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Department of Electrical and computer Eng

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CHAPTER 3 TRANSIENT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
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3.1. First order transient circuits

Introduction
A first-order circuit is characterized by a first-order differential equation. there are two
types of first-order circuits, RC & RL.

In addition there being two types of first-order circuits, there are two ways to excite the ckt’s:

(I) By initial conditions of the storage elements in the ckts, called as source free ckts
(II) By independent sources.

The source- free RC circuit

Fig.3.1.1. A source free RC ckt

Our objective is to determine the circuit response (A circuit response is the manner in which
the circuit reacts to an excitation), which, we assume to be the voltage V (t) across the
capacitor. Since the capacitor is initially charged, we can assume that at time t = 0, the
initial voltage is

V(0) = V0

Applying KCL at the top node of the circuit in Fig.3.1.1,

i c + i R=0

But, i c =C dv /dt and i R =v /R

dv v
C + =0
dt R

Rearranging terms,

dv −1
= dt
v RC

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Integrating both sides, we get

−t
ln ⁡(v )= + ln ⁡( A)
RC
−t
RC
V ( t ) =A e

But from the initial conditions, V(0) = A = V0. Hence,

−t −t
V ( t ) =V 0 e RC =V 0 e τ

Where τ =RC is the time constant of the ckt, which is the time required for the response to
decay by a factor of 1/e or 36.8 percent of its initial value. 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.

Fig. 3.1.2 The voltage response of the RC circuit.

THE SOURCE-FREE RL CIRCUIT

Fig. 3.1.3. A source free RL ckt

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

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i(0) = I0

Applying KVL around the loop in Fig.3.1.3,

vL + vR = 0

But vL = Ldi/dt and vR = iR. Thus,

di
L + Ri=0
dt

Rearranging terms and integrating gives

i(t ) t
di R −Rt
∫ i
=−∫ dt ln i ( t )−ln I 0 =
L
+0
I0 0 L

−Rt −t L
i (t )=I 0 e L
=I 0 e τ Where, τ = is the time constant of the ckt
R

Fig. 3.1.4. The current response of the RL circuit

3.2 STEP RESPONSE OF AN RC & RL CIRCUITS AND SOLUTIONS

The step response is the response of the circuit due to a sudden application of a dc voltage
or current source. The step response o fan RC or RL circuit has two components. Thus, we
may write the response ( x ) as:
x=x n + x f

Where,

x n _ is the natural response of the circuit, Since this part of the response will decay
To almost zero after five time constants, it is also called the transient
Response because it is a temporary response that will die out with time.
x f _is known as the forced response because it is produced by the circuit when an
External “force” is applied (a voltage source or current source). It represents

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What the circuit is forced to do by the input excitation. It is also known as the
Steady-state response, because it remains a long time after the circuit is
Excited.

(I) The differential equation approach

Solution of first order differential equation:

Consider the first order linear ordinary non-homogenous and homogenous differential
equations:

dX (t)
+aX (t )=b …………………………………………………3.2
dt
dX (t)
+aX (t )=0 …………………………………………………3.3
dt

The question here is to find X ( t) that satisfies equation 3.2.

Theorem: if X ( t )=X p ( t) is any solution of Eqn 3.2 (non homogenous eqn) and X ( t )=X c (t )
is any solution of the homogenous differential eqn 3.3 then

X ( t )=X p ( t )+ X c (t)……………………………………………..3.4
Where:
X p (t) Is particular solution (forced solution)
X c ( t )Is complementary solution (natural solution)

Particular solution:

What is the function X p ( t) such that if its differential is summed to a times X p ( t) will give a
constantb ? If they are to sum up to a constant, both terms must be constant. A derivative of
a given function is constant if the function is a linear function but the term aX p ( t) would
not be constant. This will force us to make X p (t)itself constant as the ultimate solution.

X p ( t )=K 1
Eqn 3.2 becomes
dK 1
+aK 1=b
dt
K 1=b /a

X p ( t )=K 1=b /a……………………………………..3.5

Complementary solution:

Just solve eqn 3.3

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[ d X c (t )
dt ][ ]1
X c (t )
=−a

[ ][ ]
d [ ln ⁡( X c ( t ))] 1 d Xc (t )
From your basic calculus we have =
dt X c(t ) dt

So, we have [ d X c(t )

dt ][ ]
1
X c (t )
=
d [ ln ⁡( X c ( t )) ]
dx
=−a

ln ⁡(X c ( t ) )=∫ −a dt

ln ⁡(X ¿¿ c ( t ) )=−at+C ¿

X c ( t )=e−at +C
−at C
X c ( t )=e e

C
Let us define another constant, K 2=e
−at
X c ( t )=K 2 e …………………………………….…….3.6

The overall solution:

X ( t )=X p ( t )+ X c (t )
−at
X ( t )=K 1+ K 2 e

This solution would bear a complete meaning by reminding an additional quantity.

