EEE DEPARTMENT

<CIRCUIT2LAB>

<ELECTRIC CIRCUITS 2 LABORATORY>

SCORE

EXERCISE

2
<IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS>

Name of Students (LN, FN MI): Name of Professor:

Alcazar, Dowell C. Engr. Mark Anthony G. Teodoro
Aseñas, Rizaldy N.
Ballesta, Emilsun Jon B.
Cervantes, Ron Cedrick C.
Clerigo, Isaiah E.
Date Performed: Date Submitted:
January 05, 2017 January 12, 2018

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 2 Manual

ACTIVITY 2A

IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS: SERIES RL CIRCUITS

2A.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
b. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
c. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
d. ability to communicate effectively

2A.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. measure properly the voltage and current in a series RL circuit.
b. calculate the voltage and current in a series RL circuit.
c. evaluate results by comparing measured and calculated values.

2A.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
1. determine the characteristics of series RL circuits using calculated and measured
values.

2. verify the results with the oscilloscope.

2A.4 Principle of the Activity

Many RL circuits contain multiple resistors and inductors that are in series. The total
inductive reactance of a circuit is determined in much the same way as total circuit
resistance. When inductors are in series, the total inductive reactance (XLT) is the sum of
the individual reactances.
XLT = XL1 + XL2 + XL3 + …
The total inductive reactance increases as the number of inductors in series
increases. The result is lower circuit and higher circuit impedance. As in circuits with
resistors only, the current flowing through each component in a series RL circuit is the
same. Figure 2.1-1 shows a series RL circuit.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 Figure 2.1-1
Circuit impedance (Z) is the square root of the sum of the squares of the total
resistance (RT) and the total inductive resistance (XLT). For the circuit in Figure 2.1-1, Z is
determined as follows.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 XLT = XL1 + XL2
RT = 1,000 + 200 + 500 XLT = 1,000 + 1500
RT = 1, 700 Ω XLT = 2, 500 Ω

Z= √(𝑅 𝑇2 + 𝑋𝐿𝑇 2 )
Z= √(17002 + 25002 )
Z= √(9, 140, 000)
Z= 3, 023 Ω

To applied voltage (Vac), Z, and Ohm’s law is then used to determine the circuit current.
I-T = V-ac/Z
I-T = 8/3023
I-T = 0.00265 mApk-pk (2.65 mApk-pk)

Voltage drops across individual components are determined from the circuit current,
Ohm’s law, and the resistance or reactance of the individual component. For example, the
voltage drop across L1 (VL1) in Figure 2.1-1 is as shown.

VL1 = I x XL1
VL1 = 0.00265 x 1000
VL1 = 2.65 Vpk-pk

In circuits with resistors only, the sum of the voltage drop across each resistor equals the
applied voltage. In RL circuits, however, the applied voltage does not equal the sum of the
voltage drops, but the square root of the sum of the squares of the voltage drops. For the
circuit in Figure 2.1-1, Vac is determined by the following formula.

Vac = √(𝑉𝑅𝑇 2 + 𝑉𝑋𝐿𝑇 2 )𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠

Figure 2.1-2 shows this relationship in a phasor diagram. If the voltage drops in the circuit
in Figure 2.1-1 were added together, the sum would be greater than the applied voltage
(Vac).

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 Figure 2.1-2

2A.5 Materials/Equipment

1- F. A. C. E. T. Base Unit
1- AC 1 FNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2- 15 Vdc Power supply
1- Oscilloscope, dual trace
1- Multimeter
1- Generator, sine wave
2A.6 Circuit Diagrams / Figures / Source Codes (if Applicable)

Figure 1. Title
2A.7 Procedure/s
1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the AC 1 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the
base unit. Install the GENRATOR BUFFER if required. Turn on the power sources.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 2. On the INDUCTANCE/ INDUCTIVE REACTANCE circuit block, connect the circuit
shown in Figure 2.1-3. Adjust the VGEN for a 10Vpk-pk, 20 kHz sine wave. What type of
circuit is shown in Figure 2.1-3? ____Series RL Circuit_________.
3. Measure the voltage drops across R1 (VR1) and L3 (VL3). Record your results in Table
2.1-1.
NOTE: Use the ADD-INVERT method to measure the voltage drop across Rr
VR1 VL3 VGEN VR1 +
√(V𝑅1 2 + VR1 + VL3 2 )
VL

2.9Vpk 3.4Vpk 5Vpk 6.3Vpk 4.47Vpk

Table 2.1-1
4. Add VR1 and VL3’ and record your results in Table 2.1-1. Does the sum of the voltage
drops equal the amplitude of the applied voltage (VGEN = VR1 and VL3)?
5. Determine the square root of the sum of the squares of VR1 and VL3. Record your result
in table 2.1-3. Does this result equal the applied voltage of VR1 and VL3 [VGEN = Ö(VR12 +
VL32)]?
NOTE: Your result will not be exact. It will differ slightly due to the resistance of L3 and
typical measurement errors. _____No for #4 but Yes for #5____.

