ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 2 Manual

ACTIVITY 4A

IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS: SERIES RLC CIRCUIT

4A.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively

4A.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. measure properly the voltage and current in a series RLC circuit.
b. calculate the reactance, total impedance, current component voltage drops, and phase
angle of a series RLC circuit by using standard electronic formulas.
c. evaluate results by comparing measured and calculated values.

4A.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:

1. calculate the reactance, total impedance, current component voltage drops, and phase
angle of a series RLC circuit by using standard electronic formulas.

2. verify the results with a sine wave generator and an oscilloscope.

4A.4 Principle of the Activity

RLC circuit is a network created by resistors (R), inductors (L) and capacitors (C)
connected in various ways to perform useful functions such as filtering, phase shifting, or
impedance matching; also called LCR circuits.

Figure 4.1-1 shows a series RLC circuit connected to a source of ac. The total impedance
offered to current flow in this circuit is a combination of the oppositions offered to current
flow in this circuit is a combination of the oppositions offered by the resistance (R),
inductive reactance (X1), and capacitive reactance (XC). Using the values in Figure 4.1-1,
you can calculate the reactances as follows:

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 X L  2fL  6.28(20 x103 )(10 x103 )  1256
1 1
XC    3619
2fC 6.28(20 x10 (0.0022x10 3 )
3

Figure 4.1-1

Knowing the reactances and resistance, you can compute the total circuit impedance (Z):

Z  R22  ( X C1  X L1)2  (1000)2  (3619  1256)2  2565

Z=
Z = 2, 565 ohmsBBEcause the impedance formula is the same as
the used to compute right triangles, the resistance, reactance, and impedance can be
illustrated graphically, as in Figure 4.1-1. Note that the side of the triangle representing
reactance (XC1- XL1). If XL1 is greater than XC1’ then the reactance side of the triangle would
be XL’ the difference between the inductive and capacitive reactances (X L1- XC1). The
lengths of the sides of the triangle are proportional to the resistance, reactance, and
impedance values.

Figure 4.1-1

One way to tell if a series RLC circuit is inductive or capacitive is simply to note which
reactance is larger. In this example, XC1 is larger; therefore, the circuit is capacitive. In the

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 impedance computation, the smaller inductive reactance was subtracted from the larger
capacitive reactance. The result was 2363 ohms net capacitive reactance. The circuit acts
like 1000 ohm resistor connected in series with an equivalent capacitor having a reactance
of 2,363 ohms.

Figure 4.1-3

If XL1 had been greater than XC1’ the total reactance would have been inductive. The
equivalent circuit would be a resistor connected in series with an equivalent inductor.

Knowing the impedance and the applied voltage, you can compute the total circuit current
with Ohm’s law

IT = VGEN / Z
IT = 15 / 2,565
IT = 5,850mA

The voltage drops across each component in Figure 4.1-1 can also be computed by Ohm’s
law now that total circuit current is known. These voltage are

VR2 = IR2
VR2 = 5.85 x 10-3 x 1000
VR2 = 5.85 volts
VL1 = IXL1
VL1 = 5.85 x 10-3 x 1256
VL1 = 7.35 volts
VC1 = IXC1
VC1 = 5.85 x 10-3 x 3619
VC1 = 21.2 volts

Another way to tell if series RLC circuit is inductive or capacitive is of measure the voltage
drops across the inductor and capacitor. The one with the highest voltage drop determines
the total reactive effect. In this example, VC1 is higher than VL1’ so the circuit is capacitive.

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 The sum of the voltage drops around a series circuit equals the source voltage. In a series
RLC circuit, the component drops cannot be added directly because the voltage are out of
phase with one another. The sum of the voltages will equal the source voltage only when
the voltages are added with phasors, done with the help of a phasor diagram like the one
shown in Figure 4.1-4.

The phasors represent voltage drops across the resistance, reactance, and total impedance.
Notice that the voltage across the resistance (VR2) is in phase with the circuit current (I).
The voltage across the inductor (VL1) leads the circuit current by 90 degrees. You could
also say that the current lags the voltage across the inductor. The voltage across the
capacitor (VC1) lags the circuit current by 90 degrees, or in other words, the circuit current
leads the capacitor voltage by 90 degrees.

Figure 4.1-5 (a and b) shows the sine waves represented by the phasors in the Figure 4.1-
4. The sine wave of VC [in Figure 4.1-5 (b)] is the composite voltage you would see across
the equivalent capacitor of Figure 4.1-3.

Figure 4.1-4

As the Phasor diagram in Figure 4.1-4 shows the total reactive effect in the circuit is
capacitive because the capacitive reactance is larger than the inductive reactance. The net
circuit reactance is capacitive; therefore, the current leads the applied voltage (VGEN).

