Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

THE SOURCE FREE RLC CIRCUIT

The characteristic equation of a series RLC circuit is,

R 1
S2 + S+ =0 (1)
L LC

This quadratic equation is known as the characteristic equation of the differential

equation that describes the circuit above, since the root of equation dictate the character
of i. The two root of Eqn. 1 are
1
R ⎡⎛ R ⎞ 1 ⎤
2 2

S1 = − + ⎢⎜ ⎟ − ⎥ (2a)
2 L ⎣⎢⎝ 2 L ⎠ LC ⎥⎦
1
R ⎡⎛ R ⎞ 1 ⎤
2 2

S2 = − − ⎢⎜ ⎟ − ⎥ (2b)
2 L ⎢⎣⎝ 2 L ⎠ LC ⎥⎦

A more compact way of expressing the roots is

S1 = −α + α 2 − ω o2

S1 = −α − α 2 − ω o2 (3)

Where
R 1
α= , ωo = (4)
2L LC

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

From Eq. 3 we can infer that there are three types of solutions:

(1) If α > ωo, we have the over damped case

(2) If α = ωo, we have the critically damped case
(3) If α < ωo, we have the under damped case

We will consider each of these separately

(1) Overdamped Case (α > ωo)

i( t ) = A1e s1t + A2e s 2 t (5)

(2) critically damped case (α = ωo)

4L
When α = ωo C= and
R2
R
S1 = S 2 = −α = −
2L
For this case, Eq. 5 yields

i(t ) = A1e −αt + A2e −αt = A3e −αt

Where A3=A1+A2

(3) Underdamped case (α < ωo)

For α < ωo C< 4L/ R2.

The roots may be written as

( )
S1 = −α + − ω o2 − α 2 = −α + jω d (6)
S1 = −α − − (ω 2
o −α2 ) = −α − jω d (7)

Where j =√-1 and ω d = ω o2 − α 2

i (t ) = e −αt (B1 cos ω d t + B2 sin ω d t ) (8)

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

The Source Free Parallel RLC Circuit

The Characteristics equation of a parallel RLC circuit is,

1 1
s2 + s+ =0 (Eqn. 9)
R ⋅C L ⋅C

The roots of the Characteristics equation are

2
1 ⎛ 1 ⎞ 1
s1, 2 =− ± ⎜ ⎟ −
2 RC ⎝ 2 RC ⎠ LC
s1, 2 = − α ± α 2 − ω o
2
(or) (Eqn 10)

1 1
where α= and ωo = (Eqn.11)
2 RC LC

Again there are three possible solutions.

From Eqn. 10,

(i ) If α > ωo ⇒ Over damped case

(ii ) If α = ω o ⇒ Critically damped case
(iii ) If α < ω o ⇒ Under damped case

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

Damping Nature of Roots Solution

v(t ) = A1e s1 ⋅t + A2 e
Over-damped Roots are real and Distinct s 2 ⋅t

(α > ω o )

Critically -damped Roots are real and Same v (t ) = ( A 1 + A 2 ⋅ t ) e − α ⋅ t

(α = ω o )

Under – damped Roots are Complex v(t ) = e − α ⋅t ( A1 cos ω d t + A2 sin ω d t )

(α < ω o )
where ωd = ωo2 − α 2

Examples:

1. For the circuit given in Fig.(Ex-1), calculate the value of R needed to have a
critically damped system.

Fig (Ex-1)

Solution:

Let R||60 = Ro. For a series RLC circuit,

1 1
ωo = LC = 0.01x 4 = 5

For critical damping, ωo = α = Ro/(2L) = 5

or Ro = 10L = 40 = 60R/(60 + R)

R = 120 ohms

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

2. If R = 10 Ω, C = 5 mF, what value of L will make a parallel RLC circuit

(i) over damped,

(ii) critically damped, and
(iii) under damped.

