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Module 2: Alternating Current

Circuits
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TOPICS TO BE COVERED
▪ Generation of alternating voltages and currents
▪ Peak, Average and RMS values for alternating currents
▪ Form and Peak factor
▪ Power calculation, reactive power, active power, Complex power, power
factor
▪ Ac through resistance, capacitance and inductance and RLC circuit
▪ impedance, reactance, conductance, susceptance
▪ Series and Parallel circuits
▪ Resonance: series Resonance, parallel resonance
▪ basic definition of Q factor & Band-width
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Alternating voltage and current:

A voltage which changes its polarity at regular intervals of time is called an
Alternating voltage.
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Generation of Alternating Voltages and Current
1.By rotating a coil at a constant angular velocity in a steady magnetic field.(Fig 1)
2.By rotating a magnetic field at a constant angular velocity within a stationary
coil.(Fig2)
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Equation of Alternating Voltage and Current

• The equation of alternating voltage is given by
𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡
• The equation of alternating current is given by
i= 𝐼𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡
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Values of Alternating Voltages and currents:

1)Peak value
2)Average or mean value
3)R.M.S or effective value
4)Peak to Peak value
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1.Peak Value
▪ It is the maximum value attained by an alternating quantity. The peak or maximum
value of an alternating voltage or current is represented by Vm or Im.
▪ The knowledge of this value is used for testing materials.
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2.Average Value

The average value of a waveform is the average of all its values over a period of
time.

✓ For Symmetrical waves the average value over one cycle is zero as positive half
is equal to negative half so that net area is zero. Hence in case of symmetrical
waves average value means average value of half cycle or one alteration.
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✓ In case of unsymmetrical waves the average value is taken over the full
cycle.

✓ The average value of a waveform is also called its dc value as a dc

instrument shows this value on measuring waveform.
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Average value of a sinusoidal current:
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Q. Find the average value of the waveform shown below.

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Q. Find the average value of the waveform shown below.

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Q. Find the average value of the waveform shown below.

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3.RMS Value

▪ The effective or r.m.s value of an alternating current is that steady current(d.c)

which when flowing through a given resistance for a given time produces the
same amount of heat as produced by the alternating current when flowing
through the same resistance for the same time.

▪ For example, when we say that the r.m.s. or effective value of an alternating
current is 5A, it means that the alternating current will do work (or produce
heat) at the same rate as 5A direct current under similar conditions.
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Determination of R.M.S value

Consider the half-cycle of a non-sinusoidal alternating current i [See Fig. (i)]

flowing through a resistance RΩ for t seconds. Divide the time t in n equal intervals of
time, each of duration t/n second. Let the mid-ordinates be i1, i2, i3,.....in. Each current
i1, i2, i3,.....in will produce heating effect when passed through the resistance R as shown
in Fig. (ii). Suppose the heating effect produced by current i in R is the same as produced
by some direct current I flowing through the resistance R for the same time t. Then direct
current I is the r.m.s. or effective value of alternating current i.
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The heating effect of various components of alternating current will be i12Rt/n......in2Rt/n

joules.
Since the alternating current is varying, the heating effect will also vary.
Total heat produced by alternating current i
= (i12R + i22R + i32R +........+ in2R) t/n
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(i) For symmetrical waves, the r.m.s. or effective value can be found by considering
half-cycle or full-cycle. It is because second half is the negative of the first half
and the r.m.s. value depends upon the squares of the instantaneous values.
However, for unsymmetrical waves, full-cycle should be considered.

(ii) The r.m.s. value of symmetrical wave can also be expressed as :

Area of half−cycle of squared wav𝑒
R.M.S. value Half−cycle base
(iii) The r.m.s. or effective value of an alternating voltage can similarly be
expressed as :

Note. In case of an unsymmetrical wave, full-cycle should be considered to find the r.m.s.
value.
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R.M.S Value of sinusoidal current
The equation of the alternating current varying sinusoidally is given by ;
i = Im sin θ
Consider an elementary strip of thickness dθ in first half-cycle of the squared current
wave(shown dotted in Fig. below). Let i2 be the mid-ordinate of this strip.
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In the same way r.m.s value of voltage wave can be proved.

