Control Systems Lab FURC Department of Electrical Engineering

Experiment 2

Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Electrical Systems

Objective
i. The objective of this experiment is to simulate an electrical system and study its
behaviour.

Learning Outcomes
i. Ability and skills to develop mathematical model of electrical system.
ii. Ability to demonstrate the behaviour of electrical system.

The basic electrical system comprise of three basic components which are as follows

Background
2.1 Resistor

A resistor is a two-terminal electronic component that produces a voltage across its terminals that is
proportional to the electric current through it in accordance with Ohm's law:

V = IR

Resistors are elements of electrical networks and electronic circuits and are ubiquitous in most
electronic equipment. Practical resistors can be made of various compounds and films, as well as
resistance wire (wire made of a high-resistivity alloy, such as nickel-chrome).

The primary characteristics of a resistor are the resistance, the tolerance, the maximum working voltage
and the power rating. Other characteristics include temperature coefficient, noise, and inductance. Less
well-known is critical resistance, the value below which power dissipation limits the maximum permitted
current, and above which the limit is applied voltage. Critical resistance is determined by the design,
materials and dimensions of the resistor.

2.2 Inductor

An inductor is a passive electrical device that stores energy in a magnetic field, typically by combining
the effects of many loops of electric current.

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Control Systems Lab FURC Department of Electrical Engineering

An inductor only resists changes in current. An ideal inductor does not offer any resistance to direct
current, except when the current is switched on and off, in which case it makes the change more
gradual. However, all real-world inductors are constructed from material with finite electrical resistance,
which opposes even direct current.

In general, the relationship between the time-varying voltage v(t) across an inductor with inductance L
and the time-varying current i(t) passing through it is described by the differential equation

di
V= L
dt

When a sinusoidal alternating current (AC) flows through an inductor, a sinusoidal alternating voltage
(or electromotive force, abbr. emf) is induced. The amplitude of the emf is related to the amplitude of
the current and to the frequency of the sinusoid.

2.3 Capacitor

A capacitor is a device that stores energy in the electric field created between a pair of conductors on
which equal but opposite electric charges have been placed. Intentional capacitors have thin metal
plates stacked or rolled to form a compact device, but every multi-conductor geometry has capacitance.
Suppose we have an electrical system consists of resistor, inductor and capacitor given below. The
output is voltage across the capacitor.

For the modelling of an electrical system first we make mathematical model by using differential
equations.

For the above circuit,

And by Kirchhoff’s voltage Law (KVL)

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Control Systems Lab FURC Department of Electrical Engineering

Simulink Model

2.4 Transfer function

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Control Systems Lab FURC Department of Electrical Engineering

LAB EXERCISE

Q#1 Use Simulink with the Step function block, the Continuous−Time Transfer Fcn block, and the
Scope block shown, to simulate and display the output waveform of the RLC circuit shown below where
is the unit step function, and the initial conditions are
iL(0) = 0, and vC(0)=0.
a) Write down its differential equation and draw the model on Simulink.
b) Find transfer function and draw the model using transfer function block.

Q#2 Draw a model for differential equation below

d 2Vc /dt 2+ dVc/dt +Vc = 2sin (t+30)-5cos (t+60)

Q#3 It is desired to convert a DC signal from 2.5 volts to 5.0 volts, another DC signal from 12 volts to
15 volts, and a third from +15 volts to -15 volts. The conversions are to be performed at a distant
location. Create a model that includes a Bus Creator block, a Signal bus, and a Bus Selector block to
accomplish these conversions.

Q#4 Using Constant blocks, a Product block, and the Display block, perform the operation
(3 + j4)/(4 + j3 )x( 5 - j8) .

Conclusion (Each student has to write his/her own conclusion)