A.

C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

BEHAVIOUR OF PURE RESISTOR IN

AN A.C CIRCUIT
Consider a pure resistor R connected across an alternating
voltage be source v as shown in Fig. 3.21 Let the alternating
voltage be v = Vm sin. t.
The alternating current z is given by
i=

= sint = Im sin . t. ... Im =

where Im is the maximum value of the alternating current. From

the voltage and current equation, it is clear that the current is in
phase with the voltage in a pure resistive circuit.

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Waveforms

Phasor diagram

Impedance

It is the resistance offered to the flow of current in

an ac circuit. In a pure resistive circuit,

Z=

Phase difference

=R

Since the voltage and current are in phase

with each other, the phase difference is zero. = 0

Power factor

It is defined as the cosine of the angle between

voltage and current phasor. Power factor = cos = cos (0) = 1

Power

Instantaneous power

p = vi

= Vm sin t. sin cot = sin2 t

=
=

2

2

(1-cos2t)

cos2t

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RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

The power consists of a constant part

2

THEORY

and a fluctuating part

cos2t The frequency of the fluctuating power is twice the

applied voltage frequency and its average value over one

complete cycle is zero.
Average power P =

= VI

Thus, power in a pure resistive circuit is equal to the product of

rms values of voltage and current.

BEHAVIOUR OF A PURE INDUCTOR

IN AN A.C CIRCUIT
Consider a pure resistor R connected across an alternating
voltage be source v as shown in Fig. Let the alternating voltage
be v = Vm sin. t.
The voltage across the inductor is given by

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

V=L
i =

THEORY

(cost) = sin

...

where is the maximum value of the alternating current. From

the voltage and current equation, it is clear that the current lags
behind the voltage by 900 in a pure inductive circuit.
Waveform

Phasor diagram

Impedance

Z=

The Quantity is called inductive reactance, is denoted by

XL and is expressed in ohms.
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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

For a dc supply,

THEORY

f = 0 XL = 0

Thus, an inductor acts as a short circuit for a dc supply.

Phase difference It is the angle between the voltage and current
phasor.
= 900
Power factor It is defined as the cosine of the angle between
the voltage and current phasor.
pf = cos = cos (900) = 0

Power

Instantaneous power,
p = vi
= Vm sin. sin

= Vm sin cos .
=

sin 2

The average power for one complete cycle, P = 0

Hence, power consumed by a pure inductive circuit is zero.

BEHAVIOUR OF A PURE CAPACITOR

IN AN AC CIRCUIT
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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Consider a pure capacitor C connected across an alternating

voltage y as shown in Fig. 3.27. Let the, alternating voltage be v =
Vm sin .
The current through capacitor is given by,

i=C
= C

dt

dt

(Vm sin t)

= C (Vm sin (t + 900)

= Im sin (t + 900) ....... (Im = C Vm)
Where Im is the maximum value of the alternating current. From
the voltage and current equation, it is clear that current leads
voltage by 900 in pure capacitive circuit.

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Waveform

Phasor diagram

Impedance
Z=
The quantity

is called capacitive reactance and is denoted by

Xc and is expressed in ohms.

For a dc supply, f = 0

Xc =

Power difference = 00
Power factor
Power

pf = cos = cos (900) = 0

Instantaneous power p = vi
= Vm sin t = Im sin ( + 900)
= (sin t cos t)

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

sin 2t

The average power for one complete cycle, P = 0.

Hence power consumed by a pure capacitive is zero

SERIES R-L CIRCUIT

Fig. below shows a pure resistor R connected in series with a
pure inductor L across an alternating voltage V.
Let V and I be the rms values of applied voltage and current
Potential difference across the resistor = VR = R. I
Potential difference across the resistor = VL = XL.I
The voltage is in phase with current whereas voltage leads
current by 900.

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Impedance
= + + 3 + jXLI
= (R + jXL) I

= R + jXL = Z

Z = Z
= tan-1

= tan-1

The quantity Z is called complex impedance of the R-L circuit.

