Electric Circuits Lab

Instructor: Ziyad Kas

Lab
Analyzing Series and Parallel Inductive Circuits

Student Name(s):

Honor Pledge:
I pledge to support the Honor System of ECPI. I will refrain from any form of academic
dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the
academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor code. I
understand that any failure on my part to support the Honor System will be turned over to a
Judicial Review Board for determination. I will report to the Judicial Review Board hearing if
summoned.

Date: 8/18/2024
Table of Contents
Analyzing Series and Parallel Inductive Circuits............................................................................1
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................................................3
Procedures..................................................................................................................................................4
Data Presentation & Analysis....................................................................................................................11
Calculations...........................................................................................................................................12
Required Screenshots............................................................................................................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................14
References.................................................................................................................................................15

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Abstract
During the lab session our main goals were to measure resistance and inductance work with an
oscilloscope and function generator find the LR time constant determine the impedance of an RL circuit
and analyze the phase angle of an RL circuit using the oscilloscope. We started by calibrating the
oscilloscope and function generator, for signal generation and measurement. We then measured the
resistance and inductance of components using methods. The LR time constant was calculated by
studying the voltage decay across the inductor. To find impedance we measured voltage and current in
the RL circuit while determining phase angle involved comparing phase shifts, between voltage and
current waveforms. Our findings aligned well with predictions validating our approachs accuracy. This
hands on lab experience enhanced our understanding of electrical measurement techniques. Reinforced
our knowledge of RL circuit behavior.

Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to deepen the understanding of RL circuits, focusing on key
characteristics like resistance, inductance, impedance, and phase angle. RL circuits are fundamental in
electrical engineering, as they help explain how inductors and resistors interact in AC circuits,
influencing current and voltage behavior.

An RL circuit's time constant (τ\tauτ) is a measure of how quickly the current reaches its final value after
a change in voltage. It is defined by the formula:

where L is the inductance in henries (H) and RRR is the resistance in ohms (Ω). The time constant
represents the time it takes for the current to reach approximately 63% of its final value.

Inductors combine in circuits in a similar way to resistors. When inductors are connected in series, the
total inductance (LtotalL_{\text{total}}Ltotal) is the sum of the individual inductances:

Inductive reactance (XLX_LXL) is the opposition that an inductor offers to the change in current, and it
varies with frequency (f). The formula for inductive reactance is:

where f is the frequency in hertz (Hz). The phase angle (θ) in an RL circuit is the angle by which the
current lags behind the voltage and is given by:

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 This phase angle is crucial for understanding the relationship between voltage and current in AC
circuits.
The main goals of this lab included measuring the resistance and inductance of components
effectively utilizing an oscilloscope and function generator calculating the LR time constant evaluating
the impedance of an RL circuit and determining phase angles using an oscilloscope. This hands on
experiment offered experience, in analyzing and comprehending RL circuits, which play a role, in
various electrical applications.

Procedures

Part I: Combining Series Inductors

1. Place two inductors in series as shown below.

Figure 1: Series Inductors

2. Calculate the total inductance value and record the results in Table 1 (Calculated) below.

LT =L1+ L2

3. Measure the total inductance value. (If you have the proper measuring device to do so).
Use the following procedure to measure the inductance in Multisim if you do not have the
proper measuring device.
a. Connect the Impedance Meter (Simulate >>Instruments>>LabView
Instruments>>Impedance Meter) as shown in Figure 2.
b. Measure the inductive reactance, XL, as shown in Figure 2 75.3982Ω.
XL
c. Calculate the inductance using the equation. L= and record the value in
2 πf
Table 1 (Measured).

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 Figure 2. Impedance Meter in Multisim Example

Part II: Combining Parallel Inductors

4. Place two inductors in parallel as shown in Figure 3 below. (Note: The 0.001 Ω
resistor is ONLY required for simulation in Multisim. Without the resistor, the
mathematical model will not converge.)

Figure 3: Parallel Inductors

5. Calculate the total inductance value and record the results in Table 4 (Calculated).
1
LT =
1 1
+
L1 L2

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 6. Measure the total parallel inductance value. (If you have the proper device to do so).
Use the following procedure to measure the inductance in Multisim if you do not have
the proper measuring device.
a. Connect the Impedance Meter (Simulate >>Instruments>>LabView
Instruments>>Impedance Meter).

b. Measure the inductive reactance, XL 18.8496 Ω.

XL
c. Calculate the inductance using the equation L= and record the value in
2 πf
Table 2 (Measured).

Part III: Measuring the LR time constant.

7. Construct the circuit shown in Figure 4 in Multisim.

Figure 4. RL Circuit

8. Connect Channel A of the oscilloscope across the resistor and Channel B across the
inductor.
9. Set the voltage source to 5VPP; 300 Hz, Square wave, 50% duty cycle. You should be
able to see the waveform as shown below. (Use Volts/Div and Time/DIV settings to
adjust the signal.)

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 Figure 5. Voltage across the inductor and resistor

10. Calculate the time constant of an LR circuit. Record the result in Table 3 under the
calculated value.
 = L/R

11. Measuring the time constant with VL: (shown in Figure 6)

a. Set Channel A to “0” to turn off Channel A signal.
b. Measure the peak value of the voltage across the resistor, by placing one of the
cursors at the peak point 4.989V.
c. Calculate the 37% of the above value 1.888V.
d. Place the second cursor at the voltage calculated above in step (c).
e. Observe the change in time (T2-T1) value on the scope, which is the value of one
time constant.
f. Record the T2-T1 value in Table 3 above under measured value using VL.

