EEEG 213 Network Analysis

Lecture 2: First Order Differential Equations (Continued)

Initial Conditions

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

The Integrating Factor
• Consider a non-homogenous equation
di/dt +Pi = Q
• Where P is a constant and Q may be a function of the independent
variable t or a constant
• Multiplying both side by ePt (integrating factor)
ePt.di/dt + Pi.ePt = Q.ePt
• Since d(xy) = xdy +ydx, we can write
d(iePt)/dt = ePt.di/dt + PiePt
• Thus d(iePt)/dt = QePt
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
The Integrating Factor
• Integrating the equation we get
iePt = ∫QePtdt + K
i = e-Pt.∫QePtdt + Ke-Pt

• The first term in the equation above is known as the particular

integral and the second is known as the complementary function.
General solution = particular integral + complementary function
i = ip + ip
Or i = iss + it

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Example 1
• The network of the figure reaches a steady state
with switch K open. At t = 0, switch K is closed.
• Find i(t) for the numerical values given.
• Sketch the current waveform and calculate the
time constant.

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Example 1
• The network of the figure reaches a steady state
with switch K open. At t = 0, switch K is closed.
• Find i(t) for the numerical values given.
• Sketch the current waveform and calculate the
time constant.

• Solution:
• i(t) = 0.5 + 0.1e-40t
• Time constant = 1/40 sec
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
Initial Conditions
• Initial or final conditions must be known to evaluate the arbitrary
constants in the differential equation
• Helps in understanding the behavior of the elements during switching
and the response of networks
• First order differential equation had one arbitrary constant
• Higher order differential equations have more than one constant
• Values of voltage, current, charge, etc., or derivatives of these
quantities at the instant network equilibrium is altered by switching
action
• Sometimes we may use t = ∞, known as final conditions

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Initial Conditions: Notations
• At reference time t = 0, one or more switches operate
• To differentiate between the time immediately before and
immediately after the operation of the switch, we will use – and +
signs.
• Thus conditions existing just before switching will be designated as
i(0-), v(0-), etc., and conditions after as i(0+), v(0+), etc.
• Initial conditions depends on the past history of the network prior to
t(0-) and the network structure at t(0+)

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Initial Conditions in Resistor
• In the ideal resistor, current and voltage are
related by Ohm law V = Ri.
• If a step input of voltage, shown in figure is applied
to a resistor network, the current will have the
same waveform, altered by the scale factor (1 /R).
• The current through a resistor may change
instantaneously if the voltage changes
instantaneously.
• Similarly, voltage may change instantaneously if
current changes instantaneously.
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
Initial Conditions in Inductor
• We have already learnt that the current cannot change
instantaneously in a system of constant inductance.
• Thus closing a switch to connect an inductor to a source of energy will
not cause current to flow at the initial instant, and the inductor will
act as if it were an open circuit independent of the voltage at the
terminals.
• If a current of value I0 flows in the inductor at the instant switching
takes place, that current will continue to flow.
• For the initial instant, the inductor can be thought of as a current
source of I0 amp
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
Initial Conditions in Capacitor
• We know that the voltage cannot change instantaneously in a system
of fixed capacitance.
• If an uncharged capacitor is connected to an energy source, a current
will flow instantaneously, since the capacitor will be equivalent to a
short circuit.
• This follows because voltage and charge are proportional in a
capacitive system, V = q/C, so that zero charge corresponds to zero
voltage (or a short circuit).
• With an initial charge in the system, the capacitor is equivalent to a
voltage source of value V0 = q0/C, where q0 is the initial charge.
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
Initial and Final Conditions in Network
Elements

Initial Conditions Final Conditions

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Geometrical Interpretation of derivatives
• Consider the differential equation that describes an RL circuit connected to
a constant voltage source
Ldi/dt + Ri = V
di/dt = (1/L).(V-Ri)
• If the switch connecting the voltage source to the circuit is closed at t =0,
the current in the system at t=0 must be zero
• Thus di/dt(0+) = V/L
• Now the quantity di/dt is the slope of the required plot of current as a
function of time.
• This slope is positive and has a magnitude V/L. For some small interval of
time, this slope must approximate the actual curve.
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
Geometrical Interpretation of derivatives
• Assume that the current increases linearly at
the rate V/L to a new value i1 at time t1.
• A second approximation to the curve of current
as a function of may be made at this point by
di/dt(t1) = (1/L).(V-Ri1)
• Continuing this will provide the solution of the
differential equation.
• Smaller the time intervals are chosen, more
closely will the approximate curve approach the
actual curve

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Geometrical Interpretation of derivatives
• Just as the first derivative represents slope so
the second derivative represents curvature or
the rate of change of the slope with time
d2i/dt2 = (-R/L).di/dt
• Substituting the value of di/dt at t=0+, we get
d2i/dt2(0+) = -VR/L2
• Thus the initial curvature of the response is
negative, meaning the curve is concave
downwards just as seen in the figure

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

 Curves corresponding to typical initial
conditions

a) i(0+)= 0, di/dt( 0+) = 0 d2i/dt2(0+) = K>0

b) i(0+) = 0, di/dt(0+) = K>0, d2i/dt2(0+)= 0;
c) i(0+) = K>0, di/dt(0+) = 0, d2i/dt2(0+) = 0;
d) i(0+) = 0, di/dt( 0+) = K1>0 d2i/dt2(0+) = K2<0

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Procedures for evaluating initial conditions
• Not straightforward and obvious
• Initial values of current or voltage may be found directly from a study of the
network schematic.
• For each element in the network, we must determine just what will happen when
the switching action takes place.
• From this analysis, a new schematic of an equivalent network for t = 0+ may be
constructed according to the rules:
Replace all inductors by open circuits or by current generators having the value of
current flowing at t = 0+.
Replace all capacitors by short circuits or by a voltage source of value V0 = q0/C if
there is an initial charge.
Resistors are left in the network without change.

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Evaluating initial conditions: Example
• Consider a two-loop network as shown in figure (top)
• Suppose that the switch is closed at t = 0, no voltage
having supplied prior to that time
• No initial voltage across capacitor, no initial current
through induction, hence the equivalent circuit at
t=0+ shown in figure (below)
• From the figure

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Evaluating initial conditions: Example
• The first step in solving initial values of derivatives is to
write the integro-differential equations

• We know the initial values i1(0+) and i2(0+).

• We also know that the voltage across capacitor and the
current across the inductor at t = 0+.
• So next step is to calculate the initial values of the first
derivative
Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University
Evaluating initial conditions: Example
• From the previous equations, we get

• Now for di1/dt,

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Example 3
• In the circuit shown, V = 10 V, R =
10 ohm, L = 1 henry and C = 10
uF.
• Find i(0+), di/dt(0+) and
d2i/dt2(0+).

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University

Solution 3
• In the circuit shown, V = 10 V, R =
10 ohm, L = 1 henry and C = 10
uF.
• Find i(0+), di/dt(0+) and
d2i/dt2(0+).
• Solution
• i(0+) = 0.
• di/dt(0+) = 10 amp/sec
• d2i/dt2(0+) = -100 amp/sec

Dr. Bishal Silwal, Kathmandu University