Electrical and Electronic

Engineering
(RL & RC Circuits)

Course- EL&EC Eng (ENEL2EE) (2024)

Course Lecturer- Dr. P. Kumar
Email- kumarp@ukzn.az.za
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 The capacitor
• So far, we have learnt the techniques for solving resistive networks that are subjected to steady
direct voltages and currents.
• We now need to consider how to solve circuits in which the variables change with time.
• Extending our analysis to cover addition circuit device types that become relevant when the
voltages and currents in a circuit vary with time, namely capacitors and inductors.
• The capacitor is a device which can store electric charge for a short period of time.

• Any voltage that exists across a capacitor is due to the difference in the charge stored on its two
plates.
𝑄𝑄
• 𝑉𝑉 = ; where C is capacitance of the capacitor and is measured in farads (F).
𝐶𝐶
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 The capacitor (cont.)
• If charge is now allowed to move from one plate of the capacitor to the other through an
extended circuit,
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 𝑖𝑖 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= = => 𝑖𝑖 = 𝐶𝐶
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝐶𝐶 𝐶𝐶 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Hence, we can derive a generalized expression for the voltage drop across a capacitor at any
instant in time as follows:
1 𝑡𝑡
𝑉𝑉 𝑡𝑡 = � 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝑉𝑉(0− )
𝐶𝐶 0
Where 𝑉𝑉(0− ) is the initial value of its voltage

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Instantaneous power to a capacitor, p t = 𝑉𝑉 𝑡𝑡 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡)𝐶𝐶
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑡𝑡 1
• Energy stored in a charged capacitor 𝐸𝐸 𝑡𝑡 = ∫𝑡𝑡 1 𝑝𝑝 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝐶𝐶𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡)2
0 2

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 The capacitor (cont.)
• Capacitors connected in series can be reduced to a single equivalent capacitor.

i(t)
C1 v1(t)

v
v2(t)
C2

v3(t)
C3

For the capacitors in series, the total voltage drop is given by:
1 𝑡𝑡1 1 𝑡𝑡1 1 𝑡𝑡1
𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉1 + 𝑉𝑉2 + 𝑉𝑉3 = � 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝑉𝑉1 𝑡𝑡0 + � 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝑉𝑉2 (𝑡𝑡0 ) + � 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝑉𝑉3 (𝑡𝑡0 )
𝐶𝐶1 𝑡𝑡0 𝐶𝐶2 𝑡𝑡0 𝐶𝐶3 𝑡𝑡0
𝑡𝑡1
1 1 1
= + + � 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝑉𝑉1 𝑡𝑡0 + 𝑉𝑉2 𝑡𝑡0 + 𝑉𝑉3 (𝑡𝑡0 )
𝐶𝐶1 𝐶𝐶2 𝐶𝐶3 𝑡𝑡0
1 1 1 1
=> = + +
𝐶𝐶𝑇𝑇 𝐶𝐶1 𝐶𝐶2 𝐶𝐶3
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 The capacitor (cont.)
• For capacitors in parallel, shown below, we have:

i(t) i1(t) i2(t) i3(t)

v(t)
C1 C2 C3

• Since parallel capacitors must carry the same voltage v(t), the total current
is given by: dv dv dv
i( t ) = i1 ( t ) + i2 ( t ) + i3 ( t ) = C1 + C2 + C3
dt dt dt
dv dv
= (C1 + C2 + C3 ) = CT
dt dt
∴ CT = C1 + C2 + C3 5
 The inductor
• An inductor, composed of a coil, is an electrical component that opposes change in
electrical current.
• A current carrying coil establishes a magnetic field (i.e. flux) as shown in Fig. The flux is
established by the current:
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿
∅= (where, L is the Inductance of the coil; N is the number of turns.)
𝑁𝑁

