Transient Response of RLC Circuit

 The response of the “second-order” RLC circuit is very different than that of the “first order” RL
or RC system studied in Chapter 1.
 This chapter presents the natural and step response of parallel and series RLC circuits.

1. Natural response of Parallel RLC circuit

To find the natural response of a parallel RLC circuit, assume the circuit shown in Fig. 1 has been
initiated at 𝑡 = 0, with initial capacitor voltage 𝑣𝐶 (0+ ) = 𝑉𝑜 and initial inductor current, 𝑖𝐿 (0+ ) =
𝐼𝑜 .

iC iL iR
R v
C L

Fig. 1

The node current equation:

𝑖𝐶 + 𝑖𝐿 + 𝑖𝑅 = 0

Which can be written in terms of one variable, the parallel circuit voltage (𝑣):

𝑑𝑣 1 𝑡 𝑣
𝐶 𝑑𝑡 + 𝐿 ∫0 𝑣𝑑𝑡 + 𝑅 = 0 (1)

To eliminate the integration in Eq. (1), we differentiate with respect to t:

𝑑2𝑣 1 1 𝑑𝑣
𝐶 𝑑𝑡 2 + 𝐿 𝑣 + 𝑅 𝑑𝑡 = 0 (2)

𝑑2𝑣 1 1 𝑑𝑣
+ 𝐿𝐶 𝑣 + 𝑅𝐶 𝑑𝑡 = 0 (3)
𝑑𝑡 2

Eq. (3) is a second order DE, its solution has the form 𝑣 = 𝑓(𝑡) and represents the circuit behavior for
t>0.

In order to solve (3), assume:

𝑣 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑠𝑡 (4)

Substituting (4) into (3) and simplify gives:

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 1

 𝑠 1
𝐴𝑒 𝑠𝑡 (𝑠 2 + 𝑅𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶) = 0 (5)

For the reason indicated in Chapter 1, we ignore the case in which the first term is zero, giving:
𝑠 1
𝑠 2 + 𝑅𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶 = 0 (6)

 Eq. (6) determines the characters of 𝑣(𝑡)and therefore it is known as the “Characteristics
Equation”.
 Eq (6) is a quadric equation has 2 roots, usually defined as follows:

𝑆1 = −𝛼 + √𝛼 2 − 𝜔02

𝑆2 = −𝛼 − √𝛼 2 − 𝜔02 (7)

Where:
1
𝛼 = 2𝑅𝐶 (8)

 is known as the exponential damping coefficient or neper frequency. And:

1
𝜔𝑜 = (9)
√𝐿𝐶

o is known as the resonant frequency.

Both s1 and s2 given in Eq. (7) gives solutions of Eq. (3) if substituted in (4); however the general solution
is formed as follows:

𝑣 = 𝐴1 𝑒 𝑠1 𝑡 + 𝐴2 𝑒 𝑠2 𝑡 (10)

The polarity of the term under the root of Eq. (7) determines the nature of v. This term (𝛼 2 − 𝜔𝑜2 ) gives
three distinctive forms of 𝑣 when being positive, zero or negative, as follows:

 if 𝛼 > 𝜔𝑜 gives two real roots and Overdamped response

 if 𝛼 = 𝜔𝑜 gives two real and equal roots and Critical response
 if 𝛼 < 𝜔𝑜 gives two complex conjugates roots and Underdamped response

The three forms will be discussed individually after the example.

Example 1: Consider a parallel RLC circuit having an inductance of 10 mH and a capacitance of 100 μF.
Determine the resistor values that would lead to overdamped and underdamped responses.

Ans.:
1 1
From (9) 𝜔𝑜 = = √10−2 = 103 rad/sec
√𝐿𝐶 ×10−4

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 2

For overdamped response:

𝛼 > 𝜔𝑜

1
> 1000
2𝑅𝐶
1
𝑅<
2 × 1000 × 10−4

𝑹 < 𝟓

For over damped response 𝑹 > 𝟓

 Book Practice 9.1

2. Analysis of Overdamped RLC circuit

The voltage of the overdamped circuit is in the form of Eq. (10)

𝑣 = 𝐴1 𝑒 𝑠1 𝑡 + 𝐴2 𝑒 𝑠2 𝑡 (10)

Where, s1 and s2 are given in terms of circuit parameters in equations (7)-(9).

