RLC Series Circuit

Example 3.11.1. Given that 𝑢(𝑡) = 120 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (500𝑡 + 450 ) 𝑉 and 𝑖 (𝑡) = 10 𝑠𝑖𝑛(500𝑡 − 150 ) 𝐴, find
the instantaneous power, the active, reactive and apparent power.
Solution:
The instantaneous power is given by 𝑝(𝑡) = 𝑢(𝑡) ∙ 𝑖 (𝑡) = 1200 sin(500𝑡 + 450 ) sin(500𝑡 − 150 ).
1
Applying the trigonometric identity sin 𝛼 ∙ sin 𝛽 = [cos(𝛼 − 𝛽) − cos(𝛼 + 𝛽)], gives: 𝑝(𝑡) =
2
600[cos(600 ) − cos(1000𝑡 + 300 )], or 𝑝(𝑡) = 300 − 600 cos(1000𝑡 + 300 ) [𝑊].
120 10
The active power is: 𝑃 = 𝑈𝐼 cos(𝜑𝑈 − 𝜑𝐼 ) = cos(450 − (−150 )) = 600 cos(600 ) =
√2 √2
300 (𝑊).
120 10
The reactive power is:𝑄 = 𝑈𝐼 sin(𝜑𝑈 − 𝜑𝐼 ) = sin (450 − (−150 )) = 600 sin(600 ) =
√2 √2
300√3(𝑉𝐴𝑅).
120 10
The apparent power is: 𝑆 = 𝑈𝐼 = = 600 (𝑉𝐴).
√2 √2

120 0 10 0 0
Using the apparent power operator: 𝑆 = 𝑈𝐼∗ = 𝑒 𝑗45 𝑒 𝑗15 = 600𝑒 𝑗60 = 600 cos 600 +
√2 √2
𝑗600 sin 600 = 300 + 𝑗300√3, we identify 𝑃 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆) = 300 (𝑊), 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆) = 300√3 (𝑉𝐴𝑅)
and 𝑆 = |𝑆| = 600 (𝑉𝐴).

1
Example 3.11.2. The parameters of the circuit below are 𝑅 = 30𝛺, 𝑋𝐿 = 𝜔𝐿 = 80𝛺, 𝑋𝐶 = 𝜔𝐶 = 40𝛺
and the supplying voltage 𝑢(𝑡) = 200√2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(100𝜋𝑡 + 600 ) 𝑉. Find the active, reactive and apparent
power in the circuit.
I R jXL -jXC
1280 VAR 640 VAR
U 480 W

640 VAR

Example 3.11.2.
Solution:
0
𝑈 200 𝑒 𝑗60
Using the KVL, 𝑈 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝑗𝑋𝐿 𝐼 − 𝑗𝑋𝐶 𝐼, the current is given by 𝐼 = = =
𝑅+𝑗𝑋𝐿 −𝑗𝑋𝐶 30+𝑗80−𝑗40
0 0
200 𝑒 𝑗60 200 𝑒 𝑗60 0
= 𝑗53 0
= 4𝑒 𝑗7 . Converting to the time domain 𝑖 (𝑡) = 4√2 sin(100𝜋𝑡 + 600 ) 𝐴.
30+𝑗40 50 𝑒

The active power is: 𝑃 = 𝑈𝐼 cos(𝜑𝑈 − 𝜑𝐼 ) = 200 ∙ 4 cos(600 − 70 ) = 800 cos(530 ) = 480 (𝑊).
The active power is generated by the source and dissipated in the resistance R, 𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅 = 42 ∙ 30 =
480 𝑊.

The reactive power is:𝑄 = 𝑈𝐼 sin(𝜑𝑈 − 𝜑𝐼 ) = 200 ∙ 4 sin (600 − 70 ) = 800 sin(530 ) = 640(𝑉𝐴𝑅).
The source generates 640 VAR reactive power. The same reactive power can be calculated by 𝑄 =
𝐼2 𝑋 = 𝐼2 (𝑋𝐿 − 𝑋𝐶 ) = 42 (80 − 40) = 640 (𝑉𝐴𝑅). The reactive power removed by the inductor is
𝑄𝐿 = 𝐼2 𝑋𝐿 = 42 ∙ 80 = 1280 (𝑉𝐴𝑅), while the reactive power generated by the capacitor is 𝑄𝐶 =
−𝐼2 𝑋𝐶 = −42 ∙ 40 = −640 (𝑉𝐴𝑅). The inductor removes the reactive power generated half from
the source and half from the capacitor.

