ELEC221: Electric Circuits

Lab 4 (Pre-lab): Transient Response of Linear Circuits

Student Number: 20326445 Name: Josh Nicu

TA initials
Date performed: Nov 8th 2023
Note: Each group must complete the Preparation Section before coming into the lab.
Your work will be checked at the beginning of the lab for the completion of this section.

Objective:
Measure and analyze the transient response of RC, RL and RLC circuits.

Preparation:

Part A: Transient Response of an RC circuit

The circuit
0.002 F
t =0

+ vC - +
5V + vR 50 k
_
_

1. For the circuit illustrated above, find the time constant  and calculate the amount of time
(in seconds) it will take before the circuit reaches steady state.

T RC Yo.  = ____________
soxioyfo.oozxw.by
O.sms 8 Is
t = ____________

0.1 MS

1
2. Assume there was no charge in the capacitor at time t = 0-. Find the required values and
fill in the table below.

Time Current I Voltage across Voltage across ChangeTable

in voltage
4.1
the resistor vR the capacitor vC across the capacitor

0- i(0-) = vR(0-) = vC(0-) = dvC/dt(0-) =

0+ i(0+) =
OH vR(0+) =
O vC(0+) =
Or +
dvC/dt(0 ) =
O
0.1mA 5V OV soooovis
 i() = vR() = vC() = dvC/dt() =
O A Or 5 V O
3. Derive an expression for vR(t), in terms of VS, that should be valid immediately after a 5-
volt step voltage is applied to the circuit.

V t séoooot t o k

4. From this equation, calculate the value of vR for the various times given.

Time 0 0.5  2 3 4 5
Magnitude
of VR 5 V3.03 V1.84 V0.68V0.25 V 0.092v0.034r

Plug all Values into equation 3

2
Part B: Transient Response of the RL Circuit

1. For a series RL circuit where the (ideal) inductance is 0.1mH and the resistance is
100, find the RL time constant, .

f Ep 91 1 10
106 s
 = __________

2. If the same series RL circuit is connected to a 5V DC source, find the current through
the inductor during the steady state response of the circuit.

is
f fi 0.05 A
iL= 0.05
A
__________

3. In the series RL circuit below the switch is closed at t=0. From what you know of
transient and steady state response, fill in the table below.
+ VL _
L=0.08H
+
t=0 iL

5V + R=500 VR
_

Time Current I Voltage across Voltage across Change in current

the resistor vR the inductor vL through the inductor

0- iL(0-) = vR(0-) = vL(0-)= diL/dt(0-) =

+
OA +
or +
or o
0+ iL(0 ) = vR(0 ) = vL(0 )= diL/dt(0+) =
OA OV SV 312.5As
 iL() = vR() = vL( )= diL/dt() =
0.01 A SV O V O

3
Part C: Transient Response of the Series RLC circuit

1. For a series RLC circuit where C=0.01F and L=0.1mH, and the circuit is connected
to an AC source at t=0, where the frequency of the source is some value fs, find the
resistance required for critical damping.

To be critically dampened

a Enix to r
R = ___________

2. For a series RLC circuit with C=0.033F, L=0.1H and R=1k find the natural damped
frequency, fd. Note:  = 2f.

f enfant 2770.53

fd = 2770,53
__________
HZ

PSpice Exercise
To help predict the behaviour of the circuit components, we can run a PSpice simulation.

Transient Response Simulation

1. Use the OrCad Capture program to construct the following circuit. If you are having
difficulties constructing the circuit, an online tutorial is available on D2L.

Output1 Output2

0.002F

5V 50k


GND

2. Create a new Simulation Profile. Select Time Domain (Transient) and set the
simulation to run from time t=0 to time t=5. Place a check next to “Skip the Initial

4
Blank pageBias
Transient for calculations and notes...
Point Calculation” and run the simulation. Add the trace of the voltage
across the resistor V(Output2) and the trace of the input voltage V(Output1). Print the
waveform and bring this printout to the lab. You will need to get it initialed by a TA for
full marks.