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IMPORTANCE OF R.M.S VALUES

An alternating voltage or current is always specified in terms of r.m.s. values. For

example, common household appliances are rated at 230 V a.c. This is an r.m.s. value.
If some other method of measurement is used, it must be specifically stated. Lacking
any information to the contrary, always assume that a.c. values are r.m.s.

(i) The domestic a.c. supply is 230 V, 50 Hz. It is the r.m.s. or effective value. It means
that alternating voltage available has the same heating effect as 230 V d.c.

(ii) A.C ammeters and voltmeters record r.m.s values.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEAK,AVERAGE AND R.M.S VALUES FOR PURE SINUSOIDAL

VOLTAGE(OR CURRENT) WAVES
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(i) Form factor.
The ratio of r.m.s. value to the average value of an alternating quantity is known as
form factor i.e.
R.M.S. value
Form factor =
Average value
✓ The value of form factor depends upon the waveform of the alternating quantity. Its least value
is 1 (e.g. for square wave, rectangular wave) and may be as high as 5 for other waveforms.
✓ The form factor for an alternating voltage or current varying sinusoidally is 1.11. i.e.For a
sinusoidal voltage or current, Form factor = 1.11
✓ The form factor gives a measure of the “peakiness” of the waveform. The peakier the wave,
the greater is its form factor and vice-versa. For instance, a sine wave is peakier than a square
wave.
✓ Hence the former has a greater form factor (1·11) than the latter. Similarly, a triangular wave is
more peaky than a sine wave and has a form factor of 1·15.
✓ The form factor is useful in rectifier service.
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(ii) Peak factor.

The ratio of maximum value to the r.m.s. value of an alternating quantity is known as
peak factor i.e.
Max. value
Peak factor =
R.M.S. value
✓ The value of peak factor also depends upon the waveform of the alternating
quantity. For an alternating voltage or current varying sinusoidally, its value is
1·414 .
✓ The peak factor is of much greater importance because it indicates the maximum
voltage being applied to the various parts of the apparatus. For instance, when an
alternating voltage is applied across a cable or capacitor, the breakdown of
insulation will depend upon the maximum voltage. The insulation must be able to
withstand the maximum rather than the r.m.s. value of voltage.
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Q. Find the average and r.m.s. values of the voltage wave shown in Fig. below.

0.75V and 0.8165V

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Q. Determine the r.m.s value of the current waveform in Fig. If the current is
passed through a resistor, find the average power absorbed by the resistor.
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Q.Find the form factor of the wave shown below.

Form factor = 70·7/50 = 1·414

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Q.Find the form factor for the wave shown below.

Ans.1.732
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Q.Determine the form factor of the sawtooth wave shown in Fig

1.15
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Q.Find the rms value of the current waveform of Fig below.

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Q. The waveform shown in Fig. is a half-wave rectified sine wave. Find the
rms value.
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Q. Find the r.m.s value of the full-wave rectified sine wave in Fig.
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Q.Find the r.m.s value and form factor for the symmetrical wave shown below.
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Phase

Phase of a particular value of an alternating quantity is the fractional part of time period or
cycle though which the quantity has advanced from the selected zero position of reference.
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Phase Difference
When two alternating quantities of the same frequency have different zero points, they
are said to have a phase difference.
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A.C. Circuit Containing Resistance Only

