Electric Circuit Theory 2

1
Second-Order RLC Circuits

Module 005 Second-Order RLC Circuits cont’d

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Natural Response of a Series RLC Circuit

2. Step Response of a Series RLC Circuit

Natural Response of a Series RLC Circuit

The steps for finding the natural or step responses of a series RLC circuit are the same as
those used in parallel RLC circuits, because both are described by differential equations
that have the same form.

Figure 1. A circuit used to illustrate the natural response of a series RLC circuit

𝑅 1
𝐸𝑞 1: 𝑠 2 + 𝐿 𝑠 + 𝐿𝐶 = 0; characteristic equation – series RLC circuit

𝑅 𝑅 2 1
𝐸𝑞 2: 𝑠1,2 = − ± √( ) − = 0; roots of the characteristic equation
2𝐿 2𝐿 𝐿𝐶

𝐸𝑞 3: 𝑠1,2 = −𝛼 ± √𝛼 2 − 𝑤02 ; roots of the characteristic equation

𝑅
𝐸𝑞 4: 𝛼 = 2𝐿 rad/s; neper frequency – series RLC circuit

1
𝐸𝑞 5: 𝜔0 = rad/s; resonant radian frequency – series RLC circuit
√𝐿𝐶

Step Response of a Series RLC Circuit

Note that the equation for neper frequency of series RLC circuit is different from parallel
RLC circuit, but equations for resonant and damped radian frequencies are the same.

Course Module
Current Natural Response Forms in Series RLC Circuits

The current response will depend on the values of the neper frequency and resonant
radiant frequency. Current response will be overdamped, underdamped, or critically
damped whether 𝜔02 < 𝛼 2 , 𝜔02 > 𝛼 2, or 𝜔02 = 𝛼 2 respectively. The possible solutions
for the current are as follows:

𝐸𝑞 6: 𝑖(𝑡) = 𝐴1 𝑒 𝑠1𝑡 + 𝐴2 𝑒 𝑠2𝑡 ; overdamped

𝐸𝑞 7: 𝑖 (𝑡) = 𝐵1 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 cos 𝜔𝑑 𝑡 + 𝐵2 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 sin 𝜔𝑑 𝑡; underdamped

𝐸𝑞 8: 𝑖 (𝑡) = 𝐷1 𝑡𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 + 𝐷2 𝑡𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 ; critically damped

When you have obtained the natural current response, you can find the natural
voltage response across any circuit element. The three solutions for 𝑣𝐶 are as follows:
𝐸𝑞 9: 𝑣𝐶 = 𝑉𝑓 + 𝐴1′ 𝑒 𝑠1𝑡 + 𝐴′2 𝑒 𝑠2𝑡 ; overdamped

𝐸𝑞 10: 𝑣𝐶 = 𝑉𝑓 + 𝐵1′ 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 cos 𝜔𝑑 𝑡 +𝐵2′ 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 sin 𝜔𝑑 𝑡; underdamped

𝐸𝑞 11: 𝑣𝐶 = 𝑉𝑓 + 𝐷1′ 𝑡𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 + 𝐷2′ 𝑡𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 ; critically damped

Example 1:

For the circuit in Fig 2, the 0.1𝜇𝐹 capacitor is charged to 100 V. At 𝑡 = 0 the capacitor is
discharged through a series combination of a 100𝑚𝐻 inductor and a 560Ω resistor. Find
𝑖(𝑡) and 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) for𝑡 ≥ 0.

Figure 2. The circuit for Example 1.

Solution:

The first step to find 𝑖(𝑡) is to get the roots of the characteristic equation.

