Purely inductive a.c.

circuit

In a purely inductive a.c. circuit, the current I L lags the applied

voltage V L by 90 (i.e. u/2 rads). See Figure 15.2.
In a purely inductive circuit the opposition to the flow of
alternating current is called the inductive reactance, XL

Where;
f is the supply frequency, in hertz,
L is the inductance, in henry’s.
XL is proportional to f as shown in Figure 15.3.
Purely inductive a.c.circuit

Problem 1. (a) Calculate the reactance of a coil of inductance

0.32 H when it is connected to a 50 Hz supply. (b) A coil has
a reactance of 124 K in a circuit with a supply of frequency
5 kHz. Determine the inductance of the coil.
 Purely capacitive a.c.
circuit

In a purely capacitive a.c. circuit, the current I C leads the applied

voltage
V C by 90 (i.e. π/2 rads). See Figure 15.4.
In a purely capacitive circuit the opposition to the flow of alternating
current is called the capacitive reactance, XC

Where;
C is the capacitance in farads.
X C varies with frequency f
f is the frequency
V is the voltage
I is the current
 Purely capacitive a.c. circuit

Sample Problem:
A capacitor has a reactance of 40 K when operated on a 50 Hz supply.
Determine the value of its capacitance.

106
FORMULA FO CALCULATING THE CURRENT
Summary of Equations
Resistance: V
I = R amp; P = I 2 R watt; φ = 0°

Inductance: V n
Reactance, LX = 2nfL ohm; I = X amp; P = 0W; φ = +90° or + 2 rad
L

1 V n
Capacitance: Reactance, X C=
2 f nC ohm; I = XC amp; P = 0W; φ = —90° or —2 rad

Impedance: R
Z= R2 + ( X L — XC )2 ohm; cos φ = ; P = VI cos φ = I2 R watt
Z
V
I= amp
Z
QUIZ:
SOLVE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM.
5 PTS EACH.

Problem 1. A coil has an inductance of 40 mH and negligible

resistance. Calculate its inductive reactance and the resulting
current if connected to (a) a 240 V, 50 Hz supply, and (b) a
100 V, 1 kHz supply.

Problem 2. Determine the capacitive reactance of a capacitor

of 10 F when connected to a circuit of frequency (a) 50 Hz
(b) 20 kHz

Problem 3. Calculate the current taken by a 23 F

capacitor when connected to a 240 V, 50 Hz supply.