According to Faraday’s law, an emf (e) is induced in a conductor when the flux changes.
𝑑𝑑(𝑁𝑁∅) 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁∅ 𝑑𝑑 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑒𝑒 = = = 𝑁𝑁 = 𝐿𝐿
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑁𝑁 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1
𝑣𝑣 𝑡𝑡 = 𝐿𝐿 ; => 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 = ∫ 𝑣𝑣 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝐿𝐿
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑(𝑡𝑡)
Instantaneous power: 𝑝𝑝 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑣𝑣 𝑡𝑡 𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡 = i t = Li(t)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑡𝑡 1
Stored energy: E 𝑡𝑡 = ∫𝑡𝑡 𝑝𝑝 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝐿𝐿𝑖𝑖(𝑡𝑡)2
0 2
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 The inductor (cont.)
• Just as series-parallel combinations of resistors can be reduced to a single equivalent resistor, series-
parallel combinations of inductors or capacitors can be reduced to a single inductor or capacitor.
• The figure below shows inductors in series.

L1 L2 L3

i(t)

The voltage drops across the individual inductors is given by:

di di di
v1 = L1 , v2 = L2 , v3 = L3
dt dt dt
The total voltage across the series connection and the total inductance become:
di di di di di
v = v1 + v2 + v3 = L1 + L2 + L3 = ( L1 + L2 + L3 ) = LT
dt dt dt dt dt
LT = L1 + L2 + L3
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 The inductor (cont.)
• Inductors in parallel have the same terminal voltage, as shown below.
i(t)

v(t) i1(t)
L1 i2(t) L2 i3(t) L3

For the three inductors in parallel, the currents for the individual inductors are:
t t t
1 1 1
i1 ( t ) = ∫ v ( t )dt + i1 ( to ); i2 ( t ) = ∫ v ( t )dt + i2 ( to ); i3 ( t ) = ∫ v ( t )dt + i3 ( to );
L1 to L2 to L3 to
t t
1 1 1 1
i( t ) = i1 ( t ) + i2 ( t ) + i3 ( t ) =  + +  ∫ v ( t )dt + i1 ( to ) + i2 ( to ) + i3 ( to ) =
Leq ∫to
v( t )dt + i( to );
 L1 L2 L3  to
1 1 1 1
= + + 8
Leq L1 L2 L3
 Discharging of capacitor through a resistor
• Consider the circuit shown in Fig.

• Assuming that the capacitor is fully charged to 𝑉𝑉0 .

• At time 𝑡𝑡 = 0, when the switch is closed, current starts to flow.
𝑡𝑡
−𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
• Voltage across capacitor 𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐 = 𝑉𝑉0 𝑒𝑒 , where 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 is called the time constant.

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Charging a capacitor in RC circuit with a dc source
• Assume that the capacitor is fully discharged before closing the switch.
⇒𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐 0− = 0
𝑡𝑡
−𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
⇒𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐 = 𝑉𝑉0 1 − 𝑒𝑒 ; where 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑉𝑉 𝑑𝑑 −𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑉𝑉0 − 𝑡𝑡
⇒𝑖𝑖𝑐𝑐 = C 𝐶𝐶 =C 𝑉𝑉0 − 𝑉𝑉0 𝑒𝑒 = 𝑒𝑒 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑅𝑅

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 RL circuit with and without a source

• Assume that the initial current in the

• Assume that the initial current in the inductor is 0 .
inductor is 𝐼𝐼0 . 𝑡𝑡
𝑡𝑡 −(𝐿𝐿/𝑅𝑅) 𝑉𝑉0
⇒𝑖𝑖 = 𝐼𝐼0 𝑒𝑒
𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡
− 𝐿𝐿
= 𝐼𝐼0 𝑒𝑒
−(𝐿𝐿/𝑅𝑅)
; where 𝜏𝜏 =
𝐿𝐿 ⇒𝑖𝑖 = 𝐼𝐼0 1 − 𝑒𝑒 ; where 𝐼𝐼0 =
𝑅𝑅
𝑅𝑅

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Capacitors and inductors in steady state condition
𝑡𝑡
−𝜏𝜏
⇒𝑖𝑖 = 𝐼𝐼0 − 𝐼𝐼0 𝑒𝑒 ;
𝑡𝑡
−𝜏𝜏
⇒Where 𝐼𝐼0 =steady state response; 𝐼𝐼0 𝑒𝑒 =transient response
⇒RL and RC circuits at steady state:
For steady state condition using dc source, capacitors behave as open circuits.
For steady state condition using dc source, inductors behave as short circuits.
Hence to find out steady state condition of circuits:
1. Replace capacitors with open circuits.
2. Replace inductors with short circuits.
3. Solve the remaining circuit.

