Capacitance

1. Explain how a capacitor works.

The capacitor is a component which has the ability or “capacity” to store
energy in the form of an electrical charge producing a potential difference
(Static Voltage) across its plates, much like a small rechargeable battery.
In its basic form, a capacitor consists of two or more parallel conductive
(metal) plates which are not connected or touching each other, but are
electrically separated either by air or by some form of a good insulating
material such as waxed paper, mica, ceramic, plastic or some form of a liquid
gel as used in electrolytic capacitors. The insulating layer between a capacitors
plates is commonly called the Dielectric.
Due to this insulating layer, DC current can not flow through the capacitor as it
blocks it allowing instead a voltage to be present across the plates in the form
of an electrical charge.
When used in a direct current or DC circuit, a capacitor charges up to its supply
voltage but blocks the flow of current through it because the dielectric of a
capacitor is non-conductive and basically an insulator. However, when a
capacitor is connected to an alternating current or AC circuit, the flow of the
current appears to pass straight through the capacitor with little or no
resistance.
2. A capacitor having a capacitance of 80 μF is connected across a 500 V
d.c. supply. Calculate the charge.

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉
⟹ 𝑄 = 80 × 10−6 × 500
⟹ 𝑸 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝑪

Inductance
1. Define an inductor
An Inductor is a passive electrical component consisting of a coil of wire
which is designed to take advantage of the relationship between
magnetism and electricity as a result of an electric current passing
through the coil.
 Transformers
1. Define a transformer
A transformer is an electrical device that either steps up or steps down
the supply voltage.

2. Explain how the transformer works

A transformer is an electrical device that either steps up or steps down
the supply voltage. A transformer has two coils, the primary and
secondary. When an electrical energy is applied at the primary coil, it is
converted to a magnetic energy by means of inductance in the coil. This
magnetic energy induces a current in the secondary coil. The resistance
of the coil multiplied by the current induced is what causes voltage to be
produced at the secondary coil.

3. A transformer is being supplied with 240 V A.C. It has 2000 turns on the
primary coil and 100 turns on the secondary coil. The secondary coil has
a resistance of 24 Ω. What is the power rating of the transformer?

𝑁𝑝 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑁𝑠 𝑉𝑝
⟹ 2000 × 𝑉𝑠 = 100 × 240
24000
⟹ 𝑉𝑠 = = 12𝑉
2000
𝑉 2𝑠
⟹∵ 𝑃 =
𝑅
122
⟹∴ 𝑃 =
24
⟹ 𝑷 = 𝟔𝑾 https://gmail.com
 4. Given that there are 1000 turns on the primary coil and 200 turns at the
secondary coil and that the power rating for the transformer is 24W,
what is the current at the primary coil being supplied with 220V AC?

𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝐼𝑝 𝑉𝑝
⟹ 24 = 𝐼𝑝 × 220

24
⟹ 𝐼𝑝 =
200
⟹ 𝑰𝒑 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝑨

RCL AC Circuits
1. A resistance of 7.0 Ω is connected in series with a pure inductance of
31.8 mH and the circuit is connected to a 100 V, 50 Hz, sinusoidal supply.

Calculate:
(a) the circuit current;
(b) the phase angle.

(a) 𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿
⟹ 𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋 × 50 × 0.031 = 10.0Ω
𝑍 = √𝑅2 + 𝑋𝐿2

⟹ 𝑍 = √72 + 102 = 12.2Ω

𝑉
But 𝐼 =
𝑍
 100
∴𝐼=
12.2
⟹ 𝑰 = 𝟖. 𝟐𝑨

(b)

𝑋𝐿
𝜙 = tan−1
𝑅
10.0
⟹ 𝜙 = tan−1 ( )
7.0
⟹ 𝝓 = −𝟓𝟓. 𝟏°

2. A 30 μF capacitor is connected across a 400 V, 50 Hz supply in series with

a 200 Ω resistor. Calculate:
(a) the reactance of the capacitor;
(b) the current.
(c) the phase angle

1
(a) 𝑋𝐶 =
2𝜋𝑓𝐶
1
⟹ 𝑋𝐶 =
2𝜋 × 50 × 30 × 10−6
⟹ 𝑿𝑪 = 𝟏𝟎𝟔. 𝟐Ω
𝑉
(b) 𝐼 =
𝑍
But 𝑍 = √𝑅2 + 𝑋𝐶2
⟹ 𝑍 = √2002 + 106.22 = 226.45Ω
∴ 𝐼 = 400/226.45
⟹ 𝑰 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟕𝑨
(c )

𝑋𝐶
𝜙 = tan−1
𝑅
106.2
⟹ 𝜙 = tan−1
200
⟹ 𝝓 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟎°