Chapter 1

Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

1.0.1 Introduction:
Most of the transmission lines, electrical circuits and communication networks are made up of network
elements like resistor R, inductor L, and Capacitor C. These networks are connected by voltage and current
sources. It is most useful to understand the behavior of the network when we switched on the network by
supplying voltage source. It is most important to determine the transient response of R-L, R-C, R-L-C
series circuits for d.c and a.c excitations.
Assuming that at reference time t = 0, the switch in the circuit is closed and also assuming that switch
act in zero time. To differentiate between the time immediately before and immediately after the operation
of a switch, is represented as t = 0− and t = 0+ signs are used. The condition existing just before the switch
is operated will be designated as i(0− ), v(0− ), q(0− ) and the conditions existing after closing of a switch is
designated as as i(0+ ),v(0+ ), q(0+ ). Also initial conditions of a network depend on the past history of the
network prior the closing of the network at t = 0− and the network structure at t = 0+ , after switching.
The evaluation of voltages and currents and their derivatives at t = 0+, are known as initial conditions
and evaluation of condition at t = ∞ are known as final conditions.

The following are the objectives of studying the behavior of the circuit for Initial-Conditions:

• The most important reason is that the initial and final conditions must be known to evaluate the
arbitrary constants that appear in the general solution of a differential equation.

• The initial conditions give knowledge of the behavior of the circuit elements at the instant of switching

• The final conditions give knowledge of the behavior of the circuit elements after the settling of circuit
at t = ∞

1
1.1. Initial Conditions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

———————————————————————————————————————-

1.1 Initial Conditions Capacitor

Resistor Consider a circuit which consists of capacitor C

connected as shown in Figure 1.4. The capacitor is
Consider a circuit which consists of resistor R connected by a voltage source V in series with switch
connected as shown in Figure 1.1. The circuit resistor K as shown in Figure 1.4. When the switch K is
R is connected by a voltage source V in series with closed at t=0 capacitor C acts as short circuit and
switch K as shown in Figure. current flows in a capacitor instantaneously.
K K K t 0

V iC C V iC SC
V iR R

Figure 1.4: Capacitor circuit at t = 0+

Figure 1.1: Series resonance circuit
If the capacitor is initially charged with charge
When the switch K is closed at t=0 the current I q0 coulombs at t=0-, then at t=0+ the capacitor is
is flowing in a circuit and is given by equivalent to voltage source v0 = qc0 which is as shown
in Figure 1.5
V
I= K K t  0
R
+
V iC C - q V iC +
v0  o - q
v0  o
Inductor
C C
Consider a circuit which consists of inductor L
connected as shown in Figure ?? (a). The inductor Figure 1.5: Capacitor circuit at t = 0+
L is connected by a voltage source V in series with The final condition of capacitor circuit is derived
switch K as shown in Figure. When the switch K from the following relationship. The voltage across
is closed at t=0 the current flowing in a inductor at capacitor is
t = 0+ is zero, the inductor acts as a open circuit at dv
+
v=C
t = 0 which is as shown in Figure ?? (b). dt
K K t  0 Under steady state condition, rate of change of
capacitor voltage is dvdt = 0. This means, v = 0 and
V iL L V iL O C hence C acts as open circuit at t = ∞. The equivalent
circuits of a capacitor at t = ∞ is as shown in Figure
(a) (b) 1.6
K K t 
Figure 1.2: Inductor circuit
V iC C V iC OC
The final-condition of an inductor circuit is
derived from the following relationship.

di Figure 1.6: Capacitor circuit at t = ∞

v=L If the capacitor is initially charged with voltage v0
dt
then the final condition at t = ∞ of a capacitor
Under steady state condition, rate of change of circuit is replaced with voltage source v0 with open
di
current flowing in inductor is dt = 0. This means, v = circuit which is as shown in Figure 1.7
0 and hence L acts as short at t = ∞. The equivalent
circuits of an inductor at t = ∞ is as shown in Figure dv
v=C
1.3 dt
K t 0 K t 
K K t  q
v0  o
+ C
iL iL + -
V LV SC V iC C iC
- q V
v0  o OC
C

Figure 1.3: Inductor circuit at t = 0+ Figure 1.7: Capacitor circuit at t = ∞

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1.1. Initial Conditions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

