Addis Ababa University

Faculty of Technology
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Laboratory Report
Course number: Eceg:‐ 1204 ‐ Electrical Engineering Laboratory I

Experiment Number: 06

Title : Transients in RC and RL Circuits

E
C

Figure A: A First Order Resistive ‐ Capacitive Network

E L

Figure B: Network diagram for the demonstration Procedure of the laboratory session

By: Besufekad Mekuria

Group: 1B, Subgroup 5, ID: TCR/0590/01

Date of experiment: 02, July 2009

Date of submission: 09, July 2009

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 0

 TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Section Sub­Title Location

NO
1.1 Introduction Page Two

1.2 Objective Page Two

1.3 Preparation Page Two

1.4 Used Equipment Page Two

1.5 Components used Page Three

1.6 Theory Page Three

1.7 Procedure Page Five

1.8 Calculations Page Six

1.9 Results Page Seven

1.10 Conclusion Page Thirteen

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 1

 Transients in Rc and Rl Circuits
1.1 INTRODUCTION
As it is known, the total VI (Voltage current) response accounted from an RL or RC (Resistive‐
capacitive, Resistive‐ Inductive Circuits respectively) is obtained in two forms, these are the Steady state
response and the transient response.
STEADY‐STATE RESPONSE OR THE FORCED RESPONSE: is the Characteristic behavior of the
network which is theoretically determined by utilization of the different circuit analysis methods, these
include: Kirchhoff’s Laws, Voltage and current division, Nodal and mesh analysis, Thevennin’s and
Norton’s Equivalent Circuit Methods, Superposition Principles and the like. In other words, steady state
response is a response obtained from the circuit which can be obtained a long time after an external
excitation is applied.
TRANSIENT RESPONSE OR THE NATURAL RESPONSE: is the networks temporary response that will
eventually wear off from the Circuit after a definite amount of time.

1.2 OBJECTIVE
The major objectives behind this session include:

A. To introduce some Transients in RC and RL circuits.

B. To develop the skill of using Mathematical First order Differential equations to help solve the
transient delay effects on the RC and RL circuits.

1.3 PRE‐LAB PREPARATION

Before the laboratory session, a laboratory manual was supplied by the Laboratory instructors. This
manual included The figures of the networks that we would set up during the laboratory session
together with the sets of procedures that would be followed there were two procedures given,
therefore the appropriate preparations were made according to these procedures.

1.4 USED EQUIPMENT

No Description Code/Lab Reference Quantity
1 DC Power supply ‐ 1
2 Multimeter (VOM) ‐ 1
3 Cathode Ray oscilloscope ‐ 1
4 Conducting Wires ‐ 9
5 Variable Resistor ‐ 1
6 Variable Inductors ‐ 1
7 Variable Capacitors ‐ 1
8 Stop watch ‐ 1
Table 1: Electrical Equipments that were used to set up the circuit for the laboratory procedure

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 2

 1.5 USED COMPONENTS
No Description Type Quantity
1 Resistor 1,000,000 Ω 1
2 Inductor 0‐000001 μF 1
Table 2: Electrical Components that were used to set up the circuit for the laboratory procedure

1.6 THEORY
Analysis of first order transient circuits can occur in two ways, these are: RC transients and
RL transients, These are the two procedures which are carried out on the session, so the theory behind
this principle will be dealt with taking two cases.

Case 1 – RC (Resistive – Capacitive) Transients

The simplest case of the RC Transient circuits is the case where the series connection of a
Resistor and a capacitor is powered up by a DC source (as shown by figure 1). This is the network whose
transient response was to be analyzed during the Laboratory session.

E
C

Figure 1: First Order Resistive ‐ Capacitive Network

Now in order to show the transient‐time dependant behavior of the circuit, let us use Kirchhoff’s
Voltage rule and First order differential equations as follows:

(a) VR = IR By applying Ohm’s Law

(b) –VR –VC + E = 0 By applying KVL around the loop

(c) E = VR + VC Rearranging

(d) Q = C V Current – Voltage Relation for a capacitor

(e) I(t) = C dVc/dt Differentiation of the above relation

(f) E = (C dVc/dt * R) + VC Solving equations (b) and (e)

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 3

 ∫dVc/E-Vc = ∫dt/CR (g) Rearranging and integrating equation (f)

-LnE-Vc = t/CR (h) Solving equation (g)

LnE- Vc – Ln E = - t/CR (i) Solving equation (h)

LnE- Vc = - t/CR + Ln E (j) Rearranging equation (i)

E – Vc = e(-t/CR + LnE) (k) Applying Logarithm to Power conversion

E – Vc = E * E e(-t/CR) (l) Solving equation (k)

™ Finally, we have: Vc = E (1 - e(-t/CR) ….... Equation (1)

Now to solve for i(t) First find VR:

VR = E – VC (m) By applying KVL around the loop

VR = E – (E (1 - e(-t/CR)) (n) By substituting equation (1) in equaton (b)

VR = E * e(-t/CR) (o) Solving Equation (n)

(-t/CR)
™ Lastly, using the relation i(t) = VR / R, we get: i(t) = E/R * e ….... Equation (2)

Case 2 – RL (Resistive – Inductive) Transients /DEMONSTRATIONAL PROCEDURE/

For a network containing RL elements, the transient property can also be calculated by applying
Kirchhoff’s Voltage rule and first order differential equations. The simplest case for an RL network is
circuit consisting of a single inductor connected in series with a resistor and the circuit being powered
by a DC power source as shown in figure 2.