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 Figure 6: Measuring RL time constant using VL example (L = 150 mH)
Note: your scope screen will be different

Part IV: Phase Angle Measurement

12. Build the circuit in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Series LR Circuit

13. Set the voltage source amplitude to 1.5 VP and frequency to 25 kHz, sine wave
14. Connect Channel A of the oscilloscope across the resistor.
15. Calculate the phase angle between VR and VS using the formula. Record this value in
Table 4 under Phase Angle calculated value.

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 Phase angle, θ=tan
−1
( )
XL
R

16. Connect Channel B of the oscilloscope across the voltage source and run the
simulation. Channel A should still be connected across the resistor.
17. The waveforms should look like the ones shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8: VS and VR waveforms

18. Obtain a stable display showing a couple of cycles for Channel B (which is showing V S)
and disable Channel A by setting it to 0.
19. Measure the time period (T) of the source voltage. Record the result in Table 4. (Use
the cursors to measure the period on the scope it will show as T2-T1). Remember that
the period is the time taken to complete one cycle). See Figure 5.

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 Figure 9: Measuring time period (T)

20. Now set the oscilloscope to view both the channels.

21. Adjust the amplitude of the signals using Channel A and Channel B V/Div scale until
both channels appear to have the same amplitude as seen on the scope face. (as
close as possible)
22. Spread the signals horizontally using the Timebase (Sec/Div) control until both signals
are just visible across the screen as shown.
23. Measure the time duration between the two signals (∆t) and record the result in Table 4.
(Use cursors as shown in Figure 10)

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 Figure 10: Measuring the time difference

24. Calculate the phase angle using the formula and record the result in Table 4.

Phase angle, θ = (∆t/T) * 360°

Data Presentation & Analysis

Table 1: Series Inductors

Calculated Value (mH) Measured Value (mH)

Inductance 200 mH 199.99 mH

Table 2: Parallel Inductors

Calculated value (mH) Measured value (mH)

Inductance 50 mH 50 mH

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 Table 3: Calculated and measured time constant values

Calculated value Measured value using VL

(µs) (µs)
Time
19.608 µs 19.886 µs
constant ()

Table 4: Phase angle measurements

Type of Angle Measured Time difference Measured Calculated

Period (T) (∆t) Angle Angle

Phase angle θ 40.152 µs 6.723 µs 15.708° 60.28°

Calculations

Part 1 step 2: LT = 100 mH + 100 mH = 200 mH

Part 1 step 3: LT = 75.3982/2*𝜋*60 = 199.99 mH

Part 2 step 5: LT =
1
LT = =50 mH
1 1
+
100 mH 100 mH
Part 2 step 6: LT = 18.8496/2*𝜋*60 = 50 mH
Part 3 step 10:  = 100/5.1=19.608 µs

Part 4 step 15: θ = θ=tan

−1
( 15.708
10000 )
? = 0.0015708

Part 4 step 24: θ = (6.723/4.0152)*360 = 60.28°

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Required Screenshots

Figure 11: Screenshot of Impedance Meter Part 1 Step 3

Figure 12: Screenshot of Impedance Meter Part 2 Step 6

Figure 13: Screenshot of Waveforms Part 3 Step 11

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 Figure 14: Screenshot of Period Measurement Part 4 Step 19

Figure 15: Screenshot of Phase Difference Part 4 Step 23

Conclusion
The experiment effectively showcased the features of RL circuits, such, as resistance, inductance,
impedance and phase angle. By comparing the data with the calculations I was able to validate the
fundamental principles of RL circuits.

In instances the observed results closely aligned with the calculated values affirming the accuracy of our
methods. Any discrepancies likely stemmed from measurement tolerances or minor calibration errors in
the equipment. For example slight variations in inductance or resistance readings could have
contributed to deviations between expected and actual outcomes.

When connecting inductors in series the total inductance increased as anticipated. This is because the
magnetic fields from each inductor combine to enhance the effect. Consequently there was also a rise in
reactance.

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Conversely when placing inductors parallelly the total inductance decreased. This reduction led to a
decrease in reactance as well since it lowered the total opposition to changes in current.

In a series RL circuit voltage leads current. This observation was supported by measuring phase angles
where current lagged behind voltage. This behavior is typical of circuits with induction since an inducers
resistance to changes causes a delay, between voltage and current.

Throughout the experiment we faced some obstacles like dealing with troubles in getting readings
because of the signal amplitudes constantly changing. We managed to tackle these challenges by
making adjustments, to the oscilloscope settings and ensuring that all circuit components were properly
connected.

In general this lab experience gave us a grasp of how RL circuits work and strengthened principles in
electrical engineering. The hands on practice of measuring and studying circuit parameters was
extremely beneficial in connecting concepts, with real world applications.

References
Floyd, T. L., & Buchla, D. M. (2019). Principles of Electric Circuits (10th Edition). Pearson
Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780134880068

Kas, Z. (3/24/2024).EET113 DC & AC Circuits Week 4 Labs. Video URL

https://ecpi.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=21209b75-5232-4f4c-a1ef-
b1cb007a8d80&start=0

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