SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N.

Sarwade

Unit 3: Single Phase AC Circuit (Q No. 1 and Q. No. 2)

Pure R, Pure L and Pure C AC Circuit
1. Prove that the voltage and current are in phase in case of purely resistive circuit. Also
find power consumed in circuit.
Ans: Consider a circuit which consists of pure resistance R only as shown in Fig.

Fig. Purely Resistive Circuit

Let, the applied alternating voltage be given by equation,

v = Vm sin t … (1)

As, voltage v is applied in a close loop so an alternating current will be set up in the circuit.
At any instant, the value of current is given by Ohm's law as,
v V sin wt Vm
i=R = m = R sin t
R
The current will be maximum when sin t becomes unity, i.e. I m  (Vm R) ,

i = (Vm R) sin t =Im sin t … (2)

Fig. Voltage and Current Waveforms & Phasor diagram

So in case of Resistive circuit, voltage and current obtains their zero and maximum value
at same instant. Hence they are in phase as shown in Fig.

Power
In a.c. circuits, power at any instant is given by the product of instantaneous voltage and
instantaneous current.
Instantaneous power, p = v  i

Where, for pure resistance, v = Vm sin t and i = Im sin t

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

p = Vm sin t  Im sin t
1 – cos 2 t
= Vm Im sin2 t = Vm Im  
 2 
Vm Im Vm Im
= 2 – 2 cos 2t

Thus, instantaneous power consists of a constant part (Vm I m ) 2 and a fluctuating part

[(Vm I m ) 2 ]Cos2t . The fluctuating part is a cosine curve of frequency double that of

voltage and current. For one complete cycle, average value of [ (Vm I m ) 2 ] Cos2t is zero.

Fig : Voltage, current and power waveforms

Average Power
Average power over a cycle,
 VmIm   VmIm  VmIm
P = Average of   – Average of  cos 2 (t) = –0
 2   2  2
Vm Im
P=  =V  I Watt
2 2

2. Prove that the current lags behind applied voltage by 900 in case of purely inductive
circuit. Also find power consumed in circuit.
Ans: Consider a circuit which consists of pure Inductance, L only as shown in Fig.

Fig. Purely Inductive Circuit

Wherever, an alternating voltage of v volt is applied to a purely inductive coil of inductance
L Henry, an alternating current starts flowing in the circuit. This current produces an

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

alternating (changing) magnetic field which links with the same coil to produce an emf of
self-induction which is given by,

 di
e=– L dt
 
As the circuit contains only L, therefore emf of self-induction will always oppose the
applied voltage as per Lenz's law,

 di di
 v = – e = – – L dt = L dt , Where v = Vm sin t ----(1)
 
di
Vm sin t = L ·
dt

L · di = Vm sin t ·dt

Vm
di = L sin t · dt
Integrating on both sides,
Vm
i= ∫ L sin t · dt
Vm  cos t
i= L – 
  
Vm
i= sin (t – π/2) … (2)
L
When sin(t – π/2) becomes unity, the current attains maximum value which is given by,
Vm
Im = where L is called as inductive reactance, XL.
L
i = Im sin (t – π/2) or i= Im sin (t – 90o) …(3)

Fig. Voltage and Current Waveforms & Phasor diagram

The current obtains zero value 90° after voltage. Thus, the current always lags behind
voltage by 90° as shown in figure.
Power
Instantaneous power, p = v · i
=Vm sin t · Im sin (t – π/2)=Vm Im sin t · (– cos t)
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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

Vm Im
= – Vm Im · sin t · cos t= – sin 2t
2

Fig. Voltage, current and power waveforms

Average Power
Average power over one complete cycle,
 Vm Im 
P = Average of – 2 sin 2t = 0
 
3 If a sinusoidal voltage of v = Vm sin ωt is applied across purely capacitive circuit,
derive the expression for current drawn and power consumed.
Ans: Consider a circuit which consists of pure Capacitance, C only as shown in Fig.