1 (103 )(106 )
𝜔02 = = = 108
𝐿𝐶 (100)(0.1)

𝑅 560
𝛼= = = 2800 rad/s
2𝐿 2(100)

Next we compare 𝜔02 to 𝛼 2 and note that 𝜔02 > 𝛼 2 because

 Electric Circuit Theory 2
3
Second-Order RLC Circuits

𝛼 2 = 7.84 × 106

= 0.0784 × 108
Therefore the response is underdamped and the solution for 𝑖(𝑡) is of the form

𝑖 (𝑡) = 𝐵1 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 cos 𝜔𝑑 𝑡 + 𝐵2 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 sin 𝜔𝑑 𝑡

where 𝛼 = 2800 rad/s and 𝜔𝑑 = 9600 rad/s. The values of 𝐵1 and 𝐵2 come from the initial
conditions. The inductor current is zero before the switch is closed, hence it is zero
immediately after. Therefore

𝑖 (0) = 0 = 𝐵1

To find 𝐵2 , we evaluate 𝑑𝑖(0+)/𝑑𝑡. From the circuit, note that because 𝑖 (0) = 0
immediately after the switch has been closed, there will be no voltage drop across the
resistor. Thus the initial voltage on the capacitor appears across the terminals of the
inductor, which leads to

𝑑𝑖 (0+)
𝐿 = 𝑉0
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑖 (0+) 𝑉0 100
= = × 103
𝑑𝑡 𝐿 100
= 1000 A/s

Because 𝐵1 = 0,

𝑑𝑖
= 400𝐵2 𝑒 −2800𝑡 (24 cos 9600𝑡 − 7 sin 9600𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
Thus

𝑑𝑖(0+ )
= 9600𝐵2
𝑑𝑡

1000
𝐵2 = ≈ 0.1042 A
9600

The solution for 𝑖(𝑡) is

a) 𝑖 (𝑡) = 0.1042𝑒 −2800𝑡 sin 9600𝑡 A, 𝑡 ≥ 0

𝑑𝑖
To find 𝑣𝐶 𝑡, we can use 𝑣𝑐 = 𝑖𝑅 + 𝐿 𝑑𝑡. The result is

b) 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) = (100 cos 9600𝑡 + 29.17 sin 9600𝑡)𝑒 −2800𝑡 V, 𝑡 ≥ 0

Course Module
Example 2:

For the circuit in Fig 3, no energy is stored in the 100mH inductor or the 0.4𝜇𝐹 capacitor
when the switch in the circuit is closed. Find 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0.

Figure 3. The circuit for Example 2.

Solution:

The roots of the characteristic equation are

280 280 2 106

𝑠1 = − + √( ) −
0.2 0.2 (0.1)(0.4)

= (−1400 + 𝑗4800) rad/s

𝑠2 = (−1400 − 𝑗4800) rad/s

The roots are complex, so the voltage response is underdamped. Thus

𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) = 48 + 𝐵1′ 𝑒 −1400𝑡 cos 4800𝑡 + +𝐵2′ 𝑒 −1400𝑡 sin 4800𝑡, 𝑡 ≥ 0

No energy is stored initially in the circuit, so both 𝑣𝐶 (0) and 𝑑𝑣𝐶 (0+ )/𝑑𝑡 are zero. Then

𝑣𝐶 (0) = 0 = 48 + 𝐵1′

𝑑𝑣𝐶 (0+)
= 0 = 4800𝐵2′ − 1400𝐵1′
𝑑𝑡
Solving for 𝐵1′ and 𝐵2′ gives us

𝐵1′ = −48 V

𝐵2′ = −14 V

Therefore the solution for 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) is

𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) = 48 − 48𝑒 −1400𝑡 cos 4800𝑡 − 14𝑒 −1400𝑡 sin 4800𝑡 V, 𝑡 ≥ 0

 Electric Circuit Theory 2
5
Second-Order RLC Circuits

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals

1. Charles K. Alexander, Matthew N. O. Sadiku; 2017; Fundamentals of Electric Circuits,

6th Edition; McGraw-Hill
2. James W. Nilsson, Susan A. Riedel; 2019; Electric Circuits, 11th Edition; Pearson

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. Lessons in Electric Circuits Volume 2 – AC, Chapter 5: Reactance and Impedance – R,

L, and C; http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/AC/AC_5.html

Online Instructional Videos

1. General Solution for Step and Natural Response;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIw5tisB1w8

Course Module