EXPERIMENT 3 : AC CIRCUIT: RC AND RL IN SERIES

OBJECTIVE
1. To verify Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL) in RC circuit.
2. To verify Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL) in RC circuit.

INTRODUCTION

The object of this experiment is to become familiar with alternating voltages, the
oscilloscope, and the behavior of the voltage in series circuit which divided by two contents
that are containg an inductor and resistor (RL) & containing capacitor and resistor (RC).
Circuits in homes, offices, and laboratories receive energy from a power company in the form
of an oscillating electromotive force (emf). The resulting current in the circuits is called
alternating current (AC), as opposed to direct current (DC). When encounter the term of AC it
should be accepted as a shorthand for "sinusoidal". An AC voltage might be defined by:
V ( t )=V m cos (t )

Capacitors store charge, and develop a voltage drop V across them proportional to the
amount of charge Q that they have stored: V = Q/C. The constant of proportionality C is the
capacitance (measured in Farads = Coulombs/Volt), and determines how easily the capacitor
can store charge. Typical circuit capacitors range from picofarads (1 pF = 10 -12 F) to
millifarads (1 mF = 10-3 F). Inductors store energy in the form of an internal magnetic field,
and find their behaviour dominated by Faradays Law.

In any circuit in which they are placed they create an emf () proportional to the time
rate of change of current I through them: = L dI/dt. The constant of proportionality L is the
inductance (measured in Henries = Ohm s), and determines how strongly the inductor reacts
to current changes (and how large a self-energy it contains for a given current). Typical
circuit inductors range from nanohenries to hundreds of millihenries.

APPARATUS AND COMPONENTS

Resistors: 1 K
Capacitor: 100 nF
Inductor: 100 mH
Signal generator
Bradboard
Oscilloscope
Multimeter
Jumpers/cables/connectors

PROCEDURE

A. To verify KVL in RC circuit

1. An RC circuit as figure below was constructed on breadboard.

R3 =E2

VR

VC

2. The voltages across R and C for the values of R = 1 k, C = 100 nF and E =

1sin6283.185t V were calculated theoretically.
VR = ..........................
VC = ..........................
3. KVL for the RC circuit was verified, theoretically.
4. The signal generator was switched on, then the frequency 1 kHz and the output voltage 1 Vp
were set. By using Voltmeter, the voltages across E, R, and C were measured.

VR = ..........................

VC = ..........................

5. By using oscilloscope, the voltages across E, R, and C were measured.

VR = ..........................
VC = ..........................
6. Based on experiment results, the KVL in the RC circuit was verified.

RESULTS AND CALCULATION

R = 1k
Capacitor = 100x10-9F
Inductor = 10x10-3H
KVL in RC Circuit.
Theoretically
Vs =1V

1
9
j(6283.185)(100 10 )

ZC =

= - j1591.55

= 1591.155 90
ZT =

1 103

+ 1591.155

= 1879.3015

VR

90

57.852

R
(V )
ZT s

( 1000 0 )
(1 V 0 )
( 1879.3015 57.852 )

= (0.5321 57.852) V

VC

ZC
(V )
ZT T

( 1591.55 90 )
(1 V 0 )
( 1879.3015 57.852 )

= (0.8467 -32.148) V

Measured voltage

Voltmeter:
VR = 0.54 V

VC = 0.28v

Oscilloscope:
VR = 1.04 V

VC = 880mv

KVL in RC Circuit
Theoretically
4

Vs =1V

ZL = j2fL
3
=j6283.0185 10 10

= 62.830185

90

3
ZT = 1 10 + 62.830185

90

= 1001.971872 3.59518

=
VR

R
(V )
ZT s

( 1000 0 )
(1 V 0 )
(1001.971872 3.59518 )
= (0.9980 -3.59518) V

VL

XL
(V )
ZT s

( 62.83018590 )
(1 V 0 )
(1001.971872 3.59518 )
= (0.06271 86.40482) V
Measured voltage
Voltmeter:
VR = 1v

VL= 120mv

Oscilloscope:
VR = 0.59v

VL= 0.02v

DISCUSSION

From the expeiment results, the value of voltage that calculated theoretically is not
much difference for voltage across the resistor (R), but it has a lot of different for the voltage
across the inductor (L) from the measurements, either using voltmeter or oscilloscope. The
theoritically value in voltage across the resistor (R) is almost the same of the measurement
6

value betweeen using voltmeter and oscilloscope. Unfortunately, the value between
theoretically and measurement value, either by using voltmeter or oscilloscope, the voltage
across the inductor (L) is not satisfied because of so much different between those values. It
causes because of human error, maybe wrong step of procedure measurement or not careful
enough for reading the measurements value.

CONCLUSION
From this experiment it has been experienced with alternating circuit especially containing
resistor and inductor in series circuit which also known as RL in series circuit. Ways of using
oscilloscope was also learnt and be able in understanding to measure practically and calculate
theoretically the voltages in the RL circuit. A final aspect of this lab is to understand how to
apply Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL) in AC circuit.

SAFETY PRECAUTION
1. Set the function switch correctly before making any measurements.
2. Make the connections according to the circuit diagram. Power supply should be
switched off.
3. Connections should be tight.

4. Note the reading carefully.

5. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed in laboratory.
6. Keep your workspace tidy and set aside all equipment.

REFERENCES
1. Rc and RL circuits
Retrieved from: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/video-lectures/rc-and-rl-circuits/
Accessed on 4th June 2015
2. Series and Parallel Considerations
Retrieved from: http://cie-wc.edu/RC-and-RL-circuits-lecture-5-3-2011.pdf
Accessed on 3rd June 2015
3. Natural Response of First Order RC and RL Circuits
Retrieved
from
:
http://info.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Courses/ee1.cct/circuittheory/section6/natresponse.html
Accessed on 3rd June 2015