Consider a circuit containing a pure resistance of R Ω connected across an

alternating voltage source . Let the alternating voltage be given by the equation :
v = Vm sin ω t ...(i)
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i)Phase Angle:
From Equation i and ii it is clear that both voltage and currents are in phase
with each other.
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ii)Power
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iii)Average Power
It is product of R.M.S value of voltage and current.
P=VI

iv)Conductance:
It is reciprocal of resistance
i.e G=1/R
Unit is mho/Siemens.
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Q. An AC Circuit consists of pure resistance R=10 ohms connected across an AC

supply of 230V,50Hz.Calculate
a)Current
b)Power Consumed
c)Equations for voltage and current.
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AC Circuit containing Inductance only:
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(i) Phase angle. It is clear from eqs. (i) and (iii) that current lags behind the
voltage by π/2radians or 90º. Hence in a pure inductance, current lags the
voltage by 90º.
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(ii) Inductive reactance. Inductance not only causes the current to lag behind the voltage but
it also limits the magnitude of current in the circuit. We have seen above that :
Im = Vm/ω L
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iii)Inductive Susceptance(BL):
It is reciprocal of inductive reactance
BL=1/XL
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(v) Power curve.

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Q. A pure inductive coil allows a current of 10 A to flow from a 230 V, 50 Hz

supply. Find (i) inductive reactance (ii) inductance of the coil (iii) power
absorbed. Write down the equations for voltage and current.
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A.C. Circuit Containing Capacitance Only

Consider an alternating voltage applied to a capacitor of capacitance C farad

as shown in Fig.. Let the equation of the applied alternating voltage be :
v = Vm sin ωt ...(i)
As a result of this alternating voltage, alternating current will flow through the
circuit. Let at any instant i be the current and q be the charge on the plates.
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(i) Phase angle. It is clear from eqs. (i) and (iii) that current leads the
voltage by π/2 radians or 90º. Hence in a pure capacitance, current leads
the voltage by 90º.
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(ii) Capacitive reactance. Capacitance not only causes the voltage to lag
behind current but it also limits the magnitude of current in the circuit. We
have seen above that :
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iii)Capacitive Susceptance(Bc)
It is reciprocal of inductive reactance i.e Xc=1/Bc.Unit is ohms.

(iv) Power. Instantaneous power is given by ;

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(v) Power curve.
Fig below shows the power curve for a pure capacitive circuit. The power
curve is similar to that for a pure inductor because now current leads the voltage by
90º. It is clear that positive power is equal to the negative power over one cycle. Hence
net power absorbed in a pure capacitor is zero.
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Q. A 318 μF capacitor is connected across a 230 V, 50 Hz system. Determine (i)
the capacitive reactance (ii) r.m.s. value of current and (iii) equations for voltage
and current.
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R-L Series A.C. Circuit
This is the most general case met in practice as nearly all a.c. circuits contain
both resistance and inductance. Fig. below shows a pure resistance of R ohms
connected in series with a coil of
pure inductance L henry.
Let V = r.m.s. value of the applied voltage
I = r.m.s. value of the circuit current
VR = I R ............... where VR is in phase with I
VL = I XL ............. where VL leads I by 90°
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Taking *current as the reference phasor, the phasor diagram of the circuit can
be drawn as shown in Fig below.
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The voltage drop VR ( = I R) is in phase with current and is represented in
magnitude and direction by the phasor OA. The voltage drop VL ( = I XL) leads the
current by 90° and is represented in magnitude and direction by the phasor AB. The
applied voltage V is the phasor
sum of these two drops i.e.

The quantity offers opposition to current flow and is called impedance of

the circuit.
It is represented by Z and is measured in ohms (W).
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i)Phase Angle
It is clear from the phasor diagram that circuit current I lags behind the applied
voltage V by Φ°. This fact is also illustrated in the wave diagram shown in Fig.
The value of phase angle Φ°can be determined from the phasor diagram.
Since XL and R are known, Φ° can be calculated.
If the applied voltage is v = Vm
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If the applied voltage is v = Vm sin wt, then equation for the circuit current will be :
i = Im sin (w t – Φ°) where Im = Vm /Z

We arrive at a very important conclusion that in an inductive circuit, current lags

behind the applied voltage. The angle of lag (i.e. f) is greater than 0° but less than 90°.
It is determined by the ratio of inductive reactance to resistance (tan Φ° = XL/R) in the
circuit. The greater the value of this ratio, the greater will be the phase angle f and
vice-versa.
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(ii) Impedance. The total opposition offered to the flow of alternating current by a circuit
is called impedance Z of the circuit. In R-L series circuit,

The magnitude of impedance in R-L series circuit depends upon the values of R, L and the supply
frequency f.
(iii) Admittance (Y). Admittance of an a.c. circuit is the reciprocal of its impedance i.e.