Now to determine A1 and A2, consider:

The initial capacitor voltage:

𝑉𝑜 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 (11)

Take the differentiation of (10) at t=0+

𝑑𝑣(0+ )
= 𝑠1 𝐴1 + 𝑠2 𝐴2 (12)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣(0+ )
Given: 𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) = 𝐶 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣(0+ ) 𝑖𝐶 (0+ )
Or = (13)
𝑑𝑡 𝐶

𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) can be determined by applying KCL in terms of the inductor and resistor current:

𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) = −𝑖𝐿 (0+ ) − 𝑖𝑅 (0+ )

𝑉𝑜
𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) = −𝐼𝑜 − (14)
𝑅

Now we can substitute (13) and (14) into (12) to form the second equation to determine A1 and A2.
However, closed form of this equation will not be given as it is difficult to memorize.

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 3

Usually the calculations procedure is given by the following sequence of applications:

 Given RLC, Vo, Io

 Calculate  and o
 Calculate s1 and s2
 Eq. (14)
 Eq. (13)
 Eq. (12)
 Eq. (11) // alternatively this step can be done b4 Eq. (14)//
 Solve the simultaneous equations (11) and (12) obtain A1 and A2
 Write the expression of v Eq. (10)

Example 2: A source-free parallel RLC circuit is formed by 200, 50mH, and 0.2F. At t=0, the capacitor
voltage 𝑣𝑐 (0) = 12𝑉and the inductor current 𝑖𝐿 (0) = 30𝑚𝐴.

 Find the expression of 𝑣(𝑡), 𝑡 > 0

 Plot 𝑣(𝑡), 𝑡 > 0

Ans.

1 1
𝛼= = = 12.5 × 103 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐
2𝑅𝐶 2 × 200 × 0.2 × 10−6
1 1
𝜔𝑜 = = = 104 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐
√𝐿𝐶 √50 × 10−3 × 0.2 × 10−6

Since ∝> 𝜔𝑜 the response is overdamped

𝑠1,2 = −12.5 × 103 ± √1.5625 × 108 − 108 = (−1.25 ± .75) × 104

𝑠1 = −5000 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠2 = −20000

𝑽𝒐 = 𝑨𝟏 + 𝑨𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐 (1)

At t=0+,

𝑖𝐿 (0+ ) = 𝐼𝑜 = 30 × 10−3 𝐴

𝑣(0+ ) 12
𝑖𝑅 (0+ ) = = = 60 × 10−3 𝐴
𝑅 200

𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) = −𝑖𝐿 (0+ ) − 𝑖𝑅 (0+ ) = −90 × 10−3 𝐴

𝑑𝑣(0+ ) 𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) −0.09

= = = −45 × 104
𝑑𝑡 𝐶 0.2 × 10−6

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 4

 𝑑𝑣(0+ )
= 𝑠1 𝐴1 + 𝑠2 𝐴2
𝑑𝑡

−45 × 104 = −0.5 × 104 𝐴1 − 2 × 104 𝐴2

𝟗𝟎 = 𝑨𝟏 + 𝟒𝑨𝟐 (2)

(2)-(1)

78 = 3𝐴2  A2=26 , A1=-14

𝑣(𝑡) = −14𝑒 −5000𝑡 + 26𝑒 −20000𝑡

30

25

20

15

10
vout(v)

-5

-10

-15
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
time (sec) -4
x 10

Related Book Example 9.2, 9.3, 9.4

Practice 9.2 , 9.3, 9.4

3. Analysis of Underdamped RLC circuit

If 𝜔0 > 𝛼, the roots of the characteristics equation described in Eq. (7) become complex.