Solutions:

A parallel RLC circuit will become

1 1
(i) Over-damped when > (or ) L > 4 R 2 C
2 RC LC

L > 4 × 10 2 × 5 × 10 −3 (OR) L > 2 Henry

(ii) Critically damped when L = 4 R 2 C = 2 Henry

(iii) Under damped when L < 4 R 2 C < 2 Henry

3. Find v(t) for t > 0 if v(0) = 6 V and i(0) = 2 A in the circuit shown in Fig.(Ex-3)

Fig (Ex-3)

Solution:

This is a series, source-free circuit. 60||30 = 20 ohms

1 1
α = R/(2L) = 20/(2x2) = 5 and ωo = LC = 0.04 = 5

ωo = α leads to critical damping

i(t) = [(A + Bt)e-5t], i(0) = 2 = A

v = Ldi/dt = 2{[Be-5t] + [-5(A + Bt)e-5t]}

v(0) = 6 = 2B - 10A = 2B - 20 or B = 13.

Therefore, i(t) = (2 + 13t)e-5t A

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

STEP RESPONSE OF SERIES RLC CIRCUIT

Let a step voltage of Vs (t) is applied to a series RLC circuit.

Then the expressions for the voltage across the capacitor V(t) are,

v(t ) = v s (t ) + A1e s1 ⋅t + A2 e
s 2 ⋅t
( For Over − damped case)
v(t ) = v s (t ) + ( A1 + A2 ⋅ t ) e − α ⋅t ( For Critically − damped case)
v(t ) = v s (t ) + ( A1 cos ω d t + A2 sin ω d t ) e − α ⋅t ( For under − damped case)

STEP RESPONSE OF A PARALLEL RLC CIRCUIT

Let a step current of Is (t) is applied to a parallel RLC circuit.

Then the expressions for the current are,

i (t ) = i s (t ) + A1e s1 ⋅t + A2 e
s 2 ⋅t
( For Over − damped case)
i (t ) = i s (t ) + ( A1 + A2 ⋅ t ) e − α ⋅t ( For Critically − damped case)
i (t ) = i s (t ) + ( A1 cos ω d t + A2 sin ω d t ) e − α ⋅t ( For under − damped case)

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

4. A branch voltage in an RLC circuit is described by

d 2v dv
2
+ 4 + 8v = 24
dt dt

If the initial conditions are v(0) = 0 = dv(0)/dt, find v(t).

Solution :

By taking L.T. of the given equation with the initial conditions,

The Characteristic equation of the RLC circuit is

− 4 ± 16 − 32
= −2 ± j2
s2 + 4s + 8 = 0 which leads to s = 2

v(t) = Vs + (A1cos2t + A2sin2t)e-2t

8Vs = 24 means that Vs = 3

v(0) = 0 = 3 + A1 leads to A1 = -3

dv/dt = -2(A1cos2t + A2sin2t)e-2t + (-2A1sin2t + 2A2cos2t)e-2t

0 = dv(0)/dt = -2A1 +2A2 or A2 = A1 = -3

v(t) = [3 – 3(cos2t + sin2t)e-2t] volts

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Chapter 4-3 RLC Circuits ECT 1016 Circuit Theory

5. Find the output voltage vo(t) in the circuit of Fig. Ex-5.

Fig. Ex-5

Solution :

At t = 0-, we obtain, iL(0) = 3x5/(10 + 5) = 1A and vo(0) = 0.

For t > 0, the 20-ohm resistor is short-circuited and we have a parallel RLC
circuit with a step input.

α = 1/(2RC) = (1)/(2x5x0.01) = 10

ωo = 1/ LC = 1/ 1x 0.01 = 10

Since α = ωo, we have a critically damped response.

s1,2 = -10

Thus, i(t) = Is + [(A + Bt)e-10t], Is = 3

i(0) = 1 = 3 + A or A = -2

vo = Ldi/dt = [Be-10t] + [-10(A + Bt)e-10t]

vo(0) = 0 = B - 10A or B = -20

Thus, vo(t) = (200te-10t) V

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