The University of The South Pacific

Laucala Campus
Unit: EE102

Lab Session: 1-4 pm

Instructor: Dhirendran Kumar

Group 2 Members:
Christmas Vaea (S11140103)
Dharneet Raj (S11198454)
Delwyn Maria. C. G. Navuku (S11185201)
 LAB 5: RC Circuits
Aim
To explore the characteristics of capacitors in various connection types.

Introduction

Figure 1: A Capacitor Source: Retrieved from [1]

A capacity is a device that swiftly absorbs and retains energy. As energy goes into
a capacitor, it is stored by a dielectric layer and remains there until the capacitor is exhausted.
When it is released, a large amount of energy is released quickly [1].
As current travels via an electrical circuit, a capacitor collects energy (voltage). Both plates
have the same charge, and when the positive plate collects a charge, the negative plate
receives an equal charge. A capacitor preserves the energy it has accumulated after the circuit
is turned off; however little leakage is common [2].
A component's or circuit's capacitance refers to its ability to collect and store power in the
form of heat or electricity. The fraction of the electric charge on each conductor to the voltage
change is known as capacitance [2]. The SI unit for the factor capacitance is known to be in
Farads (F).
The RC circuit is made up of a pure resistance R in ohms and a pure capacitance C in Farads.
The capacitor absorbs charge, and a resistor series connection with it governs the capacitor's
charging / discharging. Cameras, pacemakers, and timing circuits all use the RC circuit [3].
In a connection, capacitors and resistors frequently coexist. In everyday life, RC circuits like
these are prevalent. They're employed in cameras, artificial hearts, and a variety of other
electrical equipment to control the speed of a car's windshield wipers and the timing of traffic
lights. Kirchhoff's circuit analysis rules are applicable to all types of circuitries, including
capacitor-based circuits [4].
 Procedure
I. An RC circuit with an exponential discharge

Figure 2: Experimental set-up Source: Retrieved from [5]

1. The first step was to set-up the experimental circuit. The circuit was constructed with
figure 2 acting as a blueprint for the experimental set-up. The circuit was then closed once
the instructor had given the experimental set-up approval with the condition that only one
side of the double-throw switch would be used. On the variable resistance box, the
resistance R was calibrated with a value of 1000 ohms (Ω). The capacitor with the highest
capacitance was used in the performed experiment. The capacitors terminals were
cautiously connected with the same terminal charge as the power source since any
reversed polarity would destroy the capacitor.

Using the computer programmer, the voltage drops through the capacitor V0 were
measured and recorded. Once the “RC- discharge” folder was opened, the leads were
shortened by connecting the red and black wiring to each other before measuring the
voltage from the program link to the circuit. The readings of the voltage were ensured that
the values were near to zero.

The double-throw switch was placed in a charging disposition and a minimum period of
15 seconds were given for the voltage V0 to reach a stable reading before the values were
recorded as results. At the same time the program results were also gathered. The
measurement recording continued till the voltage drop through the capacitor was below
0.10V or over 200 seconds, whichever came first.

2. A brief approximation of the decay period constant (τ) was estimated from analysing the
graph of voltage through the capacitor (VC) against time, the period interval for VC to drop
from the first measurement V0 to a value of 0.37 V0. The “examine” feature was used to
aid and cross check values. The results were then recorded.

3. From the logarithm graph of VC against time, the best fit line was found and recorded. By
finding the best fit line, the period constant τ was able to be found alternatively.
 To measure the real value of the discharged resistance, a digital multimeter was used once
the set-up circuit was temporarily unplugged from the decade box. The measured R value
and the experimental τ were both recorded and used to calculate the capacitance.

4. Procedures 1,2 and 3 were repeated with a value of 500 ohms set to the resistance box.

5. Procedures 1,2 and 3 were repeated once again with a value of 200 ohms set to the
resistance box. Two graphs were drawn up and labelled as graph of VC against time and
logarithm VC against time with the results from the 3 various resistance scenarios plotted
onto each graph.

6. Using the three values of capacitance, calculations were done to determine the average
capacitance.

7. The procedures were again reperformed with a 1000Ω amped up on the resistance box
however with the capacitor having a much lower value than the pervious steps. The
capacitance for the 1000 Ω trial was then calculated C2.

II. Charging Capacitors

Figure 3: Experimental set-up 2 Source: Retrieved from [5]

1. The “RC- Charge” file was used when carrying section 2 of the practical. Using figure 3
as a blueprint for the second experimental set-up, a capacitor with higher capacitance was
plugged in the circuit with the decade box calibrated to 20 Ω. With the ammeter
connected to the computer, the capacitor was completely discharged for a minimum of 30
seconds, the sensors were checked to ensure that VC and IC gave a reading of zero.

2. An estimated initial current was noted before charging results were collected when the
switch was led to a charging position. A calculated prediction of the estimated initial
current was done. Two graphs; VC against time and IC against time were predicted and
drawn into the results section before measurements were taken.
3. After a few seconds, the switch was flipped to the intended charging disposition. A
maximum period of 50 seconds was waited before the initial current was recorded. The
measured value of current was then compared to the initial prediction. Once the measured
values matched the theoretical prediction, the data was noted under the results section.