3. Select Trace | Cursor | Display to enable the cursors. Measure the voltage at the
times indicated below.

Time 0 0.5  2 3 4 5
Magnitude
of VR

4. Construct the following series RL circuit in PSpice.

output1

output2
+ 1.5k
5V
10mH
_

0
Perform a transient analysis on the circuit where a step voltage of 5V DC is applied, and
run the simulation in PSpice.
 Print out the voltage waveform across the inductor and the voltage waveform
across the resistor. They can be on the same graph, but clearly label which
waveform belongs to which circuit element.
 Include these as part of your prelab and have a TA initial them,

Note: include all the printouts when you hand in the lab report.

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 ELEC221: Electric Circuits

Lab 4 (Experiments): Transient Response of Linear

Circuits

Procedure:
Calibration and Triggering
Important: Throughout the lab, take care to have Ch1 and Ch2 on the same scale when
using the Math Menu and when measuring voltage using the Cursor Menu.

To maintain reliable triggering in the experiment, connect the external trigger input of the
oscilloscope to the TTL output of the function generator. Ensure that the TTL output is
enabled; the indication “TTL” will then appear in small letters on the function generator
display. In the trigger menu of the oscilloscope, select the external trigger source and auto
triggering. Leave this connected through the entire experiment.

Part A: Transient Response of an RC Circuit

To produce the voltage step required to analyze the transient response on the
oscilloscope, we will use a periodic square wave as the input signal. The half-period of
the wave must be longer than the transient decay time of the circuit. Setting the
oscilloscope to view only the positive step of the square wave allows us to observe the
transient behaviour of the circuit to a step voltage.

The series RC circuit

1. Connect the circuit shown in figure 4.13 below using the decade resistance and
capacitor substitution boxes. Adjust the function generator output to produce a 5 volts
peak-to-peak square wave at 500Hz. Adjust the DC offset so that the signal goes from 0
to 5V.

 TTL VC
Scope A B
50
Trigger
0.002 F
Function V
S 50k
Generator VR

Gnd

2. Connect Ch1 to VS and Ch2 to VR. Set the oscilloscope probes to ‘DC coupling’ to
see the effects of the DC offset from the function generator, and check that both channels
are set to the same sensitivity. Adjust your display to show VS rising to a positive value at
the left edge of the screen.
Adjust the vertical position of VR and VS so that they are centered at the zero voltage line.
Sketch the waveforms and label VR and VS. Indicate the scales.
6
 5

MEHAR

3ms 2ms
M tuns ours 1ms 2ns 3ms
5
3. Assume t=0 to be the point where the input signal VS starts to rise in the positive
direction. Using the oscilloscope cursors, measure the magnitude of VR from the zero
voltage line at the following times.
8 0.1 MS
Time 0 0.5  2 3 4 5
Magnitude
of VR 4.322.72 1.68.64 24.08.03
Use the value of  calculated in the pre-lab.

4. Measure the actual values of VC, VS and VR at t = 0+ and t =  (t > 5τ).

VC(0+) = VS(0+) = VR(0+) =

4.32
VC() =
Ifi VS() = 418 VR() =
o
5. Observe and sketch the waveforms of VS and VR together at square wave frequencies
of 2 kHz and 5 kHz. Also, observe VC by using the math function of the oscilloscope.
Change the horizontal scale if necessary. Indicate the scales.

2 kHz 5 kHz

a
sous ons
I
asons
Sr
looms ons looms

7
6. At a frequency of 2 kHz, observe and describe the effect on the shape of VR as you:
a) vary R (using the decade resistance box) and keep C constant at 0.002 F.

TR Slower respone higher T horizontal VR

IR higher response vertical
Vr
b) vary C (using the capacitance substitution box) and leave R constant at 50 k.

If same as above

Part B: Transient Response of RL Circuits

1. a) The inductor is not ideal; it has a significant resistance that needs to be included in
the analysis. Use the digital multimeter to measure the resistance of the inductor.
Connect the circuit shown in the diagram below. Use the resistance decade box for R. Set
the function generator to produce a 5V peak-to-peak square wave at 500Hz. Adjust the
DC offset such that the lower edge of the output is at zero volts. Make sure that the two
channels are in DC coupling mode!

73 R
Resistance of Inductor =

L=0.1H
 TTL
Scope
Trigger 50
Function VR
VS R
Generator
Gnd

8
 Using L=0.08H, the resistance of the function generator (50), the resistance of the
inductor, and the equation =L/Rtotal, find the value of R such that =10-4 s.

