Experiment 9 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Faculty of Engineering (EEE)
EEE1202: Electrical Circuit 1 Laboratory

Title: Transient Analysis of RC series circuit and RL series circuit using PSPICE

Abstract:

In this experiment a pulse waveform is applied to the RC and RL series circuit to analyze the
transient response of the circuit by using PSPICE simulating tool. The pulse width relative to a
circuit’s time constant determines how it is affected by an RC and RL circuits. The prime
objective of this experiment is to-
(i) Simulate the circuits by using components from the PSPICE library and,
(ii) Analyze the transient behavior of RL and RC circuit with the help of simulated
waveforms and theoretical results

Theory:

(i) Time constant (τ): time constant is a measure of time required for certain changes in
voltages and currents in RC and RL circuits. Generally, when the elapsed time exceeds five
time constants (5τ) after switching has occurred, the currents and voltages have reached their
final value, which is also called steady-state response.

The time constant of an RC circuit is the product of equivalent capacitance and the Thevenin
resistance,

𝝉 = 𝑅 × 𝐶……………………..(1)
The time constant of an RL circuit is the equivalent inductance divided by the Thevenin
resistance,
𝐿
𝜏 = …………………..(2)
𝑅

(ii) Transient behavior of RC circuit: The figure below shows a capacitor C in series with a
resistor, R forming a RC Charging Circuit connected across a DC battery supply Vs via a
mechanical switch.

Figure 1:RC circuit

When the switch is closed, the capacitor will gradually charge up through the resistor until
the voltage across it reaches the supply voltage of the battery. Initially, if the capacitor is
fully discharged, then at time t=0, i=0 and Q=0. If the switch is closed at the moment t = 0,

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 1

 Experiment 9 Lab Manual

current begins to flow into the capacitor via the resistor. Since the initial voltage across the
capacitor is zero, (Vc = 0) the capacitor appears to be a short circuit to the external circuit
and the maximum current flows through the circuit restricted only by the resistor R. Then by
using Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL), the voltage drops around the circuit are given as: VS-
R×i(t)-VC(t)=0. The current now flowing around the circuit is called the Charging Current
and is found by using Ohms law as: i = Vs/R. Through the use of calculus, the following
mathematical equation for the charging current ic can be obtained:
𝑡
𝑉𝑠 −
𝑖𝑐 = 𝑒 ………………..(3)
𝜏
𝑅
Through further mathematical analysis, the following equation for the voltage across the
capacitor can be determined:
𝑡
𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉𝑠(1 − 𝑒 −𝜏 )…………(4)
If the capacitor had charged to full battery voltage as indicated in figure 1, the equation for
the decaying voltage and current across the capacitor would be:
𝑡
𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉𝑠𝑒 −𝜏 …………………(5)
𝑡
𝑉𝑠
𝑖𝑐 = − 𝑒 −𝜏 ………………..(6)
𝑅

Waveforms of RC circuit:

Figure 2: Waveforms of voltage across and current through a capacitor during charging and
discharging phase

(iii) Transient behavior of RL circuit: The following figure shows an inductor L in series with a
resistor, R forming a RL Storage Circuit connected across a DC battery supply Vin.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 2

 Experiment 9 Lab Manual

Figure 3:RC circuit

In an R-L circuit, voltage across the inductor decreases with time while in the RC circuit the
voltage across the capacitor increased with time. Thus, current in an RL circuit has the same
form as voltage in an RC circuit: they both rise to their final value exponentially according to 1 -
e (-t*R/L). The expression for the current in the Inductor is given by:
𝑡
𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑖𝐿 = (1 − 𝑒 −𝜏 )…………..(7)
𝑅1

And voltage across inductor, VL during the storage phase can be described mathematically by the
following equation-
𝑡
𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑒 −𝜏………………(8)

If the inductor is disconnected from the supply, the equation of decaying voltage and current
through the inductor would be-
𝑡
𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑖𝐿 = 𝑒 −𝜏 …………..(9)
𝑅1
𝑡
𝑉𝐿 = −𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑒 −𝜏 ………..(10)
Waveforms of RL circuit:

Figure 4: Waveforms of voltage across and current through an inductor during storage and
decay phase

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 3

 Experiment 9 Lab Manual

Pre-Lab Homework:

Study about the transient behavior of RL and RC circuit from the text book “Introductory Circuit
Analysis (chapter 10 and 12)’’ by Robert L Boylestad. Try to analyze different circuits from text
book and compare those with your simulated circuit.

Apparatus:
1. PSPICE software
2. PC

Precautions:

Connecting of circuit should be done properly and PSPICE simulating software should be
properly installed using the information provided at the manual before starting the experimental
work.

Circuit Diagram:

The following circuits are needed to simulate to analyze the transient behavior of RL and RC
circuit-
8K

V1 = 0 V
For transient-
V2 = 10V 8UF Print setup= 2ns
TD = 0 S
Final time= 5s
TR = 0S V PULSE
Step celling= 0s
TF = 0S
PW = 1S

Figure 5: Circuit diagram to analyze transient behavior of RC circuit

8K
For transient-
V1 = 0 V Print setup= 2ms
V2 = 10V Final time= 5s
TD = 0 S 50H
Step celling= 0s
TR = 0S V PULSE
TF = 0S
PW = 1S

Figure 6: Circuit diagram to analyze transient behavior of RL circuit

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 4

 Experiment 9 Lab Manual

Experimental Procedure:

1. Open the PSPICE Design Manager window: Start Program MicroSim Eval 8.
2. Open schematic editor: Press Run Schematics icon from the bar on the left side of the
screen.
3. Select: Draw Get New Part, then select and place each of the circuit elements one by
one (VPULSE for pulse type voltage source, R for resistor, C for capacitor and EGND for
ground). Join the elements by using the wire as necessary.
4. Change the label and magnitude of each element by double clicking on them and editing as
necessary.
5. Then go to Analysis Setup Select Transient and provide the necessary Values. And
select automatically Run Probe after Simulation.
6. To execute the analysis, select: Analysis Simulate or press F11. To view the analysis
result, select: Analysis examine output.
7. Select Analysis Simulate.
8. Select Trace Add and select the desired traces.
9. Perform the text analysis as instructed.

Simulation and Measurement:

In PSpice window, construct the virtual RC and RL circuits shown in the circuit diagram.
Simulate the parametric wave shape for both the circuits.

Results:

1. Set the value of C= 100µf, L= 100H, R= 50kΩ and simulate the circuits.
2. Calculate the value of τ for RL and RC circuit.
3. Compare the simulation results with your calculated data and finally calculate percentage
of error (if any).

Discussion and Conclusion:

Interpret the data/findings and determine the extent to which the experiment was successful in
complying with the goal that was initially set. Discuss any mistake you might have made while
conducting the investigation and describe ways the study could have been improved.

Reference:

[1] Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, Prentice Hall, 12th Edition, New
York, 2010, ISBN 9780137146666.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 5