The unit of admittance is siemen (S). The admittance of an a.c. circuit is its ability to pass current
through it. The greater the admittance (i.e. the smaller the impedance) of a circuit, the greater is its
ability to pass current through it and vice-versa.
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(iv) Power
Instantaneous power, p = v i = Vm sin wt × Im sin (wt – Φ)
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(v) Power curve.

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Impedance Triangle
The phasor diagram of a R-L series circuit is shown in Fig. below. Dividing each
side of the phasor diagram by the same factor I, we get a triangle whose sides
represent R, XL and Z. Such a triangle is known as impedance triangle .
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APPARENT,TRUE AND REACTIVE POWERS

Consider an inductive circuit in which circuit current I lags behind the applied
voltage V by Φ°. The phasor diagram of the circuit is shown in Fig.below. The
current I can be resolved into two
rectangular components viz.
(i) I cos Φ in phase with V.
(ii) I sin Φ ; 90° out of phase with V.
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i)Apparent power. The total power that appears to be transferred between the source
and load is called apparent power. It is equal to the product of applied voltage (V)
and circuit current (I) i.e.
Apparent power, S = V × I = VI
It is measured in volt-ampers (VA).
Apparent power has two components viz true power and reactive power.
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2. True power. The power which is actually consumed in the circuit is called true
power or active power. We know that power is consumed in resistance only since
neither pure inductor (L) nor pure capacitor (C) consumes any active power. Now,
current and voltage are in phase in a resistance.
Therefore, current in phase with voltage produces true or active power. It is the useful
component of apparent power.
The product of voltage (V) and component of total current in phase with voltage (I cos f)
is equal to true power i.e.
True power, P = Voltage × Component of total current in phase with voltage
= V × I cosΦ
P = VI cos Φ

Unit of this power is watts.

It is this power which is used to produce torque in motors,light,supply heat etc.
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3. Reactive power.
▪ The component of apparent power which is neither consumed nor does any useful work
in the circuit is called reactive power.
▪ The power consumed (or true power) in L and C is zero because all the power received
from the source in one quarter-cycle is returned to the source in the next quarter-cycle.
This circulating power is called *reactive power.
▪ Now, current and voltage in L or C are 90° out of phase. Therefore, current 90° out of
phase with voltage contributes to reactive power.
▪ The product of voltage (V) and component of total current 90° out of phase with voltage
▪ (I sinΦ ) is equal to reactive power i.e.
Reactive power, Q = Voltage × Component of total current 90° out
of phase with voltage
= V × I sin Φ
Or Q = VI sin Φ
It is measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR).
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Power triangle. If we multiply each of the current phasors of phasor diagram by V, we
get the power triangle shown in Fig. below. This is a right-angled triangle and indicates
the relation among apparent power, true power and reactive power. It reveals the
following facts about the circuit :
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Power Factor
The power factor (i.e. cos Φ ) of a circuit can be defined in one of the following ways :
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Q-factor of a Coil
The ratio of the inductive reactance (XL) of a coil to its resistance (R) at a given
frequency is known as Q-factor of the coil at that frequency i.e.,


The Q-factor is used to describe the quality or effectiveness of a coil.
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Q.A coil having a resistance of 7 ohms and an inductance of 31·8 mH is connected to
230 V, 50 Hz supply. Calculate (i) the circuit current (ii) phase angle (iii) power
factor (iv) power consumed and (v) voltage drop across resistor and inductor.
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RC Series AC Circuit
R-C series circuit and its phasor diagram is as shown in Fig below.
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Since circuit current is taken as the

reference phasor (i.e. along OX-axis), we have,
I=I+j0
Now, V = VR + VC = (I R + j 0) + (0 – j I XC)
or V = I (R – j XC)
But V = I Z where Z is the impedance of the
circuit.
Therefore Z = R – j XC
Its magnitude, Z = 𝑅2 + 𝑋2; R = Z cosΦ and
XC = Z sin Φ
Phase angle, Φ = tan–1 (–XC/R)

