ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 2 Manual

ACTIVITY 2: IMPEDANCE OF RL CIRCUITS

2.1. SERIES RL CIRCUITS

2.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems

b. ability to design and conduct fieldworks, as well as to analyse and interpret data
c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

2.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify
b. calculate
c. Evaluate

2.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
1. To determine the characteristics of series RL circuits using calculated
and measured values.

2. To verify the results with the oscilloscope.

2.4 Principle of the Activity

Many RL circuits contain multiple resistors and inductors that are in series. The total
inductive reactance of a circuit is determined in much the same way as total circuit
resistance. When inductors are in series, the total inductive reactance (XLT) is the sum of
the individual reactances.
XLT = XL1 + XL2 + XL3 + …
The total inductive reactance increases as the number of inductors in series
increases. The result is lower circuit and higher circuit impedance. As in circuits with
resistors only, the current flowing through each component in a series RL circuit is the
same. Figure 2.1-1 shows a series RL circuit.

Circuit impedance (Z) is the square root of the sum of the squares of the total
resistance (RT) and the total inductive resistance (XLT). For the circuit in Figure 2.1-1, Z is
determined as follows.

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

 RT = R 1 + R 2 + R 3 XLT = XL1 + XL2

RT = 1,000 + 200 + 500 XLT = 1,000 + 1500

RT = 1, 700 Ω XLT = 2, 500 Ω

Z= √ (RT + X ¿ )
2 2

Z= √ (1700 +25002 )
2

Z= √ ( 9 , 140 ,000 )
Z= 3, 023 Ω

To applied voltage (Vac), Z, and Ohm’s law is then used to determine the circuit
current.
I-T = V-ac/Z
I-T = 8/3023
I-T = 0.00265 mApk-pk (2.65 mApk-pk)

Voltage drops across individual components are determined from the circuit
current, Ohm’s law, and the resistance or reactance of the individual component. For
example, the voltage drop across L1 (V L1) in Figure 2.1-1 is as shown.

VL1 = I x XL1
VL1 = 0.00265 x 1000
VL1 = 2.65 Vpk-pk

In circuits with resistors only, the sum of the voltage drop across each resistor
equals the applied voltage. In RL circuits, however, the applied voltage does not equal
the sum of the voltage drops, but the square root of the sum of the squares of the voltage
drops. For the circuit in Figure 2.1-1, Vac is determined by the following formula.

Vac = ( V RT +V XLT ) volts

√ 2 2

Figure 2.1-2 shows this relationship in a phasor diagram. If the voltage drops in
the circuit in Figure 2.1-1 were added together, the sum would be greater than the applied
voltage (Vac).

1.5 Materials/Equipment

1- F. A. C. E. T. Base Unit
1- AC 1 FNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2- Power supply, 15 Vdc
1- Oscilloscope, dual trace
1- Multimeter

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

 1- Generator, sine wave

1.6 Circuit Diagrams / Figures / Source Codes (if Applicable)

Figure 1. Title
1.7 Procedure/s
PROCEDURE A:

1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the AC 1 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board.

2. If your generator does not have an output impedance of 50Ω, you must use the Generator
Buffer, install on on the AC 1 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board.

3. Turn on the power sources.

4. Locate the DC/AC waveforms circuit board. Use a two-post connector to connect the
generator source to resistor R1. Does the circuit indicate that an external generator supply is
required? ________________________________________

5. Use terminal posts to connect the generator leads, (use the Generator Buffer if necessary) to
the DC/AC Waveforms circuit block. Turn on the generator. Set up the oscilloscope for basic
operation (refer to Procedure A of EXERCISE 1.1). Use terminal posts to connect the channel 1
x10 probe across R. Set the generator function control for a sine wave output, and adjust the
amplitude control to about midpoint. Set the generator frequency to approximately 1.5 kHz.

6. Set the channel 1 vertical coupling to AC, and adjust the attenuator and time base controls to
produce a display similar to the one in Figure 1.2-3.

7. Increase the generator frequency control. Do the number of cycles displayed on the
oscilloscope increase or decrease as the frequency is increased?

________________________________.

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

8. Return the frequency to the original setting of 1.5 kHz. Measure and record the time required
for the waveform to complete one cycle (twave ).

twave = ______ second

9. Turn down the intensity on the oscilloscope, and remove all connections from the DC/AC
waveforms circuit block.

B. GENERATOR IMPEDANCE:

At the beginning of this exercise, you found that the generator output impedance (Rs) and
the circuit load (RL) form a voltage divider. Recall from studying dc circuits that a voltage
divider consisting of two equal resistances divides the source voltage in half. This knowledge
can be used to measure the output impedance of a generator. In this procedure, you will refer to
Figure 1.2-4 and adjust RL so that the loaded generator output is half the open circuit generator
output. At this point, RL and Rs will be equal. Measuring the value of RL with a multimeter will
then give you the value of Rs.