The apparent power is: 𝑆 = 𝑈𝐼 = 200 ∙ 4 = 800 (𝑉𝐴).

0 0 0
Using the apparent power operator: 𝑆 = 𝑈𝐼∗ = 200 𝑒 𝑗60 4𝑒 𝑗7 = 800𝑒 𝑗53 = 800 cos 530 +
𝑗800 sin 530 = 480 + 𝑗640, we identify 𝑃 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆) = 480 (𝑊), 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆) = 640 (𝑉𝐴𝑅) and 𝑆 =
|𝑆| = 800 (𝑉𝐴).

Example 3.11.3. The parameters of the coupled circuit below are 𝑋𝐿1 = 𝑋𝐿2 = 𝑋𝐶2 = 20𝛺, 𝑋𝐶1 = 30,
𝑋𝑀 = 10𝛺, 𝑅2 = 10𝛺 and the supplying voltage 𝑈 = 100 𝑉. Find the currents in the circuit, 𝐼1 and
𝐼2 . Find the active, reactive and apparent power of the source. Analyze the active and reactive power
distribution in the passive circuit elements (proof the active and reactive power conservation).

I1 -jXC1 jXM -jXC2 I2

I II R2
U jXL1 jXL2

Example 3.11.3.
Solution:
We have two coupled circuits. Applying KVL for the two loops with reference directions as shown in
the figure above, we have:
−𝑗𝑋𝐶1 𝐼1 + 𝑗𝑋𝐿1 𝐼1 + 𝑗𝑋𝑀 𝐼2 = 𝑈
{
−𝑗𝑋𝐶2 𝐼2 + 𝑗𝑋𝐿2 𝐼2 + 𝑗𝑋𝑀 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 𝑅 = 0.

Replacing with numerical values, the system becomes:

(−𝑗30 + 𝑗20)𝐼1 + 𝑗10𝐼2 = 100
{
𝑗10𝐼1 + (−𝑗20 + 𝑗20 + 10)𝐼2 = 0.
0 0
Solving for I1 and I2, we obtain: 𝐼1 = 5 + 𝑗5 = 5√2 𝑒 𝑗45 and 𝐼2 = 5 − 𝑗5 = 5√2 𝑒 −𝑗45 .

To analyze the active and reactive power distribution in the circuit elements, the apparent phasor
operator will be calculated for each circuit element.

For the source: 𝑆 = 𝑈𝐼1∗ = 100(5 − 𝑗5) = 500 − 𝑗500. Hence, the source generates active power
𝑃 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆) = 500 𝑊 and removes reactive power 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆) = −500 𝑉𝐴𝑅. The source apparent
power is: 𝑆 = |𝑆| = 500√2 𝑉𝐴.

For the capacitor C1: 𝑆𝐶1 = 𝑈𝐶1 𝐼1∗ = −𝑗𝑋𝐶1 𝐼1 𝐼1∗ = −𝑗𝑋𝐶1 𝐼12 = −𝑗1500. How we expect, the capacitor
generates reactive power. Hence, reactive power is 𝑄𝐶1 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆𝐶1 ) = −1500 𝑉𝐴𝑅.

Same, for the capacitor C2: : 𝑆𝐶2 = 𝑈𝐶2 𝐼2∗ = −𝑗𝑋𝐶2 𝐼2 𝐼2∗ = −𝑗𝑋𝐶2 𝐼22 = −𝑗1000. Hence, reactive power
generated by C2 is 𝑄𝐶2 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆𝐶2 ) = −1000 𝑉𝐴𝑅.

For the resistor R2: 𝑆𝑅2 = 𝑈𝑅2 𝐼2∗ = 𝑅2 𝐼2 𝐼2∗ = 𝑅2 𝐼22 = 500 𝑊. Hence, the resistor R2 removes the
active power 𝑃𝑅2 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆𝑅2 ) = 500 𝑊.
For the inductor L1: 𝑆𝐿1 = 𝑈𝐿1 𝐼1∗ = (𝑗𝑋𝐿1 𝐼1 + 𝑗𝑋𝑀 𝐼2 )𝐼1∗ = 𝑗𝑋𝐶1 𝐼12 + 𝑗𝑋𝑀 𝐼2 𝐼1∗ = 500 + 𝑗1000. As
expected, inductor L1 removes reactive power 𝑄𝐿1 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆𝐿1 ) = 1000 𝑉𝐴𝑅. Because of the coupling,
we have to observe an active power component for coupling inductors, 𝑃𝐿1 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆𝐿1 ) = 500 𝑊. It
means the inductor L1 removes active power.

