EMO Phy 120 Lab 06

Lab 06
Transient Analysis (Transient Response) of Series RL
Circuit using Oscilloscope

Objective:
To measure the “Time Constant” of RL circuit.

Apparatus:
Oscilloscope
Resistor 5Ω
Inductor 200mH
Connecting wires
Breadboard

Series RL Circuit - An Introduction

The simplest type of RL circuit is shown in the figure which is composed of one resistor and one
inductor.
EMO Phy 120 Lab 06
Time Constant
Thus, “the time required by the reactive element ( inductor) to attain maximum current for
charging or discharging state is called as time constant” or delay. This time, also called the
transient response, is equivalent to about 5 time constants. This transient response time T is
measured in terms of τ = L/R, in seconds, where R is the value of the resistor in ohms and L is
the value of the inductor in Henry’s. 5T can also be thought of as “5 x L/R”.

Procedure:
1. Make a series RL circuit and apply DC voltage to it.

2. Choose the values of resister and inductor wisely to satisfy time constant condition i.e.,
τ = 5(L/R), so that resultant charging and discharging curve is visualized clearly. (In our case R =
5Ω and L = 200mH)

3. Turn on the oscilloscope and fix the probe multiplier to X1.

4. Apply the same DC voltage (input of series RL circuit) to oscilloscope at Ch1.

5. Apply the same DC voltage (input of series RL circuit) to Ch1 of Oscilloscope.

6. Apply the output of series RL circuit to Ch2 of Oscilloscope.

7. Adjust time/div and volt/div to observe the signal properly.

8. Use “Transient Analysis” from multiSIM to observe the voltage and current flowing through the
inductor.

9. Calculate the time constant τ = 5(L/R) by keeping the value of inductor fixed while changing the
value of resistor. Verify your results from scope .

10. Repeat whole process for different values of resistor and inductor.
EMO Phy 120 Lab 06
Table: Observation & Calculation
V
Voltage (Amplitude) = 12 Volt Steady State Current, I =
R

Calculated
Calculated
Time Observed
Steady State Measured
Resistance Inductance Constant
S.No. Current Time
(sec) Steady State
(Ohm) (Henry) Constant
V Current
L I= (sec)
5 τ =5 R
R

1 0.5 200 mH

2 1 200 mH

3 1.5 200 mH

4 2 200 mH

5 2.5 200 mH

6 3 200 mH

7 3.5 200 mH

8 4 200 mH

9 4.5 200 mH

10 5 200 mH