PROCEDURE B:

1. Set the generator frequency to about 1 kHz.

2. Connect the channel 1 x10 probe to the generator output (if you are using the Generator
Buffer, connect the probe to the Generator Buffer output).

3. Turn up the oscilloscope intensity to about midrange, and apply the generator output directly
to the channel 1 x 10 probe. Adjust the generator amplitude to produce a sine wave that is 6
vertical divisions high. Does this voltage represent the open circuit or loaded output of the
generator? ________________________________

4. Locate the GENERATOR IMPEDANCE circuit block. Turn potentiometer R on the generator
impedance circuit block fully clockwise. Connect the generator to the GENERATOR

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

IMPEDANCE circuit block, and connect the channel 1 x10 probe across R1 and R2. Do R1 and
R2 represent the load?

____________________.

5. Slowly turn potentiometer R counterclockwise until the waveform displayed on the

oscilloscope decreases in amplitude to 3 graticule lines high (half the open circuit value). Does
the voltage across R1 and R2 represent the open circuit loaded output of the generator?
_____________________________________.

6. Disconnect the generator and the oscilloscope probe from the GENERATOR IMPEDANCE
circuit block.

7. Measure and record the combined resistance of R1 and R2 (RL) with a multimeter. Does RL
equal the output impedance of the generator? _____________________

8. Turn off power source, and remove all circuit board connections.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. The controls that adjust frequency on an ac waveform generator are the frequency and

1. Range controls
2. Amplitude controls
3. Function controls
4. Vertical control

2. If a waveform applied to an oscilloscope input (using a x10 probe) results in a waveform

display having a cycle 7.2 horizontal divisions wide with a time base control setting 0.5 ms/div.
How long is each cycle?

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

1. 36 ms
2. 3.6 ms
3. 360 ms
4. 360 ìs

3. The loading down of a generator is caused by the

1. Use of a x10 probe when you take ac measurements with an oscilloscope

2. Current divider formed between the generator output impedance and the load
3. Generator input impedance
4. Voltage divider formed between the generator output impedance and the load

4. The load (RL) equals the output impedance of the generator (Rs) when the

1. Loaded output voltage equals the open circuit output voltage

2. Loaded output voltage is half the open circuit output voltage
3. Open circuit output voltage is half the loaded output voltage
4. Loaded output voltage is twice the open circuit output voltage

5. Which symbol in the F.A. C. E. T. program indicates that an external generator connection is
required?

1.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:
Group Members: Signature:
1.
2.
3.

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

 4.
5.

1.8.1 Data and Results

1.8.2 Calculations

1.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

 1.8.4 Conclusion/s

6.8.5 Rating

Score
Pre-initiation Initiating Implementing Refining
Sustaining
Criteria Member1 Member2
1 2 3 4 Member3 Member
5 Member5

1. Activity Member does Member Member Member Member

Conduct not follow good follows good follows good follows good follows good
and safe and safe and safe and safe and safe
laboratory laboratory laboratory laboratory laboratory
practice in the practice practice most of practice at all practice at all
conduct of some of the the time in the times in the times in the
activity. time in the conduct of conduct of conduct of
conduct of activity. activity. activity and
activity. encourages
others to do
the same.
2.Equipm Member is Member is Member is able Member is Member is
ent unable to able to to operate able to able to

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

Operatio operate the operate equipment and operate the operate the
n and equipment and equipment instrument with equipment equipment
Material instruments. and supervision. and and
Handling instrument instruments instruments
with much with ease and with ease and
supervision. with minimum without
supervision. supervision.
3. Data The group has The group The group has The group has The group
Collection presented has presented presented has
mostly presented relevant partial relevant and presented
irrelevant data. relevant but but accurate almost relevant
incomplete and relevant complete but complete and
and data. accurate data. accurate
inaccurate data.
data.
4. Data There are many There are Analysis is Analysis is Analysis is
Analysis inaccuracies in some partially correct. The correct. The
and analysis. The inaccuracies correct. The group group
Evaluatio group did not in analysis. group recognized recognized
n attempt to The group recognized some errors some errors
make some did attempt some errors and and and
links to prior to make inaccuracies in inaccuracies in inaccuracies
knowledge. some links the processed, the processed, in the
to prior manipulated manipulated processed,
knowledge. and presented and presented manipulated
data. The group data. The and
is able to make group is able presented
some links to to make some data. The
prior links to prior group is able
knowledge. knowledge. to relate
presented
data to other
knowledge.
5. Results The group has The group The group has The group has The group
Interpret no has vague clear and logical clear and has clear and
ation interpretation interpretatio interpretation logical logical
of data and has n of data of data and/ interpretation interpretatio
invalid and attempts to of data and is n of data and
conclusion. conclusion is identify trends able to draw is able to
fundamental from the data. some draw suitable
ly flawed. conclusions accurate
from the data. conclusions
from the data

Total Score

Mean Score = (Total Score / 5)

Percentage Score = (Total Score / 25) x 100%

Other Comments/ Observations:

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS

ACTIVITY 1: FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC INSTRUMENTS