For the inductor L2: 𝑆𝐿2 = 𝑈𝐿2 𝐼2∗ = (𝑗𝑋𝐿2 𝐼2 + 𝑗𝑋𝑀 𝐼1 )𝐼2∗ = 𝑗𝑋𝐶2 𝐼22 + 𝑗𝑋𝑀 𝐼1 𝐼2∗ = −500 + 𝑗1000. How
we expect, inductor L2 removes reactive power 𝑄𝐿2 = 𝐼𝑚(𝑆𝐿1 ) = 1000 𝑉𝐴𝑅. The active power
component of the inductor L2 is 𝑃𝐿2 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆𝐿2 ) = −500 𝑊. The inductor L2 generates active power.

I1 -jXC1 jXM -jXC2 I2

S=500+j500 SC1=-j1500 SC2=-j1000
jXL1 jXL2 R2
U SL1=500+j1000 SL2=-500+j1000 SR2=500

The apparent phasor operator for the circuit elements

The figure above indicates the apparent phasor operator for each circuit element. The real
components refer to the active power while the imaginary parts refer to the reactive power. We
should expect to satisfy the power conservation theorem for both active and reactive power. The
figure below proved the power conservation. Active power conservation is illustrated in figure a). The
source generates 500W active power, power which is absorbed by the coupled inductor L 1. Duo to the
coupling, the active power is transferred to the inductor L2. The inductor L2 behaves like an active
power source, generates 500W active power which is removed by the resistor R 2. The active power
conservation is fulfilled. The reactive power conservation is illustrated in figure b) below. The two
capacitors generate reactive power 𝑄𝐶1 = −1500 𝑉𝐴𝑅 and 𝑄𝐶2 = −1000 𝑉𝐴𝑅. The reactive power
is removed by the coupled inductors, 𝑄𝐿1 = 1000 𝑉𝐴𝑅, 𝑄𝐿2 = 1000 𝑉𝐴𝑅 and by the source, 𝑄 =
500 𝑉𝐴𝑅.

I1 -jXC1 jXM -jXC2 I2 I1 -jXC1 jXM -jXC2 I2

-1500VAR -1000VAR
500W -500W R2 R2
1000VAR 1000VAR
U 500W jXL1 500W U
jXL2 -500VAR jXL1 jXL2

a) Active power conservation b) Reactive power conservation

Example 3.12.1. When connected to a 230V (rms), 50Hz power line, a load absorbs 10KW at a lagging
power factor of 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜑1 = 0.8. Find the value of capacitance necessary to raise the power factor to
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜑2 = 0.95 .
Solution:
We have the power factor cos 𝜑1 = 0.8, then 𝜑1 = 36.870 , where 𝜑1 is the phase between voltage
𝑃
and current. The power is absorbed under a current 𝐼1 = 𝑈 cos 𝜑 = 54.35 (𝐴). When the power
1
factor rises to cos 𝜑2 = 0.95, namely 𝜑2 = 18.190 , the same power is absorbed under a current 𝐼2 =
𝑃
= 45.75 (𝐴).
𝑈 cos 𝜑2
 I C  j C U

U
φ2
φ1 I2 sinφ2
I2 I1 sinφ1

IC IC =ωCU
I1

Example 3.12.1.
To determine the capacitance C, we have to refer to the figure above. The current through the
capacitor of magnitude 𝐼𝐶 = 𝜔𝐶𝑈, leads the voltage by 900. We can write 𝐼𝐶 = 𝐼1 sin 𝜑1 − 𝐼2 sin 𝜑2 ,
𝐼1 sin 𝜑1 −𝐼2 sin 𝜑2 𝑃(tan 𝜑1−tan 𝜑2 )
or 𝜔𝐶𝑈 = 𝐼1 sin 𝜑1 − 𝐼2 sin 𝜑2 , from where 𝐶 = 𝜔𝑈
= 𝜔𝑈
=
10∙103 (tan 36.87−tan 18.19)
2∙𝜋∙50∙230
252.7 (𝜇𝐹).

