.

CONTENTS

1 ABSTRACT 3

2 INTRODUCTION 4

3 LITERATURE SURVEY 5

4 WORKING PRINCIPLE 7

5 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 9

5.1 Applications 10

5.2 Use Cases

5.3 Advantages

5.4 Disadvantages

6 CONCLUSION 11

7 REFERENCE 12

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Fig.4.1 RLC Series Circuit 6

Fig.4.2 RLC Parallel Circuit 7

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 1. ABSTRACT

This study explores the fundamental characteristics and behavior of RLC (Resistor-Inductor-
Capacitor) circuits in both series and parallel configurations. These circuits are crucial in AC
(alternating current) systems for their frequency-selective properties. In the series RLC
circuit, components are connected end-to-end, and the current is the same through all
elements, while the voltage divides among them. In contrast, the parallel RLC circuit has
components connected across the same two points, resulting in the same voltage across all
components, but different currents. The analysis focuses on resonance, impedance, phase
relationships, and power factor, highlighting the differences in behavior between the two
configurations. These circuits form the basis for designing filters, oscillators, and tuning
systems in electronic and communication applications.

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 2. INTRODUCTION
RLC circuits are fundamental components in electrical and electronic systems, consisting of a
resistor (R), an inductor (L), and a capacitor (C). These elements can be connected in different
configurations, the most common being series and parallel. In an RLC series circuit, the
resistor, inductor, and capacitor are connected end-to-end in a single path for current flow. In a
parallel RLC circuit, each component is connected across the same voltage source, creating
multiple current paths. These circuits are essential for analyzing and designing AC circuits due
to their ability to resonate at specific frequencies, control impedance, and affect phase
relationships. Understanding the behavior of RLC circuits in both configurations is critical for
applications in filters, tuners, signal processing, and communication systems.

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 3. LITERATURE SURVEY

The RLC circuit, comprising a resistor (R), inductor (L), and capacitor (C), is a fundamental
element in electrical and electronic systems. These components can be configured in either
series or parallel arrangements, and their analysis forms a core part of AC circuit theory.
Various researchers have explored the behavior, applications, and design considerations of
RLC circuits in both theoretical and practical domains.

Alexander and Sadiku (2016), in their widely referenced textbook "Fundamentals of Electric
Circuits," provided an in-depth analysis of both series and parallel RLC circuits. The authors
examined key characteristics such as impedance, resonance, and the quality factor, and
highlighted the use of phasor techniques and frequency domain analysis in solving AC circuits.

Hayt and Kemmerly (2019), in "Engineering Circuit Analysis," discussed the time-domain and
frequency-domain behavior of RLC circuits. Their work particularly emphasized the
importance of damping in transient response and the significance of resonance in tuning
applications.

Grob’s "Basic Electronics" (2020) explored the application of RLC circuits in practical
systems such as radios, filters, and oscillators. The book illustrated how series RLC circuits are
effective in frequency selection, while parallel RLC circuits are often used in power
distribution systems and impedance matching networks.

Several IEEE research papers published between 2010 and 2024 have extended the study of
RLC circuits using modern computational tools. For instance, simulation platforms like SPICE
and MATLAB have been employed to analyze transient responses, optimize circuit
parameters, and visualize resonance behavior. These studies demonstrate the continued
relevance of RLC circuits in modern applications such as wireless charging, energy harvesting,
and RF communication.

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Recent advancements have focused on integrating RLC circuits into smart technologies. Zhao
et al. (2021) proposed an adaptive RLC network for wireless power transfer that automatically
adjusts its resonance frequency for optimal performance. Similarly, Sharma and Patel (2023)
explored the use of parallel RLC circuits in smart grid systems to enhance power quality and
reduce reactive losses.

In summary, the literature highlights the extensive study and continued evolution of RLC
series and parallel circuits. From classical analysis to advanced simulation and modern
applications, RLC circuits remain a foundational topic in both academic research and practical
electronics design.

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 4.WORKING PRINCIPLE
An RLC circuit consists of three key components: resistor, inductor, and capacitor, all
connected to a voltage supply. These components are passive components, meaning they
absorb energy, and linear, indicating a direct relationship between voltage and current.

RLC circuits can be connected in several ways, with series and parallel connections being the
most common. Unlike LC circuits, which oscillate indefinitely, the resistor in an RLC circuit
causes the oscillations to decay more rapidly.

Series RLC Circuit

In a series RLC circuit, the resistor, inductor, and capacitor are linked one after another with
the voltage supply, creating a continuous path for the current.

Since all these components are connected in series, the current in each element remains the
same,

Fig 4.1 Series RLC Circuit

Let VR be the voltage across resistor, R.

VL be the voltage across inductor, L.
VC be the voltage across capacitor, C.
XL be the inductive reactance.
XC be the capacitive reactance.