I 73 10
f 73 50

73 677
R = __________
Use the resistance decade box to produce this value of R (to the nearest whole number).
With the oscilloscope, use channel 1 to measure VS, and channel 2 to measure VR. For
the rest of Part A,  will have a value of 10-4.

b) Taking t=0 to be the time that the voltage starts to rise, measure the voltage VR at the
times indicated in the table below.

Time 0 0.5  2 3 4 5
Magnitude
of VR 1.04 2.32 3.24.16 4.644.8 4.96
c) Measure VL, VR and VS at t=0+ and t =  (t > 5). Hint; use the math menu to find VL.

VL(0+) = VS(0+) = VR(0+) =

4.72 5.76 V 1.04
VL() =
0.48
VS() =
5 GOV VR() =
5.04
d) By changing the frequency of the function generator, record the waveforms of VS and
VR on the same graph at 1kHz and 5kHz. Indicate the scales of the graphs.

Ir Ir
Como
H2 Vr
Part B: For For
Part C:
Sr sr
500ms Ons sooMs 1kHz 100ms ons 100ms 5kHz

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Part C: Transient Response of Series RLC Circuits
1. a)
+ VR - + VL -

50  L=0.1H
R +
Function
Generator VC
C=0.033F
_
75
Gnd 

Connect the circuit that is shown in the diagram. Use the capacitance substitution box as
the capacitor, and the resistance decade box as the resistor. Set the initial resistance to
500. Adjust the function generator to produce a 5V peak-to-peak square wave at
500Hz. Display VC on the oscilloscope. Sketch the waveform of VC such that the
waveform shows an initial voltage rise.

Indicate the scales used

W Miina
W W
or

Sr
2ms alms Omg 1ms 2ms 3ns

b) From what you know of the behaviour of a RLC circuit during critical damping (in
particular the shape of the waveform of VC), adjust the value of R until the circuit
exhibits critical damping. Record this resistance.

R=
3.4 KR

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c) Measure the period of one transient oscillation of VC at 100 and 500. Remember
that a period of oscillation is measured between the peaks of two maximum VC
amplitudes or two minimum VC amplitudes. Measure carefully; the difference is small.

Value of R Period of Transient Frequency of Transient

Oscillation Oscillation
100 
390 MS 2564 H2
500 390 MS 2564 H2

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 ELEC221: Electric Circuits

Lab 4 (Post-lab Analysis): Transient Response of Linear

Circuits

Caution:
One of the most common errors in comparing measured results with calculated values is
overlooking the conversion between frequency in hertz and frequency expressed in
radians. Both have the units of seconds-1, but have a ratio of 2. Remember  = 2f.

Analysis:
This section is to be completed by each group.

Part A: Transient Response of an RC circuit

1. Explain why VR goes below the zero voltage line in Procedure: Part A-2. (If the VR
does not appear to go below the zero voltage line, explain why not). Hint: think of the
energy the capacitor needs to discharge.
KVL states that the sum of voltages in a loop must be equal to zero. In order for the capacitor to
discharge when Vs suddenly goes to zero, Vr must appose the discharge of the capacitor and
therefore immediately goes to -5V and then deteriorates back to 0V at the same rate as Vc goes to
zero.

2. Compare the values of VR measured in the lab at various multiples of  to the

values calculated in the preparation. Comment on the accuracy of the formula used in the
preparation.

The measured values of Vr in the lab are slightly smaller than the calculated
amounts from the prelab. While within the margin of error, this slight
di erence is possibly due to error within the oscilloscope measurements as
well as the fact that in real life, the circuit is not ideal and the wires within
the circuit also have a small amount of resistance, leading to slightly smaller
values of Vr.

3. Compare the values of VR measured in the lab at various multiples of  to the values
measure using OrCad.

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4. Compare the actual values of VC and VR to the values calculated in the preparation
question A-2.

While the values found in the prelab were exactly 0V and 5V, the actual values found in the lab
were slightly smaller at a total of 4.88V. Additionally, Vc(0+) was 0.48V instead of zero which is
likely a measurement error of the oscilloscope not measuring exactly when the source switches to
5V. The reason for the error in the total voltage found at t = 0 and in nity is likely the error
generated by the team when setting up the function generator. When using the dial to adjust the
peak-to-peak voltage of the square wave function, it is highly likely that the team did not set the
value to exactly 5V and instead 4.88V.

