LCR Circuit

Introduction

An LCR circuit, or RLC circuit, consists of an inductor (L), a capacitor (C),

and a resistor (R) connected in series or parallel. These circuits are crucial
in various applications such as radio receivers and signal processing. The
study of LCR circuits helps us understand AC circuit behaviour, particularly
resonance, impedance, and phase relationships.

This project aims to investigate the behaviour of an LCR circuit with

varying frequencies, examining the relationship between current, voltage,
and impedance, and identifying the resonance frequency. Through this
study, we gain insights into the practical significance of LCR circuits in
electronics.
Components
Resistor:
The resistor limits the current flow. It helps in controlling the power
or voltage that is applied to the LCR circuit. The resistor is a
component in an electronic device that limits the flow of electric
current. The resistor helps control the amount of power or voltage
that is applied to the LCR circuit. This is important because it
prevents too much current from flowing through the other
components in the circuit
Capacitor:
A capacitor stores energy and releases it in a controlled manner- It
helps in controlling the voltage or power that is applied to the LCR
circuit. The capacitor stores energy and releases it in a controlled
manner, which prevents too much current from flowing through the
L resistor.
Inductor:
An inductor resists change in current flow- It helps in controlling the
fluctuations in current flow. The inductor resists change in current
flow, which helps to stabilize the LCR circuit. The LCR circuit is used
as a part of electronic devices such as cellphones, televisions, and
computers to regulate the intensity devices.
Diagram
This diagram consists of all the components of the module, such as
inductance, capacitance, and resistance. It fulfills along with its
properties like Reactance, Impedance, and Phase :
Types of LCR Circuit
1. Series LCR Circuit

An LCR circuit is made up of three components: an inductor (L), a

capacitor (C), and a resistor (R). A tuned or resonant circuit is another
name for it. A series LCR circuit is made up of these devices that are
connected in series. As a result, the resistor, capacitor, and inductor will
all have the same amount of current flowing through them

Commonly used in radio receivers to select specific frequencies. They're also

used in impedance matching and tuning applications

2. Parallel LCR Circuit

In a parallel LCR circuit, the inductor (L), capacitor (C), and resistor (R) are
connected in parallel across the same voltage source. Each component
thus has the same voltage across it but different currents flowing through
each

Often used in filter circuits to block certain frequencies while allowing others to
pass. They're also used in power supply decoupling to filter out presents to noise
Important Terms
Impedance: Electrical impedance is the measure of the opposition that a circuit a
current when a voltage is applied. In quantitative terms, it is the complex ratio of
the voltage to the current in an alternating current (AC) circuit. This value of Z is
the phasor sum of reactance and the resistance offered by the LCR at a
particular frequency of source AC placed in the circuit

● Reactance: In electrical and electronic systems, reactance is the opposition of

a
circuit element to a change in current or voltage, due to that element's
inductance or
capacitance.

● Phasors: In Physics and Engineering, phasor is a complex number

representing
a sinusoidal function whose amplitude (A), angular frequency (ω),
phase (θ) time-invariant. Basically, Phasors are rotating vectors.

● Resonance: A LCR circuit will be in resonance if (𝑋𝐿 = 𝑋𝐶 ) and initial

depends upon L, C and f.
● Resonance frequency : The frequency of source for which the LCR circuit has
a
resistance = R, maximum current flows in the circuit.
● Q factor: It defines the sharpness of the maximum current.
● Bandwidth For values of ω other than ω0, the amplitude of the current is less
than the
maximum value. Suppose we choose a value of ω for which the current
amplitude is
1/ 2 times its maximum value.( ω0 + ∆ω) and ( ω0- ∆ω) At this value,
the power dissipated by the circuit becomes half ,the
difference between the two values of ω which will give half
the maximum current is called band width.

● Average Power: It is the average amount of work done or energy converted

per unit
of time. The average power is often simply called "power”.
● Power Factor: (cosϕ) In electrical engineering, the power factor of an AC
electrical power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the
load to
the apparent power in the circuit, and is a dimensionless number in the closed
interval
of -1 to 1.
● Choke Coil: In electronics, a choke is an inductor used to block
higher-frequency alternating current (AC) in an electrical circuit, while passing
lower-frequency or direct current (DC).