Impedance triangle

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Current : From the phasor diagram, it is clear that the current I

lags behind voltage V by angle . If the applied voltage is given
by V = Vm sint, then the current equation will be

where

and

= tan-1

Waveforms

Power Instantaneous power

p = v.i
= Vm sin . Im sin ( )
= VmIm sin . Im sin ( )
= VmIm
=

V m Im
2

cos cos (2 )
2

cos

V m Im
2

10

cos (2 )

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

V m Im
2

cos and a

Thus, power consists of a constant part

fluctuating part

V m Im
2

cos (2 ). The frequency of the

fluctuating part is twice the applied voltage frequency and its

average value over one complete cycle is zero.
Average power P =

V m Im
2

cos

V m Im
2

cos = VI cos

Thus, power is dependent upon the in-phase component of

the current. The average power is also called active power and is
measured in watts.
We know that pure inductor and capacitor consume no
power because all the power received from the source in a half
cycle is returned to the source in the next half cycle. This
circulating power is called reactive power. It is a product of the
voltage and reactive component of the current, i.e., /sin 0and is
measured in VAR (volt-ampere-reactive).
Reactive power Q = VI sin
The product of voltage and current is known as apparent
power (S) and is measured in volt-ampere (VA).

S=

11

2 + 2

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

Power triangle

In terms of circuit components,

cos
and

THEORY

R
Z

V =Z.-I
P = VI cos = Z.I. I.
Q = VI sin = Z.I. I.

R
Z
XL
Z

= I2 R (W)
= I2 XL (VAR)

S = VI = Z.I.I. = I2Z (VA)

Power factor It is defined as the cosine of the angle between the
voltage and current phasor.
pf = cos
from voltage triangle =

VR
V

from impedance triangle pf =

from impedance triangle pf =

Z
S

In case of R-L series circuit power factor is lagging in nature.

SERIES R.C. CIRCUIT

Fig. shows a pure resistor R connected in series with a pure
capacitor C across an alternating voltage v.

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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Let V and I be the rms values of applied voltage and current.

Potential difference across the resistor = VR = R.I
Potential difference across the capacitor = Vc = Xc.I
The voltage is in phase with current whereas voltage lags
behind current by 900.

Phasor diagram Since the same current flows through R and C,

current I is taken as reference phasor.

Impedance:

= +
= R- jXc
= (R jkXc)

= (R jkXc)

=Z
Z=

R2 X c2 =
13

R2

1
2 C 2

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

= tan-1

XC
R

= tan-1

THEORY

1
RC

The quantity is called complex impedance of the R-C circuit.

Impedance triangle
Current From the phasor diagram, it is clear that the current I
leads voltage V by an angle . If the applied voltage is given by
v = Vm sin t then the current equation will be
i = Im sin (t +)
where
and

Im =
= tan-1

XC
R

Vm
Z

= tan-1

Waveforms

14

1
RC

A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Power:
Active power

P = VI cos = I2R

Reactive power

P = VI sin = I2Xc

Apparent power

S = VI I2Z

Power Triangle

Power factor It is defined as the cosine of the angle between

voltage and current phasor.
pf = cos
From voltage triangle

pf =

From impedance triangle

pf =

From power triangle pf =

VR
V
R
Z

P
S

In case of an R-C series circuit, the power factor is leading in

nature.

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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Series R.L.C. CIRCUIT

Figure 3.5 shows a pure resistor R, pure inductor L and pure
capacitor C onnected in series across an alternating voltage v.
Let V and I be the rms values of applied voltage and current.
Potential difference across the resistor = VR = R.I
Potential difference across the inductor = VL = XL.I
Potential difference across the capacitor = VC = XC.I
The voltage is in phase with current , voltage leads current
by 900 and voltage lags behind current by 900
Applied voltage = + +

Phasor diagram Since the same current flows through R, L and

C current I is taken as reference phasor.
Case i) XL > XC
The reactance X will be inductive in nature and circuit will
behave like and R-L circuit.

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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Case (ii) XC > XL

The reactance X will be inductive in nature and circuit will
behave like and R-L circuit.

Impedance
= + + = R +JjXLI JjXLI = [R + j (XL XC) ]

= R + j (XL XL + + = R +JjXLI JjXLI = [R + j (XL XC)

= Z
Z=

R2 + (X L X C )2

= tan-1

XL Xc

Impedance triangle
Case (i) XL > XC

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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Case (ii) XC > XL

Current equation : If the applied voltage is given by y = Vm sin t

then current equation will be
i = Im sin (t )
'' sign is used when XL > XC
'+' sign is used when XC > XL
Waveforms
Case (i) XL > XC
Case (ii) XC > XL

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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

THEORY

Power:
Average power P = VI cos = I2R
Reactive power

Q = VI sin = I2X

Apparent power

S = VI = I2Z

Power Triangle
Case (i) XL > XC

Case (ii) XC > XL

Power factor : It is defined as the cosine of the angle between

voltage and current phasor.
pf = cos
pf =

VR

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A.C CIRCUITS

RESISTOR, INDUCTOR & CAPACITOR IN A.C

20

THEORY