VGEN can be computed by the phasor sum of the equivalent capacitor voltage (VC) and the
resistor voltage (VR2).

VGEN = √(VR2 2 + VC2 2

VGEN = √[(5.85) 2 + (13.85)2
VGEN = 15.0 V

The total voltage is applied generator voltage 15 volts.

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 You can compute the phase shift in the circuit by using the phasor diagram. In Figure 4.1-
4, the lengths or magnitudes of the sides of the triangle determine the phase angle A.

Figure 4.1-5

VC1  VL1
A  tan 1
VR 2

You will also see tan-1 referred to as arctan.

In this example, the phase angle is:

A = tan-1 (13.85 / 5.85)

A = tan-1 (2.367)
A = 67.10 degrees
The current, therefore, leads the applied voltage by 67.10 degrees.

An important fact to remember is that the circuit values depend upon the frequency of the
applied voltage. The reactance values and the total impedance we computed are valid only
at 20 kHz. Changing the frequency will change the reactance values and other factors in
the circuit. For example, increasing the frequency will increase the value of inductive
reactance and decrease the value of capacitive reactance. At higher frequencies, X L1 will
become greater than XC1’ and the circuit will appear inductive. VL1 will be greater than VC1’
and the current will lag the applied voltage.

In the following procedure, you will be using the ADD-INVERT method of measuring.
This method eliminates the need to connect the oscilloscope ground to some voltage point
in the experiment circuit (no such connection would normally result in a short). The method

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 is based on the idea that the voltage across a component (with respect to ground) and the
voltage at the other end of the component. The oscilloscope computes the difference by
inverting channel 2 and algebraically adding the two voltages. See appendix B for more
information on the ADD-INVERT method of measuring, as well as for information on
phase angle measurement.

4A.5 Materials/Equipment

1 – F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit

1 – AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2 – 15Vdc Power Supply
1 – Generator, sine wave
1 – Oscilloscope, dual trace

4A.6 Procedure/s

1. Adjust the dc power sources to +15Vdc and -15Vdc. Turn the power sources off.
Insert the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the base unit. Turn on the power
sources.

2. Locate the RLC/ RESONACE/ POWER circuit block and connect the circuit shown
in Figure 4.1-6. If your generator does not have a 50-ohm output impedance, plug
GENERATOR BUFFER into the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS circuit board and connect the
buffer between your generator and the circuit.

NOTE: R3 is provided to simplify the measurement is provided to simplify the measurement

of the circuit current. To measure the total circuit current (IT), measure the voltage across
R3 and divide by 10. When not measuring current, short R3 by placing two –post connector
across R3.

Figure 4.1-6

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 3. Adjust the sine wave generator frequency to 20 kHz.

NOTE: Most generator dials are calibrated but are not highly accurate. For best
experimental results set the generator frequency with an oscilloscope by observing the time
between two adjacent peaks of the sine wave. That time should be equal to the period (t) of
the sine wave, computed by the expression
t = 1 / f. The Period of the 20-kKz sine wave is micro seconds (t = 1/20 kHz). Therefore,
the generator dial should be adjusted so that one complete cycle equals 50 is on the display.

4. Adjust the output amplitude of the sine wave generator or GENERATOR BUFFER
to 15 Vpk-pk

5. Verify the operations of the experimental circuit by measuring IT’ VR2’ VL1’ and
VC1. Record your result in Table 4.1-1.

NOTE: To determine IT measure the voltage across R3 and divide by 10. To determine VC1
measure directly with the oscilloscope probe across C1 and ground. To measure VL1 and
VR2’ you will use the ADD-INVERT method on a dual trace oscilloscope. Use the following
procedure.

a. Connect the probe of channel 1 to one end of the component of the probe of channel
2 to the other end of the component. Both ground clips should be connected to circuit
ground.
b. Set the vertical gain controls on both channels to display the waveform on the
screen. Both controls should be set to the same gain.
c. Set the channel 2 input to INVERT.
d. Set the vertical mode to ADD.
e. Read the peak-to-peak value of the voltage displayed on the screen of the
oscilloscope. This is the voltage drop across the component.

Table 4.1-1.
IT VR2 VL1 VC1
20 kHz
STEP 5
50 kHz
STEP 13

6. Calculate the total impedance using your measured values (Z = VGEN / IT)
Z = ___________Ω
7. Measure the phase relationship between the generator voltage and the total
circuit current.

