Lesson 5: Basic AC Circuits

(Purely Resistive, Inductive

and Capacitive Circuits)
Recall:
Resistor – An electrical component that resists or opposes the flow of direct or
alternating current in a circuit.

Resistance (𝑹) – The property of a material that limits the amount of flow of current and
converts electric energy to heat energy.

Ohm (Ω) – The unit of electric resistance named after Georg Simon Ohm. One ohm is
that resistance that allows one ampere to flow when pushed by a pressure of one volt. –
(Ohm’s Law)
𝑽
𝑰 = or frequently written as 𝑽 = 𝑰𝑹
𝑹
Conductance (𝑮) – The reciprocal of resistance.

Siemens (S) – The unit of electric conductance named after the brothers Ernst Werner
von Siemens and Karl Wilhelm Siemens. Sometimes, uses the unit mho (℧), reversed
spelling and symbol for ohm (Ω).
Recall:
Electric current (I) – It is the motion or transfer of charges from one region of a
conductor to another.
Ampere (A) – The unit of electric current named after André-Marie Ampère.

Electric voltage or Electromotive force (V or E) – It is the work done in moving a unit

charge through an element from one terminal to the other. It is also called as electric
potential.
Volt (V) – The unit of electric voltage named after Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio
Anastasio Volta.
Recall:

Power (P) consumed by the resistor is given by the equation below.

The unit for power is in watt (W).

If power is positive (P > 0), power is being delivered to the circuit.

If power is negative (P < 0), power is being extracted to the circuit.
𝑽𝟐
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑷) = 𝑰𝑽 = = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹
𝑹

Energy (E) consumed can be expressed as the product of power and time.
The unit for energy is in watt-hour (Wh) or mostly kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Recall:

Example: A 55-watt desk fan was running for 16 hours every day in your room. Calculate
the resistance and the total consumed energy of the desk fan for 30 days. Assuming a
220-volt supply.
Solution:
Substituting values of the power rating P and supply voltage V from the formula,
𝑽𝟐 𝑽𝟐 (𝟐𝟐𝟎)𝟐
𝑷= or 𝑹 = = = 𝟖𝟖𝟎 𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐬
𝑹 𝑷 𝟓𝟓
16hrs
Total time consumed, 𝒕 = 30 days = 480 hours
day
To calculate the total consumed energy, use the formula for energy,
Recall:

RESISTORS IN SERIES
Components in a series circuit share the same amperage, so the total amperage in a
series circuit is equal to the individual amperages:
𝑰𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐 = ⋯ = 𝑰𝒏
Total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual voltage drops:
𝑽𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑽𝒏
it greater than any of the individual resistances:
Recall:
Example: Given three resistors connected in series with values of 250, 45, and 2000
ohms respectively, calculate the total resistance.
Solution:
Substitute R1 = 250 ohms, R 2 = 45 ohms, and R 3 = 2000 ohms:
𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑 = 250 + 45 + 2000 = 𝟐𝟐𝟗𝟓 𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐬
Recall:

RESISTORS IN PARALLEL
Components in a parallel circuit share the same voltage, so the total voltage in a parallel circuit is
equal to the individual voltages: 𝑽𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑽𝟏 = 𝑽𝟐 = ⋯ = 𝑽𝒏
Total amperage in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the individual branch amperages:
𝑰𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑰𝒏
The total conductance in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the individual conductance. For
parallel circuit, the total conductance would be used to find the total resistance. Thus, making
the total resistance less than any of the individual resistances: 𝑮𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑮𝟏 + 𝑮𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑮𝒏
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +⋯+ 𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 =
𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝒏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑹𝒏
Recall:

Example: Given three resistors connected in parallel with values of 250, 45, and 2000
ohms respectively, calculate the total resistance.
Solution:
𝟏
Substitute R1 = 250 ohms, R 2 = 45 ohms, and R 3 = 2000 ohms: 𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ +
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

1
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟒𝟐𝟐 𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐬
1 1 1
+ + 2000
250 45
Recall:

Example: Given three resistors connected in parallel with values of 250, 45, and 2000 ohms
respectively, calculate the total resistance.
Solution:
𝟏
Substitute R1 = 250 ohms, R 2 = 45 ohms, and R 3 = 2000 ohms: 𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ +
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

1
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟒𝟐𝟐 𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐬
1 1 1
+ +
250 45 2000
Recall:
Inductor – A two-terminal device that consists of a coiled conductor wire. An electrical
component that opposes the change in the flow of current.
Inductance (𝑳) – The property of the coil due to which it opposes any increase or decrease of
current or flux through it.
Henry (𝑯) – The unit of inductance named after Joseph Henry. A coil is said to have a self-
inductance of 1 henry if a current if 1 ampere flowing through a coil produces flux linkage of 1
weber-turn.
𝑵𝜱
𝑳=
𝑰
Recall:

Number of turns ( 𝑵 ) – The number of turns in the coil.