Table 1.1: Initial and Final Conditions

at t=0- at t=0+ at t = ∞
R R R

O. C
L
S.C

L IO IO IO

S.C O. C
C

- C+
O. C
-+
-+
q
q0 V 0
q
V= 0
C C

Procedure for Evaluating Initial Conditions:

1. Before closing or opening the switch at t=0- find the history of the network, at t=0- find i(0-), v(0-),
i.e., current through inductor and voltage across the capacitor before switching

2. Draw the circuit after switching operation at t=0+.

3. Replace inductor with open circuit or by current source having source

q0
4. Replace capacitor with short circuit or with a voltage source vc = c if it has an initial charge q0 .

5. Find i(0+), and v(0+) at t=0+

di di
6. Obtain an expression for dt and find dt at t=0+
d2 i d2 i
7. Obtain an expression for dt2
and find dt2
at t=0+

8. Similarly determine voltages across circuit elements and its derivatives.

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1.2. Solutions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

1.2 Solutions
di d i 2
Q 1) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.8 the switch K Find the values i, dt and dt +
2 at t = 0 , for element
is closed at t = 0, with capacitor uncharged. Find values as follows V=100 V R = 10 Ω and L = 1 H.
di d2 i +
the values i, dt and dt 2 at t = 0 , for element values K
R
as follows V=100 V R = 1000 Ω and C = 1 µF .
K V i L
R

V i C Figure 1.10: Example

Solution:
Figure 1.8: Example
di
Solution: =V
Ri + L (1.2)
dt
KVL for the given circuit is At t = 0+ the inductor acts as open circuit which is
Z as shown in Figure 1.11
1
Ri +
C
idt = V (1.1) i(0+ ) = 0

K
At t = 0+ the capacitor acts as short circuit which is R
as shown in Figure 1.9
V i (0+ )
Ri(0+ ) = V
V 100
i(0+ ) = = = 0.1A
R 1000 Figure 1.11: Example
From equation 1.2 and substituting initial conditions
R t 0 di
L = V − Ri
i SC
dt
V di +
L (0 ) = V − Ri(0+ ) = 100 − 0
dt
di + V 100
Figure 1.9: Example (0 ) = = = 100A/sec
dt L 1
Differentiating equation 1.1 d2 i + R di + 10
2
(0 ) = − (0 ) = − × 100
dt L dt 1
di i
R + =0 = −1000A/sec2
dt C
Substituting initial conditions Q 3- 2014-JAN) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.12
the switch K is closed at t = 0, with capacitor
di + i(0+ ) uncharged. Find the values of i(0+ ), dt di +
(0 ) and
R (0 ) + = 0 d2 i +
dt C (0 ) for element values as follows, V=10 V R =
dt2
di + i(0+ ) 10 Ω L = 1 H and C = 10 µF and vc (0) = 0.
(0 ) = −
dt RC K L
di + 0.1 R
(0 ) = −
dt 1000 × 1 × 10−6
= −100A/sec V i C
2
d i + 1 di +
(0 ) = − (0 )
dt2 RC dt Figure 1.12: Example
.1
= − (−100)
1000 × 1 × 10−6 Solution:
.1
= − (−100)
Z
di 1
1000 × 1 × 10−6 Ri + L + idt = 0 (1.3)
= 1 × 105 A/sec2 dt C
At t = 0+ the inductor acts as open circuit and
Q 2) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.10 the switch K capacitor acts as short circuit which is as shown in
is closed at t = 0, with zero current in the conductor. Figure 1.13

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1.2. Solutions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

R Current through inductor cannot change instanta-

neously, i(0+ ) = i(0− ) = 0.1 A, and it is given that
i (0+ ) capacitor is initially uncharged vc (0− ) = 0 and also
V
vc (0+ ) = 0.
S
Figure 1.13: Example a 1000 

i
i(0− ) = i(0+ ) = 0 100 V

Z
di 1
Ri(0 ) + L (0+ ) +
+
i(0+)dt = V Figure 1.15: Example
dt C
di When switch is at position b, and at t = 0+ , the
R × 0 + L (0+) + 0 = V circuit is as shown in Figure 1.16.
dt
di 1000 Ω
L (0+) = V
dt
di V 10 i 1H
(0+) = =
dt L 1
0.1 μ F
= 10A/sec

