Experiment 2 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Faculty of Engineering (EEE)
EEE2102: Electrical Circuit 2 Laboratory

Title: Analysis of RC & RL series circuits

Introduction:

The RC & RL circuit is used to determine the input and output relationship of voltage and
current for different frequencies. In RC series circuit the voltage lags the current by 90 0 and in
RL series circuit the voltage leads the current by 900.

Theory and Methodology:

RC Series Circuit:
A resistor–capacitor circuit (RC circuit), or RC network, is an electric circuit composed of
resistors and capacitor is in series driven by a voltage or current source(See the figure-1). A first
order RC circuit is composed of one resistor and one capacitor and is the simplest type of RC
circuit.

Figure-1
Analysis of a Series RC Circuit

For doing a complete analysis of a series RC circuit, given the values of R, C, f, and V T.

Step 1: Calculate the value of XC:

XC = 1 / (2πfC)

Step 2: Calculate the total impedance Z:

Step 3: Use Ohm's Law to calculate the total current IT:

I T = VT / Z

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 Experiment 2 Lab Manual

Difference between Rectangular & Polar representation of Impedance :

 In Rectangular form:

ZT = R - j XC

 In Polar form:

ZT = √

θ = tan-1(-XC /R) = tan-1(-1 /ωRC)

Impact of frequency on the value of capacitance:

Figure 2 will show the impact of frequency by varying the value of Capacitance in series
resonance.

Figure-2

RL Series Circuit:
A resistor–inductor circuit (RL circuit), or RL network, is an electric circuit composed of
resistors and inductor is in series driven by a voltage or current source (See the figure-3). A first
order RL circuit is composed of one resistor and one inductor and is the simplest type of RL
circuit.

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 Experiment 2 Lab Manual

Figure-3
Analysis of a Series RL Circuit

For doing a complete analysis of a series RL circuit, given the values of R, L, f, and V T.

Step 1:. Calculate the value of XL:

XL = 2πfL

Step 2: Calculate the total impedance Z:

Step 3: Use Ohm's Law to calculate the total current IT:

I T = VT / Z

Difference between Rectangular & Polar representation of Impedance:

 In Rectangular form:

ZT = R + j XL

 In Polar form:

ZT = √

θ = tan-1(XL /R) = tan-1(ωL /R)

Impact of frequency on the value of inductance:

Figure 4 will show the impact of frequency by varying the value of Inductance in series
resonance.

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 Experiment 2 Lab Manual

Figure-4

Pre-Lab Homework:

Read about the characteristics of RC and RL series circuit from “Alternating Current Circuit” by
George F Corcoran and use NI Multisim to generate the output of the circuits provided in this lab
sheet. Compare the wave shapes given in the text book with your results. Save the simulation
results and bring it to the lab.

Apparatus:

 Oscilloscope
 Function generator
 Resistor: 100 
 Inductor: 2.4mH
 Capacitor: 1 F/ 10 F
 SPST switch
 Connecting wire.
 Bread board

Precautions:

Connection of circuit should be done carefully and oscilloscopes should be properly calibrated
using the information provided at the calibration port before obtaining the wave shapes using the
experimental set up.

Experimental Procedure:

1. Construct the circuit as shown in the fig.1. Connect channel 1 of the oscilloscope across
function generator and channel 2 of the oscilloscope across R.
2. Set the amplitude of the input signal 10V peak to peak and the frequency at 1 kHz. Select
sinusoidal wave shape.

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 Experiment 2 Lab Manual

3. Measure peak value of the both wave shapes.

4. Determine phase relationship between the waves.
5. Write down the wave equations for I and E.
6. Calculate resistance and reactance from the relevant data.
7. Do the same experiment setting input frequency 5kHz and 10kHz.
8. Complete the following table.

Table 1
f E I Z= E Z R XL VR=IR VL=IXL
I (Rectangular form)
(Polar form)
1KHz
5KHz
10KHz

9. Now construct the circuit as shown in fig.3. Connect channel 1 of the oscilloscope across
function generator and channel 2 of the oscilloscope across R.
10. Do the same procedure stated in 2 to 7. Complete the following table.

Table 2
f E I Z= E Z R XC VR=IR VC=IXC
I (Rectangular form)
(Polar form)
1KHz
5KHz
10KHz

Simulation and Measurement:

Compare the simulation results with your experimental data/ wave shapes and comment on the
differences (if any).

Questions for report writing:

1. Complete Table 1 and Table 2.

2. Calculate the value of XC, XL, Z, I.
3. Draw the complete vector diagram for the RL and RC circuit.
4. Comment on the role of frequency to inductive reactance and capacitive reactance.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Interpret the data/findings and determine the extent to which the experiment was successful in
complying with the goal that was initially set. Discuss any mistake you might have made while
conducting the investigation and describe ways the study could have been improved.

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 Experiment 2 Lab Manual

References:

[1] “Fundamental of Electric Circuit” by Alekzendre Sadiku

[2] “Alternating Current Circuit” by George F Corcoran
[3] http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/py106/ACcircuits.html

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