EXERCISES:

Exercise 1: From the results of Run 1 in Tables 6.1, calculate for each trial the Power Factor (P.F.)
of the circuit. Use the relation below in determining the power factor.

Trial 𝑽𝑹
𝑷. 𝑭. = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = ( )
𝑽𝑻
C1 𝑉𝑅 0.4
𝑃. 𝐹. = ( ) = ( ) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔
𝑉𝑇 7
C1//C2 𝑉𝑅 0.4
𝑃. 𝐹. = ( ) = ( ) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔
𝑉𝑇 7
C1//C2//C3 𝑉𝑅 0.4
𝑃. 𝐹. = ( ) = ( ) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔
𝑉𝑇 7

Exercise 2: From the results in Run 1, for each trial, compute the phasor sum of voltages VR, VL
and VC and compare this with the value of the supply voltage. Is the result in accordance with your
expectations? If not, why?

Trial 𝑉𝑇
𝑉𝑇 = √𝑉𝑅 2 + (𝑉𝐿 − 𝑉𝐶 )2
(measured)
(computed)
C1 𝑉𝑇 = √0.42 + (6.3 − 5.2)2 7V

𝑽𝑻 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟕𝑽
C1//C2 𝑉𝑇 = √0.42 + (6.7 − 2.8)2 7V

𝑽𝑻 = 𝟑. 𝟗𝟐𝑽
C1//C2//C3 𝑉𝑇 = √0.42 + (6.6 − 1.9)2 7V

𝑽𝑻 = 𝟒. 𝟕𝟐𝑽

The result from the computed values for the total voltage VT was not expected since it must be
almost equal to the measured value that we had gathered through experiment.
Exercise 3: From the results of Run 2, for each trial, compute the phasor sum of voltages IR, IL
and IC and compare this with the value of the total current IT. Is the result in accordance with your
expectations? If not, why?

Trial 𝑰𝑻
𝑰𝑻 = √𝑰𝑹 𝟐 + (𝑰𝑪 − 𝑰𝑳 )𝟐
(measured)
(computed)
C1 𝐼𝑇 = √7.52 + (49 − 38)2 55mA
𝐼𝑇 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟑𝟏𝒎𝑨
C1//C2 𝐼𝑇 = √72 + (93 − 37)2 90.2mA
𝐼𝑇 = 𝟓𝟔. 𝟒𝟒𝒎𝑨
C1//C2//C3 𝐼𝑇 = √72 + (127 − 34)2 123mA
𝐼𝑇 = 𝟗𝟑. 𝟐𝟔𝒎𝑨

The result from the computed values for the total current IT was not expected since it must be
almost equal to the measured value that we had gathered through experiment.

Exercise 4: For Run 1 and Run 2, for each trial, compute for the value of C in uF by using the
following relations VC = IXC, XC = 106/2𝜋fC

Run 1

Trial 𝑽𝑪 𝟏
𝑿𝑪 = 𝑪=
𝑰𝑻 𝟐𝝅𝐟𝑿𝑪
C1 5.2𝑉 1
𝑋𝐶 = = 138.3Ω 𝐶=
37.6𝑚𝐴 2𝜋(1kHz)(138.3)
𝑪 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟓𝒖𝑭
C1//C2 2.8𝑉 1
𝑋𝐶 = = 70.89Ω 𝐶=
39.5𝑚𝐴 2𝜋(1kHz)(70.89)
𝑪 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓𝒖𝑭
C1//C2//C3 1.9𝑉 1
𝑋𝐶 = = 47.5Ω 𝐶=
40𝑚𝐴 2𝜋(1kHz)(47.5)
𝑪 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟓𝒖𝑭
Run 2

Trial 𝑉𝑆 1
𝑋𝐶 = 𝐶=
𝐼𝐶 2𝜋f𝑋𝐶
C1 7𝑉 1
𝑋𝐶 = = 142.86Ω 𝐶=
49𝑚𝐴 2𝜋(1kHz)(142.86)
𝑪 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝒖𝑭
C1//C2 7𝑉 1
𝑋𝐶 = = 75.28Ω 𝐶=
93𝑚𝐴 2𝜋(1kHz)(75.28)
𝑪 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟏𝒖𝑭
C1//C2//C3 7𝑉 1
𝑋𝐶 = = 55.12Ω 𝐶=
127𝑚𝐴 2𝜋(1kHz)(55.12)
𝑪 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝟗𝒖𝑭
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. In Runs 1 and 2, discuss the effect on the circuit when the capacitors are connected in
parallel. Are the results obtained as expected?