E L

Figure 2: Network diagram for the demonstration Procedure of the laboratory session

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 4

 Now, to find the Transient Voltage and current response of the network:

Ldi/dt + IR = E (a) By applying KVL around the loop

∫di/E-IR = ∫ dt/L (b) Rearranging and integrating equation (a)

Ln E – IR – Ln E = -Rt/L (c) Solving and rearranging equation (b)

Ln E – IR = -Rt/L + Ln E (d) Rearranging equation (c)

E – IR = e (-Rt/L + Ln E) (e) Applying Logarithm to Power conversion

E – IR = E * e (-Rt/L) (f) Using the Logarithmic identity: eLnX = X

IR / R = (E - E * e (-Rt/L)) / R (g) Rearranging and dividing both sides by R.

™ Finally we get the transient current response as: i(t) = E / R (1 - e (-Rt/L))

™ And the Transient voltage response will become: VL = E * e –R/Lt

1.7 PROCEDURE
There were supposed to be two separate Procedures to be followed in this particular
session, but due to the unavailability of the appropriate inductor the second procedure of the
session was only a demonstration performed by the Laboratory instructors using Square waves
and the Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

1 MΩ

20 V 10 pF

Figure 3: Procedural diagram for the laboratory session

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 5

 So, to begin, let us first observe the procedures followed in to analyze the transient response of the
circuit containing a Resistor and an inductor connected in series powered up by a DC voltage source.

1. The network for the procedure was set up according to ‘Figure 3’.

2. Immediately after the DC voltage source was connected to the circuit, the current through the
circuit was measured using an ammeter within an interval of five seconds for three whole
minutes for three independent trials. And these measurements were recorded.

3. The Potential drop across the capacitor was measured using a voltmeter within an interval of
five seconds for three whole minutes for three independent trials, and the measurements were
recorded.

4. The Voltage across the Capacitor was again measured while it was discharging. This is
accomplished by isolating the circuit from the DC source so that the capacitor itself begins to act
as a source.

1.8 Calculations
All of the necessary calculations required to determine the transient current and voltage
responses of the RC circuit have already been performed in section ‘1.6’ (the Theory section) of
this booklet. So what is simply expected is to plug in the given variables into the transient
response equations, Equation ‘1’ and Equation ‘2’.

Consider the current flowing in the circuit (Figure 3). It has already been established that the
current in the circuit has been given in the time dependant – transient form as follows.

i(t) = E/R * e(-t/CR)

Therefore, the current through the network at any time ‘t’ can be calculated as:

I (t) = 20v/1MΩ * e (-t/1MΩ * 1pF) A

I (t) = 20*10-6 * e (-100t) A

Now, let us calculate the current flowing in the circuit for special times, t = 0, t = CR (at the
time constant τ)and at t = ∞.

-6 (-100* 0)
A. At time = 0 sec, I (t) = 20*10 * e A = 20 µ A

B. At time = CR = 0.01 sec, I (t) = 20*10-6 * e (-1) A = 7.3 µ A

C. At time = ∞, I (t) = 20*10-6 * e (-∞) A = 0 A

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 6

 This shows that the current of the circuit decreases and after a considerably
large amount of time becomes nearly zero. The steady state interpretation of
this phenomenon could be that “A Capacitor located in a DC network serves
as an Open Circuit (i=0) in the long run after its transient phase.

Lastly, let us calculate the potential difference across the capacitor while it is charging. We
can use the already derived and proved equation 2. From section ‘1.6’ (the Theory section) of this
booklet.

The transient voltage – time relation for the circuit can be given by:

Vc = E (1 – e (-t/CR))

Vc = 20V (1 – e (-100t))
Having this formula, let us calculate the voltage drop across the Capacitor at special times:

t = 0, t = CR (at the time constant τ)and at t = ∞.

(0)
A. At time = 0 sec, Vc = 20V (1 – e )=0V
()
B. At time = CR sec, Vc = 20V (1 – e ) = 20 *0.632V = 12.64 V

(-∞)
C. At time = ∞, Vc = 20V (1 - e ) = 20V

1.9 Results
After completing setting up the RC network, according to figure 3, three types of measurements
were taken.

A. Immediately after the DC voltage source was connected to the circuit, the current through the
circuit was measured using an ammeter within an interval of five seconds for three whole
minutes for three independent trials.

