Department of Electrical Engineering

Academic year: 2023-24, Semester: III

Electrical Circuit Analysis

Module-2: Solution of First and Second order networks

Lecture# 2: RL circuit, RLC circuit

Dr. Bablesh Kumar Jha

1 Resistor-Inductor Circuit
Consider a series RL circuit as shown in Fig. 1. The switch is closed at time t = 0. The Inductor
in the circuit is initially un-energised.

Figure 1: Series RL Circuit

Applying KVL to the circuit for t > 0

di
V − Ri − L =0
dt
This is a linear differential equation of first order. It can be solved if the variables can be separated.

(V − Ri)dt = Ldi
Ldi
= dt
V − Ri
Integrating both the sides
L
− ln (V − Ri) = t + k
R
where ’k’ is an arbitrary constant. ’k’ can be evaluated from the initial condition.
At t = 0− ,
iL (0− ) = 0
Since the inductor does not allow sudden change in current,
At t = 0+ ,
iL (0− ) = 0
So, setting i = 0 at t = 0,
L
− ln (V ) = k
R

1
 L L
− ln (V − Ri) = t − ln (V )
R R
L  
− ln ln (V − Ri) − ln (V ) = t
R
V − Ri R
= e− L t
V
V R
i = (1 − e− L t )
R
The complete response is composed of two parts, the steady-state response or forced response
R
or zero state response VR and transient response or natural response or zero input response VR e− L t .

Figure 2: Current response of series RL circuit

The transient period is defined as the time taken for the current to reach its final or steady state
value from its initial value.
L
T ime Constant (T ) =
R
Example-1 In the network of Fig. 3, the switch is initially at the position ’1’. On the steady state
having reached, the switch is changed to the position ’2’. Find current i(t).

Figure 3: Example-1

Solution: At t = 0− , the network is shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 4: Solution of Example-1

2
At t = 0− , the network has attained steady-state condition. Hence, the inductor acts as a short
circuit.
V
i(0− ) =
R1
Since the inductor does not allow sudden change in current,
V
i(0+ ) =
R1
For t > 0, the network is shown in Fig. 5.

Figure 5: Solution of Example-1

Writing the KVL equation for t > 0,

di
−R2 i − R1 i − L =0
dt
di R1 + R2
+ i=0
dt L
di
Comparing with the differential equation dt + P i = 0,

R1 + R2
P =
L
The solution of this differential equation is given by

i(t) = ke−P t
R1 +R2
i(t) = ke− L
t

V
At t = 0, i(0) = R1
,
V
= ke0 = k
R1
so,
V − R1 +R2 t
i(t) = e L t>0
R1

3
 Practice Problem-1 In the network shown in Fig. 6, the switch is closed at t = 0, a steady
state having previously been attained. Find the current i(t).

Figure 6: Practice Problem-1

Answer:  
V R2 R
− L1
i(t) = 1− e t f or t > 0
R1 R1 + R2

2 Resistor–Inductor–Capacitor Circuit
Consider a series RLC circuit as shown in Fig. 7. The switch is closed at time t = 0. The capacitor
and inductor are initially uncharged.

Figure 7: Resistor–Inductor–Capacitor Circuit

Applying KVL to the circuit for t > 0,

Z t
di 1
V − Ri − L − idt = 0
dt C 0

Differentiating the above equation,

di d2 i 1
0−R −L 2 − i=0
dt dt C
d2 i R di 1
2
+ + i=0
dt L dt LC
This is a second-order differential equation. The auxiliary equation or characteristic equation will
be given by,    
2 R 1
s + + =0
L LC

4
Let s1 and s2 be the roots of the equation.
s 
2
R R 1 p
s1 = − + − = −α + α2 − ωo2 = −α + β
2L 2L LC
s 2
R R 1 p
s2 = − − − = −α − α2 − ωo2 = −α − β
2L 2L LC
where,
R p
α= β= α2 − ωo2
2L ωo = √1
LC

The solution of the above second-order differential equation will be given by,

i(t) = k1 es1 t + k2 es2 t

where k1 and k2 are constants to be determined and s1 and s2 are the roots of the equation.
Now depending upon the values of α and ωo , we have 3 cases of the response.
Case I Where α > ωo
i.e.,
R 1
>√
2L LC
The roots are real and unequal and it gives an overdamped response.
In this case, the solution is given by,

i = e−αt (k1 eβt + k2 e−βt )

or,
i = k1 es1 t + k2 es2 t f or t > 0
The current curve for an overdamped case is shown in Fig. 8.

Figure 8: Overdamped response

Case II Where α = ωo
R 1
=√
2L LC
The roots are real and equal and it gives a critically damped response.
In this case the solution is given by,

i = e−αt (k1 + k2 t) f or t > 0

The current curve for critically damped case is shown in Fig. 9.

5
 Figure 9: Critically damped response

Case III Where α < ωo

R 1
<√
2L LC
The roots are complex conjugate and it gives an underdamped response.
In this case, the solution is given by,

i(t) = k1 es1 t + k2 es2 t

where, p
s1 , s2 = α ± α2 + ωo2
Let, p √ p
α2 − ωo2 = −1 ωo2 − α2 = jωd
where, √ p
j= −1 and ωd = ωo2 − α2
Hence,
i(t) = e−αt (k1 ejωd t + k2 e−jωd t )
+ e−jωd t − e−jωd t
 jωd t   jωd t 
−αt e e
= e {(k1 + k2 ) + j(k1 − k2 ) }
2 j2
i(t) = e−αt (k1 + k2 ) cos (ωd t) + j(k1 − k2 ) sin ωd t f or t > 0
 

The current curve for an underdamped case is shown in Fig. 10.

Figure 10: Underdamped response

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 Example-1 In the network of Fig. 11, the switch is closed at t = 0, Obtain the expression for
current i(t) for t > 0.

Figure 11: Example-2

Solution: At t = 0− , the switch is open

i(0− ) = 0 vC (0− ) = 0

Since current through the inductor and voltage across the capacitor cannot change instantaneously,

i(0+ ) = 0 vC (0−+ ) = 0

For t > 0, the network is shown in Fig. 12.

Figure 12: Solution of example-2

Writing the KVL equation for t > 0,

Z t
di 1
20 − 9i − 1 − idt = 0
dt 0.05 0

Differentiating above equation

di d2 i
0−9 − − 20i = 0
dt dt2
d2 i di
2
+ 9 + 20i = 0
dt dt
2
(D + 9D + 20)i = 0
D1 = −4 D2 = −5
The solution of this differential equation is given by,

i(t) = k1 e−4t + k2 e−5t

Differentiating above equation

di
= −4k1 e−4t − 5k2 e−5t
dt

7
At t = 0, i(0) = 0
0 = k1 + k2
di
(0) = −4k1 − 5k2
dt
Putting t = 0 in above equation
di +
20 − 9i(0+ ) − (0 ) − 0 = 0
dt
di +
(0 ) = 20 − 9i(0+ ) = 20 A/s
dt
also,
20 = −4k1 − 5k2
so,
k1 = 20, k2 = 20
Hence,
i(t) = 20e−4t − 20e−5t f or t > 0
Practice Problem-2 In the network shown in Fig. 13, the switch is moved from the position 1 to
2 at t = 0. The switch is in the position 1 for a long time. Determine the expression for the current
i(t).

Figure 13: Practice Problem-2

Answer
i(t) = 2.02e−0.03t − 2.02e−4.97t f or t > 0
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If you have any doubts or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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