✨ Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Components of LCR Circuit
3. Types of LCR Circuits
4. Working of LCR Circuit
5. Mathematical Analysis
6. Resonance in LCR Circuit
7. Phasor Diagram
8. Power Factor
9. Invention and History
10. Applications of LCR Circuit
11. Advantages & Limitations
12. Conclusion
13. Bibliography
Introduction
Electric circuits form the backbone of modern technology. Among
these, the LCR circuit holds a special place due to its widespread use in
alternating current (AC) circuits.
An LCR circuit Is an electrical circuit that consists of:
An Inductor (L),
A Capacitor ©, and
A Resistor ®.
These components are connected either in series or parallel. LCR
circuits are widely used in tuning, filtering, oscillations, power supply,
and communication technologies.
Components of LCR Circuit
Resistor ®
• Resists the flow of current.
• Converts electrical energy into heat.
• Symbol: Zigzag line.
• Unit: Ohm (Ω).
Inductor (L)
• Stores energy in magnetic field when current flows.
• Opposes change in current.
• Symbol: Coil.
• Unit: Henry (H).
Capacitor ©
• Stores energy in electric field.
• Opposes change in voltage.
• Symbol: Two parallel lines.
• Unit: Farad (F).
Types of LCR Circuits
➔ Series LCR Circuit
• R, L, and C connected one after
Another
• Same current flows through a
Elements
• Voltage is divided.
➔ Parallel LCR Circuit
• R, L, and C connected in parallel.
• Same voltage across each
component.
• Current divides among elements.
Working of LCR Circuit
~ In an LCR circuit:
• When an alternating voltage is
applied, current flows through R, L,
and C.
• Each component behaves
differently with changing
frequency.
• Inductor opposes changes in
current (produces inductive
reactance).
• Capacitor opposes changes in
voltage (produces capacitive
reactance).
• The resistor simply resists current
flow, producing energy loss as
heat.
• The behavior of the circuit
depends on the net opposition or
impedance.
Mathematical Analysis
➔ Impedance (Z)
• The total opposition to the flow
of AC current is called
impedance (Z):
Z = \sqrt{R^2 + (X_L – X_C)^2}
Where:
(Inductive Reactance)
(Capacitive Reactance)
Is frequency of AC source.
➔ Current (I)
The current in the circuit is:
I = \frac{V}{Z}
Where is the applied voltage.
Resonance in LCR Circuit
• Resonance occurs when
inductive reactance equals
capacitive reactance:
X_L = X_C
At resonance, impedance is
minimum (equal to R), and
current is maximum.
• The resonance frequency (f₀):
F₀ = \frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{LC}}
• At resonance, LCR circuits are
used in radio receivers,
communication systems, and
many tuning circuits.
• Phasor Diagram
• The phasor diagram visually represents the phase difference
between voltage and current across components.
~ In LCR series circuits:
• Voltage across R is in phase with current.
• Voltage across L leads current by 90°.
• Voltage across C lags current by 90°.
Power Factor
• The power factor (cos φ) shows how effectively the circuit uses
power.
\cos \phi = \frac{R}{Z}
• If φ = 0°, power factor is 1 (purely resistive circuit).
• A good power factor is important for energy efficiency.
Invention and History
• Early studies of resistance, inductance, and capacitance began in the
19th century.
• Joseph Henry (USA) and Michael Faraday (UK) discovered inductance.
• Alessandro Volta developed principles of capacitance.
• The full understanding of AC circuits and LCR behavior came with the
works of:
• James Clerk Maxwell (electromagnetic theory)
• Heinrich Hertz (proved existence of electromagnetic waves)
• Nikola Tesla (developed AC power systems)
Applications of LCR Circuit
• LCR circuits are used in:
• Radio and TV tuning circuits.
• Wireless communication filters.
• Signal processing.
~ Oscillators and waveform generators.
• Voltage regulators and power distribution.
• Medical devices like MRI.
• Industrial machines (induction heating, welding).
Advantages and Limitations
~ Advantages:
• Controls frequency response.
• Used for precise tuning.
• Easy to design and implement.
~ Limitations:
• Efficiency affected by losses in R and L.
• At very high frequencies, real components may not behave ideally.
Conclusion
The LCR Circuit is a very important part of physics and
electronics. It helps in controlling the flow of AC current at
desired frequencies. Understanding the LCR circuit is essential in
modern communication, electronics, power systems, and medical
technology.
Bibliography
NCERT Physics Textbook, Class 12.
Concepts of Physics – H.C. Verma.