The total voltage in the RLC circuit is not equal to the algebraic sum of voltages across the
resistor, the inductor, and the capacitor; but it is a vector sum because, in the case of the
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 resistor the voltage is in-phase with the current, for inductor the voltage leads the current by
90o and for capacitor, the voltage lags behind the current by 90o (as per ELI the ICE Man).

So, voltages in each component are not in phase with each other; so they cannot be added arithmetically. The
figure below shows the phasor diagram of the series RLC circuit. For drawing the phasor diagram for RLC
series circuit, the current is taken as reference because, in series circuit the current in each element remains the
same and the corresponding voltage vectors for each component are drawn in reference to common current
vector.

Parallel RLC Circuit

In a parallel RLC Circuit, the resistor, inductor, and capacitor are all connected across the same voltage
supply but operate independently, with the voltage constant across each and the total current split among
them.

The total current drawn from the supply is not equal to mathematical sum of the current flowing in the
individual component, but it is equal to its vector sum of all the currents, as the current flowing in
resistor, inductor and capacitor are not in the same phase with each other; so they cannot be added
arithmetically.

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 Fig 4.2 Parallel RLC Circuit

Phasor diagram of parallel RLC circuit, IR is the current flowing in the resistor, R in amps.
IC is the current flowing in the capacitor, C in amps.
IL is the current flowing in the inductor, L in amps.
Is is the supply current in amps.
In the parallel RLC circuit, all the components are connected in parallel; so the voltage across each element is
same. Therefore, for drawing phasor diagram, take voltage as reference vector and all the other currents i.e IR, IC,
IL are drawn relative to this voltage vector. The current through each element can be found using Kirchhoff’s
Current Law, which states that the sum of currents entering a junction or node is equal to the sum of current
leaving that node.

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As shown above in the equation of impedance, Z of a parallel RLC circuit; each element has reciprocal of
impedance (1 / Z) i.e. admittance, Y. So in parallel RLC circuit, it is convenient to use admittance instead of
impedance.

4.1 Series RLC Circuit Applications:

1. Tuning Circuits (Radio Receivers):

o Used to select specific frequencies from a mix (e.g., radio stations).
o At resonance, the circuit can "tune in" to a particular frequency while rejecting
others.
2. Filters (Band-Pass / Band-Stop):
o Series RLC circuits are used to create band-pass filters, allowing only a narrow range
of frequencies to pass.
3. Oscillators:
o Used in circuits that generate signals (e.g., sine waves in audio equipment or RF
transmitters).
4. Inductive Load Protection (Snubber Circuits):
o Helps protect switches from voltage spikes caused by inductive loads.
5. Impedance Matching:
o Used in audio and communication systems to match the impedance between different
stages of a circuit for maximum power transfer.

4.2 Parallel RLC Circuit Applications:

1. Frequency-Selective Networks:
o Parallel circuits can act as band-stop (notch) filters, rejecting a specific frequency.
2. Power Factor Correction:
o In AC power systems, parallel RLC circuits can improve the power factor by
balancing reactive power.
3. Voltage Magnification (Tank Circuits):
o Used in RF amplifiers and transmitters where a parallel RLC at resonance can
amplify voltage.
4. Resonance in Antennas:
o Used to tune antennas to a specific frequency band for better transmission and
reception.
5. Signal Processing:
o In analog signal processing, they help in filtering and shaping signals in amplifiers
and modulators.

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 6.Conclusion

In conclusion, RLC circuits—whether configured in series or parallel—play a vital role in modern electrical and
electronic systems. The series RLC circuit is particularly effective in applications requiring frequency selection
and resonance, such as in tuning and filtering circuits. On the other hand, parallel RLC circuits are widely used
in power systems and signal processing due to their ability to reject or isolate specific frequencies and improve
power factor. Understanding the behavior and applications of these circuits is essential for designing efficient
and reliable electronic systems in both communication and power industries.

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 7.References

[1] C. K. Alexander and M. N. O. Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 6th ed. New York, NY, USA:
McGraw-Hill, 2016.

[2] W. H. Hayt, J. E. Kemmerly, and S. M. Durbin, Engineering Circuit Analysis, 9th ed. New York, NY, USA:
McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.

[3] B. Grob and M. E. Schultz, Basic Electronics, 12th ed. New York, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill, 2020.

[4] Z. Zhao, Y. Liu, and M. Chen, ―Adaptive RLC resonant circuits for wireless power transfer systems,‖ IEEE
Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 4873–4882, May 2021.

[5] R. Sharma and A. Patel, ―Power quality improvement using parallel RLC circuits in smart grid applications,‖
IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 1129–1137, Feb. 2023.

[6] IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, various authors, 2010–2024. [Online]. Available:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/

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