Fig. Circuit Diagram

When a pure capacitor is connected across an alternating voltage of v capacitor is charged

in one direction then in the opposite direction. Thus instantaneous charge q stored on the
plates of capacitor depends on that instant (time t). The instantaneous charge q on the
capacitor of capacitance value C is given by,
q=C·v ,
where v= Vm sint …..(1)

q= C · Vm sint

Let dq is the small charge which stored on a capacitor plate, in small time interval dt
second, when the instantaneous value of current is
dq d d
i = dt = dt (C · Vm sint) = C · Vm dt (sin t)

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

= C · Vm (cos t · ) = (C) · Vm · cos t

Vm Vm
= · cos t = · sin (t + π/2) .....(2)
1/(C) 1/(C)

Current reaches its maximum value Im, when sin (t + π/2) = 1

Vm
Im = = Vm · (C)
(1/C)
where term (1/C) is called as capacitive reactance XC
Vm
Substituting = Im in equation (2),
1/C

i = Im · sin (t + π/2) …..(3)

Fig. Voltage and Current Waveforms & Phasor diagram

The current obtains zero value 90° before voltage. Thus the current always leads ahead
the applied voltage by 90°.
Power
Instantaneous power, p = v · i
p= Vm sint · Im sin(t + π/2)= Vm Im sint · cos t

Vm Im
p= 2 sin 2t

Thus instantaneous power wave has double frequency as that of applied voltage and current
as shown in Fig.

Fig. Voltage, current and power waveforms

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

Average Power

Vm Im 
Average power over a cycle = Average of  2 sin 2t = 0
 
4. Show that the average power taken by pure Inductor or pure Capacitor over a cycle
is zero.
Ans: For Pure Inductive circuit
Instantaneous power, p = v · i

p=Vm sin t · Im sin (t – π/2)=Vm Im sin t · (– cos t)

Vm Im
p= – Vm Im · sin t · cos t= – 2 sin 2t

Average power over one complete cycle,

2
 Vm Im   Vm Im 
P = Average of – 2

sin 2t =
 
0
–
 2 sin 2 t  =0


For Pure Capacitive circuit

Instantaneous power, p = v · i

p=Vm sin t · Im sin (t + π/2)=Vm Im sin t · ( cos t)

Vm Im
p= Vm Im · sin t · cos t= 2 sin 2t

Average power over one complete cycle,

2
 Vm Im   Vm Im 
P = Average of  2

sin 2t =
 0

 2
sin 2 t =0


5. What is Inductive and Capacitive reactance? Explain their dependency on frequency.

Ans: Inductive Reactance: It is the opposition made by Inductor to flow of an alternating
current.
The opposition is expressed as XL (Inductive
reactance) and is given by, X L  V I
Where, X L  2fL Ohm .
X L  f , When value of L (Self Inductance) is
constant.
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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

The variation of XL with respect to change in frequency is

shown in figure. The higher the frequency, the greater the
inductive reactance; the lower the frequency, the less the
inductive reactance for a given inductor.

Capacitive Reactance: It is the opposition made by Capacitor to flow of an alternating

current.
The opposition is expressed as XC (Capacitive reactance)
and is given by, X C  V I
Where, X C  1 (2f C ) Ohm .
X C  1 f , When value of C (Capacitance) is constant.

The variation of XC with respect to change in frequency is

shown in figure. The higher the frequency, the less the
Capacitive reactance; the lower the frequency, the higher
the Capacitive reactance for a given Capacitor.