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Time (sec) Current through the Capacitor (µA) Time (sec) Current through the Capacitor (µA) Time (sec) Current through the Capacitor (µA)

0 0 0

5 5 5

10 10 10

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 7

 15 15 15

20 20 20

25 25 25

30 30 30

35 35 35

40 40 40

45 45 45

50 50 50

55 55 55

60 (1min) 60 (1min) 60 (1min)

65 65 65

70 70 70

75 75 75

80 80 80

85 85 85

90 90 90

95 95 95

100 100 100

105 105 105

110 110 110

115 115 115

120 (2min) 120 (2min) 120 (2min)

125 125 125

130 130 130

135 135 135

140 140 140

145 145 145

150 150 150

155 155 155

160 160 160

165 165 165

170 170 170

175 175 175

180 (3 min) 180 (3 min) 180 (3 min)

Table 3: Measured values of the current through the Capacitor for three successive trials

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 8

 Now, Graphing the measured current as a function of time gives: (note that the graphs are
drawn from the average values of the three trials represented above).

B. The Potential drop across the capacitor was measured using a voltmeter within an interval of
five seconds for three whole minutes for three independent trials, and the measurements were
recorded.

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Time (sec) Voltage Drop across the Capacitor (V) Time (sec) Voltage Drop across the Capacitor (V) Time (sec) Voltage Drop across the Capacitor (V)

0 0 0

5 5 5

10 10 10

15 15 15

20 20 20

25 25 25

30 30 30

35 35 35

40 40 40

45 45 45

50 50 50

55 55 55

60 (1min) 60 (1min) 60 (1min)

65 65 65

70 70 70

75 75 75

80 80 80

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 9

 85 85 85

90 90 90

95 95 95

100 100 100

105 105 105

110 110 110

115 115 115

120 (2min) 120 (2min) 120 (2min)

125 125 125

130 130 130

135 135 135

140 140 140

145 145 145

150 150 150

155 155 155

160 160 160

165 165 165

170 170 170

175 175 175

180 (3 min) 180 (3 min) 180 (3 min)

Table 4: Measured values of the Voltage across the Capacitor (as the capacitor is charging) for three successive trials

Again, Graphing the measured Voltage drop as a function of time (while the capacitor is
charging) gives: (note that the graphs are drawn from the average values of the three trials
represented above).

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 10

 C. The Voltage across the Capacitor was again measured while it was discharging. Here are the
measured values.

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Voltage Drop across the Capacitor
Time (sec) Voltage Drop across the Capacitor (V) Time (sec) Voltage Drop across the Capacitor (V) Time (sec) (V)

0 0 0

5 5 5

10 10 10

15 15 15

20 20 20

25 25 25

30 30 30

35 35 35

40 40 40

45 45 45

50 50 50

55 55 55

60 (1min) 60 (1min) 60 (1min)

65 65 65

70 70 70

75 75 75

80 80 80

85 85 85

90 90 90

95 95 95

100 100 100

105 105 105

110 110 110

115 115 115

120 (2min) 120 (2min) 120 (2min)

125 125 125

130 130 130

135 135 135

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 11

 140 140 140

145 145 145

150 150 150

155 155 155

160 160 160

165 165 165

170 170 170

175 175 175

180 (3 min) 180 (3 min) 180 (3 min)

Table 5: Measured values of the Voltage across the Capacitor (as the capacitor is discharging) for three successive trials

™ Graphing the measured Voltage across the capacitor as a function of time (while the
capacitor is charging) gives: (note that the graphs are drawn from the average values
of the three trials represented above).

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 12

 1.10 Conclusion
Upon completion of the laboratory session, many observations were made; these observations have been
dealt with here under their own subheading.

Observations made from Analysis of first order transient Networks.

¾ For a First order RC Network, as it has been proven in Section 1.6 of the booklet, The Transient Voltage
(-t/CR)
response obtained across a capacitor can be given by the relation: Vc = E (1 - e

¾ From this relation it can be concluded that the voltage across the capacitor starts at zero and grows
towards the maximum approachable value (E) as more and more charges accumulate on the plates of
the capacitor.

¾ The Capacitor can be discharged instantly by shorting the capacitor which makes the resistance of the
resistor to become zero, plugging this value for the voltage relation at any time ‘t’ gives an instant
potential difference of zero volts across the plates of the capacitor.

¾ The Transient Current response obtained from the network can be given by the relation: i(t) = E/R *
(-t/CR)
e .
¾ This relation clearly shows that the current flowing through the capacitor slowly decreases
from its maximum value E/R gradually to zero. The steady state interpretation of this
phenomenon could be that “A Capacitor located in a DC network serves as an Open
Circuit (i=0) in the long run after its transient phase.

Observations made about practical errors

It is a well known fact that there does not exist a circuit element that functions with a hundred percent
efficiency. Therefore slight deviations of the measured values from the calculated ones are to be expected under
any circumstances. However the possible causes for these irregularities include:

• The DC voltmeter does not give rise to a potential difference with a magnitude that it is programmed to do.
This is generally due to manufacturing defects, defects from improper usage and gradual wearing off.

• The leads are not of Zero Resistance; this is because of factors like: Temperature change, corrosion, etc…

• The Ammeter used was an analog device; therefore readings are perceptible to be misconstrued. And also
continuous mistreatment of the device leads to incorrect readings in the future.

End of Report

AAU, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, LABORATORY REPORT 13