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 RL and RC circuits: Examples
Example: The voltage across 1 𝜇𝜇𝐹𝐹 capacitor is 10 𝑉𝑉 for 𝑡𝑡 < 0. At 𝑡𝑡 = 0, a 1 𝑀𝑀Ω resistor is
connected across the capacitor terminals. Find the time constant, the expression for 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 and the
value of 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 at 𝑡𝑡 = 5 𝑠𝑠.

Solution:
⇒(a) 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 1 × 106 × 1 × 10−6 = 1𝑠𝑠
𝑡𝑡
−𝜏𝜏
⇒(b)𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝑉0 𝑒𝑒 = 10𝑒𝑒 −𝑡𝑡 V
⇒(c) At t=5s; 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 10𝑒𝑒 −5 = 0.0674 V

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 RL and RC circuits: Examples (cont.)
Example: A 5 𝜇𝜇𝐹𝐹 capacitor with an initial voltage of 4𝑉𝑉 is connected as shown below. Find the
expression for the current in the 6 kΩ resistor.

Solution:
6||3=(6X3)/(6+3)=2 kΩ
⇒ 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 2 × 103 × 5 × 10−6 = 10 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡
−𝜏𝜏 − −0.01
⇒𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝑉0 𝑒𝑒 = 4𝑒𝑒 10×10−3 = 4𝑒𝑒 V
𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 4𝑒𝑒 −100𝑡𝑡
⇒𝑖𝑖𝑅𝑅1 = = = 0.667𝑒𝑒 −100𝑡𝑡 mA
𝑅𝑅1 6×103

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 RL and RC circuits: Examples (cont.)
Example: For the circuit shown below , the switch is opened at 𝑡𝑡 = 0. Find the expression for 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 and 𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 .

Solution:
⇒Initial condition: steady state
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⇒𝑉𝑉1 = 6 × 10−3 × × 103 = 8 𝑉𝑉
3
⇒Hence the capacitor at steady state was fully charged at 8 V (𝑉𝑉0 =8V).
⇒At t=0, as the switch is opened:
𝑡𝑡
−𝜏𝜏
⇒𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝑉0 𝑒𝑒
⇒ 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 5 × 103 × 2 × 10−6 = 0.01 s
𝑡𝑡
−0.01
⇒𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 8𝑒𝑒 = 8𝑒𝑒 −100 𝑡𝑡 V
𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 8𝑒𝑒 −100𝑡𝑡
⇒𝑖𝑖𝐶𝐶 = = = 1.6𝑒𝑒 −100𝑡𝑡 mA
𝑅𝑅 5×103
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 RL and RC circuits: Examples (cont.)
Example: For the circuit shown below , the capacitor has no charge for 𝑡𝑡 < 0 i.e. 𝑉𝑉(0− ) = 0. At 𝑡𝑡 = 0, the
switch is closed. Find the expression for 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 and 𝑖𝑖𝐶𝐶 .

Solution:
⇒Applying Thevenin’s theorem at ab.
𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 5 𝑘𝑘Ω
𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡𝑡 =IR=2 × 10−3 × 5 × 103 = 10𝑉𝑉
𝑡𝑡
− 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑉𝑉0 − 𝑡𝑡
⇒𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝑉0 1 − 𝑒𝑒 ; 𝑖𝑖𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶 = 𝑒𝑒 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑅𝑅
⇒ 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 5 × 103 × 2 × 10−6 = 0.01 s
⇒𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 10 1 − 𝑒𝑒 −100𝑡𝑡 𝑉𝑉; 𝑖𝑖𝐶𝐶 = 2𝑒𝑒 −100𝑡𝑡

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