Time constant: as we have seen earlier, is a parameter that determines the rate of
decrease of X (t) and given as follows.
τ =1/a
So finally we have,
−t / τ
X ( t )=K 1+ K 2 e ………………………………………3.7

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Example 3.2.1
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For the network given in fig 3.2.1 below find i L ( t ) for t >0

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Fig 3.2.1

I. Find the initial condition. In this case we are concerned with the initial value of
the current through the inductor. i L ¿ .

At t =0−¿¿ the inductor behaves as short circuit since the source is DC. The resulting
equivalent circuit is shown here.

Fig 3.2.2 the inductor acts as short circuit

It can easily be seen from the figure that all of the current from the source will flow through
the inductor. So, i L ¿ .

Remember the situation discussed in chapter one concerning the behavior of a current
through an inductor. One of those lines reads ‘the current through an inductor cannot
change instantaneously. This means,i L ¿ .

II. At t >0 the switch is open and our circuit will reduce to one shown in fig 3.2.3 (a).
Clearly it is not in the standard format and we need to transform it. The circuit in
fig (b) is obtained by combining the resistors in to one equivalent resistor.

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Fig3.2.3 (a) source is detached by the action Fig3.2.3 (b) resistors replaced with of
The switch equivalent value

Note that,
Req =( 10 Ω∨¿ 40 Ω ) +2 Ω=10 Ω

III. Taking KVL around the loop in fig 3.2.3(b) we have,

V L ( t ) + R eq i L ( t ) =0

d iL ( t )
L + R eq i L ( t )=0
dt

d iL(t)
Replacing all values we have, +5 i L ( t )=0
dt

IV. Finally,
−at
i L ( t )=K 2 e

−5 t
From step three we can see that a=5 hence , i L ( t )=K 2 e

K 2could be obtained from the initial condition.

i L ( 0 )=20 A= K 2 e−5 (0 )

K 2=20 A

−at
i L ( t )=20 e

II. STEP BY STEP APPROACH

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The step by step approach is somehow the faster way to reach on the solution and could be
summarized in to the following steps.

I. Assume the solution is X ( t )=K 1 + K 2 e−t /τ .what else would it be?

II. Assume that the circuit is in steady state before the switch moves. This means we
should replace capacitors by open circuit and inductors by short circuit. Then findV c ¿
.

III. Now the switch is moved. Rearrange your circuit and do the following three.
 Replace a capacitor by voltage source = V c ¿
 Replace an inductor by a current source=i L ¿ .
 And take a moment to solve for X ( 0).

IV. Assumet=∞∧find X (t=∞ )=X (∞) by replacing capacitor by open circuit and
inductor by short circuit.

V. Find the time constant. The thumb rule for doing this is to find the Thevenin
equivalent resistance w.r.t the terminals of the capacitor and the inductor.
τ =RTH C∨τ =L/R TH .

VI. Find the constants by using,

K 1= X (∞ )

K 1 + K 2= X (0)

K 2= X ( 0 )−X ( ∞ )

Finally, X ( t )=X ( ∞ ) +[ X ( 0 )−X ( ∞ ) ]e−t / τ

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Example 3.2.2 find V 0 (t ) as indicated in the fig below.
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Fig 3.2.4

I. V 0 ( t ) =V 0 ( ∞ )+[V 0 ( 0 )−V 0 ( ∞ ) ]e−t / τ

II. Assume steady state and replace capacitor by open circuit.

Fig 3.2.5

Take mesh around the two loops.

−12+3 i 1+2(i ¿ ¿ 1−i 2)−8=0 ¿ ……………………..i
2 i2 +8+ 2¿ ¿ ……………………………ii
Obtaining, V c ¿

III. The switch is moved nowt=0 . Replace the capacitor with voltage source of
8V. Note that the 8V source and the 2Ω are cut out of the network.
Now, V 0 ( 0 )=V c ¿

Fig 3.2.6
IV. At t=∞ replace the capacitor by open circuit. So that,

2 24
V 0 ( ∞ )=12 V [ ]= V
2+2+1 5

V. Find the time constant. Find the thevenin equivalent resistance w.r.t to x,y
terminals as shown below.

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4
RTH =1∨¿ ( 2+2 )= Ω
5
4 8
τ =RTH C= Ω (2 F )=
5 5

Fig 3.2.7 Thevenin equivalent across the terminals of the capacitor.

−t / τ
VI. V 0 ( t ) =V 0 ( ∞ )+[V 0 ( 0 )−V 0 ( ∞ ) ]e

[ ]
−5
24 24 8
t
V 0 ( t ) = + 4− e
5 5

−5
24 4 8
t
¿ − e
5 5

3.3. Second order transient circuits

A second-order circuit is characterized by a second-order differential equation. It consists
of resistors and the equivalent of two energy storage elements. Given a second-order
circuit, we can determine its step response x(t) (which may be voltage or current) by taking
the following four steps:

1. We first determine the initial conditions x (0) anddx (0)/dt and the final value x (∞).

2. We find the natural response x n (t) by turning off independent Sources and applying
KCL and KVL. Once a second-order differential equation is obtained in the form of
d2 x dx dx
A 2 + B +Cx=0, by setting s= the characteristic equation would be
dt dt dt
A s +Bs +c=0 . Then determine its characteristic roots as ( s 1,2=−α ± √α −w 0 )
2 2

Depending on whether the response is over damped, critically damped, or under

damped, we obtain x n (t) with two unknown constants.