Differentiating equation 1.3 Figure 1.16: Example

d2 i
Z
di i di 1
R +L 2 + =0 Ri + L + idt = 0 (1.4)
dt dt C dt C
Substituting initial conditions At t = 0+
Z
di + 1
di d2 i i(0+ ) Ri(0+ ) + L (0 ) + i(0+ )dt = 0
R (0+ ) + L 2 (0+ ) + =0 dt C
dt dt C
It is given that capacitor is initially uncharged
Z
1
d2 i + i(0+ ) i(0+ )dt = vc (0+ ) = 0
10 × 10 + L (0 ) + = 0 C
dt2 C
d2 i + −100 −100 di +
(0 ) = = Ri(0+ ) + L (0 ) = 0
dt2 L 1 dt
= −100A/sec2 di
1000 × (0.1) + L (0+ ) = 0
dt
di
L (0+ ) = −100
Q 4) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.14 switch S is dt
changed from position a to b at t = 0. Steady state di + −100
(0 ) =
conditions have been reached at t = 0− . Find the dt 1
di d2 i + with capacitor is = −100 A/sec
values of i, dt and dt2 at t = 0
initially uncharged. Differentiating equation 1.4
a S 1000 Ω
di d2 i i
b R +L 2 + =0
i 1H dt dt C
100 V
0.1 μ F Substituting initial conditions
di + d2 i i(0+ )
Figure 1.14: Example R (0 ) + L 2 (0+ ) + = 0
dt dt C
Solution: d2 i 0.1
1000 × (−100) + 1 2 (0+ ) + = 0
At t = 0− the inductor acts as a short circuit which dt 0.1 × 10−6
is as shown in Figure 1.15. d2 i +
(0 ) = −9 × 105 A/sec2
dt2
Ri(0− ) = V
V 100 Q 4-2 JAN-2014) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.17
i(0− ) = = = 0.1 A switch K is changed from position a to b at t=0,
R 1000

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1.2. Solutions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

steady state condition having been reached before d2 i +

di d2 i (0 ) = 200 − 2 × 106
switching. Find the values of i, dt and dt2 b at dt2
t = 0+ . = −1.9998 × 106 A/sec2
a k 10 
b
i 1H
20 V
1 F
———-
Q 4-3) In the circuit shown in Figure ?? K is changed
from position a to b at t = 0, steady state condition
Figure 1.17: Example having been reached before switching. Find the
di d2 i +
values of i, dt and dt 2 b at t = 0 .

a k
Solution:
20 
b
When switch is at position a and reached steady
i 2H
40 V
state, which is as shown in Figure 1.18(a).
2 F
Ri(0− ) = V
V 20
i(0− ) = = =2A Figure 1.19: Example
R 10
When the switch is at position b, the circuit is as Solution:
shown in Figure 1.18 (b) Before connecting to position b 1.20(a)
a k 10  10  Ri(0− ) = V

20 V i 1H
V 40
20 V i i(0− ) = = 2 A = i(0+ )
1 F
=
R 20
When switch is at position b,and at t=0+ circuit
(a) (b) which is as shown in Figure 1.20 (b)

Figure 1.18: Example a k 20  20 

i 2H
40 V i
2 F
Z
di 1
Ri + L + idt = 0 (1.5)
dt C
At t = 0+
(a) (b)
Z
di 1
Ri(0+ ) + L (0+) + i(0+ )dt = 0 Figure 1.20: Example
dt C
It is given that capacitor is initially uncharged di 1
Z
Ri + L + idt = 0 (1.6)
dt C
Z
1
i(0+ )dt = vc (0+ )) = 0
C Z
di di 1
Ri(0+ ) + L (0+ ) = 0
+
Ri(0 ) + L (0+ ) + i(0+ )dt = 0
dt dt C
di It is given that capacitor is initially uncharged
10 × 2 + 1 (0+) = 0
dt Z
di + 1
(0 ) = −20 A/sec i(0+ )dt = vc (0+ ) = 0
dt C
Differentiating equation 1.5
di +
di d2 i i Ri(0+ ) + L (0 ) = 0
R +L 2 + =0 dt
dt dt C di
20 × 2 + 2 (0+ ) = 0
Substituting initial conditions dt
di + −40
di + d2 i i(0+ ) (0 ) = = −20 A/sec
R (0 ) + L 2 (0+ ) + = 0 dt 2
dt dt C
Differentiating equation 1.6
d2 i + 2
10 × (−20) + 1 2 (0 ) + = 0
dt 1 × 10−6 di d2 i i
R +L 2 + =0
dt dt C