It is clear that current leads the applied voltage by Φ

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Q.A capacitor of capacitance 79·5 μ F is connected in series with a non-inductive
resistance of 30 ohms across 100 V, 50 Hz supply. Find (i) impedance (ii) current (iii)
phase angle and(iv) equation for the instantaneous value of current.
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Q.A 10 ohm resistor and 400 μF capacitor are connected in series to a 60-V
sinusoidal supply. The circuit current is 5 A. Calculate the supply frequency and phase angle
between the current and voltage.
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R-L-C Series A.C. Circuit

This is a general series a.c. circuit. Fig. shows R, L and C connected in series across a
supply voltage V (r.m.s.). The resulting circuit current is I (r.m.s.).
Voltage across R, VR = I R ... VR is in phase with I
Voltage across L, VL = I XL ... where VL leads I by 90°
Voltage across C, VC = I XC ... where VC lags I by 90°
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Three cases of R-L-C series circuit. We have seen that the impedance of a R-L-C series circuit
is given by ;

(i) When XL – XC is positive (i.e. XL > XC), phase angle Φ is positive and the circuit will be
inductive. In other words, in such a case, the circuit current I will lag behind the applied
voltage V by Φ ; the value of Φ being given by eq. (ii) above.

(ii) When XL – XC is negative (i.e. XC > XL), phase angle Φ is negative and the circuit is
capacitive. That is to say the circuit current I leads the applied voltage V by Φ; the value
of Φ being given by eq. (ii) above.

(iii) When XL – XC is zero (i.e. XL = XC), the circuit is purely resistive. In other words, circuit
current I and applied voltage V will be in phase i.e. Φ = 0°. The circuit will then have unity
power factor.

If the equation for the applied voltage is v = Vm sin wt, then equation for the circuit current
will be :
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i = Im sin (w t ± Φ ) where Im = Vm / Z
The value of Φ will be positive or negative depending upon which reactance (XL or XC)
predominates.

IMPEDANCE TRIANGLES
XL>Xc and Xc>XL
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Q.A 230 V, 50 Hz a.c. supply is applied to a coil of 0.06 H inductance and 2.5ohms
resistance connected in series with a 6·8 μF capacitor. Calculate (i) impedance (ii)
current (iii)phase angle between current and voltage (iv) power factor and (v) power
consumed.
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Q.A circuit consists of a resistance of 12ohms, capacitance of 320 μF and an inductance

of 0.08 H, all in series.
A supply of 240 V, 50 Hz is applied to the ends of the circuit. Calculate the frequency at
which the circuit power factor would be unity.

(ans:32Hz)
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Resonance in A.C. Circuits

▪ An a.c. circuit containing reactive elements (L and C) is said to be in resonance
when the circuit power factor is unity.

▪ Resonance means to be in step with. When applied voltage and circuit current in an
a.c. circuit are in step with (i.e. phase angle is zero or p.f. is unity), the circuit is said
to be in electrical resonance.

▪ If this condition exists in a series a.c. circuit, it is called series resonance. On the
other hand, if this condition exists in a parallel a.c. circuit, it is called parallel
resonance.

▪ The frequency at which resonance occurs is called resonant frequency (fr).