Magnetic flux (𝜱) – The totality of magnetic lines of force in a magnetic field.
Weber (Wb) – The unit of magnetic flux in mks system named after Wilhelm Eduard
Weber.
Maxwell (Mx) – The unit of magnetic flux in cgs system named after James Clerk
Maxwell.
𝟏 𝒘𝒆𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝑾𝒃 = 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒔 (𝑴𝒙)
Energy stored (W)𝟐 – Located in the magnetic field of the inductor.
Joule 𝟏(J) –𝟐 The𝟏unit
𝑵𝚽of energy
𝟏 stored in an inductor named after James Prescott Joule.
𝑾 = 𝑳𝑰 = = 𝑵𝚽𝑰
𝟐 𝟐 𝑳 𝟐
Recall:

Capacitor – A two-terminal device that consists of

two conducting bodies that are separated by a non-
conducting material which is the insulator or
dielectric. An electrical component that opposes the
change in the flow of voltage.

Capacitance (𝑪) – The property of material to store

electric charges.
Farad (𝑭) – The unit of capacitance named after
Michael Faraday. A capacitor is said to have a
capacitance by 1 farad if 1 coulomb of charge stored
in its plates raises its potential to 1 volt.
𝑸
𝑪 = or frequently written as 𝑸 = 𝑪𝑽
𝑽
Recall:

Elastance (𝑺) – The reciprocal of capacitance.

Daraf – The unit of elastance. Farad spelled backwards.

Charge (Q) – The property of some bodies which causes them to exert force on each
other.
Coulomb (C) – The unit of electric charge named after Charles-Augustin de Coulomb.
An electric charge of one coulomb is equal to 6.28 × 1018 electrons.

Energy stored (W) – Located at the dielectric medium of a capacitor.

Joule (J) – The unit of energy stored in a capacitor named after James Prescott Joule.
𝟏 𝟐 𝟏 𝑸𝟐 𝟏
𝑾 = 𝑪𝑽 = = 𝑸𝑽
𝟐 𝟐 𝑪 𝟐
Recall:

Alternating current (AC) is an electric

current that changes direction periodically
usually many times per second.

Alternating voltage may be generated by:

Rotation of conductor surrounded in the
magnetic field
Rotation of magnetic field around the
stationary conductors
Recall:
 Recall:
The height of a waveform can be expressed in terms of peak
value, peak-to-peak value, instantaneous value, rms value, and
average value

1. Instantaneous value – the value at any point along a sine

wave (only), expressed as 𝒗 (or 𝒊).
𝒗 = 𝑽𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 where θ = angle of rotation (in deg. or rad)

2. RMS (Root-mean-square) value – effective value which

causes the same heating effect as an equal value of DC
and measured using multimeter, express as 𝑽 (or 𝑰).

3. Average (or Mean) value – the average of all instantaneous

values in a half-cycle, express as 𝑽𝒂𝒗𝒆 (or 𝑰𝒂𝒗𝒆 )
Recall:
Phasor:

A complex number or transformed version of sinusoid which consists of the amplitude and
the phase angle; also represented by the frequency domain.

𝑨 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 ± 𝝓 ⟷ 𝑨∠±𝝓
Recall:
Phase Relationship

Two waveforms are out of phase by φ (φ is the phase difference between

the waveforms)

1. Given v=Vmsinωt and i=Imsinωt+ϕ, current leads the voltage by φ.

2. Given v=Vmsinωt and i=Imsinωt-ϕ, current lags the voltage by φ.

1. 2.

current leads the voltage by φ current lags the voltage by φ

Purely Resistive Circuits

e.g., lighting circuits with incandescent lamps and power circuits for stoves or heaters
Current is in phase with the voltage

Schematic Diagram Voltage-Current Waveform Phasor Diagram

Purely Resistive Circuits

Equations for instantaneous values:

𝒗 = 𝑽𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬
𝒊 = 𝑰𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬
𝟏 𝟏
𝒑 = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 − 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝝎𝒕 𝒘𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐬
𝟐 Power is𝟐 the product of the rms voltage and rms
Average
current (same way as DC) which is always consumed by the
resistive circuit𝟏
𝑷𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝑽𝑰 = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐬
𝟐
Purely Capacitive Circuits
The periodic change of the voltage due to the AC supply will cause the capacitor to
continually charge and discharge.