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1.2. Solutions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

Z
Substituting initial conditions di + 1
Ri(0+ ) + L (0 ) + i(0+ )dt = 0
dt C
di + d2 i i(0+ ) di
R (0 ) + L 2 (0+ ) + =0 20 × 0 + 1 (0+ ) + 40 = 0
dt dt C dt
di +
d2 i + 2 (0 ) = −40A/sec
20 × (−20) + 2 (0 ) + = 0 dt
dt2 2 × 10−6
d2 i + Differentiating equation 1.7
2 (0 ) = 400 − 1 × 106 = −0.9996 × 106 A/sec2
dt2 di d2 i i
d2 i + −0.9996 × 106 R +L 2 + =0
(0 ) = = −0.4998 × 106 A/sec2 dt dt C
dt2 2
Substituting initial conditions
Q 4-4-1- 2018-JULY) In the circuit shown in Figure
1.21 the switch S is changed from position a to b at di + d2 i i(0+ )
R (0 ) + L 2 (0+ ) + = 0
t = 0, steady state condition having been reached dt dt C
di d2 i d2 i 0
before switching. Find the values of i, dt and dt2 at
20 × (−40) + 1 2 (0+ ) + = 0
t = 0+ . dt C
a S 20 
d2 i +
(0 ) = 800A/sec2
dt2
b
40 V 1 F
1H Q 5) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.27 the switch
was in position a for sufficiently long time to have
Figure 1.21: Example achieved steady state. At t=0, the switch was
changed from a to b. Determine IL and vc their first
Solution:
and second derivatives at t=0+.
When the switch is at position a, and at t = 0− the S 1H
circuit is as shown in Figure 1.21. When the steady b
state is reached, capacitor is fully charged with a a
capacitor voltage vc (0− ) = 40V and current in the 10 V 5V i1 (t )
1 μ F i2 (t ) 1Ω
circuit ic (0− ) = 0.

a S 20  Figure 1.24: Example

Solution:
40 V vc (0- )  40V
When switch is at position a and at t=0- the circuit
is redrawn which is as shown in Figure 1.25
Figure 1.22: Example
At t = 0+
the circuit is redrawn and is as shown in 5V vc (0- ) i2 (t ) 1 
Figure 1.23 (a).
Z
1 Figure 1.25: Example
i(0+ )dt = vc (0+ ) = 40V
C

20  20  5
i1 (0− ) = = 5 A = i1 (0+ )
b b 1
 40V +- 1 F i2 (0− ) = 5 A = i2 (0+ )
i (0 ) i
1H vc (0− ) = 5 V vc (0+ ) = 5 V

(a) (b) When switch is at connected to b, and at t = 0 the

circuit is redrawn which is as shown in Figure 1.26
Figure 1.23: Example
1H
At t > 0+
the circuit is redrawn and is as shown in
Figure 1.23 (b).
Z 10 V i1 (t )
1 μ F i2 (t ) 1Ω
di 1
Ri + L + idt = 0 (1.7)
dt C

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1.2. Solutions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

Figure 1.26: Example Figure 1.28: Example

di1
1 + vc (t) = 10 (1.8)
dt R2 i(0−) = V
di1 + V
(0 ) = 10 − vc (0+ ) = 10 − 5 = 5A/sec i(0−) =
dt R2

The voltage across capacitor is Also

Z vc (0−) = 0 V vc (0+) = 0 V
1
vc (t) = (i1 − i2 )dt (1.9) When switch is opened at t=0 circuit the voltage
C
across the switch K is
Differentiating above equation.
dvc (t) 1 1 1
Z
= (i1 − i2 ) = (5 − 5) = 0 (1.10) vk = R1 i(t) + idt
dt C C C
Differentiating equation 1.8 V R1
vk (0+) = R1 i(0+) + 0 = R1 =V
d2 i1 1 1 R2 R2
= (i1 − i2 ) = (5 − 5) = 0 (1.11) dvk (t) di i
dt C C = R1 +
dt dt C
Differentiating equation 1.10 dvk (t) 1 1
(0+) = R1 (−1) + = − R1 V /s
d2 vc (t) dt C C
 
