A.C.

CIRCUITS

1. A.C. Circuit containing Resistance only

Consider a circuit containing a pure resistance of RΩ connected across an alternating voltage source.

Let the alternating voltage be given by the equation

𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡

As a result of this voltage, an alternating current, I will flow in the circuit. The
applied voltage has to overcome the drop in the resistance only.

i.e. 𝑣 = 𝑖𝑅
𝑣
or 𝑖 =
𝑅
𝑉𝑚
𝑖= sin 𝜔𝑡
𝑅
The value of I will be maximum when sin 𝜔𝑡 = 1

𝑉𝑚
∴ 𝐼𝑚 =
𝑅

But 𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
= 𝑅
√2 √2
𝑉 = 𝑉𝑅 = 𝐼𝑅

PHASOR DIAGRAM

Normally r.m.s values are used to draw the phasor diagram. Phase angle between v and i is zero.

I Vm

i.e. v and i are in phase.

POWER

Instantaneous power = vi
= (Vm sin ) (Im sin 𝜔𝑡)
= VmIm sin2𝜔𝑡
1−cos 2𝜔𝑡
= VmIm( )
2
VmIm VmIm
= 2
− 2
cos 2𝜔𝑡

1
 1 2𝜋 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 1 2𝜋 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
∴ 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑, 𝑃 = ∫ 𝑑(𝜔𝑡) + ∫ cos 2𝜔𝑡 𝑑(𝜔𝑡)
2𝜋 0 2 2𝜋 0 2

𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
= +0
2
𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
=
√2 √2

P = VRI

2. A.C. Circuit containing pure inductance only:

When an a.c. flows through a pure inductive coil, a back e.m.f. (=L di/dt) is
induced due to the inductance of the coil. This back e.m.f at every instant
opposes the change in current through the coil. Since there is no ohmic drop,
the applied voltage has to overcome the back e.m.f. only.

Consider an alternating voltage applied to a pure inductance of L (H) is

𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 ----------------- (1)

𝑑𝑖
But, 𝑣=𝐿 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖
∴ 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 = L
𝑑𝑡
𝑉𝑚
Or 𝑑𝑖 = 𝐿
sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑉𝑚
∫ 𝑑𝑖 = 𝐿
∫ sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑉
𝑚
𝑖 = 𝜔𝐿 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝜋⁄2)
𝑉𝑚
So, 𝐼𝑚 = 𝜔𝐿

∴ 𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝜋⁄2) -------------------- (2)

From equation (1) and (2) it is clear that current lags the voltage by 𝜋⁄2.

PHASOR DIAGRAM

2
𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑚
= 𝜔𝐿= XL - inductive reactance (opposition offered by inductance)
And also XL = 𝜔𝐿
XL = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿
Units of XL is Ω.
𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑚 =
𝑋𝐿

𝐼𝑚 𝑉𝑚
=
√2 √2𝑋𝐿
𝑉𝐿
𝐼=
𝑋𝐿
POWER

Instantaneous power, P = vi = (𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡) [𝐼𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝜋⁄2)]

𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
= - 2
sin 2𝜔𝑡

1 2𝜋 −𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
Average Power, P= ∫ sin 2𝜔𝑡 𝑑(𝜔𝑡)
2𝜋 0 2

=0

i.e. a pure inductance consumes no power. The electric power merely flows from the source to the coil and back
again.

3. A.C. Circuit containing capacitance only

When an a.c. is applied across the plates of a capacitor, the capacitor is charged in one direction and then in the
other as the voltage reverses. The result is that electrons move to and from round the circuit, connecting the
plates, thus constituting alternating current.

Consider an alternating current applied to a capacitor of capacitance C is given by

𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 ---------------- (1)

But, 𝑞 = 𝑐𝑣
∴ 𝑞 = 𝑐𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡

3
 𝑑𝑞
Circuit current, 𝑖= 𝑑𝑡
𝑑(𝑐𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡)
=
𝑑𝑡
= 𝜔𝑐𝑉𝑚 cos 𝜔𝑡
𝑖 = 𝜔𝑐𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋⁄2) -------------------- (2)
From equation (1) and (2) , it is clear that current leads the voltage by 𝜋⁄2.

