (C3) CAPAITORS (C1 & C2)
I 4.2mA pk-pk 2.84 mA pk-pk
Z 2.38 K Ω 3.57 kΩ
θ 43.2 deg 64.8 deg
 Table 3.1-1.
6. Determine the value of Z from I (measured in step5) and VGEN. Record your
result in Table 3.1-1.

7. Measure the phase angle (θ) between the circuit current (represented by the
voltage across R2) and the applied generator voltage. Use the applied voltage
(VGEN) as a reference. Record your results in Table 3.1-1.

8. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 3.1-4 (essentially add a capacitor in series
with original circuit). Adjust VGEN for a 10 Vpk-pk , 1kHz sine wave.
9. Calculate and record below (not in Table 3.1-1) XCT’ RT’ and Z [XC1 = XC2 = 1/ (2
π fC), XCT = XC1 + XC2 , RT = R1 , Z = √ RT 2 + X CT2]
XCT = 3183.1 Ω, RT = 1500 Ω, Z =3518.82 Ω
10. Calculate and record circuit current (I = VGEN/ Z). I = 2.84 mA pk-pk
11. Measure the circuit current. Record your result in Table 3.1-1. Did the added
series capacitor increase or decrease the circuit current? I = 2.8 mA pk-pk,
the added series capacitor decreases the circuit current.

12. Determine the Z [Z (measured) = VGEN / I (measured)]. Record your result in

Table 3.1-1. Did the added series capacitor increase or decrease the circuit
impedance?
Z = _3571.43 4 Ω, INCREASE.

13. Measure the phase angle (θ) between VGEN and the circuit current, and record
your result in Table 3.1-1. Did the added series capacitor increase or decrease
the phase angle between the applied voltage (VGEN) and circuit current?
Phase angle = 64.8 degrees , the added series capacitor increase the
phase angle.

14. Do not turn off the power sources. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for a
review question.
REVIEW QUESTIONS:

Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. Locate the CAPACITANCE / CAPACITIVE REACTANCE circuit block on the AC1

FUNDAMENTALS circuit board. Connect the circuit shown. In Figure 3.1-5. Adjust
VGEN for a 10V pk-pk’ 1 kHz sine wave. When CM switch 9 is activated, an unseen
0.1 μF capacitor is added in series to the circuit. While monitoring the circuit
current on the oscilloscope, place CN switch 9 in the ON position. Based on your
observation of the circuit current, you conclude that adding a series capacitor to
this circuit.

a. increased circuit current

b. decreased circuit current.

c. had no effect on circuit current .

d. decreased circuit current

Turn off CM switch 9 and the power sources. Remove all circuit board connection.

2. An RC circuit containing three series-connected capacitors with reactances of 200Ω,

500Ω and 1,500Ω has a total capacitive reactance of…

a. 131Ω c. 2.2 kΩ

b. 2.5 kΩ d. 150Ω

3. As capacitors are added in series,

a. circuit current decreases.

b. circuit current increases.

c. circuit impedance increases.

 d. total capacitive reactance decreases.

4. The total capacitive reactance of capacitors in series is

a. determined with reciprocal formula.

b. the sum of the individual reactances.

c. the sum of the individual capacitances.

d. the reciprocal of the individual capacitances

5. As capacitors are added in series,

a. circuit impedance decreases.

b. circuit current increases

c. capacitive reactance decreases.

d. phase angle increases.

 ACTIVITY 3B
IMPEDANCE OF RC CIRCUITS: PARALLEL RC CURCUITS
Objectives of the Activity
The objectives of this activity are to:
1. determine the characteristics of parallel RC circuits by using calculated and measured
values.
2. verify the results with an oscilloscope.

1B.5 Materials/ Equipment

 1 – F. A. C. E. T. Base unit
 1 – AC 1 FUNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
 2 – Power supply, 15 Vdc
 1 – Oscilloscope, dual trace
 1 – Multimeter
 1 – AC Waveform Generator

3B.6 Procedure/s

1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the AC 1 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the
base unit. Install the GENERATOR BUFFER if required. Turn on the power sources.

2. Locate the CAPACITANCE/CAPACITIVE REACTANCE circuit block, and connect

the circuit shown in Figure 3.2-3 (be sure to short R 1 and R2 with two-post
connectors). Adjust VGEN for a 10 Vpk-pk, 1kHz, sine wave.

Figure 3.2-3
3. Calculate XCT and RT. Record your results in Table 3.2-1.

Table 3.2-1.
4. Calculate the current flowing through C4 (IC =VGEN / XCT) and R3 (IR =VGEN/RT). Record
your results in Table 3.2-1

XCT RT IC IR IT (calculated) IT (measured)

1591.55 Ω 1500 Ω 6.28mA 6.67 mA 9.16 mA pk-pk 9.70 mA pk-pk
Table 3.2-1

5. Using branch currents IC and IR’ calculate the total circuit current (I). Record your

results in Table 3.2-1.