Answer: When the capacitors are connected in parallel the total value of its capacitance is the
sum of all the capacitance of the capacitor connected in parallel. Therefore when the capacitance
increases, its reactance XC decreases. If the reactance decreases, the current flowing through the
capacitor will increase while the voltage across the capacitor will decrease and this result was
expected through computing the possible outcome that will happen.

2. In Runs 1 and 2, how does the circuit behave (inductive or capacitive)? Prove your answer.

Answer: Since the voltage across the inductance is greater than the voltage across the
capacitor, therefore the circuit acts like an inductive circuit. This behaviour was proved when
the angle 𝜃 from the phasor diagram is at positive angle.

3. A coil of 40 ohm resistance and 159mH inductance is connected in series with a 159uF
capacitor. The combination is the connected 10 a 200V, 50Hz source. Calculate the
following: a) total current and overall power factor; b) voltage drop across the coil and
across the capacitor: and c) total true, reactive and apparent power.

Given:
Internal Resistance(coil) = 40 ohm L = 159mH
L = 159mH C = 159uF
V = 200V f = 50Hz
Solution:
XL = 2πfL = 2π(50Hz)(159mH) = 49.95Ω
Total XL = 49.95+40 = 89.95Ω
1
XC = 2𝜋(50𝐻𝑧)(159𝑢𝐹) = 20.02Ω

200𝑉
𝐼𝑇 = = 𝟐. 𝟖𝟔𝑨
√(89.95Ω−20.02Ω)2

𝑷. 𝑭. = 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟎° = 𝟏
𝑉𝐿 = 𝐼𝑋𝐿 = (2.86𝐴)(49.95Ω) = 𝟏𝟒𝟐. 𝟖𝟔𝑽

𝑉𝐶 = 𝐼𝑋𝐶 = (2.86𝐴)(20.02Ω) = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟐𝟔𝑽

𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑉𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = (200𝑉)(2.86𝐴) = 𝟓𝟕𝟐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔

𝑸=𝟎

𝑆 = 𝑉𝐼 = (200𝑉)(2.86𝐴) = 𝟓𝟕𝟐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔

4. A three branch parallel circuit is made up of a purely resistive branch, a purely inductive
branch and a purely capacitive branch. If the power taken by each branch is 8000 watts,
10,000 inductive vars and a 4000 capactive vars respectively, calculate for the total kVA
taken by the system. If the system voltage is 250 volts, calculate for the total current and
overall power factor. Find also the single equivalent resistance and reactance of the system.

Given:
PR = 8000W QL = 10, 000 vars QC = 4000 vars
V = 250 volts
Solution:
𝑃
𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉, 𝐼 = 𝑉 𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝑗(𝐼𝐶 − 𝐼𝐿 )

= 32 + 𝑗(16 − 40) = √322 + (16 − 40)2 = 𝟒𝟎𝑨

𝑉 250𝑣
𝑅= = = 𝟕. 𝟖𝟏𝟐𝟓Ω Z = 7.8125 + j(15.63-6.25) = 12.21Ω
𝐼 32𝐴

𝑄 7.81
𝑄 = 𝑉𝐼, 𝐼 = 𝑉 𝑃. 𝐹. = = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟒
12.21

10𝑘𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑠
𝐼𝑙 = = 40𝐴 𝑆 = √80002 + (10000 − 4000)2 = 10kVA
250𝑉

𝑉 250𝑉
𝑋𝐿 = = = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟓Ω
𝐼 40𝐴

𝑄
𝑄 = 𝑉𝐼, 𝐼 = 𝑉

4000𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑉 250𝑉
𝐼𝐶 = = 16𝐴 XC = = = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟑Ω
250𝑉 𝐼 16𝐴
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:
Run 1 Series RLC Circuit

In the first experiment procedure, we were able to simulate a series RLC circuit wherein
we are able to observe the voltage drop across the inductor and capacitor by varying the value of
the capacitor by connecting it in parallel connection for each and every trial.

Table 6.1

TRIAL VR VL VC IT (mA) P.F.

C1 0.4V 6.3V 5.2V 37.6 0.06
C1//C2 0.4V 6.7V 2.8V 39.5 0.06
C1//C2//C3 0.4V 6.6V 1.9V 40 0.06

VS = 7 volts

Table 6.1 shows the measured values gathered through simulation of a series RLC circuit
by following the schematic diagram shown in figure 6.6. As you can see in the table, the parameters
that are shown was concerned in the voltage reading since in series the voltage source VS is being
distributed in each of the components mainly resistor, inductor and capacitor.

