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<CIRCUIT2LAB>
SCORE
EXERCISE
4
<IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS >
ACTIVITY 4A
b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively
1. calculate the reactance, total impedance, current component voltage drops, and phase
angle of a series RLC circuit by using standard electronic formulas.
RLC circuit is a network created by resistors (R), inductors (L) and capacitors (C)
connected in various ways to perform useful functions such as filtering, phase shifting, or
impedance matching; also called LCR circuits.
Figure 4.1-1 shows a series RLC circuit connected to a source of ac. The total impedance
offered to current flow in this circuit is a combination of the oppositions offered to current
flow in this circuit is a combination of the oppositions offered by the resistance (R),
inductive reactance (X1 ), and capacitive reactance (XC). Using the values in Figure 4.1-1,
you can calculate the reactances as follows:
Figure 4.1-1
Knowing the reactances and resistance, you can compute the total circuit impedance (Z):
Figure 4.1-1
One way to tell if a series RLC circuit is inductive or capacitive is simply to note which
reactance is larger. In this example, XC1 is larger; therefore, the circuit is capacitive. In the
Figure 4.1-3
If XL1 had been greater than XC1’ the total reactance would have been inductive. The
equivalent circuit would be a resistor connected in series with an equivalent inductor.
Knowing the impedance and the applied voltage, you can compute the total circuit current
with Ohm’s law
IT = VGEN / Z
IT = 15 / 2,565
IT = 5,850mA
The voltage drops across each component in Figure 4.1-1 can also be computed by Ohm’s
law now that total circuit current is known. These voltage are
VR2 = IR2
VR2 = 5.85 x 10-3 x 1000
VR2 = 5.85 volts
VL1 = IXL1
VL1 = 5.85 x 10-3 x 1256
VL1 = 7.35 volts
VC1 = IXC1
VC1 = 5.85 x 10-3 x 3619
VC1 = 21.2 volts
Another way to tell if series RLC circuit is inductive or capacitive is of measure the voltage
drops across the inductor and capacitor. The one with the highest voltage drop determines
the total reactive effect. In this example, VC1 is higher than VL1’ so the circuit is capacitive.
The phasors represent voltage drops across the resistance, reactance, and total impedance.
Notice that the voltage across the resistance (VR2 ) is in phase with the circuit current (I).
The voltage across the inductor (VL1 ) leads the circuit current by 90 degrees. You could
also say that the current lags the voltage across the inductor. The voltage across the
capacitor (VC1 ) lags the circuit current by 90 degrees, or in other words, the circuit current
leads the capacitor voltage by 90 degrees.
Figure 4.1-5 (a and b) shows the sine waves represented by the phasors in the Figure 4.1-
4. The sine wave of VC [in Figure 4.1-5 (b)] is the composite voltage you would see across
the equivalent capacitor of Figure 4.1-3.
Figure 4.1-4
As the Phasor diagram in Figure 4.1-4 shows the total reactive effect in the circuit is
capacitive because the capacitive reactance is larger than the inductive reactance. The net
circuit reactance is capacitive; therefore, the current leads the applied voltage (VGEN).
VGEN can be computed by the phasor sum of the equivalent capacitor voltage (VC) and the
resistor voltage (VR2 ).
Figure 4.1-5
VC1 VL1
A tan 1
VR 2
An important fact to remember is that the circuit values depend upon the frequency of the
applied voltage. The reactance values and the total impedance we computed are valid only
at 20 kHz. Changing the frequency will change the reactance values and other factors in
the circuit. For example, increasing the frequency will increase the value of inductive
reactance and decrease the value of capacitive reactance. At higher frequencies, X L1 will
become greater than XC1’ and the circuit will appear inductive. VL1 will be greater than VC1’
and the current will lag the applied voltage.
In the following procedure, you will be using the ADD-INVERT method of measuring.
This method eliminates the need to connect the oscilloscope ground to some voltage point
in the experiment circuit (no such connection would normally result in a short). The method
4A.5 Materials/Equipment
4A.6 Procedure/s
1. Adjust the dc power sources to +15Vdc and -15Vdc. Turn the power sources off.
Insert the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the base unit. Turn on the power
sources.
2. Locate the RLC/ RESONACE/ POWER circuit block and connect the circuit shown
in Figure 4.1-6. If your generator does not have a 50-ohm output impedance, plug
GENERATOR BUFFER into the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board and connect the
buffer between your generator and the circuit.
Figure 4.1-6
NOTE: Most generator dials are calibrated but are not highly accurate. For best
experimental results set the generator frequency with an oscilloscope by observing the time
between two adjacent peaks of the sine wave. That time should be equal to the period (t) of
the sine wave, computed by the expression
t = 1 / f. The Period of the 20-kKz sine wave is micro seconds (t = 1/20 kHz). Therefore,
the generator dial should be adjusted so that one complete cycle equals 50 is on the display.