Over damped Case (α>ω0)

s1 t s2 t
x n ( t )= A e + B e

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Critically Damped Case (α = ω0)

−αt
x n ( t )=( A+ Bt ) e

Under damped Case (α<ω0)

x n ( t )=e−αt ( Acos w d t+ Bsin w d t)
w h ere w d =√ w02−α 2

3. We obtain the forced response as

x f ( t )=x (∞ )
Where x (∞ ) is the final value of x , obtained in step1.

4. The total response is now found as the sum of the natural response and forced
response
x ( t )=x n ( t ) + x f (t)
We finally determine the constants associated with the natural response by
imposing the initial conditions x (0) and dx (0)/dt , determined in step1.
We can apply this general procedure to find the step response of any second-order
circuit.

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EXAMPLE 3.1
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Find the complete response v and then i for t > 0 in the circuit of Fig.3.3.1.

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Fig. 3.3.1.
Solution:
Step 1
We first find the initial and final values. At t = 0−, the circuit is at stead state. The switch is
open, the equivalent circuit is shown in Fig.3.3.2 (a).

Fig.3.3.2 (a).

It is evident from the figure that, v ¿ i ¿

At t = 0+,the switch is closed; the equivalent circuit is in Fig.3.3.2(b).

Fig.3.3.2(b).

By the continuity of capacitor voltage and inductor current, we know that

v ¿ = v ¿ = 12V, i ¿ =i ¿ = 0 ------------------------- (1)

To get dv(0+)/dt , we use Cdv/dt = iC or dv/dt = iC/C. Applying KCL at node a in Fig.3.3.2(b),
i ¿ =i c ¿ + v ¿ ¿

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ic ¿

Hence,
dv ¿ ¿ --------------------------------------------- (2)

The final values are obtained when the inductor is replaced by a short circuit and the capacitor by
an open circuit inFig.3.3.2(b), giving

12
i ( ∞ )= =2 A , v ( ∞ )=2 i ( ∞ )=4 v ------------------------------------- (3)
4+ 2

Step 2

Next, we obtain the natural response for t > 0. By turning of f the 12-V voltage source, we have the
circuit in Fig.3.3.3.

Fig.3.3.3

Applying KCL at node a in Fig.3.3.3 gives

v 1 dv
i= + −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−( 4)
2 2 dt

Applying KVL to the left mesh results in

di
4 i+1 + v=0−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−(5)
dt

Since we are interested in v for the moment, we substitute i from Eq.4 in to Eq.5.We obtain

d 2 v 5 dv
+ +6 v=0
d t 2 dt

From this, we obtain the characteristic equation as

2
s +5 s +6=0

With roots s =−2 and s =−3.Thus,the natural response is

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−2 t −3 t
v n ( t )= A e +Be ------------------------------------------------------------ (6)

where A and B are unknown constants to be determined later.

Step 3
The forced response is

v f ( t ) =v ( ∞ )=4 ------------------------------------------------------------ (7)

Step 4
The complete response is

−2 t −3 t
v ( t )=v n+ v f =4 + A e +B e --------------------------------------- (8)

We now determine A and B using the initial values. From Eq.(1), v(0) = 12. Substituting this in to Eq.
(8) at t = 0 gives

12 = 4 + A + B ⇒ A + B = 8 ---------------------------------- (9)

Taking the derivative of v in Eq.(8),

dv −2t −3 t
=−2 A e −3 B e --------------------------------------------- (10)
dt

Substituting Eq.(2) into Eq.(10) at t = 0 gives

−12 =−2A − 3B ⇒ 2A + 3B = 12 ---------------------------- (11)

From Eqs.(9) and (11), we obtain

A = 12, B =−4
So that Eq.(8) becomes

v ( t )=4+12 e−2 t−4 e−3 t , t> 0 ------------------------ (12)

From v, we can obtain i,

v 1 dv −2t −3 t −2 t −3 t
i= + =2+6 e −2 e −12 e +6 e
2 2 dt
−2t −3 t
¿ 2−6 e +4 e ,t >0

EXERCISE 1

Determine v and i for t > 0 in the circuit shown below.

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ANSWER: 8 ( 1−e−5 t ) V ,2 ( 1−e−5 t ) A

EXERCISE 2

For t> 0, obtain vo(t) in the circuit of Fig. below. (Hint: First find v1 and v2.)

ANSWER: 2 ( e−t −e−6 t ) V , t>0

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