R-L, R-C and R-L-C series AC Circuit

6. If v=Vm sin ωt is applied across single phase circuit and current flowing through the
circuit is i=Im sin (ωt-Ф). Derive the expression for average power consumed in the
circuit. Draw voltage, current and power waveforms.
Ans: Let us consider the R-L circuit as shown in fig. Let v = Vm sin t

Fig. Circuit diagram

Now the current flowing through the circuit at any instant is i = Im (t – )

The instantaneous power is given as,

p = v.i
= Vm sin t . Im sin (t – ) = Vm Im sin t . sin (t – )

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

Vm Im VmIm VmIm
= 2 [cos  – cos (2 t – ) ] = 2 cos  – 2 cos (2t – )
In the above expression first term is constant and the second term having the double of the
supply frequency.

Fig. Voltage, current and power waveforms

Average Power
VmIm VmIm
P = Average of [ 2 cos  – 2 cos (2t – )]

Hence the average power consumed over a cycle by second term is zero.

VmIm Vrms Irms

P = 2 cos  = . cos 
2 2
P = V. I. cos  Watt

7. If v=Vm sin ωt is applied across single phase circuit and current flowing through the
circuit is i=Im sin (ωt+Φ). Derive the expression for average power consumed in the
circuit. Draw voltage, current and power waveforms.
Ans: Let v = Vm sin t

Fig . Circuit diagram

The current flowing through the circuit at any instant is i = Im sin (t + )

The instantaneous power is given as,

p = v.i

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

= Vm sin t . Im sin (t + ) = Vm Im sin t . sin (t + )

Vm Im VmIm VmIm
= 2 [cos  – cos (2 t + ) ] = 2 cos  – 2 cos (2t + )

In the above expression first terms is constant and the second term having double of the
supply frequency, hence the average power consumed by the second term is zero.

Fig. Voltage, current and power waveforms

Average Power
VmIm VmIm
P = Average of [ 2 cos  – 2 cos (2t +)]

Hence the average power consumed over a cycle by second term is zero.
VmIm Vrms Irms
P= 2 cos  = . cos 
2 2
P = V. I. cos  Watt

8. What is Impedance? Draw Impedance Triangle for R-L and R-C Series circuit
Ans: Impedance: It is the opposition made by entire circuit to flow of an alternating current.
It is denoted by Z and its unit is ohm.
Z  V I , Z may be R-L/ R-C/ R-L-C combination

R-L Series Circuit R-C Series Circuit

Impedance Triangle

Z=R+jXL=Z∠Ф Z=R-jXC=Z∠-Ф

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

9. Explain concept of active, reactive and apparent power. Draw the power triangle for
R-L series or R-C series circuit.
Ans: Active Power or Real Power (P)
Active power is the power which is actually consumed in the circuit. It is the product of
RMS value of voltage and current. It is measured in watts or kW and its symbol is P.
P = V I cos Ф Watt

Reactive Power (Q)

Reactive power is not actually consumed by the circuit rather this power is taken and
returned back to the source by components like inductance or capacitance. Reactive power
is product of RMS value of voltage and quadrature component of current. Its symbol is Q
and unit is VAr or kVAr.
Q = V I sin Ф VAr

Apparent Power (S)

Apparent power is the total power available at source. This power is the product of RMS
value of voltage and current. Its symbol is S and unit is volt ampere or VA.
S = V I VA

Apparent power, S= (Real power)2 + (Reactive power)2 = P2 + Q2

R-L Series Circuit R-C Series Circuit

Power Triangle

Complex Form S=P+jQ=S∠Ф S=P-jQ=S∠-Ф

10. What is complex power? Explain its physical significance.

Complex power, S (in VA) is the product of the RMS voltage
phasor and the complex conjugate of the RMS current phasor.
As a complex quantity, its real part is real power P and its
imaginary part is reactive power Q.

