Circuits with Resistance and Inductance - Resistive Circuits

  • In previous lessons, we learned about circuits with resistors only.
  • Today, we will explore circuits with both resistors and inductors.
  • This combination forms what is known as a resistive circuit.

Definition of Inductance

  • Inductance is the property of a conductor to oppose changes in current.
  • It is denoted by the symbol L and its unit is Henry (H).
  • Inductance depends on the geometry and material of the conductor.

Inductor in a Circuit

  • An inductor is represented by the symbol L and it consists of a coil of wire.
  • When a current passes through an inductor, it creates a magnetic field around it.
  • This magnetic field opposes any changes in current and stores energy.

Inductive Reactance

  • Inductive reactance (XL) is the opposition that an inductor offers to the flow of alternating current.
  • It is directly proportional to the frequency of the current.
  • The formula for inductive reactance is given by XL = 2πfL.

Impedance

  • Impedance (Z) is the total opposition to the flow of current in a circuit.
  • It is the combination of resistance (R) and reactance (X).
  • The formula for impedance in a resistive circuit with inductors is given by Z = √(R^2 + XL^2).

Time Constant

  • The time constant (τ) is a measure of how long it takes for the current in an RL circuit to reach its final value.
  • It is given by the formula τ = L/R, where L is the inductance and R is the resistance.
  • The time constant determines the rate at which the circuit settles to its final value.

Current in a Resistive Circuit with an Inductor

  • In a resistive circuit with an inductor, the current lags behind the voltage.
  • The magnitude of the current depends on the frequency of the voltage signal and the values of resistance and inductance.

Phasor Diagram

  • A phasor diagram is used to represent the relationship between voltage, current, and impedance in a circuit.
  • It is a graphical representation of vectors that show the magnitudes and phase differences between these quantities.
  • The phasor diagram helps us understand the behavior of the circuit at different frequencies.