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Resonance in Series A.C. Circuit (Series Resonance)
A series R-L-C a.c. circuit is said to be in resonance when circuit power factor is
unity.
Consider a series R-L-C circuit connected to a.c. supply of V volts (r.m.s.). The circuit
impedance(Z) and circuit current (I) are given by ;

Resonance will occur in this circuit when circuit power factor is unity. This will happen
when XL = XC. Regardless of the values of inductance (L) and capacitance (C), there is one
frequency at which these two reactances are equal because XL and XC are frequency
dependent. The frequency at which XL = XC (i.e. circuit power factor becomes unity) is
called resonant frequency fr.
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The resonant frequency (fr) for R – L – C series a.c. circuit is defined as the
frequency at which XL = XC.
At series resonance, XL = XC

If L and C are measured in henry and farad respectively, then fr will be in Hz.
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Effects of series resonance. The key points concerning series resonance are :
(i) XL = XC
(ii)
(iii) Zr = Minimum = R (XL = XC)
(iv) Circuit current, Ir =maximum
(v) Circuit power factor = 1 ( Circuit is purely resistive)
(vi) Power dissipated in the circuit is maximum.
(vii) Since at series resonance the current flowing in the circuit is very large, the
voltage dropsacross L and C are also very large. In fact, these drops are much
greater than the applied voltage.
However, voltage drop across L–C combination as a whole will be zero because
these drops are equal in magnitude but 180° out of phase with each other.
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➢ Series resonance should be avoided in power circuits because the possibility of

excessive voltages across the inductive and capacitive elements of the circuit may
cause considerable damage.
➢ Resonance in power circuits may blow protective fuses, trip circuit breakers or
cause damage toother equipment.
➢ However, in radio, television and electronic circuits, principles of series resonance
are used to increase the signal voltage and current at a desired frequency (i.e. at fr).
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Graphical Explanation. Fig. below shows the graphical explanation of series

resonance.
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Q-Factor of Series Resonant Circuit

At series resonance, the voltage across L or C (the two drops being equal and opposite)
builds up to a value many times greater than the applied voltage V(= *IrR).
At series resonance, VL = Ir XL and VC = Ir XC
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▪ The ratio VL/V or VC/V at resonance is a measure of the quality of a series resonant
circuit.
▪ This is called the Q-factor (Q stands for quality) of the circuit. It is also known as
the voltage magnification factor.

▪ Since the coil resistance is often the only resistance in a series resonant circuit,
the Q is sometimes referred to as the Q-factor of the coil. Therefore, we use the
expression XL/R for Q in series resonant circuit.
▪ The Q-factor of a series resonant circuit can also be expressed in terms of L and
C.
▪ Substituting the value of wr in equation (i), we get,

▪ It is clear that the Q-factor of a series resonant circuit may be increased either by
reducing R orby increasing the L/C ratio.
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▪ It is clear that value of Q varies with frequency.

▪ Since Q is a ratio of like units, it has no units i.e., it is a number.
▪ The series resonant circuit is also called an acceptor circuit because
such a circuit accepts currents at one particular frequency (i.e., fr) but
virtually rejects currents of other frequencies. Such circuits are used in
radio and television receivers.
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Bandwidth of a Series Resonant Circuit

Bandwidth of the series resonant circuit is
BW = ∆f = f2 – f1

Hence bandwidth of a series resonant circuit is the range of

frequencies for which the circuit current is equal to or **greater
than 70.7% of the circuit current at resonance (i.e., Ir).
Note that f1 and f2 are the limiting frequencies at which current is exactly equal to 70.7%
of the maximum value. The frequency f1 (i.e., on the lower side) is called the lower cut
off frequency and the frequency f2 (i.e., on the higher side) is called the upper cut off
frequency. The frequencies f1and f2 are also called half-power frequencies (or half-
power points) or –3dB frequencies.
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Q.A coil of resistance 100 ohm and inductance 100 μH is connected in series
with a 100 pF capacitor. The circuit is connected to a 10 V variable frequency source.
Calculate (i)the resonant frequency (ii) current at resonance (iii) voltage across L and C at
resonance and (iv)Q-factor of the circuit.
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Parallel A.C. Circuits