5. a) For each input wave of step A-2 and A-5, calculate the half period of the input
waveform. This corresponds to the half period of the wave.
Frequency 500 Hz 2 kHz 5 kHz
Half-period 100MS
Ims 250ms
b) Compare these times to the time required for the circuit to reach steady state
(prelab question A-1). Express the half-period of each wave in terms of time
constants.
The time constant found in prelab question A-1 was 0.1ms. Comparing these values to
the half periods of the above frequencies, 500Hz has a half period of 10 time constants,
2Khz has a half period of 2.5 time constants, and 5Khz has a half period of one time
constant.

6. From your observations in Part A-6, explain why the waveform of VR changes as you
vary the resistance and the capacitance. Hint, think about the time constant.

The waveform of Vr changes as you vary the resistance and the capacitance since it
changes the calculated time constant value. Since the time constant is calculated by
(R)*(C), changing these values a ects how quickly the waveform will respond to changes
in voltage and reach steady state. Therefore, as already found in Part A-6, a higher
resistance or capacitance would result in a slower and atter response whereas a lower
resistance or capacitance would result in a quicker and more vertical response.

Part B: Series RL Circuits

1. Transient Response: a) For a series RL circuit derive an expression for the voltage
across the resistor after a step voltage is applied. Hint: this experiment simulated a DC
step voltage with a 5V peak-to-peak AC voltage, so the initial step voltage is actually 5V.
Is the voltage rising or dropping across the resistor?

Itt
Y et i T
E vrltl tfI v.li é 1 511et
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b) From the equation that you have just derived, complete the table below. Then
compare with the experimental values that you obtained in Part B-1 b) of the Procedure
Section. Do the experimental results agree with the theoretical values?
Time 0 0.5  2 3 4 5
Magnitude
of VR O 1.97 3.16 4.32 4.75 4.91 4.97
Example calculation
Unloist 5 l É 1.971
The values from 0.5t to 5t are within the margin for experimental error.
When t = 0, the values are not the same. This happened due to
inaccuracy of the Oscilloscope measurement as it tends to have errors
like timebase center frequency accuracy, timing instability, and vertical
noise which negatively impacted the value at t = 0

c) Compare the actual values of VL and VR, which you measured in Part B-1 c) of the
Procedure Section, with what is expected from Part B-3 of the Preparation Section.

The theoretical values calculated in part B-3 of the pre-lab slightly varied
from experimental values found during the lab. All values are within error
except for Vr(0+). In the pre-lab, it was determined that Vr(0+) = 0V while
it was measured to be 1.05V during the experiment. This inaccuracy
may have occurred due to Oscilloscope inaccuracy, similarly to part B-b
of the post-lab.

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Part C: Series RLC Circuits
1. Transient Response: a) For the RLC circuit in Part C-1 of the Procedure Section
calculate the resistance that is required for critical damping. Compare this with the
experimental result from Part C-1 b) of the Procedure Section. If there are differences,
explain why. Hint: the inductor is not ideal and the function generator has impedance.
Calculation:

Forcriticallydamped d w o where he w Ee
Kw's
É Raft R fo.si
I 43812
Rcritical = _________

Explanation:
The value obtained in the experiment was 4.3 kΩ and the calculated value was slightly higher
at 4.381 kΩ. Although these values are quite close, there is a slight di erence because not all
elements in the circuit are ideal. With the real world circuit there is most likely additional
resistance in various elements that add to the overall resistance of the circuit. Therefore, the
resistor that makes the circuit critically damped in real life is slightly smaller than the
resistance value that was calculated

b) Using the same resistance values in Part C-1 c) of the Procedure Section, calculate the
theoretical natural damped frequency (fd not d). Compare these values with those
obtained in the experiment. If the values are different , explain why. Hint: Again the
inductor is not ideal and think about the impedance of the function generator.

Calculations:

W 2nf

2
f
Max at

WFFF if
2771 HZ
fd100 = _________________
2771 HZ
fd500 = _________________

Explanation:
Frequency is the same for both resistance vales because it is independent from resistance. It only depends
on L and C which are constant so frequency for both is the same.
The values calculated were slightly higher than the measured values. This is most likely because the
capacitor and inductor are not ideal. Frequency is dependent on the L and C values of the circuit.
Therefore, as the elements are not ideal and they potentially have real L and C values that are slightly
di erent then the values that they are listed at. Therefore, this can account for the slight di erence in the
calculated value.

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