4. The process 1, 2 and 3 was performed again with the resistance box at 80 Ω. A graph was
then drawn up for the 80-ohm trial.
 Results
I. Exponential discharge in an RC circuit

Discharging with a capacitor of 2000 µF

Graph showing the discharging of Vc versus Time

using R5
14
12
10
8 y = -1.316x + 10.45
6 R² = 0.6853
Voltage (V)

4
2
0
-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

-4
-6
-8
Time (s)

Figure 4

The graph shown above shows the Voltage against Time when the RC Circuit is discharge
with (R5) Resistor of 0.995 kΩ. The standard form of a linear equation is given as:
𝑌 = 𝑚𝑋 + 𝑏
1
𝑚= −
𝑅𝐶
1
−1.316 = −
𝜏
𝝉 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓𝟗𝟗 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔
Thus, 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶
0.7599 = 1000 × 𝐶
𝑪 = 𝟕𝟓𝟗. 𝟗 𝑭
 Graph showing the discharging of Vc versus Time
using R2
12
10
8
6
y = -0.987x + 6.5748
Voltage (V)

4 R² = 0.4261

2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-2
-4
-6
Time (s)

Figure 5

The graph shown above shows the Voltage against Time when the RC Circuit is discharge
with (R2) Resistor of 81.24 Ω.
𝑌 = 𝑚𝑋 + 𝑏
1
𝑚= −
𝑅𝐶
1
−0.987 = −
𝜏
𝝉 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟑 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔
Thus, 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶
0.7599 = 1000 × 𝐶
𝑪 = 𝟏, 𝟎𝟏𝟑 𝑭
II. Charging the capacitor

Charging with a capacitor of 2000 µF

Graph showing the charging of Vc versus Time using

R5
12

10

4 y = 0.8829x + 0.8538
Voltage (V)

R² = 0.2967
2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-2

-4

-6

-8
Time (s)

Figure 6

The graph shown above shows the Voltage against Time when the RC Circuit is charge with
(R5) Resistor of 0.995 kΩ.
𝑌 = 𝑚𝑋 + 𝑏
1
𝑚= −
𝑅𝐶
1
0.8829 = −
𝜏
𝝉 = −𝟏. 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟔 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔
Thus, 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶
−1.1326 = 1000 × 𝐶
𝑪 = 𝟏, 𝟏𝟑𝟐. 𝟔 𝑭
 Graph showing the charging of Vc versus Time using
R2
14
y = 1.2303x + 0.5377
12 R² = 0.443

10

6
Voltage (V)

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-2

-4

-6

-8
Time (s)

Figure 7

The graph shown above shows the Voltage against Time when the RC Circuit is charge with
(R2) Resistor of 81.24 Ω.
𝑌 = 𝑚𝑋 + 𝑏
1
𝑚= −
𝑅𝐶
1
1.2303 = −
𝜏
𝝉 = −𝟎. 𝟖𝟏𝟑 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔
Thus, 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶
−0.813 = 1000 × 𝐶
𝑪 = 𝟖𝟏𝟑 𝑭
Discussion

The graph depicting the discharge of Vc versus time using R5 demonstrates that the graph
began and terminated at the same location with a different time interval but the same voltage.
The voltage increased at a consistent rate in this graph. Thus, the computed duration from the
gradient was 0.7599 seconds, and the capacitance was 759.9F from the predicted time and
resistance of 1000Ω. Discharging Vc versus time using R2 resulted in frequent rises and falls
on the graph, as well as a 0 voltage at 2s time interval. The time determined from the gradient
of -0.987 and capacitance of 1013F was 1.013s.

The charging of Vc versus time graph using R5 revealed a specific curve, ascending upwards
and declining with a constant time downwards. The time was -1.1326s, with a capacitance of
1132.6F and the same resistance of 1000Ω. Finally, the last graph shown a constant voltage at
a time interval and then ascended to its needed voltage then demonstrated a constant voltage
of 10V with a time interval of 6s and then fell downhill with a constant time and eventually
came to rest. The time determined from the gradient of 1.2303 and capacitance of 813F was -
0.813s.

Conclusion
By the end of the experiment, the results showed that the time determined from the gradient
of 1.2303 and capacitance of 813F was -0.813s. Discharging Vc versus time using R2 resulted
in frequent rises and falls on the graph. The last graph shown a constant voltage at a time
interval and then ascended to its needed voltage. The differences in the experimental
outcomes compared to any theoretical values were results of errors that may have occurred
whilst carrying out the experiment and rounding off values during the calculation process.
Overall, the behaviour of a capacitor was able to be investigated and observed in a variety of
circuit scenarios, therefore the performed experiment can be deemed as a successful one.
Reference
[1] "What is a capacitor? - The Solid Signal Blog", The Solid Signal Blog, 2021. [Online].
Available: https://blog.solidsignal.com/tutorials/what-is-a-capacitor/. [Accessed: 27- Oct-
2021].
[2] "What is Capacitance?", Fluke.com, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.fluke.com/en/learn/blog/electrical/what-is-capacitance. [Accessed: 27- Oct-
2021].
[3] "What is an RC Circuit? - Circuit Globe", Circuit Globe, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://circuitglobe.com/what-is-an-rc-resistor-capacitor-circuit.html. [Accessed: 27- Oct-
2021].
[4] 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.usna.edu/Users/physics/ayangeakaa/_files/documents/SP212-Docs/SP212-
Lecture17.pdf. [Accessed: 27- Oct- 2021].
[5] EE102 LAB 5. University of the South Pacific, Laucala: The University of the South
Pacific, 2021, pp. 1-4.