Current leads the voltage by 90°

Schematic Diagram Voltage-Current Waveform Phasor Diagram

Purely Capacitive Circuits

Equations for instantaneous values:

𝒗 = 𝑽𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬
𝒊 = 𝑰𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 + 𝟗𝟎° 𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬
𝟏
𝒑 = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝝎𝒕 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐬
𝟐 Power is zero.
Average
𝑷𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝟎 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐬
Purely Inductive Circuits
The periodic change of the current due to the AC supply will cause the inductor to oppose the
change in the value and direction of the current.

Current lags the voltage by 90°

Schematic Diagram Voltage-Current Waveform Phasor Diagram

Purely Inductive Circuits

Equations for instantaneous values:

𝒗 = 𝑽𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬
𝒊 = 𝑰𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎𝒕 − 𝟗𝟎° 𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬
𝟏
𝒑 = − 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝝎𝒕 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐬
𝟐
Average Power is zero.
𝑷𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝟎 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐬
Reactance

It is the opposition to the alternating current caused by capacitor

or inductor that acts to oppose the changing voltage or current.
Unit: ohm (𝛀)

Inductive Reactance
Capacitive Reactance
Inductive Reactance

Opposition to current flow in a purely inductive AC circuit, Unit: ohm (𝛀)

Formula: 𝑿𝑳 = 𝟐𝝅𝒇𝑳
Where 𝒇 is frequency in hertz (𝑯𝒛) and 𝑳 is inductance in henry (𝑯).
Ohm’s law: 𝑽 = 𝑰𝑿𝑳
Equivalent inductive reactance for inductive reactances in series:
𝑿𝑳𝑻 = 𝑿𝑳𝟏 + 𝑿𝑳𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑿𝑳𝒏
Equivalent inductive reactance for inductive reactances in parallel:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + ⋯+
𝑿𝑳𝑻 𝑿𝑳𝟏 𝑿𝑳𝟐 𝑿𝑳𝒏
Capacitive Reactance

Opposition to current flow in a purely capacitive AC circuit, Unit: ohm (𝛀)

𝟏
Formula: 𝑿𝑪 =
𝟐𝝅𝒇𝑪

Where 𝒇 is frequency in hertz (𝑯𝒛) and 𝑪 is capacitance in farad (𝑭).

Ohm’s law: 𝑽 = 𝑰𝑿𝑪

Equivalent capacitive reactance for capacitive reactances in series:

𝑿𝑪𝑻 = 𝑿𝑪𝟏 + 𝑿𝑪𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑿𝑪𝒏

𝟏 Equivalent
𝟏 capacitive
𝟏 reactance
𝟏 for capacitive reactances in parallel:
= + + ⋯+
𝑿 𝑿 𝑿 𝑿
Example:

1. An inductor of 2H is connected to a circuit at a frequency of 50Hz.

Compute the inductive reactance of this circuit?

2. At what frequency does a 250 mH inductor have 3.5 kΩ of

reactance?
Example:
1. Calculate the capacitive reactance if 40 mF is connected to a
frequency generator of 50 Hz signal.

2. Calculate the reactance of capacitance in an AC circuit wherein the

input signal has a frequency of 100 Hz and a capacitor has a
capacitance of 1000mF in a circuit.
Example:

1. An incandescent lamp load, generally considered to be made

up of resistors, takes 4.8kW from a 120V AC source. Calculate

a. the total current

b. the instantaneous maximum value of power
c. the resistance of the load

Answers:
a. 40A
b. 9600W
c. 3 ohms
Example: (Purely Capacitive)
1. A 127microfarad capacitor is connected to a 125V, 50cycle
source. Calculate:

a. the capacitive reactance

b. the current in the circuit
c. the average power taken by the capacitor
d. the maximum power delivered to the capacitor or returned to
the source.
e. Write equation for the current
f. Write equation for the power

Answers:
a. 25 ohms b. 5Amperes d. 625
𝜋
e. 5 2sin(314t + ) f. 625sin(628t)
2
Example:
1. An inductance of 0.106H is connected to a 120V, 60 cycle source.
Calculate

a. the inductive reactance

b. the current in the circuit
c. the average power taken by the inductor
d. the maximum power delivered to the inductor or returned to the
source.
e. Write equation for the current
f. Write equation for the power

Answers:
a. 40 ohms b. 3 Amperes d. 360
𝜋
e. 3 2sin(377t - ) f. -360sin(754t)
2