Network Transients 3 - GATE Study

Material in PDF
In the previous GATE notes we were introduced to the topic of Network Transients in
DC Circuits. We learnt about source free RL Circuits. In these free GATE Study Notes,
entitled Network Transients 3, we delve further into the subject of Network Theory and
Transient Analysis by looking at Network Transients in Source Free RC Circuits and in
Networks with Sources.
This GATE Study Material is designed to help you ace your GATE EC, GATE EE, IES, BARC,
DRDO, BSNL and other exams. You can get Network Transients 3 downloaded in PDF so
that your GATE preparation is made easy.
Before you start reading Network Transients 3 though, you best get more basic
concepts clear using the articles mentioned below.

Recommended Reading
Basic Network Theory Concepts
Source Transformation & Reciprocity Theorem
Kirchhoffs Laws KCL & KVL
Nodal & Mesh Analysis
Voltage Division, Current Division, Star-Delta Conversion
Thevenins, Norton's & Tellegens Theorems
Maximum Power Transfer & Superposition Theorem for EC
Superposition & Maximum Power Transfer Theorem for EE
Network Transients - 1
Network Transients - 2

1|Page

Source Free RC Circuit

(For t > 0)

(at t = 0+)
iR + iC = 0
VC
R

+ C.

dVC
dt

dVC
dt

=0

+ RC VC = 0
1

Vc (t) = k. eRCt for 0 t

At t = 0+ VC (t) = k. e0 = V0
k = V0
t

VC (t) = V0 e V for 0 t
At t = VC (t) =

V0
e

= 0.368V0

At t = 5 VC (t) = V0 e5 = 0.0067V0 0
2|Page

EC (t) = 2 . C. VC2 (t)

1

= 2 . C. (V0 e ) = EC0 . e
Where E =

v
2

RC
2

2t
v

= Ec0 . et/E

sec

Note:
So the energy decay is times faster than the voltage decay.
L
R

= RC C = R unit is ohm

CR2 = L unit is Henry

L
R2

= C unit is farad

Example 1:
Find the time constant of the circuit given below.

Solution:
Time constant, = Req. Ceq.

3|Page

Req = 10+5 = 15

2020

Ceq = 20+20 = 10F

Time constant = 150 sec

Example 2:
For the given circuit the switch is closed for a long time and it is opened at t = 0. Then
find the values VC and iR for t 0

Solution:
At t = 0 : switch is closed and network is in steady state. Then circuit becomes

VC (0 ) = [
4|Page

6mA4
4+2

] 2k = 8V

VC(0+) = 8V
Now at t = 0+: switch is opened and network is in steady state. Then circuit becomes

= R eq C.eq = (5) 103 2 106 = 102 sec

t

VC (t) = V0 e
= 8e100t V for 0 t
Apply KVL we get, 8 + iR (2k) + iR (3k) = 0
8

iR = 5K = 1.6mA

The next example explains about source free RLC Circuit.

Example 3:
For the circuit shown, determine iL and VC for t 0

5|Page

Solution:
At t = 0 : The circuit is in steady state condition and circuit becomes

20

iL (0 ) = iL (0+ ) = 1k = 20mA
VC (0 ) = VC (0+ ) = 20V
Now, at t = 0+: the circuit is in transient condition so inductor acts like an open circuit
and capacitor acts like a short circuit. Then the circuit becomes

Leq

LR = R

eq

0.1

= 1000 = 104 sec

RC = R eq . Ceq = 200 109 104 = 2 103 sec

iL (t) = iL (0+ ). et/LR
4

= 20mA. e10 t = 20e10000t mA

VC (t) = VC (0+ )et/RC
6|Page

= 20e

t
2103

= 20e500t V

Note:
The energy present in the source free networks at steady state is zero.

Networks with Sources

So far we have discussed about source free circuits now it is time to discuss networks
with sources.

Case i:
When a network consists of several sources, multiple resistors and inductors
(separable) or a single inductor then
iL(t) = iL() + [iL(0) iL()] e(-t/) A for 0 t
VL (t) = L.

diL (t)
dt

Leq

where = R

eq

Note:
For source free networks iL() = 0
t

iL (t) = iL (0). e for 0 t

Example:
For the circuit shown, the switch is closed for a long time and it is opened at t = 0.
Determine iL(t) for t 0 and energy stored by the inductor long time after the switch is
opened.

Solution:
At t = 0, switch is closed and network is in steady state then,
7|Page

iL(0) = iL(0+) = OA, Isw = 10A

Now, at t = , again network is in steady state. Now the circuit becomes

iL() = 10A
Leq

=R

eq

= 10 = 0.5sec.

iL (t) = iL () + [iL (0) iL ()]et/

iL (t) = 10 + (0 10)e2t = 10(1 e2t )
Energy stored by the inductor after long time means energy stored by the inductor in
steady state.
Practically t = 5 = 5(0.5) = 0.25sec (for steady state)
1

Energy, E = 2 L iL (t)2 = 2 5 [10(1 e2(0.25) )]

= 2 100[1 e0.5 ]2 = 38.7 joules

Case ii:
When a network consists of several sources, multiple resistors, and capacitors
(separable) (or) a single capacitor, then
VC (t) = VC () + (VC (0) VC ()et/ V for 0 t
iC (t) = C.

dvC (t)
dt

Where, = Req . Ceq

8|Page

Note: for source free networks VC() = 0V

t

VC (t) = VC (0)e V for 0 t

Example:
Determine the value of Vc and iC for t 0

Solution:
At t = 0, circuit is in steady state, then

12

VC (0 ) = VC (0+ ) = 2+2 = 2 = 0.5V

At t = : Again circuit is in steady state, then

VC () =
= Req. Ceq

9|Page

2(2)
2+2

= 4 = 1V

Req = 1 + 2||2 = 1 + 1 = 2
= 2 1 = 2 sec
t

VC (t) = VC () + [VC (0) VC ()]e

= 1 + [0.5 1]et/2 = 1 0.5e0.5t V for 0 t
iC (t) = C.

dvC (t)
dt

= 1. dt [1 0.5e0.5t ] = (0.5)(0.5)e0.5t
iC (t) = 0.25e0.2t for 0 t
In the next article we will discuss about Laplace transform approach for network
transients and AC transient analysis.

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