‫المعهد العالي‬

‫للهندسة الرسالة‬
‫البحثية‬

‫الفصل‬
‫الدراسي‬
‫الثاني العام‬
‫الجامعي‬
2020/19

Course Name Electrical Circuits (3)

Course Code EPM 113
ILO’s
Department Electrical Power and
Machines Engineering

Student Code:124190400

Report Title: Energy storage elements and their applications

Report Subtitle: capacitor and inductor

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‫المعهد العالي‬
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1. Introduction: -
Any network consists of energy sources, energy dissipators and energy
storers. The circuit elements that store energy provide a network with transient
properties by feature of the time needed to raise or decrease their stored
energy. A network consisting of sources and resistances alone does not have
non-instantaneous properties because the branches' volt-ampere equations do
not include time. The volt-ampere equations of the two circuit elements that
store energy include time integrals and voltage and current derivatives, and
thus the reaction to an incentive from a network comprising such elements
cannot be instantaneous. These elements which store energy are capacitor and
inductor.[1]

2. Capacitor: -
The first energy storage element is capacitor. A capacitor is a passive
component consists of two separated conducting plates. Its plates separated
by a dielectric material (which may be air, ceramic, plastic, mica, or paper) or
insulator. These plates may be aluminum foil. Its design made it store energy
as electrical charge. The structure of the capacitor is illustrated in figure 1. It
is the only device can store energy by this way except the battery. This action
of capacitors associated with phenomena related to electric fields. The
separation of voltage or charge is the electric field source. The stored electrical
charge represented by 𝑞 which is directly proportional to the voltage across
the capacitor.
Mathematically,
𝒒 = 𝑪𝑽
[2]
𝑐 is the proportionality constant, which is identified as the capacitor
capacitance and its unit is Farad, in honor of English chemist and physicist
Michael Faraday. Capacitance is a ratio between stored electric charge (𝑞)
and the voltage across the capacitor. Although that, capacitance does not rely
on electric charge on plate of the capacitor (q) and the voltage across the
capacitor (V). Capacitance relies on each plate surface area, the distance
between the capacitor plates and the permittivity of the insulator material
between the capacitor plates.

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Mathematically,
𝝐𝑨
𝒄=
𝒅
[3]

2.1. How capacitor store energy: -

As in figure 2, when voltage source is connected to the capacitor, one of
capacitor plate charged with negative charge (−𝑞) and the other plate charged
with positive charge (+𝑞). [4]
This means that capacitor store energy as electrical charge as we said before.
But when the voltage is varying with time, the displacement charge is also
varying with time, creating what is identified as the displacement current. This
displacement current is proportional to the rate of change in the voltage with
time. This voltage is the voltage across the capacitor.
Mathematically,

𝒅𝒗
𝒊=𝒄
𝒅𝒕

This equation is called Capacitor i - v equation.

𝑖 is the current and its unit is Ampere.
𝑐 is the capacitance of the capacitor and its unit is Farad.

From i – v equation, we observe two significant observations. The first one is

the voltage over the capacitor terminals cannot modify instantaneously. The
second, if the voltage across the terminals of the capacitor is constant, the
current of capacitor is zero. The reason of this is the direct current (DC) or
conduction current cannot be generated in the insulator material of the
capacitor. So, capacitor acts like open circuit when the applied voltage on it
is constant voltage but it charges.
By integrating both sides of i – v equation, we get

𝟏 𝒕
𝒗 = ∫ 𝒊 𝒅𝒕 + 𝒗(𝒕𝟎 )
𝒄 𝒕𝟎

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‫المعهد العالي‬
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This equation is called capacitor v – i equation. 𝑣(𝑡0 ) is the voltage at time (𝑡0 )
across the capacitor. Now we can define the power delivered to the capacitor by
two concepts:

𝒅𝒗
𝒑 = 𝒗𝒊 = 𝒄𝒗
𝒅𝒕
Or,

𝟏 𝒕
𝒑 = 𝒊( ∫ 𝒊 𝒅𝒕 + 𝒗(𝒕𝟎 ))
𝒄 𝒕𝟎

[5]

2.2. Capacitor charging: -

Figure 3 illustrates capacitor charging circuit which consists of a DC voltage
source (𝑉𝑖𝑛 ), resistance connected series connection in the circuit (R). this resistor
is the equivalent resistance of the capacitor. By using Kirchhoff ’s law of voltage
(KVL) and by assuming that the initial voltage of the capacitor 𝑣(𝑡0 ) equals zero,
we get this equation:

𝟏 𝒕
𝒗𝒊𝒏 = 𝒊(𝒕)𝑹 + ∫ 𝒊(𝒕)′ 𝒅𝒕′
𝒄 𝟎

From the last equation we can find i(t) and v(t):

𝒗𝒊𝒏 −𝒕
𝒊(𝒕) = 𝒆𝑹𝒄
𝑹

−𝒕
𝒗(𝒕) = 𝒗𝒊𝒏 [𝟏 − 𝒆 ]
𝑹𝒄

The capacitor charge rate relies on the product of R and c, which is called time
constant (𝜏).