6. Measure circuit current by using current-sensing resistor R2. Record your result in the
Table 2.1-2. (Be sure to remove the two post connectors shorting R2 only when taking-the
current measurement. Replace the two-post connector after measurement.)

SERIES RL CIRCUIT WITH SERIES RL CIRCUIT WITH

SINGLE INDUCTOR (L3) 2 INDUCTORS (L1 AND L2)
I 6mA 3.93mA
Z 833.33Ω 1271.30Ω

7. Determine the value of Z from VGEN and IT[Z=VGEN / IT (measured)]. Record your
result in Table 2.1-2.
8. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 2.1-4 to essentially add an introductor in series.
Adjust VGEN if necessary, for a 10 Vpk-pk’ 20 kHz sine wave.
9. Calculate and XLT’ RT’ and Z(XLT’=XL1+XL2’ RT = R1’ Z = √(RT2 + XLT2).

NOTE: Because there are no other resistors in the circuit and because we are ignoring
coil resistance, RT=Rr
XLT=__1181.23Ω_ RT=_470__Ω, Z=__1271.30_Ω
10. Calculate and record circuit current (I = VGEN / Z). I = _3.93mA

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 11. Measure IT, and record your result in Table 2.1-2. Did the added series inductor
increase or decrease the circuit current?
IT = _4.2m_ A , __decrease__
12. Determine the measured value of Z [Z (measured) = VGEN/ I (measured)]. Record
your result in Table 2.1-2. Did the added series inductor increase or decrease circiut
impedance?
Z=_1190.47__ Ω , _increase__
13. Turn off the power sources and remove all circuit board connections.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. An RL circuit containing three series inductors with reactances of 500Ω, 1000Ω, and 21,000Ω
has a total inductive reactance of

a. 288Ω.

b. 3600Ω.

c. 3400Ω.

d. 500Ω.

2. As inductors are in series,

a. circuit current increases.

b. circuit impedance decreases.

c. circuit current decreases.

d. total inductive reactance decreases.

3. The total inductive reactance of inductors in series is..

a. the sum of individual reactances.

b. determines from the reciprocal formula.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 c. the sum of the individual inductances.

d. the reciprocal of the individual inductances.

4. What is the total inductive reactance of the circuit in Figure 2.1-5?

a. 2.2Ω. c. 327Ω.

b. 3.6Ω. d. 10.2Ω.

5. If another inductor were added in series to the circuit in Figure 2.1-5, the..

a. circuit current would increase.

b. circuit impedance would increase.

c. total inductance would decrease.

d. circuit impedance would decrease.

2A.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:

Group Members: Signature:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

2A.8.1 Data and Results

2A.8.2 Calculations

2A.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

2A.8.4 Conclusion/s
At the end of the Experiment/Activity, the group concluded that:
 Adding an inductors in series is just like adding series resistors.
 Using the square root of sum of squares method, the applied voltage to the circuit can be
determined.
 The value of the current will decrease if another inductor will be added on the circuit in a
series connection.
 The value of the impedance will increase if another inductor will be added on the circuit
in a series connection.
 The current is inversely proportional to the inductance while the impedance I directly
proportional, if the inductors are connected in a parallel connection.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 2 Manual

ACTIVITY 2B

IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS: PARALLEL RL CURCUITS

2B.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
b. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
c. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
d. ability to communicate effectively

2B.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
d. measure properly the voltage and current in a parallel RL circuit.
e. calculate the voltage and current in a parallel RL circuit.
f. evaluate results by comparing measured and calculated values.

2B.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
1. determine the characteristics of parallel RL circuits by using calculated
and measured values.
2. verify the result with an oscilloscope

2B.4 Principle of the Activity

When inductors are in parallel, the total inductive reactance is determined from reciprocal formula.
1
𝑋𝐿𝑇 = 1 1 1
+ +
𝑋𝐿1 𝑋𝐿2 𝑋𝐿3

When the two inductors are in a parallel, use the product-over-sum method to find the
inductive reactance.
𝑋𝐿1 × 𝑋𝐿2
𝑋𝐿𝑇 = 𝑋𝐿1 +𝑋𝐿2

Inductive reactance decreases as the number of inductors in parallel increases. The result is higher
circuit current and lower circuit impedance

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

As in circuits with resistors only, the voltage drop across each component in a parallel RL circuit
is the same. Figure 2.2-1 shows a parallel RL circuit. The total inductive is reactance is
determined as follows.
𝑋 ×𝑋
𝑋𝐿𝑇 = 𝑋𝐿1 + 𝑋𝐿2
𝐿1 𝐿2

1000 ×1500
𝑋𝐿𝑇 = 1000 +1500

15 × 105
𝑋𝐿𝑇 = 2,500

𝑋𝐿𝑇 = 600 Ω

Total resistance is that of R1

RT = R1 = 750Ω

Figure 2.2-1

The coil resistance of L1 and L2 were ignored to simplify the calculation. If coil resistance
is so small that they have minimal or no measurable effect on circuit performance, you can ignore
them.