● Wattless Current: Wattless current is AC component, whereby the power

consumed
in the circuit is zero.
Phasor Diagram Solution for LCR
Circuit
Calculation of Z
Let us write the equations of current and voltage for all elements of the circuit
separatel
For resistance

For inductor or coil only

We see that the resistor, inductor and capacitor are in series. 9 Therefore, The ac
current in each element is the same at any time, having the same amplitude and
phase.
Let it be

where ϕ is the phase difference between the voltage across the source and the
current in
the circuit.
On the basis of what we have learnt in the previous modules, we shall construct
a phasor
diagram for the present case.
 Let I be the phasor representing the current in the circuit as given by 𝐼 = 𝐼 0
(𝑠𝑖𝑛 ω𝑡 + ϕ)
Further, let VL, VR, VC, and V represent the voltage across the inductor, resistor,
capacitor and
the source, respectively.
From the previous module, we know that VR is parallel to I, VC is π/2 behind I
and VL is π/2
ahead of I.
VL, VR, VC and I can be represented as:

The phasors show appropriate phase relation.The length of the phasors or

amplitude of VR ,
VL , VC are:

The voltage equation for the LCR circuit is

This relation is represented in the phasor. Since, VC and VL are always along the

(VC + VL) which has a magnitude: ⌊𝑉𝐶0 − 𝑉𝐿0⌋

same line and in opposite directions, they can be combined into a single phasor
Since V is represented as the hypotenuse of a right-triangle whose sides are VR
and (VC + VL), the Pythagorean theorem gives:

Since phasor I is always parallel to phasor VR, the phase angle ϕ is the angle
between VR and V and can be determined from:

● This is called an Impedance diagram which is a right-triangle with Z as its

hypotenuse.
● If XC > XL, ϕ is positive and the circuit is predominantly capacitive.
Consequently, the current in the circuit leads to the source voltage.
● XC < XL, ϕ is negative and the circuit is predominantly inductive.
Consequently, the current in the circuit lags the source voltage
Importance and applications
1. Signal Processing:

 LCR circuits are essential in tuning and filtering applications. They

are used in radio and television receivers to select desired
frequency signals while rejecting others. This is crucial for clear
reception of broadcast signals.

2. Resonance:

 The resonance property of LCR circuits is employed in many

electronic devices. At resonance, the circuit can store and transfer
energy between the inductor and capacitor efficiently, making it
useful in oscillators and frequency generators.

3. Impedance Matching:

 LCR circuits are used to match the impedance between different

stages of electronic systems. This ensures maximum power transfer
and reduces signal reflections, which is vital in communication
systems.

4. Oscillators:

 They are used in the creation of oscillators, which generate periodic

signals. These oscillators are fundamental in various applications,
including clocks, timers, and frequency synthesizers.

5. Power Supply Filters:

 LCR circuits are used in power supply filters to smooth out voltage
fluctuations and eliminate noise. This helps in providing stable and
clean power to electronic devices.

6. Audio Equipment:

 In audio equipment, LCR circuits are used in equalizers, crossovers,

and tone controls to manipulate sound frequencies and improve
audio quality.

7. Medical Devices:

 LCR circuits are utilized in medical equipment such as MRI machines

and pacemakers. They help in filtering and tuning signals for
accurate diagnostics and treatment.
8. Measurement and Testing:

 LCR meters are used to measure the inductance, capacitance, and

resistance of components. This is important in the design, testing,
and maintenance of electronic devices.

9. Communication Systems:

 In telecommunication, LCR circuits are employed in modems and

other communication devices to modulate and demodulate signals,
ensuring efficient data transmission.

LCR circuits play a vital role in various technologies, enabling efficient

signal processing, energy transfer, and frequency control. Their diverse
applications underscore their importance in modern electronics and
communication systems.