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Lab 5 - Time Constant of RC Circuits

This document describes an experiment to measure the time constant of an RC circuit using an oscilloscope and function generator. The time constant is the time required for a capacitor to be charged to 63% of its maximum voltage. It is calculated as the product of the resistor value and capacitor value (τ = RC). The experiment involves building an RC circuit, applying a signal, and using the oscilloscope to measure the time taken to reach 63% voltage. This measured time constant is then compared to the calculated value to verify the relationship.

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hamza
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417 views

Lab 5 - Time Constant of RC Circuits

This document describes an experiment to measure the time constant of an RC circuit using an oscilloscope and function generator. The time constant is the time required for a capacitor to be charged to 63% of its maximum voltage. It is calculated as the product of the resistor value and capacitor value (τ = RC). The experiment involves building an RC circuit, applying a signal, and using the oscilloscope to measure the time taken to reach 63% voltage. This measured time constant is then compared to the calculated value to verify the relationship.

Uploaded by

hamza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EMO Phy 120 Lab 05

Lab 05
To calculate the Time Constant of RC Circuit using
Oscilloscope and Function Generator

Objective:
To measure the “Time Constant” of RC circuit.

Apparatus:
Oscilloscope
Function Generator
Resistor 100 KΩ
Capacitor 1μF
Connecting wires
Breadboard

Series RC Circuit - An Introduction


The simplest type of RC circuit (1st order RC circuit) is shown in the figure which is composed
of one resistor and one capacitor.
EMO Phy 120 Lab 05

Time Constant
When voltage is applied to the RC circuit, current will begin to flow. Energy will dissipate
through the resistor and in the form of charges, it starts depositing on the capacitor plates.
Initially, there is very little charge on the plates, however, as time goes, charge on the plates
builds up and the increased voltage across the capacitor will reduce the flow of current through
the circuit. After some time, circuit will be in new equilibrium or steady state condition that
means, capacitor is fully charged. Now, remove source, charge that has built up in the capacitor
flows through the resistor and circuit is again in transient state for capacitor discharging.
Thus, “the time required by the reactive components (capacitor or inductor) to attain
maximum voltage for charging or discharging state is called as time constant” or delay. This
time, also called the transient response, required for the capacitor to fully charge, is equivalent
to about 5 time constants. This transient response time T is measured in terms of τ = R x C, in
seconds, where R is the value of the resistor in ohms and C is the value of the capacitor in
Farads. This then forms the basis of an RC charging circuit were 5T can also be thought of as “5
x RC”.
EMO Phy 120 Lab 05

Procedure:
1. Turn on the oscilloscope and function generator. 

2. Fixed the probe at multiplier to X1 and calibrate the oscilloscope.

3. Set the function generator to 1Hz frequency by pressing 1Hz button

4. Press square waveform button to generate square wave from function generator

5. Observe the generated signal by attaching the probe of the function generator to the probe of
the oscilloscope channel.

6. Adjust volt/div and time/div to observe proper signal.

7. Implement following RC circuit on breadboard.

8. Choose resister and capacitor values wisely to satisfy time constant condition i.e., τ = 5(R x C), so
that resultant charging and discharging curve is visualized clearly.

9. Adjust VC curve at the center of display area.

10. Use cursor button to turn on cursors for voltage and time.

11. Set the time cursors at the start and end of charging curve and measure the duration between 2
cursors (i.e., note down the delta value).

12. Set the voltage cursors, at the top and bottom of charging curve and measure the voltage
difference between 2 cursors (i.e., note down the delta value). This should be maximum value of
the peak voltage.

13. This verifies that the time constant calculated by the formula τ = R x C is same as observed
by the oscilloscope.

14. Now move one of the time cursors (2 nd one) at 1τ time (100ms in this case).
EMO Phy 120 Lab 05
15. Move the top voltage cursor to intercept the time cursor at 1τ time (100ms in this case),
while staying both the cursors on capacitor output curve.
16. At this point, measure the value of voltage (delta value), this should be 63% of the peak voltage.

17. This verifies that the time constant calculated by the formula τ = R x C is same as observed
by the oscilloscope

18. Repeat whole process for different values of frequency, resistor and capacitor.

Table: Observation & Calculation


S.No. Resistance Capacitance Frequency Amplitude Calculated Observed
(Ohm) (Farad) (Hertz) (Volts) Time Constant Time Constant

τ (sec) τ (sec)
1

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