𝐼𝑚 = 𝜔𝑐𝑉𝑚

𝑉𝑚 1
= = 𝑋𝑐 − 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝐼𝑚 𝜔𝑐

(Opposition offered by capacitance to current)

If Vc and I are r.m.s. values,

𝑉𝑐
𝐼=
𝑋𝑐
1 1
𝑋𝑐 = =
𝜔𝐶 2𝜋𝑓𝑐
POWER

Instantaneous power, 𝑃 = 𝑣𝑖 = (𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡) [𝐼𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝜋⁄2)]

𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
= − 2
sin 2𝜔𝑡

1 2𝜋 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
Average Power, 𝑃= ∫ sin 2𝜔𝑡 𝑑(𝜔𝑡) = 0
2𝜋 0 2

∴ Power absorbed in a pure capacitor is zero.

4
Series A.C. Circuits

1. R-L Series Circuit :

V – r.m.s. value of applied voltage

I – r.m.s. value of the circuit current

𝑽𝑹 = 𝑰𝑹 where 𝑽𝑹 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑰

𝑉𝐿 = 𝐼𝑋𝐿 where 𝑉𝐿 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝐼 𝑏𝑦 900
Since the circuit is a series circuit, taking current as the reference phasor, the phasor diagram of the circuit can be
drawn as,

𝑉 = √𝑉𝑅2 + 𝑉𝐿2 = √(𝐼𝑅)2 + (𝐼𝑋𝐿 )2 = 𝐼 √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝐿 2

𝑉
𝐼=
√𝑅2 +𝑋𝐿 2

The quantity √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝐿 2 offers opposition to current flow and is called impedance of the circuit.
𝑉
∴𝐼= 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑍 = √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝐿 2 , 𝑍 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝑍

(i) PHASE ANGLE

It is clear from the phasor diagram that circuit current I lags behind the applied voltage V by ∅0 . The value of
phase angle, Ø can be determined from the phasor diagram.

𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝑋𝐿 𝑋𝐿
tan ∅ = = =
𝑉𝑅 𝐼𝑅 𝑅
If the applied voltage is 𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡
𝑉𝑚
𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ∅) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐼𝑚 =
𝑍
So in an inductive circuit, current lags behind the applied
voltage.

5
 (ii) IMPEDANCE

The total opposition offered to the flow of alternating current is called impedance, Z.

In R-L series circuit, 𝑍 = √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝐿 2 where 𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿

The magnitude of impedance in R-L series circuit depends upon the values of R, L and the supply frequency, f.

(iii) POWER

Instantaneous power,

P = vi
= (𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡) [𝐼𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ∅)]
𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
= 2
2sin 𝜔𝑡 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ∅)
1
= 2 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 [cos ∅ − cos(2𝜔𝑡 − ∅)]
1 1
= 2 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos ∅ − 𝑉 𝐼 cos(2𝜔𝑡
2 𝑚 𝑚
− ∅)

Thus the instantaneous power consists of two parts:

1
(a) Constant part 2 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos ∅ whose average value is the same
1
(b) A pulsating component 2 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos(2𝜔𝑡 − ∅) whose average value over one complete cycle is zero. ∴
𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 , 𝑃 = 2
cos ∅.
𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
∴𝑃= . cos ∅
√2 √2

𝑜𝑟 𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼 cos ∅
Where V and I are r.m.s. values of voltage and current. The term cos ∅ is called the Power factor of the circuit and
its value is given by, (from phasor diagram)
𝐼𝑅 𝑅
Power factor, cos ∅ = =
𝐼𝑍 𝑍
𝑅
Also 𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼 cos ∅ = (𝐼𝑍)(𝐼) (𝑍)

𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅
So the power is consumed in resistance only; inductance does not consume any power.

(iv) POWER CURVE

6
Impedance Triangle

Dividing each side of the phasor diagram by the same factor I, we get a triangle whose sides represent R, X L and Z.
Such a triangle is known as impedance triangle. The impedance triangle is also a right-angled triangle.