Examples of Resistive Circuits with Inductors

  • Example 1: Calculate the impedance in a circuit with a resistor of 50 ohms and an inductor with a reactance of 30 ohms at a frequency of 60 Hz.
  • Example 2: Find the time constant of an RL circuit with an inductance of 0.5 H and a resistance of 10 ohms.
  1. Properties of Inductance:
  • Inductance is a scalar quantity measured in Henrys (H).
  • It determines the ability of an inductor to store energy in the form of a magnetic field.
  • Inductance depends on the number of turns, the area of cross-section, and the length of the coil.
  • Inductance is always positive and can be increased by increasing the number of turns or the magnetic permeability.
  1. Self-Inductance:
  • Self-inductance occurs when the changing magnetic field produced by the current in a coil induces an electromotive force (emf) in the same coil.
  • It is the ability of a coil to oppose changes in current flowing through it.
  • The magnitude of the self-induced emf is given by L dI/dt, where L is the self-inductance and dI/dt is the rate of change of current.
  1. Mutual Inductance:
  • Mutual inductance occurs when a changing magnetic field in one coil induces an emf in another coil.
  • It is the ability of one coil to induce emf in the nearby coil.
  • The magnitude of the mutual-induced emf is given by M dI1/dt, where M is the mutual inductance and dI1/dt is the rate of change of current in the first coil.
  1. Energy Stored in an Inductor:
  • An inductor stores energy in its magnetic field.
  • The energy stored in an inductor is given by the formula E = (1/2) L I^2, where E is the energy, L is the inductance, and I is the current.
  • The energy stored in an inductor is proportional to the square of the current flowing through it.
  1. RL Series Circuit:
  • An RL series circuit consists of a resistor and an inductor connected in series.
  • In an RL series circuit, the current is common through both the resistor and the inductor.
  • The voltage across the resistor and the inductor can be calculated using Ohm’s law and the equations V_R = I R and V_L = I XL, respectively.
  1. Phase Angle in RL Circuits:
  • In an RL circuit, the current lags behind the voltage due to the inductive reactance.
  • The phase angle (θ) is the angle difference between the voltage and the current in an RL circuit.
  • The phase angle can be calculated using the formula θ = arctan(XL/R), where XL is the inductive reactance and R is the resistance.
  1. Power in RL Circuits:
  • The power in an RL circuit can be calculated using the equation P = I^2 R, where P is the power, I is the current, and R is the resistance.
  • The power is dissipative in the resistor and is not stored in the inductor.
  • The power factor in an RL circuit is given by cos(θ), where θ is the phase angle.
  1. Resonance in RL Circuits:
  • Resonance in RL circuits occurs when the inductive reactance equals the resistance (XL = R).
  • At resonance, the phase angle is 45 degrees, and the impedance is at its minimum.
  • Resonance frequency can be calculated using the formula f = 1/2π√(LC), where L is the inductance and C is the capacitance.
  1. RL Circuit Applications:
  • RL circuits are commonly used in transformers, inductors, power supplies, and motors.
  • Transformers use mutual inductance to transfer electric power from one circuit to another.
  • Inductors store energy and smooth out fluctuations in current in power supplies.
  • Motors use the interaction between magnetic fields of an inductor and a permanent magnet to convert electrical energy into mechanical work.
  1. Real-Life Examples:
  • Inductance and RL circuits are prevalent in everyday life.
  • Examples include electric motors, power grids, telecommunication devices, and electronic circuitries.
  • Understanding RL circuits is crucial in designing and troubleshooting electrical systems and devices.
  • RL circuits play a vital role in various industries like automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, and power generation. Slide 21: Behavior of RL Circuits
  • In an RL circuit, the behavior of the current and voltage depends on the values of resistance, inductance, and the applied voltage.
  • When the applied voltage is constant (DC), the current in an RL circuit gradually increases towards its maximum value based on the time constant.
  • When the applied voltage is alternating (AC), the behavior of the current in an RL circuit depends on the frequency of the voltage signal. Slide 22: Time Constant of RL Circuits
  • The time constant (τ) is a measure of how quickly the current changes in an RL circuit.
  • In an RL circuit, the time constant is given by the formula τ = L/R, where L is the inductance and R is the resistance.
  • A larger τ indicates a slower change in current, while a smaller τ represents a faster change. Slide 23: RL Circuit Analysis - DC Voltage
  • In an RL circuit with a constant (DC) voltage source, the current increases gradually over time.
  • Initially, when the circuit is closed, the current is zero and gradually rises towards its maximum value.
  • The time it takes for the current to reach approximately 63% of its final value is equal to one time constant (τ). Slide 24: RL Circuit Analysis - AC Voltage
  • In an RL circuit driven by an alternating (AC) voltage source, the behavior of the current is more complex.
  • The magnitude and phase angle of the current depend on the frequency and the values of resistance and inductance.
  • The current lags behind the voltage by an angle determined by the ratio of inductive reactance to resistance. Slide 25: RL Circuit Examples - DC Voltage
  • Example 1: In an RL circuit with an inductance of 0.2 H and a resistance of 10 ohms, calculate the time constant and the current at t=2τ when connected to a constant voltage source of 12 V.
  • Example 2: In an RL circuit with an inductance of 0.5 H and a resistance of 20 ohms, calculate the time it takes for the current to reach 90% of its final value. Slide 26: RL Circuit Examples - AC Voltage
  • Example 1: In an RL circuit with 8 ohms of resistance and an inductive reactance of 12 ohms, calculate the current magnitude and phase angle when connected to an AC voltage source with a frequency of 50 Hz.
  • Example 2: In an RL circuit with 0.1 H of inductance and a resistance of 15 ohms, calculate the current amplitude and phase angle when connected to an AC voltage source with a frequency of 1000 Hz. Slide 27: Inductors in Series
  • When inductors are connected in series, the total inductance (L_total) is given by the sum of individual inductances: L_total = L1 + L2 + L3 + …
  • The current flowing through each inductor is the same, and the total voltage across the inductors is the sum of individual voltages. Slide 28: Inductors in Parallel
  • When inductors are connected in parallel, the total inductance (1/L_total) is given by the reciprocal of the sum of individual reciprocals: 1/L_total = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + 1/L3 + …
  • The voltage across each inductor is the same, and the total current through the inductors is the sum of individual currents. Slide 29: RL Filters
  • RL filters are used to pass or attenuate certain frequencies in a circuit.
  • Low-pass RL filters allow low frequencies to pass while attenuating high frequencies.
  • High-pass RL filters allow high frequencies to pass while attenuating low frequencies.
  • Band-pass RL filters allow a specific band of frequencies to pass while attenuating others. Slide 30: RL Circuit Applications
  • RL circuits have a wide range of applications in various fields.
  • They are used in power supply circuits, audio and video equipment, electric motors, transformers, and more.
  • Understanding RL circuits is crucial in designing and analyzing electrical systems and devices.
  • RL circuits play a vital role in industries such as telecommunications, power distribution, electronics, and automation.