▪ As in parallel d.c. circuits, the voltage is the same across each branch of a parallel
a.c. circuit.
▪ But current in any branch depends upon the impedance of that branch. The total line
current supplied to the circuit is the phasor sum of the branch currents.
▪ Parallel circuits are used more frequently in electrical systems than are the series
circuits. For example, electrical devices and equipment are connected in parallel
across a.c. mains.
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Methods of Solving Parallel A.C. Circuits

(i) By phasor diagram

(ii) By phasor algebra
(iii) Equivalent impedance method
(iv) Admittance method
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Q.A resistance of 20 ohms and a coil of inductance 31·8 mH and negligible resistance
are connected in parallel across 230 V, 50 Hz supply. Find (i) the line current (ii) power factor
and power consumed by the circuit.
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Resonance in Parallel A.C. Circuits (Parallel Resonance)

A parallel a.c. circuit containing reactive elements (L and C) is said to be in resonance
when the circuit p.f. is unity i.e. reactive component of line current is zero. The frequency
at which it occurs is called the resonant frequency fr. It is called parallel resonance
because it concerns a parallel circuit.
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▪ Consider the most practical parallel circuit consisting of a coil shunted by a
capacitor as shown in Fig. (i). The phasor diagram of this circuit is shown in Fig.
(ii).
▪ The circuit will be in resonance when the reactive component of line current is
zero
i.e. IC – IL sin ΦL = 0. This can be achieved by changing the supply frequency because
both IC and IL sin ΦL are frequency* dependent.
▪ At some frequency fr, called resonant frequency, the reactive component of line
current will be zero and resonance takes place.
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▪ Because Zr is very high, Ir will be very small. The small current Ir is only the amount
needed to meet the resistance losses in the circuit.
▪ The parallel resonance is also current resonance because the current circulating
between the two branches of the circuit is many times greater than the line current
taken from the supply.
▪ Parallel resonant circuit is also called rejector circuit because it rejects (or takes
minimum current) that frequency to which it resonates.
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Q-factor of a Parallel Resonant Circuit

▪ At parallel resonance, the line current drawn from the supply is Ir(= V/Zr) which
is in phase with supply voltage V. Also, Ir is very much less than IL and IC.
▪ Thus in a parallel resonant circuit, there is a current amplification which is
analogous to the voltage amplification that occurs in a series resonant circuit.
▪ The Q-factor or current magnification factor of a parallel resonant circuit is
the ratio of IC*(not IL) to the line current Ir i.e.
Q-factor =Ic/Ir
Now, IC = V/XC = wr CV and Ir = V/(L/CR)
Therefore Q-factor = wr CV ÷ V/(L/CR) = ... same as for series circuit
Note that expression for Q-factor is the same as the Q factor for a series resonant
circuit i.e. Q is once again the Q-factor of the coil.
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BANDWIDTH OF PARALLEL RESONANT CIRCUIT
The bandwidth of a parallel resonant circuit is defined as the range of frequencies
over which the circuit impedance is equal to or greater than 70.7% of maximum
circuit impedance (i.e. Zr, the impedance at resonance).
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Key Points About Parallel Resonance
The key points concerning parallel resonant circuits are :
(i) The circuit power factor is unity (i.e. 1) so that parallel resonant circuit
behaves as a resistance.
(ii) Since parallel resonant circuit is resistive, it means that :
(a) Circuit admittance = Circuit conductance
(b) Circuit susceptance is zero.
(iii) The circuit impedance of a parallel resonant circuit is maximum.
(iv) At parallel resonance, the circuit current is minimum and is given by ;

(v) The resonant frequency (fr) of a parallel resonant circuit can be found by
equating susceptance of the circuit at fr to zero.
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Comparison of Series and Parallel Resonant Circuits

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Q. The dynamic impedance of a parallel resonant circuit is 500 kohms. The circuit
consists of a 250 pF capacitor in parallel with a coil of resistance 10ohms. Calculate (i)
the coil inductance (ii) the resonant frequency and (iii) the Q-factor of the circuit.

Ans.
1.25mH,284.7Khz,223.6