Experiment 2

By Prof. Dr. El-hadi, Ahmed and Dr. Al-hashmi, Samira

Name______________________ ID_______________ Date_____________

AC Circuits: RL series Circuits

Introduction:
The RL circuit is used to determine the input and output relationship of voltage and current for
different frequencies. In the RL series circuit the voltage leads the current by 900.
Aim:
(1) To study the properties of an AC circuit containing a resistor and an inductor (coil).
(2) Determine the coil L, self –induction.
Tools:
(a) An AC Power Supply; an AC multimeter
(b) Board containing an inductor 500 Wdg = 4.4 mH (coil) and one resistor R (440 Ω),
(c) Oscilloscope, Function generator
Theory:
Faraday’s Law
When an inductor (coil) is inserted in the path of an alternating current (AC), then an
induced EMF, εIND , appears across the terminals of the coil, according to Faraday’s Law of
Electromagnetic Induction. It is commonly called an induced voltage. The instantaneous value
of εIND will be denoted by VL and is expressed by the formula:
VL =  L · ÎMAX · cos  t =  L· ÎMAX · sin(  t +  ) (1)
2
The inductor voltage opposes the change in voltage of the power supply and peaks before the
current peaks. We say that the “induced voltage leads the current by 90˚ (or  , in radians)” or,
2
alternatively, “the current lags VL by 90˚”. See Fig. 1 and compare it with Fig. 2 in Experiment
1.

The parameter L is the inductance of the coil and the quantity

XL =  · L (2)
is the inductive reactance of the coil. If L is measured in Henries (SI unit of inductance) and 
in hertz, then XL is in ohms.
Employing the RMS values (see Exp. In chapter (1)), the RMS voltage across the
inductor is:
VRMS = IRMS XL (3)
(Compare with equations (6) and (7) in Exp. 1.)
 Experiment 2

The Phasor Diagram of an RLSeries Circuit

The principles of the phasor diagrams were explained in Exp. 1. The phasor
diagram for a coil and a resistor connected in series is shown in Fig. 2, together with
relevant formulae (4).

Important Note: As well as its reluctance, a coil also has a resistance R´ which creates
An additional voltage VR = RI across the coil. This voltage is in phase with the current,
so that it lags VL by 90º. What a voltmeter connected across a coil actually measure
is the phasor sum of the RMS magnitudes of VL and VR - that is the quantity?
VLR =  VL2 + VR'2 (4a)
rather than VL. However, if VR' is much smaller than VL then the voltmeter essentially measures
VL .
Experiment in the RL Circuit
a) With the AC power supply unplugged and OFF,
set up a circuit as in Fig. 4, using resistance
R1 ~ 100 Ω from your sample. Record its
exact value.
You should know how to use the AC power
supply and the AC multimeter from Exp.1
But, if you do not, check with your instructor.
Set the frequency at f 1 = 20 hertz and
record. Set up your multimeter to read the
4 volt AC scale.
b) Upon your instructor’s approval, turn ON the power, and adjust the output voltage to
between 3.97 and 4.03 volts, Record this as VOUT to the accuracy of 0.05 V.
c) Measure and record the voltages VL across the coil and VR across the resistor.
Measure and record the voltage VLR across both of them together to 0.05 volt accuracy.
Return the output voltage knob to its minimum position.
d) Change the frequency to f 2 = 200 hertz and record. Re-adjust VOUT to be between
3.97 and 4.03 volts and record the exact value. Repeat (c) above.
e) Repeat (d) above with f 3 = 2 kilohertz.

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 Experiment 2

[1] By used The Oscilloscope and Function generator. The student can record the values of
L and R marked on your samples and the values of resistances and frequencies which you used.
[2] By used the Digital multimeter [DMM].

Where Z is the total opposition offered to the flow of

alternating current by an RL Series circuit and is called impedance of the circuit.
It is measured in ohms (Ω).
Procedure
1- Connect the circuit as shown in figure (a)
2- Adjust the current at suitable value and record the corresponding voltage
3- Repeat step 2 for different current values
4- Plot the current as x-axis and the voltage as y-axis
5- From the line slop, determine the reactance impedance ZL
6- Connect the circuit as shown in figure (b)
7- Adjust the current at suitable value and record the corresponding voltage
8- Repeat step 2 for different current values
9- Plot the current as x-axis and the voltage as y-axis
10- From the line slop, determine the coil internal resistance R
11- From equations (III)and (IV), we can determine the coil self-induction.

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 Experiment 2

Lab Report
RL Circuit
1) Using your measured values of VL, and VR, draw phasor diagrams (see Fig. 2)
for each or your three runs.
2) Draw a table as shown. Quote all physical units. The graphical values are to be
measured by a ruler and protractor from your phasor diagrams.

Table [1]: LR CIRCUIT

MEASURED VALUES GRAPHICAL VALUES
%
FREQUENCY VL VR VLR VLR φLR Errors
f ‫االله قانون‬ ‫املسطره‬ ‫املنقله‬ in VLR

50
20 0.05 0.4
200
100 0.1 1
500
2000 0.4 3

[i] AC Results
𝑉 = 𝐼𝑍𝐿 at A.C. current (I)

Table [2]

ZL = ----ῼ;

[ii] DC Results
𝑉 = 𝐼R at D.C. current (II).
Table [3]

R = ------- ῼ
Then L =------H

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