Impedance triangle is a useful concept in a.c. circuit as it enables us to calculate:

(i) The impedance of the circuit, i.e. 𝑍 = √𝑅2 + 𝑋𝐿 2

𝑅
(ii) Power factor of the circuit, i.e. cos ∅ =
𝑍
(iii) Phase angle, ∅, i.e.
𝑋𝐿
tan ∅ =
𝑅

Power Factor

The power factor of a circuit can be defined in one of the following ways:

(i) Power factor cos ∅ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑉 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼

𝑅 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
(ii) Power factor = =
𝑍 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑉𝐼 cos ∅ 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
(iii) Power factor = =
𝑉𝐼 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

For example, in a resistor, the current and the voltage are in phase. i.e. ∅ = 00 Therefore, power factor of a pure
resistive circuit is 1. Similarly, phase difference between voltage and current in a pure inductance or capacitance is
900. Hence power factor of pure L or C is zero. For a circuit having R, L and C in varying proportions, the value of
power factor will lie between 0 and 1.

 If a circuit has a power factor of 0.5 and current lags the voltage, we generally write power factor as 0.5
lagging
 Sometimes power factor is expressed as a percentage. Thus0.8 lagging power factor may be expressed as
80% lagging.

7
True Power and Reactive Power

 The power which is actually consumed in the circuit is called the true power or active 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 circuit in the next quarter cycle. This circulating power is called
reactive power and does no useful work in the circuit.
 True power = Voltage x Current in phase with voltage
 Reactive power = Voltage x Current 900 out of phase with voltage

Consider an inductive circuit in which current I lags behind voltage V by ∅0 . The current can be resolved into two
rectangular components:

(i) 𝐼 cos ∅, in phase with V and

(ii) 𝐼 sin ∅, 900 out of phase with V

True power, 𝑃 = 𝑉 × 𝐼 cos ∅ W or kW

Reactive power, 𝑄 = 𝑉 × 𝐼 sin ∅ VAR or kVAR

Apparent power, 𝑆 = 𝑉 × 𝐼 VA or kVA

Power Triangle

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:

𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑉𝐼 cos ∅

(i) Power factor = =
𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑉𝐼

(ii) (𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟)2 = (𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟)2 + (𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟)2

𝑜𝑟 𝑆 2= 𝑃2 + 𝑄 2
(iii) True power, P = Apparent power x cos Ø
= VI cos Ø

Reactive power, Q = Apparent power x sin Ø

= VI sin Ø

Significance of Power Factor

The power factor of a circuit is a measure of its effectiveness in utilizing the apparent power drawn by it. The
greater the power factor of a circuit, the greater is its ability to utilize the apparent power. For this reason we
wish that the power factor of the circuit to be as near to 1 as possible.

Eg:

A coil is connected in series with a non-inductive resistance of 30Ω across 240V, 50Hz supply. The reading of the
voltmeter across the coil is 180V, and across the resistance is 130V. Calculate,

8
 (i) Power absorbed by the coil
(ii) Inductance of the coil
(iii) Resistance of the coil
(iv) Power factor of the whole circuit

Circuit current, I = current through 30Ω resistor

130
= 30
𝐴 = 4.33 𝐴

(i) Referring to phasor diagram and applying cosine formula to ∆𝑂𝐴𝐶,

OC2 =OA2 + AC2 – 2.OA.AC. cos (180 – 𝜃)

2402 = 1302 + 1802 + 2 (130) (180) cos𝜃
Cos𝜃 = 0.177 lag

i.e. power factor of the coil = Cos𝜃 = 0.177 lag

∴ Power absorbed by coil = 𝑉𝑐 × 𝐼 × cos 𝜃

= (180)(4.33) (0.177)
= 137.95 W

(ii) 𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝐶 sin 𝜃
= 𝑉𝑐 √1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = (180) (√1 − (0.177)2 ) 𝑉 = 177.16 𝑉

𝑉𝐿 = 𝐼𝑋𝐿

And 𝑋𝐿 = 𝐿𝜔 = 𝐿 (2𝜋𝑓)

∴ 𝑉𝐿 = 𝐼 (2𝜋𝑓𝐿)
𝑉𝐿 177.16
𝐿= = 𝐻 = 0.13 𝐻
2𝜋𝑓𝐼 2𝜋(50)(4.33)

(iii) 𝑉𝑅′ = 𝑉𝐶 cos 𝜃 = (180)(0.177)𝑉 = 31.86 𝑉

𝑉𝑅′ = 𝐼𝑅 ′
𝑉𝑅′ 31.86
𝑅′ = = Ω = 7.36 Ω
𝐼 4.33

(iv) Circuit power factor = cos Ø

𝑂𝐵 𝑂𝐴 + 𝐴𝐵 𝑉𝑅 + 𝑉𝑅′
cos ∅ = = =
𝑂𝐶 𝑂𝐶 𝑉𝑠
130+31.86
= 240
= 0.674 𝑙𝑎𝑔

9
 2. R-C Series Circuit :

Consider a circuit, a resistor, R (Ω) connected in series with a capacitor, C (F).

