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Transient Analysis
1. Solve for the steady-state response of the circuit before the switch changes state
(t = 0−) and after the transient has died out (t→∞).We shall generally refer to these
responses as x(0−) and x(∞).
2. Identify the initial condition for the circuit x(0+), using continuity of capacitor
voltages and inductor currents [vC = vC(0−), iL(0+) = iL(0−)].
3. Write the differential equation of the circuit for t = 0+, that is, immediately after the
switch has changed position. The variable x(t) in the differential equation will be
either a capacitor voltage vC(t) or an inductor current iL(t). It is helpful at this time
to reduce the circuit to Thévenin or Norton equivalent form, with the energy
storage element (capacitor or inductor) treated as the load for the Thévenin
(Norton) equivalent circuit. Reduce this equation to standard form (equation 5.8).
4. Solve for the time constant of the circuit: τ = RTC for capacitive circuits, τ = L/RT for
inductive circuits.
5. Write the complete solution for the circuit in the form x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]e−t/τ
General Solution of First-Order Circuits
Let the initial condition of the system be x(t =
0) = x(0). Then we seek to solve the differential
equation
Second-order circuits
Solution of Second-Order Circuits