Example 3.13.1. For the circuit below determine the value of impedance Z which will absorb the
greatest power from the circuit. The circuit parameters are 𝑅1 = 𝑋𝐶1 = 2𝛺, 𝑋𝐿2 = 𝑋𝐿3 = 2𝛺, 𝑅4 =
5𝛺, 𝑋𝐶5 = 10𝛺 and the voltage 𝑢𝑒 (𝑡) = 10√2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(314𝑡 − 300 ) 𝑉.
R1 C1 a

ue(t)
R4 C5 Z
L2

L3

b
Example 3.13.1.
Solution:
First, we have to transform the circuit in phasor form and obtain the equivalent impedance of circuit
Ze, suppressing all the sources. To get Ze consider the circuit below where 𝑍1 = 𝑅1 − 𝑗𝑋𝐶1 = 2 −
𝑗2 Ω, 𝑍2 = 𝑗𝑋𝐿2 = 𝑗2 Ω, 𝑍3 = 𝑗𝑋𝐿3 = 𝑗2 Ω, 𝑍4 = 𝑅4 = 5 Ω, 𝑍5 = −𝑗𝑋𝐶6 = −𝑗10 Ω.

Z4 Z5
Z2 Ze

Z3

b
Example 3.13.1.
𝑍1 𝑍2 1 1 1 1
Successively we have 𝑍𝑝 = 𝑍 = 2 + 𝑗2 (Ω), 𝑍𝑠 = 𝑍𝑝 + 𝑍3 = 2 + 𝑗4 (Ω), 𝑍 = 𝑍 + 𝑍 + 𝑍 from
1 +𝑍2 𝑒 𝑠 4 5
where 𝑍𝑒 = 3 + 𝑗 (Ω). The load impedance draws the maximum power from the circuit when 𝑍 =
𝑍𝑒∗ = 3 − 𝑗 (Ω).

Example 3.13.2. For the circuit below determine the value of impedance Z which will absorb the
greatest power from the circuit.
j2 Ω
a

10 ej60 2 ej45 5Ω
j3 Ω Z
-j10 Ω
2(1-j) Ω
b
Example 3.13.2.
Solution:
First, we obtain the equivalent impedance of circuit Ze, suppressing all the sources. To get Ze, consider
the passive circuit below:
j2 Ω
a a
-j10 Ω
Ze j2 Ω Ze
j3 Ω 5Ω 5Ω
2(1-j) Ω -j10 Ω
b b
Example 3.13.2.
The wire corresponding to the voltage source short circuits the impedances 2(1 − 𝑗) and 𝑗., As a
1 1 1 1 1 2
consequence we can neglect these impedances. We find 𝑍𝑒
= 𝑗2 + −𝑗10 + 5 = 5 − 𝑗 5 from where
𝑍𝑒 = 1 + 𝑗2 (Ω). The load impedance draws the maximum power from the circuit when 𝑍 = 𝑍𝑒∗ =
1 − 𝑗2 (Ω).

Example 3.13.3. Determine the load impedance Z that maximizes the active power drawn from the
circuit below. What is the maximum active power?
4Ω j5 Ω

10 ej0 8Ω
Z
-j6 Ω

Example 3.13.3.
Solution:
First, we obtain the equivalent impedance of circuit Ze, suppressing all the sources. To get Ze, consider
4(8−𝑗6)
the passive circuit in figure a below, for which 𝑍𝑒 = 𝑗5 + = 2.933 + 𝑗4.467 (Ω). The load
4+8−𝑗6
impedance draws the maximum power from the circuit when 𝑍 = 𝑍𝑒∗ = 2.933 − 𝑗4.467 Ω.
 4Ω j5 Ω ITh 4Ω j5 Ω

8Ω 10 ej0 8Ω UTh
Ze
-j6 Ω -j6 Ω

a) b)
Example 3.13.3.
10 2 1
To find UTh, consider the circuit in figure b) above. We find current 𝐼𝑇ℎ = 4+6−𝑗6 = 3 + 𝑗 3, and 𝑈𝑇ℎ =
0
(8 − 𝑗6) 𝐼𝑇ℎ = 7.33 − 𝑗1.33 = 7.454 𝑒 −𝑗10.3 . According to Eq.(3.75), the maximum active power is
2
𝑈𝑇ℎ 7.4542
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 8𝑅
= 8∙2.933 = 2.368 (𝑊).