Let, V = r.m.s. value of applied voltage

I = r.m.s. value of the circuit current
𝑽𝑹 = 𝑰𝑹 where VR is in phase with I
𝑽𝑪 = 𝑰𝑿𝑪 where VC lags I by 900

Phasor diagram: -

𝑉 = √𝑉𝑅2 + 𝑉𝑐2 = √(𝐼𝑅)2 + (𝐼𝑋𝑐 )2 = 𝐼 √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝑐 2

𝑉
𝐼=
√𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝑐 2

The quantity √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝑐 2 offers opposition to current flow and is called impedance of the circuit.
𝑉
∴𝐼= 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑍 = √𝑅 2 + 𝑋𝑐 2
𝑍

Impedance Traingle

(i) PHASE ANGLE

It is clear from the phasor diagram that the circuit current , I leads the applied voltage, V by Ø 0. The
value of phase angle, Ø can be determined as follows:

𝑉𝐶 𝐼𝑋𝐶 𝑋𝐶
tan ∅ = = =
𝑉𝑅 𝐼𝑅 𝑅
10
 (ii) POWER

The equations for voltage and current are,

𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡
𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ∅)
Average power, P = average of VI
P = VI cos Ø
Eg:

A 10Ω resistor and 400µF capacitor are connected in series to a 60V

sinusoidal supply. The circuit current is 5A. Calculate the supply
frequency and phase angle between the current and voltage.

3. R-L-C Series Circuit :

Consider a general series a.c. circuit, R, L and C connected in series across a supply voltage V (r.m.s.). The resulting
circuit current is I (r.m.s.).

Phasor Diagram:-

𝑽 = √𝑽𝟐𝑹 + (𝑽𝑳 − 𝑽𝑪 )𝟐 = √(𝑰𝑹)𝟐 + (𝑰𝑿𝑳 − 𝑰𝑿𝒄 )𝟐

= 𝑰 √𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐

𝑽
∴𝑰=
√𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐

The quantity √𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐 offers opposition to current flow and is called impedance of the circuit.

𝑹 𝑹
Circuit power factor, 𝒄𝒐𝒔∅ = =
𝒁 √𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐
𝑽𝑳 − 𝑽𝑪 𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪
tan Ø = =
𝑽𝑹 𝑹

Since XL, XC and R are known, phase angle Ø of the circuit can be determined.

 Impedance of a R-L-C series circuit is given by:

Z = √𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐

11
 (i) When 𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 is positive ( i.e. 𝑿𝑳 > 𝑿𝑪 )

Phase angle, Ø 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 Ø.

(ii) When 𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 is negative ( i.e. 𝑿𝑪 > 𝑿𝑳 )

Phase angle, Ø is negative and the circuit will be capacitive. That is to say, the circuit current I leads
the applied voltage, V by Ø.

(iii) When 𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 is zero ( i.e. 𝑿𝑪 = 𝑿𝑳 )

The circuit is purely resistive. In other words, circuit current I and applied voltage V will be inphase.
The circuit will then have unity power factor.

Impedance Triangle

𝑿𝑳 > 𝑿𝑪 𝑿𝑪 > 𝑿𝑳

Eg:

A 230V, 50Hz a.c. supply is applied to a coil of 0.06 H inductance and 2.5Ω 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
(v) Power consumed

Phasor Diagram:-

𝑿𝑪 > 𝑿𝑳

𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿 = 2𝜋(50)(0.06)Ω

= 18.85 Ω
1 1
𝑋𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐶= 2𝜋(50)(6.8) = 468 Ω

12
 (i) Circuit impedance,
Z = √𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐
= √(2.5)2 + (18.85 − 468)2 = 449.2 Ω

(ii) Circuit current,

𝑉𝑆 230
𝐼= = = 0.512 𝐴
𝑍 449.2

𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 𝟏𝟖.𝟖𝟓−𝟒𝟔𝟖
(iii) tan Ø = = = - 179.66
𝑹 𝟐.𝟓

∅ = −89.70 = 89.7 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑

(iv) Power factor,

𝑅 2.5
cos ∅ = = = 0.00557 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑
𝑍 449.2

(v) Power consumed,

𝑃 = 𝑉𝑆 𝐼𝑐𝑜𝑠 ∅ = (230)(0.512)(0.00557) = 0.656 W

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.