[ I T (calculated )=√ I 2R +I 2C ] IT = 9.16 mA

6. Measure circuit current (IT) by using current-sensing resistor R2. Record your result in
Table 3.2-1. Do the calculated and measured values of IT agree [IT(measured) = VR2/R2]?
IT = 9.70mA , YES

7. Copy the values of XCT and IT (measured) from Table 3.2-1 to the first column in Table
3.2-2.

PARALLEL RC PARALLEL RC
CIRCUIT WITH CIRCUIT WITH
SINGLE CAPACITOR (C4) 2 CAPACITOR (C4 & C3)

XCT 1591.55 Ω 795.77Ω

IT 9.70 mA 15 mA
Z 1030.93 Ω 666.67Ω
θ 43.2 deg 64.8 deg

Table 3.2-2.

8. Determine the circuit impedance (Z) by using the measured value of IT Table 3.2-1.
Record your result in Table 3.2-2. (Z=VGEN/IT).
9. Measure the phase single angel (θ) between the applied voltage (VGEN) and circuit
current (represented by VR2). Record your result in Table 3.2-2.

10.Use a two-post connectors to add capacitor C3 (0.1μF) in parallel with the circuit.
Readjust VGEN for 10 Vpk-pk. Calculate the new value of XCT [XCT = (XC3 x XC4) / (XC3+
XC4)]. Record your result in Table 3.2-2. Did the added parallel capacitor cause the total
capacitive reactance to increase or to decrease?
XCT = DECREASE

11. Measure the new circuit current (IT). Record your result in Table 3.2-2. Did the circuit
current increase or decrease with the added parallel capacitor (IT = VR2/R2)?
IT = DECREASE

12. Use the value of VGEN and the value of IT that you measured in step 10 to determine
the circuit impedance. Record your result in Table 3.2-2. Did the added parallel capacitor
cause the circuit impedance to increase or to decrease?__ DECREASE.

13. Measure the phase angle between VGEN and IT (VR2), and record your results in Table
3.2-2. Did the added parallel capacitor cause the phase angle to increase or to decrease?
__________________________________________INCRASE__________________.

14. Do not turn off the power source. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for a review
question.
V. Interpretation of Results
With increasing value of frequency, the current Through the inductor decreases while
the current through the capacitor increases. On the other hand, the current in the
resistor remain constant. When a sinusoidal voltage is applied to an RC circuit, the
current and all the voltage drops are always sine waves. Total current in an RC circuit
always leads the source voltage. The resistor voltage is always in phase with the
current. In an ideal capacitor, the voltage always lags the current by 90 degrees. In an
RC circuit, the impedance is determined by both the resistance and the capacitive
resistance combined. The circuit phase angle is the angle between the total current and
the source voltage.
VI. Conclusion
After performing the experiment, we conclude that the objectives were met. A resistor-
capacitor circuit (RC circuit) consists of a resistor and a capacitor (either in series or in
parallel) driven by a voltage source. When resistors, inductors, and capacitors are
connected in parallel, voltage remains as the reference, is equal, and is in phase across
all components. However, it should be noted that it is current that changes. With each
component it is in phase, or leads, or lags. Parallel impedance may be calculated with
Ohm's law (Z), after total current has been determined. Total current is also used for
apparent power calculation. True power is still resistive, and the cosine of the angle
remains the power factor. In addition, I can say that the total capacitive reactance of
capacitors in parallel is found from the reciprocal formula. Also, when just two
capacitors are in parallel, total capacitive reactance is the product over the sum.

VII. Latest Innovation on the topic

AC capacitor industry has seen almost a complete change in dielectrics, electrodes, and
impregnates. Innovation in the capacitor technology is being driven by the shrinking size
and low height profile needs of high frequency power converters. While physical sizes of
capacitor are reducing, higher ripple and load currents in the power train are also
emphasizing the need for the efficiency improvements in capacitors under application
stress. With this dichotomy of needs, it has proven that it difficult to meet the dual
function of low impedance (high capacitance) and high ripple current capability (low
ESR) within only one capacitor technology. The key to their increased use would be a
marked improvement in AC loss factor and a significant increase in the operating
frequency.

In other words, better ESR and ESL than is currently available. Since the electrostatic
capacitors (ceramic and polymer film) offer extremely low ESR and ESL and have very
low impedance at higher resonance frequencies (into the megahertz range), they would
appear to be the logical choice for all high-speed circuits. They are limited in the use
because electrostatic capacitors are only available in relatively “low” capacitance values,
usually below 10 microfarads. Furthermore, the new high voltage capacitor market also
emphasizes vendor strategies regarding product differentiation through R&D. Vendors
are making concentrated efforts to provide superior-quality and highly customized
products aimed to fulfilling specific customer requirements.

VIII. Recommendations

 Before you proceed to your experiment make sure that the equipment are
properly calibrated and in good condition.
 Members should familiarize the equipment’s for efficiency.