For every trial we made, we increase the value of the capacitor by connecting it into parallel
connection. For the first trial having a single capacitor, the circuit acts like an inductance circuit
because the voltage across the inductor is greater than the voltage across the capacitor this effect
was due to the greater reactance of the inductor that gives a greater value of voltage across it. Also
the angle in the phasor diagram will show a positive angle wherein the voltage source VS is going
towards VL.

For the second trial, having a two capacitor connected in parallel will make the capacitance
value to increase. But the increase in the capacitance will make the reactance of the capacitor X C
to decreases. At this point, the voltage across the inductor will again increase (table 6.12 shows
the change of voltages and current from trial 1 to 2) while a decrease in voltage across the capacitor.
Since the capacitance of the circuit was increased, the current flowing through the circuit will also
increase because the capacitor will charge a greater amount of electrons.
Table 6.12

TRIAL VR VL VC IT (mA) P.F.

C1 0.4V 6.3V 5.2V 37.6 0.06
C1//C2 0.4V 6.7V 2.8V 39.5 0.06

For the third trial having three capacitors connected in parallel still made the same effect
just like in trial 2 wherein the capacitance increases while the voltage across the capacitor
decreases and make the circuit to act like an inductance circuit. Also you can see in table 6.1 that
the power factor for each and every trial didn’t change because of the increasing and decreasing
effect in the voltages across each of the components that makes the angle in phasor diagram to not
change in its place.

Run 2 Parallel RLC Circuit

Table 6.2

TRIAL IR (mA) IL (mA) IC (mA) IT (mA) PF

C1 7.5 38 49 55 0.14
C1//C2 7 37 93 90.2 0.08
C1//C2//C3 7 34 127 123 0.06

VS = 7 volts

Run 2 of the experiment is about parallel RLC circuit wherein we were able to observe and
explain the behaviour of the current as we vary or change the value of the capacitance by
connecting the capacitor in parallel connection. The total current will be distributed into three main
components namely; resistor, inductor and capacitor. The parallel RLC circuit is the exact opposite
of the series circuit (Run 1 of the experiment) but still same analysis will be applied.

Table 6.2 shows the measured data gathered through simulation of the circuit by following
the schematic diagram shown in 6.7. In trial 1, with the voltage source as the common to all the
three components and having a single capacitor, the current reading indicates that much current is
flowing through the capacitor. This time, the circuit acts like a capacitive circuit. In trial 2, two
capacitor have been connected in parallel and the result shows that the current flowing through the
capacitor was almost double its previous value and this effect makes the total current to increases
also while a decrease in the current flowing through the inductor. A little changes in the inductor
current IL happened because we only vary the value of the capacitor and not the inductor. And in
last trial, having three capacitor connected in parallel still gave the same effect just like in trial 2.
Obviously the power factor decreases because of too much increase in current flowing to the
circuit.
CONCLUSION:

From the gathered data throughout the experiment, in series RLC circuit having a common
current for the three components, the behaviour of the circuit will depend on the value of the
voltage across the inductor and the capacitor wherein from the procedure, as the value of the
capacitance increases by connecting in in parallel, its reactance decreases that makes the value of
the voltage across the capacitor to decrease while an increase on the voltage across the inductor.
This behaviour will be considered as an inductive circuit because VS approaches VL in the phasor
diagram. In parallel RLC circuit an opposite of series connection was observed. In this case, the
voltage source is the common for the three components. The capacitor still the one that is changing
and based on the data gathered, as the capacitance increases, the current flowing through the
capacitor increases also because the capacitor charges more electrons. This increases in current
flowing through the capacitor makes the total current of the circuit to increases also while a bit of
decrease in the current flowing through the inductor because we are not changing the value of the
inductance, but only the capacitance. And also, the power factor decreases in parallel RLC since
the current is too large that makes the circuit to work unconditional.
REFERENCES:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RLC_circuit
 http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/accircuits/series-circuit.html
 http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/accircuits/parallel-circuit.html
 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/rlcpar.html
 AC CIRCUITS Laboratory Manual
 University of the East
College of Engineering

Experiment No. 6

RLC Circuits

Engr. Sinforoso Cimatu

Name of Instructor

NEE 322 – 2EC

Alvarez, Chris D. 20151133016

Name of Student Student Number

February 26, 2018 March 5, 2018

Date Performed Date Submitted