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DC CIRCUITS - First Order Circuits (Part 1)

This document discusses first-order RC and RL circuits. It introduces the concepts of RC and RL circuits and explains that analyzing these circuits using Kirchhoff's laws results in first-order differential equations. For a source-free RC circuit, the voltage decays exponentially over time according to the time constant. Similarly, for a source-free RL circuit the current decays exponentially over time. Examples are provided to demonstrate solving for the voltage or current over time in RC and RL circuits. Finally, problems are presented for the reader to solve.

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Will Tedjo
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views

DC CIRCUITS - First Order Circuits (Part 1)

This document discusses first-order RC and RL circuits. It introduces the concepts of RC and RL circuits and explains that analyzing these circuits using Kirchhoff's laws results in first-order differential equations. For a source-free RC circuit, the voltage decays exponentially over time according to the time constant. Similarly, for a source-free RL circuit the current decays exponentially over time. Examples are provided to demonstrate solving for the voltage or current over time in RC and RL circuits. Finally, problems are presented for the reader to solve.

Uploaded by

Will Tedjo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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First-Order Circuits (Part 1)

Source-Free RC and RL Circuit


Introduction

In this course, we shall examine two types of simple circuits: a circuit comprising
a resistor and capacitor and a circuit comprising a resistor and an inductor.
These are called RC and RL circuits, respectively. As simple as these circuits
are, they find continual applications in electronics, communications, and control
systems

We carry out the analysis of RC and RL circuits by applying Kirchhoff’s laws,


as we did for resistive circuits. The only difference is that applying Kirchhoff’s
laws to purely resistive circuits results in algebraic equations, while applying
the laws to RC and RL circuits produces differential equations, which are more
difficult to solve than algebraic equations. The differential equations resulting
from analyzing RC and RL circuits are of the first order. Hence, the circuits are
collectively known as first-order circuits.
The Source-Free RC Circuit

A source-free RC circuit occurs when its dc source is suddenly disconnected. The


energy already stored in the capacitor is released to the resistors.

Consider a series combination of a resistor


and an initially charged capacitor

Since the capacitor is initially charged, we


can assume that at time 𝑡 = 0 the initial voltage is
Applying KCL at the top node of the circuit

This is a first-order differential equation, since only the first derivative


of 𝑣 is involved. To solve it, we rearrange the terms as

Integrating both sides, we get

where ln 𝐴 is the integration constant. Thus


Taking powers of 𝑒 produces

But from the initial conditions 𝑣 0 = 𝐴 = 𝑉0 , Hence,

This shows that the voltage response of the RC circuit is an exponential decay
of the initial voltage. Since the response is due to the initial energy stored and
the physical characteristics of the circuit and not due to some external voltage
or current source, it is called the natural response of the circuit.
The voltage response of the RC circuit

As 𝑡 increases, the voltage decreases toward zero. The rapidity with which the
voltage decreases is expressed in terms of the time constant, denoted by 𝜏

In terms of the time constant, the voltage is


Example

The switch in the circuit has been


closed for a long time, and it is
opened at 𝑡 = 0. Find 𝑣(𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0.
Calculate the initial energy stored in
the capacitor.

Solution
For 𝑡 < 0 the switch is closed; the capacitor is
an open circuit to dc. Using voltage division

𝑣𝐶 𝑡

Since the voltage across a capacitor cannot change instantaneously, the voltage
across the capacitor at 𝑡 = 0− is the same at 𝑡 = 0
For 𝑡 > 0 the switch is opened, and we have the RC circuit shown here

Notice that the RC circuit is source free; the independent source before switch
open (at 𝑡 < 0) is needed to provide or the initial energy in the capacitor.

The resistors in series give

The time constant is

Thus, the voltage across the capacitor for 𝑡 ≥ 0 is

or

The initial energy stored in the capacitor is


The Source-Free RL Circuit

Consider the series connection of a resistor and an


inductor. Our goal is to determine the circuit response,
which we will assume to be the current 𝑖(𝑡) through
the inductor. We select the inductor current as the
response in order to take advantage of the idea that
the inductor current cannot change instantaneously. At
𝑡 = 0 we assume that the inductor has an initial
current 𝐼0 or

with the corresponding energy stored in the inductor as

Applying KVL around the loop

or
Rearranging terms and integrating gives

Taking the powers of 𝑒, we have

The equation shows that the natural response of the RL circuit is an exponential
decay of the initial current.
The current response of the RL circuit.
Example

The switch in the circuit has been closed


for a long time. At 𝑡 = 0 the switch is
opened. Calculate 𝑖(𝑡) for 𝑡 > 0

Solution
When 𝑡 < 0 the switch is closed, and the
inductor acts as a short circuit to dc
40 40 40
𝑖1 = = = =8A
(4 ∥ 12) + 2 3 + 2 5
12
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑖 =6A
4 + 12 1
Since the current through an inductor cannot change instantaneously
𝑖 0 = 𝑖 0− = 6 A
When 𝑡 > 0 the switch is open and the
voltage source is disconnected. We
now have the source-free RL circuit

Combining the resistors, we have

The time constant is

Thus, for 𝑡 > 0


Problems

If the switch opens at 𝑡 = 0, find 𝑣(𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0, and 𝑤𝐶 (0)

Let 𝑣𝐶 0 = 60 V. Determine 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡), 𝑣𝑥 (𝑡), and 𝑖𝑜 (𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0


For the circuit below, find 𝑖(𝑡) for 𝑡 > 0

In the circuit shown below, find 𝑖(𝑡), 𝑖𝑜 (𝑡), and 𝑣𝑜 (𝑡) for all time 𝑡,
assuming that the switch was open for a long time.

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