EXPERIMENT No.

Sinusoidal Steady State Analysis of RLC parallel Circuit

PRE LAB TASK

Objective
This exercise examines the voltage and current relationships in parallel RLC networks. Of
particular importance is the phase of the various components and how Kirchhoff’s Current Law
is extended for AC circuits. Both time domain and phasor plots of the currents are generated. A
technique to measure current using a current sense resistor will also be explored.

Theory
Recall that for resistors, the voltage is always in phase with the current, for capacitors the voltage
always lags the current by 90 degrees, and for inductors the voltage always leads the current by
90 degrees. Because each element has a unique phase response between +90 and 90 degrees, a
parallel combination of R, L, and C components will yield a complex impedance with a phase
angle between +90 and -90 degrees. Due to the phase response, Kirchhoff’s Current Law must be
computed using vector (phasor) sums rather than simply relying on the magnitudes. Indeed, all
computations of this nature, such as a current divider, must be computed using vectors.

LAB SESSION

Equipment and Components

 AC Function Generator
 Oscilloscope

Components
 10 nF
 33 mH
 1 kΩ
 10 Ω
Schematics :

Figure 5.1 Figure 5.2

Figure 5.3

Procedure

RC Circuit

1. Using Figure 5.1 with a 10 V p-p 10 kHz source, R=1 kΩ, and C=10 nF, determine the
theoretical capacitive reactance and circuit impedance, and record the results in Table 5.1
(the experimental portion of this table will be filled out in step 6). Using the current divider
rule, compute the resistor and capacitor currents and record them in Table 5.2.

2. Build the circuit of Figure 5.1 using R=1 kΩ, and C=10 nF. A common method to measure
current using the oscilloscope is to place a small current sense resistor in line with the
current of interest. If the resistor is much smaller than the surrounding reactance it will have
a minimal effect on the current. Because the voltage and current of the resistor are always in
phase with each other, the relative phase of the current in question must be the same as that
of the sensing resistor’s voltage. Each of the three circuit currents will be measured
separately and with respect to the source in order to determine relative phase. To measure
the total current, place a 10Ω resistor between ground and the bottom connection of the
parallel components. Set the generator to a 10 V p-p sine wave at 10 kHz. Make sure that the
Bandwidth Limit of the oscilloscope is engaged for both channels. This will reduce the
signal noise and make for more accurate readings.
3. Place probe one across the generator and probe two across the sense resistor. Measure the
voltage across the sense resistor, calculate the corresponding total current via Ohm’s Law
and record in Table 5.2. Along with the magnitude, be sure to record the time deviation
between the sense waveform and the input signal (from which the phase may be determined
eventually).

4. Remove the sense resistor and place one 10Ω resistor between the capacitor and ground to
serve as the capacitor current sense. Place a second 10Ω resistor between the resistor and
ground to sense the resistor current. Leave probe one at the generator and move probe two
across the sense resistor in the resistor branch. Repeat the process to obtain its current,
recording the magnitude and phase angle in Table 5.2. Finally, move probe two so that it is
across the capacitor’s sense resistor. Measure and record the appropriate values in Table 5.2.

5. Move probe one to the resistor’s sense resistor and leave probe two at the capacitor’s sense
resistor. Save a picture of the oscilloscope displaying the voltage waveforms representing iR,
iC and iin (i.e., the Math waveform computed from iR + iC).

6. Compute the deviations between the theoretical and experimental values of Table 5.2 and
record the results in the final columns of Table 5.2. Based on the experimental values,
determine the experimental Z and XC values via Ohm’s Law (XC=VC/iC, Z=Vin/iin) and
record back in Table 5.1 along with the deviations.

7. Create a phasor plot showing iin, iC, and iR. Include both the time domain display from step
4 and the phasor plot with the technical report.

RL Circuit

8. Replace the capacitor with the 33 mH inductor (i.e. Figure 5.2), and repeat steps 1 through 7
in like manner, using Tables 5.3 and 5.4.

RLC Circuit

9. Using Figure 5.3 with both the 10 nF capacitor and 40 mH inductor (and a third sense
resistor), repeat steps 1 through 7 in like manner, using Tables 5.5 and 5.6. Note that it will
not be possible to see all four waveforms simultaneously in step 5.
Data Tables:
RC Circuit:

Theory Experimental % Deviation

XC
Z Magnitude
Yθ

Table 5.1

Theory Mag Theory θ Exp Mag Exp θ % Dev Mag % Dev θ

iC
iR
iin

Table 5.2

RL Circuit:

Theory Experimental % Deviation

XL
Z
Magnitude
Yθ

Table 5.3

Theory Mag Theory θ Exp Mag Exp θ % Dev Mag % Dev θ

iL
iR
iin
 Table 5.4

RLC Circuit:

Theory Experimental % Deviation

XC
XL
Z
Magnitude
Yθ

Table 5.5

Theory Mag Theory θ Exp Mag Exp θ % Dev Mag % Dev θ

Ic
IL

Ir

Iin

Table 5.6
Questions:

1. What is the phase relationship between R, L, and C components in a parallel AC circuit?

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2. Based on measurements, does Kirchhoff’s Current Law apply to the three tested circuits
(show work)?
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 LAB REPORT
Discussion of Results

1. In general, how would the phasor diagram of Figure 5.1 change if the frequency was
raised?
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2. In general, how would the phasor diagram of Figure 5.2 change if the frequency was
lowered?
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Conclusion/ Summary
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