𝑠1,2 = −∝ ±𝑗√𝜔𝑜2 − 𝛼 2 (15)

The second term usually denoted by 𝜔𝑑 , where:

The damped radian frequency, 𝜔𝑑 ≜ √𝜔𝑜2 − 𝛼 2

So
𝑠1,2 = −∝ ±𝑗𝜔𝑑 (16)

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 5

 // the reasons for this name will be explained in the lecture//

Substitute in Eq. (10)

𝑣 = 𝐴1 𝑒 (−∝+𝑗𝜔𝑑)𝑡 + 𝐴2 𝑒 (−∝−𝑗𝜔𝑑)𝑡

𝑣 = 𝐴1 𝑒 −∝𝑡 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑑𝑡 + 𝐴2 𝑒 −∝𝑡 𝑒 −𝑗𝜔𝑑𝑡

𝑣 = 𝑒 −∝𝑡 (𝐴1 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑑𝑡 + 𝐴2 𝑒 −𝑗𝜔𝑑𝑡 )

Use Eular’s identity (𝑒 𝑗𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑗𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥)

𝑣 = 𝑒 −∝𝑡 (𝐴1 (cos(𝜔𝑑 𝑡) + 𝑗 sin(𝜔𝑑 𝑡)) + 𝐴2 (cos(𝜔𝑑 𝑡) − 𝑗 sin(𝜔𝑑 𝑡)))

𝑣 = 𝑒 −∝𝑡 ((𝐴1 + 𝐴2 )cos(𝜔𝑑 𝑡) + 𝑗(𝐴1 − 𝐴2 ) sin(𝜔𝑑 𝑡))

Choose a different notation for the constants

𝒗 = 𝒆−∝𝒕 (𝑩𝟏 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝝎𝒅 𝒕) + 𝑩𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝝎𝒅 𝒕)) (17)

Where 𝐵1 = (𝐴1 + 𝐴2 ) and 𝐵2 = 𝑗(𝐴1 − 𝐴2 )

Now we use the initial conditions to determine the constant B1 and B2 as follows:

𝑣(0+ ) = 𝑉0 = 𝐵1

and

𝑑𝑣(0+ ) 𝑖𝐶 (0+ )
= = −𝛼𝐵1 + 𝜔𝑑 𝐵2
𝑑𝑡 𝐶

Example 3: A source-free parallel RLC circuit is formed by 20k, 8H, and 0.125F. At t=0, the capacitor
voltage 𝑣𝑐 (0) = 0𝑉and the inductor current 𝑖𝐿 (0) = −12.25𝑚𝐴.

 Find the expression of 𝑣(𝑡), 𝑡 > 0

 Plot 𝑣(𝑡), 𝑡 > 0

Ans.

1
𝛼= = 200 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐
2𝑅𝐶
1
𝜔𝑜 = = 103 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐
√𝐿𝐶

Since ∝< 𝜔𝑜 the response is underdamped

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 6

 𝜔𝑑 = √106 − 4 × 104 = 400√6

𝑠1,2 = −200 ± 𝑗400√6

Since Vo=0,

B1=0

Also 𝑖𝑅 (0+ ) = 0

𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) = −𝑖𝐿 (0+ ) = 12.25𝑚𝐴

𝑑𝑣(0+ ) 𝑖𝐶 (0+ )
= = 98 × 103 𝑉/𝑠
𝑑𝑡 𝐶
98 × 103 = −𝛼𝐵1 + 𝜔𝑑 𝐵2

98 × 103
𝐵2 = ≅ 100𝑉
400√6

Gives: 𝑣(𝑡) = 100𝑒 −200𝑡 sin 979.8𝑡 𝑉, for t0

100

80

60

40
v (volt}

20

-20

-40
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01 0.012 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.02
time (sec)

Related Book Example 9.6

Book Practice 9.6

Home work : Book Problem 31 P366

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 7

 4. Analysis of Critically-damped RLC circuit

If 𝛼 = 𝜔𝑜 , the solution, the two roots of the DE will be identical

𝑠1 = 𝑠2 = −𝛼 (18)

 If we carry on in the same way we will say that the solution will be similar to that of the
1st order DE given in chapter 1 (𝐴𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 ).
 This solution however cannot handle two different initial conditions. So there is a
problem with this solution. Indeed the reason of that is due to the assumption proposed
in Eq. 10. This form is not valid when the two root identical.
 In critical damping case the solution has the following form:

𝑣(𝑡) = 𝐷1 𝑡𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 + 𝐷2 𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 (19)

And the two arbitrary constant can be determined from initial conditions as follows:

𝑉𝑜 = 𝐷2 (20)

𝑑𝑣(0+ ) 𝑖𝐶 (0+ )
= = 𝐷1 − 𝛼𝐷2 (21)
𝑑𝑡 𝐶

Example4: (book problem 23) A critically damped parallel RLC circuit is constructed from component
values 40 , 8 nF, and 51.2 μH, respectively.
(a) Verify that the circuit is indeed critically damped.
(b) Explain why, in practice, the circuit once fabricated is unlikely to be truly critically damped.
(c) The inductor initially stores 1 mJ of energy while the capacitor is initially discharged. Determine the
magnitude of the capacitor voltage at t = 500 ns, the maximum absolute capacitor voltage, and
the settling time.

Ans.

1 109
(a) 𝛼 = 2𝑅𝐶 = 2∗40∗8 = 1.5625 × 106

1 1
𝜔𝑜 = = = 1.5625 × 106
√𝐿𝐶 √51.2 ∗ 8 ∗ 10−15

∴ 𝛼 = 𝜔𝑜 critical damping

(b) In practice it is unusual to obtain components that are closer than 1 percent of their specified values.
Thus, obtaining critical damping case not very likely. The model ignores the stray elements such as
connection leads, the effect of temperature.

(c ) determine v(t)

𝐷2 = 𝑉𝑜 = 0

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 8

 2𝑊𝐿 2 ∗ 10−3
𝐼𝑜 = √ =√ = 6.25𝐴
𝐿 51.2 ∗ 10−6

𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) = −𝑖𝐿 (0+ ) − 𝑖𝑅 (0+ ) = −6.25𝐴

𝑑𝑣𝐶 (0+ ) 𝑖𝐶 (0+ ) −6.25

= = = −0.78125 × 109 𝑉/𝑠
𝑑𝑡 𝐶 8 ∗ 10−9

−0.78125 × 109 = 𝐷1 − 𝛼𝐷2 = 𝐷1

6𝑡
𝑣(𝑡) = −0.78125 × 109 𝑡𝑒 −1.5625×10
6 (500×10−9 )
𝑣(500𝑛𝑠) = −0.78125 × 109 (500 × 10−9 )𝑒 −1.5625×10

𝑣(500𝑛𝑠) = −178.8𝑉

𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 6 6
= −0.78125 × 109 (𝑡 ∗ −1.5625 × 106 𝑒 −1.5625×10 𝑡 + 𝑒 −1.5625×10 𝑡 )
𝑑𝑡

Denote the peak voltage time by tp:

6 𝑡𝑝 6 𝑡𝑝
0 = −0.78125 × 109 (𝑡𝑝 ∗ −1.5625 × 106 𝑒 −1.5625×10 + 𝑒 −1.5625×10 )

−1
𝑡𝑝 = = 0.64𝜇𝑠𝑒𝑐
−1.5625 × 106
6 (0.64∗10−6 )
𝑣𝑝 = −0.78125 × 109 (0.64 ∗ 10−6 )𝑒 −1.5625×10

𝑣𝑝 = −184𝑉

Settling time (ts) is the time at which the voltage drop to 5% of its peak
6 𝑡𝑠
0.04(−184) = −0.78125 × 109 𝑡𝑠𝑒 −1.5625×10 = −9.2𝑉
6 𝑡𝑠
𝑡𝑠𝑒 −1.5625×10 = 11.776 × 10−9

This nonlinear equation can be solved by iteration ts=3.676sec.

Related Book Example 9.5

Practice 9.5

Homework

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 9

10u(-t)

Lect.#4: Natural Response of Parallel Circuits Page 10