4. Adjust the output amplitude of the sine wave generator or GENERATOR BUFFER
to 15 Vpk-pk
5. Verify the operations of the experimental circuit by measuring IT ’ VR2’ VL1’ and
VC1 . Record your result in Table 4.1-1.
NOTE: To determine IT measure the voltage across R3 and divide by 10. To determine V C1
measure directly with the oscilloscope probe across C 1 and ground. To measure VL1 and
VR2’ you will use the ADD-INVERT method on a dual trace oscilloscope. Use the following
procedure.
a. Connect the probe of channel 1 to one end of the component of the probe of channel
2 to the other end of the component. Both ground clips should be connected to circuit
ground.
b. Set the vertical gain controls on both channels to display the waveform on the
screen. Both controls should be set to the same gain.
c. Set the channel 2 input to INVERT.
d. Set the vertical mode to ADD.
e. Read the peak-to-peak value of the voltage displayed on the screen of the
oscilloscope. This is the voltage drop across the component.
Table 4.1-1.
IT VR2 VL1 VC1
20 kHz 2.8mA 5Vpk 3Vpk 8Vpk
STEP 5
50 kHz 2.8mA 2.8Vpk 9Vpk 2.6Vpk
STEP13
a. Connect the probe of channel 1 to the generator output. Sync on this channel.
Make sure channel 2 is not in the INVERT mode.
What is the time between zero crossings? What is the phase shift?
8. Does the waveform across R3 (IT ) lead or lag the generator output (VGEN)?
__Lagging____________________________________________________
9. Set CM switch 10 to the ON position to change the value of C 1 to
0.0044μF. Readjust the generator voltage to 15 Vpk-pk.
10. Measure the new voltage drops across the capacitor (VC1 ) and the inductor (VL1 ).
Remember to use the ADD-INVERT method to measure VL1 . VC1 can be measured
directly when R3 is shorted out by a two post connector.
11. The frequency and inductance did not change. However, the capacitance doubled
to 0.0044 if the reactance (XC1 ) dropped by one-half to 1,809 ohms. Is VC1 greater or less
than VL1 ? Does this cause the circuit to be inductive or capacitive? __Capacitive______
13. Using an oscilloscope, set the generator frequency of 50 kHz. Readjust the
amplitude of the output voltage to 15 Vpk-pk’ if necessary. Measure the voltage drops
across resistor R2 (VR2 ), the inductor (VL1 ), and the capacitor (VC1 ).Record your result in
14. The frequency was increased. However, the capacitance remained the same. Is
VC1 greater or less than VL1? Is the circuit inductive or capacitive? Less than, inductive
15. Calculate the phase shift from the measured value in Step 13.
VC1 −VL1
Phase equation = tan−1 VR2
16. Measure and record the phase angle between the applied voltage and the circuit
current. Use the method in step 7 of this procedure to measure the phase angle.Isthe
current leading or lagging the applied voltage?
17. The computed value in step 15. Do they agree within a ±30% tolerance?
_Yes____________________________________________________.
18. Do not turn off the power sources. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for two
review question.
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
2. What is the equivalent circuit of an experimental circuit with L = 10 mH. C = 0.0022 μF. R =
1K, and frequency at the applied voltage = 50 kHz?
b. capacitor
b. remained inductive
d. remained capacitive
b. 12K d. 3K
Turn off CM switch 11 and the power sources. Remove all circuit board connection.
ACTIVITY 4B
b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively
1. compute the reactances, total current, branch currents, impedance and phase angle in a
parallel RLC circuit at various frequencies by using standard electronic formulas.
In a parallel RLC circuit, the resistance, inductance and capacitance are all connected
directly across the AC supply voltage, as shown in figure 4.2-1.Each component forms
one branch of the circuit, and each branch draws a current from the AC supply based
upon the applied voltage and the resistance or reactances. Using the values in Figure 4.2-
1, you can calculate the reactances as follows.
The sum of the individual branch currents in parallel RLC circuits equal to the total current
drawn from the source (IT ). Because of the different phase shifts in the parallel circuit, the
individual branch current cannot be added directly. Instead, they must be added with
phasors by the following equation:
Figure 4.2-2
Figure 4.2-3 (a and b) shows the current waveforms in the circuit. Because the currents
through the inductor and capacitor are 180 degrees out of phase with one another, they
naturally oppose and cancel one another. The resulting current (I C) is capacitive because
the capacitor current is higher than the inductor current at this frequency. The way to tell
if a parallel RLC circuit is inductive or capacitive is to examine the reactance or branch
currents. The component with the lowest reactance or with the highest current dominates.
