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Circuit Theory: First-Order Circuits

This document provides an overview of first-order circuits, including source-free RC and RL circuits. It discusses the key characteristics of these circuits such as their differential equations, time constants, and step responses. The step responses are expressed using equations that relate the initial and final voltages or currents to the time constant and input step function. Methods for analyzing source-free and step response problems are also presented.

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180 views22 pages

Circuit Theory: First-Order Circuits

This document provides an overview of first-order circuits, including source-free RC and RL circuits. It discusses the key characteristics of these circuits such as their differential equations, time constants, and step responses. The step responses are expressed using equations that relate the initial and final voltages or currents to the time constant and input step function. Methods for analyzing source-free and step response problems are also presented.

Uploaded by

malek992
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1

Circuit Theory
First-Order Circuits
2
First-Order Circuits

1. The Source-Free RC Circuit
2. The Source-Free RL Circuit
3. Unit-step Function
4. Step Response of an RC Circuit
5. Step Response of an RL Circuit
3
The Source-Free RC Circuit
A first-order circuit is characterized by a first-
order differential equation.
Apply Kirchhoffs laws to purely resistive circuit results in
algebraic equations.
Apply the laws to RC and RL circuits produces differential
equations.
Ohms law Capacitor law
0 = +
dt
dv
C
R
v
0 = +
C R
i i
By KCL
4
The Source-Free RC Circuit
The natural response of a circuit refers to the behavior
(in terms of voltages and currents) of the circuit itself,
with no external sources of excitation.

The time constant t of a circuit is the time required for the
response to decay by a factor of 1/e or 36.8% of its initial value.
v decays faster for small t and slower for large t.


C R = t Time constant
Decays more slowly
Decays faster
5
The Source-Free RC Circuit
The key to working with a source-free RC circuit is
finding:
1. The initial voltage v(0) = V
0
across the
capacitor.
2. The time constant t = RC.
t
=
/
0
) (
t
e V t v C R = t
where
Example
6
7
The Source-Free RC Circuit
Refer to the circuit below, determine v
C
, v
x
, and i
o

for t 0.
Assume that v
C
(0) = 30 V.
Answer: v
C
= 30e
0.25t
V ; v
x
= 10e
0.25t
; i
o
= 2.5e
0.25t
A
Example
8
9
10
11



The Source-Free RC Circuit
The switch in circuit below is opened at t = 0, find
v(t) for t 0.
Answer: V(t) = 8e
2t
V
12
The Source-Free RL Circuit
A first-order RL circuit consists of a inductor
L (or its equivalent) and a resistor (or its
equivalent)
0 = +
R L
v v
By KVL
0 = + iR
dt
di
L
Inductors law Ohms law
dt
L
R
i
di
=
L t R
e I t i
/
0
) (

=
13
The Source-Free RL Circuit
The time constant t of a circuit is the time required for the response
to decay by a factor of 1/e or 36.8% of its initial value.
i(t) decays faster for small t and slower for large t.
The general form is very similar to a RC source-free circuit.

t
=
/
0
) (
t
e I t i
R
L
= t
A general form representing a RL
where
14
The Source-Free RL Circuit
t
=
/
0
) (
t
e I t i
R
L
= t
A RL source-free circuit
where
t /
0
) (
t
e V t v

=
RC = t
A RC source-free circuit
where
Comparison between a RL and RC circuit
15
The Source-Free RL Circuit
The key to working with a source-free RL
circuit is finding:
1. The initial voltage i(0) = I
0
through the
inductor.
2. The time constant t = L/R.
t /
0
) (
t
e I t i

=
R
L
= t
where
19
Unit-Step Function
The unit step function u(t) is 0 for negative
values of t and 1 for positive values of t.

>
<
=
0 , 1
0 , 0
) (
t
t
t u

>
<
=
o
o
o
t t
t t
t t u
, 1
, 0
) (

>
<
= +
o
o
o
t t
t t
t t u
, 1
, 0
) (
20
Unit-Step Function

1. voltage source.




2. for current source:
Represent an abrupt change for:
21
Initial condition:
v(0-) = v(0+) = V
0

Applying KCL,




or




Where u(t) is the unit-step function
The Step-Response of a RC Circuit
The step response of a circuit is its behavior when the
excitation is the step function, which may be a voltage
or a current source.
0
) (
=

+
R
t u V v
dt
dv
c
s
) (t u
RC
V v
dt
dv
s

=
22
The Step-Response of a RC Circuit
Integrating both sides and considering the initial
conditions, the solution of the equation is:

> +
<
=

0 ) (
0
) (
/
0
0
t e V V V
t V
t v
t
s s
t
Final value
at t ->
Initial value
at t = 0
Source-free
Response
Complete Response = Natural response + Forced Response
(stored energy) (independent source)

= V
0
e
t/
+ V
s
(1e
t/
)
23
The Step-Response of a RC Circuit
Three steps to find out the step response
of an RC circuit:
1. The initial capacitor voltage v(0).
2. The final capacitor voltage v() DC
voltage across C.
3. The time constant t.
t /
)] ( ) 0 ( [ ) ( ) (
t
e v v v t v

+ + =
Note: The above method is a short-cut method. You may also
determine the solution by setting up the circuit formula directly
using KCL, KVL , ohms law, capacitor and inductor VI laws.
25
The Step-response of a RL Circuit
The step response of a circuit is its behavior when the
excitation is the step function, which may be a voltage or
a current source.
Initial current
i(0-) = i(0+) = I
o

Final inductor current
i() = Vs/R

Time constant t = L/R
) ( ) ( ) ( t u e
R
V
I
R
V
t i
t
s
o
s
t

+ =
26
The Step-Response of a RL Circuit
Three steps to find out the step response
of an RL circuit:
1. The initial inductor current i(0) at t = 0+.
2. The final inductor current i().
3. The time constant t.
Note: The above method is a short-cut method. You may also
determine the solution by setting up the circuit formula directly
using KCL, KVL , ohms law, capacitor and inductor VI laws.
t /
)] ( ) 0 ( [ ) ( ) (
t
e i i i t i

+ + =

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