Knowing total resistance and reactance, you can simplify the parallel circuit to two distinct
branches. Figure 2.2-2 shows the simplified (equivalent) parallel circuit.

Figure 2.2-2

The individual branch currents are determined from the applied voltage (Vac), Ohm’s law
and the branch Impedances. The current flowing through the resistive branch is show below.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 IR = Vac / RT

IR = 8/750

IR = 0.0107 Apk-pk

The current through the inductive branch is determined as follows.

IL = Vac/ XLT

IL = 8/600

IL = 0.0113 Apk-pk

The total circuit (LT) current in milliamperes is calculated as shown.

IT = √IR 2 + IL 2

IT = √[0.0107)2 + (0.0113)2 ]

IT = 17.070 mApk-pk

Finally, the circuit impedance is determined from Vac, IT and Ohm’s Law

Z = Vac / IT

Z = 8 / 0.01707

Z = 468 Ω

2B.5 Materials/Equipment

1 – F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit

1 – AC1 FUNDAMENTALS Circuit board
2 – 15 Vdc Power Supply
1 – Osilloscope, dual trace
1 – Generator, sine wave
1 – Multimeter

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

2B.6 Procedure/s
1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the AC1 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the
base unit. Install the GENERATOR BUFFER if required. Turn on the power sources.

3. On the INDUCTANCE/ INDUCTIVE REACTANCE circuit bock, connect the

circuit shown Figure 2.2-3(a). Adjust VGEN so that Vac’ the voltage across R3 and L4’
equals as 3 Vpk-pk 20 kHz sine wave. Consider Vac as the input voltage to the circuit so
that the series resistor R1 can be ignored. With R1 ignored, the circuit shown in Figure
2.2-3(b) results.

Figure 2.2-3

3. Calculate XLT an RT (XLT = 2πfL4, RT = R3). Record your result in Table 2.2-1.
What type of circuit is shown in Figure 2.2-3(b)? ____Parallel RL Circuit____.

XLT RT IL4 IR3 IT IT

(CALCULATED) (MEASURED)

590.62Ω 470Ω 2.53mA 3.19mA 4.07mA 4mA

Table 2.2-1

4. Calculate the current flowing through L4 (IL4 = Vac / XLT) and R3 (IR3 = Vac / RT).
Record your results in Table 2.2-1.

5. 5. Using the individual branch current (IL4 and IR3), calculate the total circuit [IT

(calculated) =√IR4 2 + IL3 2]. Record your result in Table 2.2-1.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

 6. Measure IT by using current sensing resistor R2 [IT (measured) = VR2/R2]. Record your
result in Table 2.2-1. Do the calculated and measured values of IT agree? __Yes__
IT = __4m___A

7. Copy the values for XLT and IT (measured) from Table 2.2-1 to Table 2.2-2(under the
column for parallel circuit with a single inductor).

PARALLEL RL CIRCUIT PARALLEL RL CIRCUIT WITH A

WITH A SINGLE INDUCTOR TWO INDUCTORS
XLT 590.62Ω 295.31Ω
IT 4.07mA 5mA
Z 368.55Ω 300Ω

Table 2.2-2

8. Determine the circuit impedance (Z = Vac/IT). Record your result in Table 2.2-2.

9. Use a two-post connector to add inductor L to the circuit as shown in Figure 2.2-4.
Readjust Vac to 3 Vpk-pk. Calculate the new value of XLT [XLT = XL3 XL4) / (XL3 + XL4)].
Record your result in Table 2.2-2. Did the added parallel inductor cause the total inductive
reactance to increase or decrease? __decrease_________________________________.

Figure 2.2-4

10. Measure the new IT, and record your result in Table 2.2-2 (IT = VR2/R2). Did IT increase
with the added parallel inductor? ____increase_________________________________

11. Use Vac and the measue value of IT to determine the circuit impedance (X = Vac/ IT).
Record your result in Table 2.2-2. Did the added parallel inductor cause the circuit
impedance to increase or decrease? ____decrease_________________________________

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

2B.7 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:

Group Members: Signature:

2.
2.
3.
4.
5.

2B.7.1 Calculations

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

2B.7.2 Conclusion/s: Write at least three (3) conclusions.
At the end of the Experiment/Activity, the group concluded that:
 Adding an inductors in parallel is just like adding parallel resistors.
 The value of the current will increase if another inductor will be added on the circuit in a
parallel connection.
 The value of the impedance will decrease if another inductor will be added on the circuit
in a parallel connection.
 The current is directly proportional to the inductance while the impedance is inversely
proportional, if the inductors are connected in a parallel connection.

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS