Pre-Practical Title: Phasor Relationships

Electrotechnics 2A
221ETNEEA2/ETN2A11

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
University of Johannesburg

Sandiso Gqirhana
223048961
3 April 2024

Plagiarism Declaration

I Sandiso Gqirhana confirm that this assignment is my own work. It is not copied from any other person's work
(published or unpublished) and has not previously been submitted for assessment in this or any other course at this or
any other university. I understand what plagiarism constitutes, and that all unethical academic behaviour is punishable
by disciplinary action as deemed fit by the university.

Date: 3 April 2024 Signature: ___________________

Table of Contents
List of Figures................................................................................................................................................. i
Aim of the Practical ......................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................1
2. Mathematical Analysis .........................................................................................................................3
3. Experimental Parameters and Method ..............................................................................................5
4. Expected Results ...................................................................................................................................8
References ....................................................................................................................................................12

List of Figures
Figure 1: Phasor circuit [1]. .............................................................................................................................1
Figure 2: An Inductor [2] .................................................................................................................................1
Figure 3: A capacitor [2] ..................................................................................................................................2
Figure 4: A Resistor [1] ....................................................................................................................................2
Figure 5: RC Circuit..........................................................................................................................................3
Figure 6: RL Circuit ..........................................................................................................................................4
Figure 7Figure 7: Breadboard, Resistors, Wires [3]. .......................................................................................5
Figure 8: Multimeter and an Oscillator [3]. ....................................................................................................6
Figure 9: Power supply [4] ..............................................................................................................................6
Figure 10": Signal generator [4] ......................................................................................................................6
Figure 11: Simulation RC Circuit......................................................................................................................9
Figure 12: Simulation RC results .....................................................................................................................9
Figure 13: Simulation RL Circuit ....................................................................................................................10
Figure 14: Simulation RL Results ...................................................................................................................11

i
Aim of the Practical
This practical experiment aims to investigate the phasor relationship between resistors,
capacitors, and inductors. In this experiment, the relationship between these components as
proven when using an AC supply and they are connected in series

1. Introduction
This practical focus is more on the phasor relationship between resistors, capacitors, and
inductors. Phasor relationships are a fundamental concept in the analysis of AC (alternating
current) circuits [1].Unlike in DC in AC circuits current and voltage change sinusoidally
throughout time. In this practical we will be dealing with AC circuits, using phasor
relationships. Phasors convert sinusoidal functions into algebraic formulae, which makes the
analysis of AC circuits easier. We will also be using the basic things such as Ohms's law and .

Figure 1: Phasor circuit [1].

An Inductor is an electrical component that, when current passes through it, stores energy in a
magnetic field. Usually, it is a wire coil twisted around a core composed of an iron or other
ferromagnetic substance [2]. In electronic circuits, inductors are used to filter out specific
frequencies, store energy momentarily, and regulate the flow of electrical currents. The letter
"L" is frequently used in circuit diagrams to symbolise them the units of an inductor is in Henry.
Figure 2 below show an inductor.

Figure 2: An Inductor [2]

1
A capacitor is an electrical component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It is made up of two
conductive plates with a dielectric separating them. Capacitors are characterized by their capacitance,
which is the ability to store charge per unit voltage. The unit of capacitance is the farad (F).
Figure 3 below shows a capacitor.

Figure 3: A capacitor [2]

A resistor is an electronic component that resists the flow of electrical current. It is used to
control the amount of current flowing in a circuit and to reduce voltage levels [2]. Resistors do
not require power to operate, and their units are in ohms, and in a circuit its represented by R.
Figure 4 shows a resistor.

Figure 4: A Resistor [1]

 2. Mathematical Analysis
RC Circuit
The following are the components that will be used in the RC Circuit. Figure 5 shows a
diagram of the RC Circuit.

Figure 5: RC Circuit

𝑋
𝜃= × 360 (1)
𝑇

Where:

𝑇 is period of the waveform.

𝑋 is the separation of the two channels.

𝜃 Is the phase difference between the two signals.

1
𝑋𝑐 = 𝑗𝜔𝐶 (2)

𝑋𝑐 Is the is the capacitive reactance.

𝜔 is the angular frequency of the AC source.

𝑗 is the imaginary unit.

𝐶 Is the capacitance.

𝑍𝐿 = 𝑅 + 𝑋𝑐 (3)

𝑍𝐿 is the impedance.

𝑅 Is the resistance.
 𝑉(𝑡) = 𝑉𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 × sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜃) (4)

𝑉(𝑡) is the voltage at time t.

𝑉𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 is the peak voltage.

𝑡 is time.

RL Circuit
The following are the components that will be used in the RL Circuit. Figure 6 shows a
diagram of RL Circuit.

Figure 6: RL Circuit

𝑋
𝜃= 𝑇
× 360 (1)

𝑋𝐿 = 𝑗𝜔𝐿 (5)

Where:

𝑋𝐿 Is the is the inductive reactance.

𝐿 is the inductance.

𝑍𝐿 = 𝑅 + 𝑋𝐿 (6)

𝑉(𝑡) = 𝑉𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 × sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜃) (4)

 3. Experimental Parameters and Method
Apparatus

Table 1: Apparatus

Components Function

Signal Generator Generate an AC signal desired

Oscilloscope To test and display voltage signal waveforms and give a

visual representation of the variation of voltage over time.

BnC to dual crocodile clips x3 Used for signal connections on test equipment

Resistors x2 Used for limiting current

Capacitor A device that stores electric charge

Inductor A passive two terminal electrical component that stores

energy in magnetic field when current flows through it

Breadboard They are used for easy and quick creation of temporary
electric circuits.

Power Supply Supplies power to the circuit

Figure 7,8,9,10 shows the apparatus that will be used in the practical.

Figure 7Figure 7: Breadboard, Resistors, Wires [3].

Figure 8: Multimeter and an Oscillator [3].

Figure 9: Power supply [4]

Figure 10": Signal generator [4]

Method

RC Circuit

1. Assemble the signal generator, resistor, and series capacitor circuit illustrated in figure
5 below on a breadboard.
2. at the positions shown, connect the two oscilloscope channels.
3. Adjust the signal generator to 2Vpeak at 100 kHz.
4. Establish the two signals' phase differences by following these steps:
 Measure the period of the waveform T:
 Measure the separation of the two channels X
 Calculate 𝜃
5. Determine the phasor of the signal generator
 6. Determine the phasor of the resistor voltage:
7. Interchange the resistor and capacitor
 Determine the phasor of the capacitor voltage:
8. Calculate in rectangular form:
9. Draw the phasor diagram of the four voltages in the table

Figure 6: RC Circuit

RL Circuit
1. Repeat the step of RC circuit until step 7
2. Interchange the resistor and inductor.
 Determine the phasor of the inductor voltage
3. Calculate in rectangular form:
4. Draw the phasor diagram of the four voltages in the table,

Figure 7 :RL Circuit

 4. Expected Results
The expected results of this practical were obtained using two methods, Theoretical and

Simulations.

RC Circuit

1
𝑋𝑐 = 𝑗𝜔𝐶

1
𝑋𝑐 = 2𝜋(100×103 )(10 × 10−9 )

𝑋𝑐 = −𝑗159,15

𝑍𝐿 = 𝑅 + 𝑋𝑐

𝑍𝐿 = 220 − 𝑗159.15 Ω

Calculating the resultant Impedance using Pythagoras

∴ Z = 271.53

159.15
𝜃𝑧 = tan−1 (− )
220

𝜃𝑧 = −35.88°

Therefore, we can now calculate the Voltage drop on the resistor and the capacitor using the
voltage divider method:X

𝑅
𝐸𝑟 = 𝑍 𝑉𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
𝐿

220
𝐸𝑟 = 220−𝑗159.15 (2)

𝐸𝑟 = 1.31 + 𝑗 0,95 V

𝑉𝑟 = 1.62 V

0.95
𝜃𝑟 = tan−1 (1.31)

𝜃𝑟 = 35.88°

We can use the same method to calculate the voltage drop across the capacitor.
Simulation Results
Figure 11and 12 shows simulation of the RC circuit

Figure 11: Simulation RC Circuit

Figure 12: Simulation RC results

RL Circuit

For the RL Circuit we use the same procedure as the RC Circuit

Simulation results
Figure 13 and 14shows simulation of the RC circuit

Figure 13: Simulation RL Circuit

Figure 14: Simulation RL Results
References

[1] N. T. W. Mohan, Power electronics converters, application and design, JOHN WILEY, 2009.

[2] “Coilcraft,” Coilcraft, 8 January 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.coilcraft.com/en-

us/edu/series/what-is-an-
inductor/#:~:text=An%20inductor%20is%20a%20passive,for%20an%20inductor%20is%20L..
[Accessed 3 April 2024].

[3] A. Ahmad, “Technical Articles,” Technical Articles, 23 April 2023. [Online]. Available:
https://eepower.com/technical-articles/series-rc-circuit-analysis/#. [Accessed 3 April 2024].

[4] Evetech.Co.Za, 7 June 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.evetech.co.za/components/power-

supply-73.aspx. [Accessed 3 April 2024].