Figure 4.2-3
The equivalent of the parallel RLC circuit is 3.9 K resistor in parallel with a capacitor that
draws IC’ or IC2 – IL2 (3.equivalent capacitor 45 – 1.59 = 1.86 mA). We can compute the
equivalent capacitor by first finding its reactance.
XC = Vac / IC
XC = 5 / 1.86 mA
XC = 2, 688 Ω
Figure 4.2-4
Knowing the total circuit current and the applied voltage, you can compute the total circuit
impedance by using Ohm’s Law.
Z = Vac / IT
Z = 5/2.25 mA
Z = 2,222 Ω
Because the circuit is capacitive, the current leads the applied voltage by some phase angle
between 0 and 90˚. The phase angle can be computed from the current amplitudes in the
phasor diagram of Figure 4.2-2. The phase angle A is:
A = arctan (IC/IR)
A = arctan (1.86 mA/ 1.28 mA)
A = arctan (1.45)
A = 55.50o
The current in this circuit leads the applied voltage (Vac) by 55.50˚.
Varying the frequency will change the reactances, branch currents, total current,
impedance, and phase angles. At the lower frequencies, XL will be lower than XC’ so the
circuit will be inductive. At the higher frequencies, XC will be lower than XC so the circuit
will be capacitive.
4B.6 Procedure/s
1. Adjust the dc power sources to + 15 Vdc and – 15 Vdc. Turn the power sources off.
Insert the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the base unit. Turn on the power
sources.
2. Locate the RLC/RESONANCE/POWER circuit block, and connect the circuit shown in
Figure 4.2-5. If your generator does not have 50 Ω output impedance, plug the
GENERATOR BUFFER into the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board, and connect the
buffer between your generator and the circuit.
Figure 4.2-5
3. Set the sine wave generator frequency to 50 kHz. Rather than rely on the generator dial,
use you oscilloscope to set the correct period.
4. Adjust the amplitude of the generator signal (VGEN) for a VAC of 5 Vpk-pk directly across
the parallel network of figure 4.2-5.
Note: Shorting R1 = 4.7k Ω V. Adjust V GEN so that Vac is 5 Vpk-pk
5. Measure IT , IR6 , IL2 , and IC2 . Record your measurements in Table 4.2-1.
IT IR6 IL2 IC2
50 kHz 0.8mA 0.20mA 0.25mA 0.55mA
Step 5 2.26mA 0.56mA 0.7mA 1.3mA
Table 4.2-1.
6. Compute the impedance value of the parallel circuit by using the value of IT that
you measured in step 5 ( Z = Vac / IT ). Z = _1108.65___ Ω
7. Measure the phase angle between IT and Vac by using the phase relations hip
measurement method.
Note: Connect the probe of channel 1 to the voltage across R6 (Vac) not to the generator
output.
What is the phase angle? Is total current leading or lagging the applied voltage?
Phase angle = __72___ degrees , __lagging___
8. Is IL greater or less than IC? Does this cause the circuit to be capacitive or
inductive?
____less than, Capacitive_________________________________________________
10. Is IL greater or less than IC? Does this cause circuit to be capacitive on inductive?
__greater than, Inductive__________________________________________________
12. Using the oscilloscope, set the sine wave generator frequency to 20 kHz. Readjust the
amplitude of the voltage across the parallel RLC circuit (Vac) to 5 Vpk-pk
13. Given the following values, compute the remaining circuit values at 20 kHz. Record
your values in Table 4.2-2.
Vac
X 12 2fL 1256 I R6
R6
1 Vac
XC2 3619 I L2
2fC X 12
Vac
R6 3900 I C2
XC2
IT I R2 6 ( I L I C 2 ) 2
14. Measure IT ’ IR6’ and IC2 . Record your results in Table 4.2-2.
15. Is IL greater or less than IC? Does this cause the circuit to be capacitive or inductive?
_____greater than, Inductive_________________________________________________
16. Compute the impedance of the parallel RLC circuit using the values you measured
in step 14 (Z = Vac/ IT ). Z = __1.724k___ Ω
17. Measure and record the phase shift between total circuit current and the applied
voltage. Does the current lead or lag the voltage (Vac)?
NOTE: Do not compare the current to V GEN. Compare the current to V ac.
Phase shift = _86.4_ degrees , __Leading__
18. Set CM switch 12 in the ON position to change the value of C 2 from 0.0022mF to
0.0044mF. Readjust the voltage (Vac) across the RLC circuit to 5 Vpk-pk .
19. Measure and record the values of IL2’ IC2’ and the phase angle. Does IT lead or lag
the applied voltage (Vac)?
IL2 = _1.83m__ A, IC2 = __1.27m__ A, Phase angle = __83.1_ degrees
4B.7.1 Calculations