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 NOTE: Use the following procedure on your dual trace oscilloscope.

a. Connect the probe of channel 1 to the generator output. Sync on this channel.
Make sure channel 2 is not in the INVERT mode.
b. Connect the probe of channel 2 across R3. Use a X1 probe.
c. Switch the vertical mode to ALT
d. Adjust the vertical gain controls of channel 1 and 2 until the wave forms are
equal in amplitude and centered on the zero amplitude grid on the graticule.
e. Adjust the horizon sweep frequency and triggering until the waveforms are
expanded as much as possible. Measure the time shift (ts) between the zero crossing
points of the corresponding portions of the waveforms. See Figure 4.1-7.
f. Convert the time into degrees. Because the period, or time (t) for one cycle equals
360 degrees , the number of degrees of phase shift can be computed from the following
formula:
360˚ × time shift (𝑡𝑠 )
Phase shift =
Period (T)

What is the time between zero crossings? What is the phase shift?

tzero = ___________ second, tphase shift = ___________ degrees

8. Does the waveform across R3 (IT) lead or lag the generator output (VGEN)?
___________________________________________________________
9. Set CM switch 10 to the ON position to change the value of C1 to
0.0044μF. Readjust the generator voltage to 15 Vpk-pk.

10. Measure the new voltage drops across the capacitor (VC1) and the inductor (VL1).
Remember to use the ADD-INVERT method to measure VL1. VC1 can be measured
directly when R3 is shorted out by a two post connector.

VC1 = __________ V, VL1 = __________ V

11. The frequency and inductance did not change. However, the capacitance doubled
to 0.0044 if the reactance (XC1) dropped by one-half to 1,809 ohms. Is VC1 greater or less
than VL1? Does this cause the circuit to be inductive or capacitive? ________________

12. Turn OFF CM switch10.

13. Using an oscilloscope, set the generator frequency of 50 kHz. Readjust the
amplitude of the output voltage to 15 Vpk-pk’ if necessary. Measure the voltage drops
across resistor R2 (VR2), the inductor (VL1), and the capacitor (VC1).Record your result in

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 Table 4.1-1.

14. The frequency was increased. However, the capacitance remained the same. Is
VC1 greater or less than VL1? Is the circuit inductive or capacitive? _____________

15. Calculate the phase shift from the measured value in Step 13.

VC1 −VL1
Phase equation = tan−1 VR2

Phase shift = ________ degrees

16. Measure and record the phase angle between the applied voltage and the circuit
current. Use the method in step 7 of this procedure to measure the phase angle.Isthe
current leading or lagging the applied voltage?

Phase angle = ________ degrees

17. The computed value in step 15. Do they agree within a ±30% tolerance?
__________________________________________________________.

18. Do not turn off the power sources. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for two
review question.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. A series RLC circuit is inductive if XL’ is greater than XC and if

a. the frequency is high.

b. the frequency is low.

c. VL is greater than VC.

d. VC is greater than VL.

2. What is the equivalent circuit of an experimental circuit with L = 10 mH. C = 0.0022 μF. R =
1K, and frequency at the applied voltage = 50 kHz?

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 a. inductor

b. capacitor

c. resistor in series with inductor

d. resistor in series with capacitor.

3. Locate the RLC/ RESONANCE/ POWER circuit block on the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS

circuit board. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.1-8. Set the generator output to 15 Vpk-pk at
15 kHz. Measure VL1 and VC1. Set CM switch 9 in the ON position to change R2 from 1k to 3.2k.
Measure the voltage drops once again. You determine the circuit

a. change from capacitive to inductive

b. remained inductive

c. changed from inductive to capacitive

d. remained capacitive

4. In series RLC circuit, if VC is greater than VL’ the current

a. lags the applied voltage.

b. leads the applied voltage.

c. and voltage are in phase.

d. and voltage – phase relationship cannot be determined with this data.

5. Locate the RLC/ RESONANCE/ POWER circuit block on the AC 2 FUNDAMENTALS

circuit board. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.1-8. Set the generator output to 15Vpk-pk at
20 kHz. Measure VC1 and IT. Calculate XC1 (XC1 = VC1/ IT). Set the CM switch 11 to the ON
position to change the value of C1. Re – measure VC1 and IT. What is the new value of XC1?
(Choose the value closest to your answer.)

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

 a. 1K c. 7K

b. 12K d. 3K

Turn off CM switch 11 and the power sources. Remove all circuit board connection.

4A.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:

Group Members: Signature:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4A.8.1 Data and Results

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

4A.8.2 Calculations

4A.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS

4A.8.4 Conclusion/s

4A.8.5 Rating (See Attached Rubric)

ACTIVITY 4: IMPEDANCE OF RLC CIRCUITS