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𝝉 = 𝑹𝒄
[6]

2.3. Capacitor discharging: -

If the voltage source (DC) is replaced with a short circuit, the capacitor
will act like the source in the circuit and discharge through the resistance
of the load. In this case the current flows in the opposite direction. We can
calculate the voltage and the current of capacitor discharging with these
equations:
−𝒕
𝒗(𝒕) = 𝒗𝒇 𝒆𝑹𝒄

𝒗𝒇 −𝒕
𝒊(𝒕) = 𝒆𝑹𝒄
𝑹 [7]

The energy stored in the capacitor can be calculated with the following equation:

𝟏 𝟐
𝒘= 𝒄𝒗
𝟐
Or,

𝒒𝟐
𝒘=
𝟐𝒄
[8]

2.4. Types of capacitor: -

There are many types of capacitors some of them listed below:
• Film capacitors.
• Ceramic capacitors.
• Electrolytic capacitors. [9]

2.5. Series and Parallel Capacitors: -

Series and parallel capacitors connection are an influential tool for
reducing the size of the circuits. When capacitors connected in parallel
connection, the equivalent capacitor (𝐶𝑒𝑞 ) equals

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𝑪𝒆𝒒 = 𝑪𝟏 + 𝑪𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝑪𝑵

So, the equivalent capacitance of N capacitors connected in parallel equals

the sum of each capacitance of capacitor. This means that capacitors in
parallel combine in the same way as series connection resistors. When
capacitors connected in series connection, the equivalent capacitor (𝐶𝑒𝑞 )
equals
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + + ⋯+
𝑪𝒆𝒒 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑 𝑪𝑵

So, the equivalent capacitance of N capacitors connected in series equals

the reciprocal sum of reciprocal of each capacitance of capacitor. This
means that capacitors in series combine in the same way as parallel
connection resistors. [10]

2.6. Applications of capacitor: -

There are many uses of capacitors in electronics industry, some of these

uses listed below: -
• DC-blocking capacitor: When capacitor is fully-charged, it
prevents the DC current flow between two parts of a circuit.
• Capacitor as an energy (charge) buffer: Capacitors are used as an
energy charger in the circuit and released this stored energy when
it is required by the circuit.
• Bypass capacitor: The capacitor reactance decreases as the
frequency increases. In specific applications this feature is used by
putting a capacitor in parallel with other components to bypass a
certain frequency.
• Capacitor as a filter: In filter circuits such as, low-pass, high-pass,
band-pass capacitors are used as the main filter devices.
• Coupling capacitor: The capability of a capacitor to pass AC signal,
permits it to couple sections of an electronic circuit that necessitate
DC isolation.
• Decoupling capacitor: A capacitor is used to minimize noise caused

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by other elements in the circuit and disturbances to the logic signal.

Typically, in such applications, the capacitor is put very close to the
integrated circuit (IC) output and serves as a local energy source to
afford some extra current.
• Snubber capacitor: A snubber capacitor is utilized to limit the high
voltage transient across the circuit, which is often utilized in power
electronic circuits. [11]

3. Inductors: -
Inductors is the second energy storage element. Inductor is a passive
component which can store energy in its magnetic field. [12] As illustrated in
figure 4, inductor consists of a coil wounded with number of turns of
conducting wire around a supporting core its material may be nonmagnetic or
magnetic.[13] If current is permitted to pass through an inductor, it is noticed
that the voltage across the inductor is directly proportional to the rate of
change in the current with time.
Mathematically,

𝒅𝒊
𝒗=𝑳
𝒅𝒕

So, when the current is constant, the voltage equals zero. In this case the
inductors perform in DC as a short circuit. 𝑣 is the voltage across the terminals
of the inductor and measured in volts. 𝐿 is proportionality constant which is
named inductor inductance. Its unit is Henry (H), in honor of American
physicist Joseph Henry. The inductance of the inductor is a feature which
oppose any change in the current passing through inductor. It is directly
proportional to the square of number of turns (𝑁 2 ), permeability of the core
(𝜇) and the cross-sectional area (A) and it inversely proportional to the length
of the coil (𝑙). Mathematically,

𝑵𝟐 𝝁𝑨
𝑳=
𝒍

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Inductor whose inductance does not depend on the current is called linear
inductor. Inductor whose inductance varies with current is called nonlinear
inductor. For this nonlinear inductor the current calculated from the following
equation:

𝟏 𝒕
𝒊 = ∫ 𝒗(𝒕) 𝒅𝒕 + 𝒊(𝒕𝟎 )
𝑳 𝒕𝟎

As we said before, inductor stores energy in its magnetic field, we can

calculate this energy by:

𝟏 𝟐
𝒘= 𝑳𝒊
𝟐

And the power delivered to the inductor can be calculated by:

𝒅𝒊
𝒑 = 𝒗𝒊 = 𝑳 𝒊
𝒅𝒕
[14]