1 di1 di2
= −
dt C dt dt Q 7) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.29 the
Substituting initial conditions steady state is reached with switch is open. At
t=0, the switch K is closed. Find the values of
d2 vc (t) +
 
1 di1 + di2 (0+) Va (0−) and Va (0+)
(0 ) = (0 ) −
dt C dt dt
10 Ω
1
= [5 − 0] = 5V /sec2
1 va
vb
10 Ω 20 Ω
Q 6) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.27 the switch 5V 2 μF
is opened at t=0, after the network has attained 10 Ω
the steady state with the switch closed. (a) Find
an expression for the voltage across the switch at
Figure 1.29: Example
t=0+, (b) If the parameters are adjusted such that
di
i(0+)=1A and dt (0+) = −1A/sec, what is the value Solution:
of the derivative of the voltage across the switch.
When switch is opened and when steady state is
K R2 reached capacitor acts as an open circuit there is no
current flows in a capacitor path, which is as shown
in Figure 1.30
V L
R1 C i(t ) 10 Ω

Figure 1.27: Example va

vb
10 Ω 20 Ω
Solution:
5V
When switch is closed attains steady state is in which 10 Ω
L acts as short circuit and capacitor acts as open
circuit which is as shown in Figure 1.28
Figure 1.30: Example
R2
va (0−) = 5 V vb (0−) = 5 V
V L vb is a Voltage across capacitor which is
R1 C i(t )
vb (0−) = 5 V vb (0+) = 5 V

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1.2. Solutions Chapter 1. Transient behavior and Initial Conditions

When switch is closed at t=0 apply KCL to node R1 R1

i1 R2 R3 i1 R2 R3
a and by initial conditions V i2 V i2
+ 3.33 A +
L - -
va − 5 va va − vb 66.6 V 66.6 V
+ + = 0
10 10 20 (a) (b)
va (0+) − 5 va (0+) va (0+) − vb (0+)
+ + = 0
10 10 20 Figure 1.32: Example
va (0+) − 5 va (0+) va (0+) − 5
+ + = 0 When switch is closed at t=0 R1 is short circuited.
10 10 20
Inductor acts as current source with a value of 3.33
va (0+) va (0+) va (0+) −5 −5
+ + + + = 0 A and capacitor acts as voltage source with a value
10 10 20 10 20
of 66.67 V which is as shown in Figure 1.32(b).
5va (0+) −15
+ = 0
20 20 100 − 66.67
5va (0+) 15 i2 (0+ ) = = 1.67
= 20
20 20
15 For the inductor branch
va (0+) = = 3V olts
5
Q 8-2019-JAN) In the circuit shown in Figure 1.31 di1
R2 i1 (t) + L = V
the steady state is reached with switch is opened, dt
di (0+)
at t=0 the switch k is closed. Find voltage across 1
L = V − R2 i1 (0+ )
capacitor, initial values of i1 , i2 , didt1 , didt2 at t=0+ dt
di +
di1
and find dt (∞) where V=100V, R1 = 10Ω, R2 = 1 (0 )
1 = 100 − 20 × 3.33
20Ω, R3 = 20Ω, L = 1H, C = 1µF dt
di1 (0+ )
= 33.3A/sec
dt
K
R1 R2 R3 For the capacitor branch
i1
V i2
Z
C 1
L R3 i2 (t) + i2 (t)dt = V
C

Figure 1.31: Example Differentiating we get

Solution: di2 (t) 1

R3 + i2 (t) = 0
When switch is opened and when steady state is dt C
reached capacitor acts as open circuit and inductor di2 (0+ ) 1
R3 + i2 (0+ ) = 0
acts as short circuit which is as shown in Figure dt C
1.32(a). di2 (0+ ) 1
= − i2 (0+ )
dt R3 C
i2 (0− ) = 0A 1
= − 1.678
V 100 20 × 1 × 10−6
i1 (0− ) = = = 3.33A = 83500 A/sec
R1 + R2 30
Voltage across capacitor is same as the voltage across
resistor R2 .
di1 (∞) 100
vc (0− ) = i1 (0− ) × R2 = 3.33 × 20 = 66.67V = = 5A/sec
dt 20

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