S  V I *  P  jQ

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

For RL series circuit, position of voltage and current phasors

are shown in fig. Voltage and current in complex form…
V V1 and I  I2

S  V I *  V1 x I  2  V I 1  2 =P+jQ

Real Part, P= VI cos (Ф1-Ф2)
Imaginary Part Q= VI sin (Ф1- Ф2)

When S lies in the first quadrant, the load is inductive in nature

with lagging power factor.
Where ,Ф1- Ф2 >0
When S lies in the fourth quadrant, the load is capacitive in
nature with leading power factor.
Where, Ф1- Ф2 <0

11. Draw the phasor diagram for following condition

(a) XL > XC (b) XL < XC (c) XL = XC for R-L-C series circuit.
VL > Vc VL < VC VL = Vc

R-L-C series Resonance Circuit

12. Derive the condition for series resonance in series R-L-C circuit.
Ans: Consider a series circuit of resistance R, inductance L and capacitance

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

The total impedance of the circuit is given by Z= R2 + (XL – XC)2

Now, if the supply voltage across the circuit is maintained constant and frequency is
gradually increased from zero to a high value then inductive reactance, (XL=2 π fL), starts

 1 
increasing from zero while capacitive reactance XC = 2πfC decreases from its infinitely
 
large value as At a certain frequency fr, the two reactance’s becomes numerically equal i.e.
at this frequency, XL = XC

Let, fr be the resonant frequency. Then at this frequency,

XL= XC
1
2 π fr · L = 2π f · C
r
2 1
fr =
4π2 LC
1
fr = Hz
2π LC

13. State any four characteristics of series resonance. Show the variation of XL, XC, Z and I
against frequency.
Ans: i) Inductive reactance (XL) = Capacitive Reactance (XC)
ii) Impedance, Z=R + j (XL-XC)= R+j0=R. Hence Z reaches to minimum value
iii) Current I=V/Z=V/R. Hence the current reaches to maximum value
iv) As Z=R, the circuit behaves like pure resistive circuit. Hence pf (CosФ) becomes 1

Fig. Variation of XL, XC, Z and I with frequency

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

Parallel AC Circuit
14. Define the terms (i) Admittance (ii) Conductance (iii) Susceptance.
Ans: (i) Admittance(Y): Admittance is defined as the reciprocal of the impedance. It is
denoted by Y and is measured in unit Siemens or Mho.
1
Y = Z Siemens

Conductance (G) : It is defined as the ratio of the resistance to the square of the
impedance. It is measured in unit Siemens or Mho.
R
G = 2 Siemens
Z
Susceptance (B) : It is the ratio of the reactance to the square of the impedance. It is
measured in the unit Siemens or Mho.
X
B = 2 Siemens
Z
14. What is admittance? What are its two components?
Admittance is defined as the reciprocal of the impedance. It is denoted by Y and is measured
in unit Siemens or Mho. Consider a circuit shown in the Fig. The total current is phasor sum
individual branch currents.
– – – –
I = I 1 + I 2 + I 3 and V = I Z
– – –
– V V V
I =– +– +–
Z1 Z2 Z3

–
V –1 1 1
– = V  – + – + – 
Z Z1 Z2 Z3
1 1 1 1
– =  – + – + – 
Z Z1 Z2 Z3
– – – –
Y =Y 1 + Y 2 + Y 3

Where, Y is the total admittance of the circuit.

Components of Admittance:
Consider an impedance Z is given by,

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 SCOE-BEE End-Sem Notes | Dr. A. N. Sarwade

Z = R  jX
Where +ve sign is for inductive reactance and – ve sign is for capacitive reactance,
1 1
Admittance, Y = Z =
R  jX
Rationalizing the above expression, we get,

1 – jX
R+ R+– jX R X R – X
Y=  – = 2 = 2 – j
+ = 2 + j 2
R  jX R + jX R +X 2 2
(R + X ) R + X2
2 Z Z

– j, R X
Y=G+ where, G = 2 is conductance and B = 2 is Susceptance
Z Z
15. Draw the admittance triangle for inductive circuit and capacitive circuit.
The triangle in which sides are representing Conductance, Susceptance and Admittance of
the circuit is known as admittance triangle.
R-L Series Circuit R-C Series Circuit

Admittance Triangle

Complex Form – –
Y = Y  – G – j BL Y = Y  G + j BC

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