3.1. Series and parallel inductors: -

Series and parallel inductors connection are an influential tool for reducing
the size of the circuits. When inductors connected in parallel connection, the
equivalent inductance (𝐿𝑒𝑞 ) equals

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + + ⋯+
𝑳𝒆𝒒 𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑳𝟑 𝑳𝑵

So, the equivalent inductance of N inductors connected in parallel equals

the reciprocal sum of reciprocal of each inductance of inductors. This
means that inductors in parallel combine in the same way as parallel
connection resistors. When inductors connected in series connection, the
equivalent capacitor (𝐿𝑒𝑞 ) equals

𝑳𝒆𝒒 = 𝑳𝟏 + 𝑳𝟐 + 𝑳𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝑳𝑵

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So, the equivalent inductance of N inductors connected in series equals the

sum of each inductance of inductor. This means that inductors in series
combine in the same way as series connection resistors. [15]

3.2. Applications of inductors: -

3.2.1. Induction motor: -

Induction motor is the well-known and wide range application of inductors.
the inductors are in static position and they did not permit to move in
neighboring to the magnetic field in these induction motors or asynchronous
motors. Induction motor transform electrical energy into mechanical energy.
The alternating current causes the magnetic field which made the shaft in the
motor rotate. Because of the speed of motor is rely on the frequency of the
power provided from the source, it is fixed. So, to control the speed of these
motor we use inductors in series or parallel connection to shaft. These
induction motors are very dependable and strong.

3.2.2. Transformers: -
Another popular application of inductors is transformer. We have two types
of transformers in electric power applications for example, transmission lines.
the first type is step up transformer which used at high current for increasing
low voltages of AC. The second one is step down transformer which is used
at low current for decreasing high voltages of AC. Transformer consists of
two inductors (coils), one of them is primary and the other one is secondary.

3.2.3. Inductive filters: -

Filters formation often consists of inductors and capacitors. The filters are the
electronic components used to regulate the amplitude of the input signal that
passes a circuit. There are several kinds of filters that are constructed using
inductors such as low pass filter, high pass filter, band pass filter, notch filter
etc. [16]

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4. Conclusion:
The devices which store energy provide the network with transient properties. In the
first device that we mentioned (capacitor), it stores energy as electrical charge form.
The stored electrical charge expressed by the capacitance of the capacitor multiplied
by the applied voltage across the capacitor. This capacitance depends on each plate
surface area, the distance between the capacitor plates and the permittivity of the
insulator material between the capacitor plates. There two cases of the behavior of
the capacitor depends on the type of the source voltage whether it is DC or AC
supply. The same occurred in inductors as we illustrated in this paper. Inductors store
energy as magnetic field form. Inductance of inductors are feature which oppose any
change in the current passing through inductor. Finally, we mentioned some of their
applications.

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5. Pictures: -

Figure 1 the structure of the capacitor Figure 4 the structure of inductor.

Figure 2 simple capacitor circuit.

Figure 3 charging capacitor circuit.

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6. References: -

[1] Williams, G., n.d. An Introduction to Electrical Circuit Theory. p.61.

[2] Nilsson, J. and Riedel, S., n.d. Electric Circuits. 10th ed. P.174.
[3] Bell, D., n.d. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. p.216.
[4] Bell, D., n.d. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. p.216.
[5] Nilsson, J. and Riedel, S., n.d. Electric Circuits. 10th ed. PP.174-184.
[6] Kularatna, N., 2015. Energy Storage Devices for Electronic Systems.
London, UK: Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier
[7] Kularatna, N., 2015. Energy Storage Devices for Electronic Systems.
London, UK: Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier,
[8] Nilsson, J. and Riedel, S., n.d. Electric Circuits. 10th ed. P.179.
[9] Kularatna, N., 2015. Energy Storage Devices for Electronic Systems.
London, UK: Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier, p.143.
[10] Bell, D., n.d. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. p.222-224.
[11] Kularatna, N., 2015. Energy Storage Devices for Electronic Systems.
London, UK: Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier, p.145.
[12] Bell, D., n.d. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. p.226.
[13] Nilsson, J. and Riedel, S., n.d. Electric Circuits. 10th ed. P.174.
[14] Bell, D., n.d. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. p.226-228.
[15] Bell, D., n.d. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. p.230-232.
[16] Electronics Hub. 2020. Applications of Inductor. [online] Available at:
<https://www.electronicshub.org/applications-of-inductor/> [Accessed 16
May 2020].

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‫المعهد العالي‬
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Knowledge and understandings:

➢ Capacitor
➢ Energy storage in capacitor
➢ Series and parallel capacitors
➢ Inductors
➢ Energy storage in inductors
➢ Series and parallel inductors
➢ Initial condition of switched circuits

Scientific activities:
Online lecture
• the natural response of an RL and RC circuits.
• The step response of RL and RC circuits.
• Sequential switching.
• The natural response of a parallel RLC circuits.

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