Series Resonance:
A series circuit (i.e. R-L-C circuit) is said to be in resonance when the circuit power factor is unity. The frequency fr
at which it occurs is called resonant frequency.

i.e. at series resonance, XL=XC

𝟏
or 𝟐𝝅𝒇𝒓 𝑳 =
𝟐𝝅𝒇𝒓 𝑪

𝟏
∴ 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚, 𝒇𝒓 =
𝟐𝝅√𝑳𝑪
 Increasing either the inductance or capacitance causes the resonant frequency to decrease.
 For a given value of inductance and capacitance, there is only one resonant frequency
 There are infinite numbers of inductor and capacitor combinations for any specified resonant
frequency.

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Effects of Series Resonance

(I) The impedance of the circuit is minimum and is equal to the resistance of the circuit.
i.e. Z = √𝑹𝟐 + (𝑿𝑳 − 𝑿𝑪 )𝟐

at resonance, XL=XC

∴ 𝑍𝑟 = 𝑅

(II) The current in the circuit is maximum as it is limited by the resistance of the circuit alone.
𝑉 𝑉
i.e. 𝐼𝑟 = =
𝑍𝑟 𝑅

As the current is at its maximum value, the power of the circuit will also be at its maximum value.

Q-factor of Series Resonant Circuit

Q-factor is the voltage magnification at resonance.

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝐿 𝑜𝑟 𝐶 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝑟 𝑋𝐿 𝑋𝐿
i.e. 𝑄 − 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = = = =
𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑉 𝐼𝑟 𝑅 𝑅

𝜔𝑟 𝐿
∴ 𝑄 − 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝜔𝑟 = 2𝜋𝑓𝑟
𝑅

But,
𝟏
𝒇𝒓 =
𝟐𝝅√𝑳𝑪
𝟏
∴ 𝜔𝑟 =
√𝑳𝑪

1 𝐿
∴ 𝑄 − 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = √
𝑅 𝐶

Bandwidth of a series circuit

The band width of a series circuit is defined as the range of frequencies

over which circuit current is equal to or greater than 70.7% of maximum
current. (i.e. current at resonance)

Referring to the resonance curve, it is clear that for any frequency lying
between f1 and f2, the circuit current is equal to or greater than 70.7% of
maximum current.

∴ 𝐵𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ, 𝐵𝑊 = 𝑓1 − 𝑓2

f1 and f2 are the limiting frequencies and f1 is called lower cut-off frequency, f2 is called upper cut-off frequency

14
Eg:

A coil of resistance 100Ω and inductance 100µH is connected in series with a 100pF capacitor. The circuit is
connected to a 10V variable frequency source. Calculate,

(i) Resonant frequency

(ii) Current at resonance
(iii) Voltage across L and C at resonance
(iv) Q-factor of the circuit

(i) Resonant frequency,

𝟏
𝒇𝒓 =
𝟐𝝅√𝑳𝑪
1
= = 1.59 × 106 𝐻𝑧
2𝜋√(100 ×10−6 )(100 ×10−12 )

(ii) Current at resonance,

𝑉 10
𝐼𝑟 = = = 0.1 𝐴
𝑅 100

(iii) At resonance
XL=XC and 𝑽𝑳 = 𝑽𝑪
𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝑟 𝐿 = 2𝜋 (1.59 × 106 )(100 × 10−6 )Ω = 1000 Ω
𝑽𝑳 = 𝑰𝒓 𝑿𝑳 = (𝟎. 𝟏)(𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎)𝑽 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑽

(iv)

1 𝐿 1 100 × 10−6
𝑄 − 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = √ = √ = 10
𝑅 𝐶 100 100 × 10−12

15