1.

Introduction:

To analyze the AC circuit it is required to use the complex number, where it contains a real part
and imaginary part and both are real numbers. The imaginary part, however, is multiplied by

(1) , which was presented in two forms in the AC circuits shown below:

 Rectangular form:
The formula for the complex number is:

A = x + jy

Where the x is the real part and y is the imaginary part with the multiplication of j =

(1) .

 Polar form:

The point in the polar form is defined by a magnitude and an angle, where it can be
obtained by the conversion of rectangular form:

Magnitude, r = (a 2 + b 2 )

b
Angle,  = tan-1 ( )
a

A=r∠θ

The current and the voltage can be related to the formula shown below:

V= IZ

Where the Z represents the impedance of the circuits, which is the complex numbers
that combines with the resistance R, inductance I and capacitance C. However, they (the
resistance) are all independent of frequency.

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 R( f ) = R

The inductive reactance, XL , can be obtained from the formula below:

X L 900  jX L  jL

The impedance of the capacitor can be obtained from the formula below:

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X c 900   jX c   j
ωC

The phasor diagram (shown below) is used to demonstrate the phase difference in a
circuit which consists of passive components. The zero phases is taken which is positive
to the x-axis and were associated with the resistor as the voltage and current are related
to the resistor, which are in phase.

The Ohm’s law has stated that that the current through a conductor between two points
is directly proportional to the potential difference or voltage across the two points, and
inversely proportional to the resistance between them. It can be described based on the
formula below:

V=IR

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 Where the V represents potential difference or voltage, I represents current and R
represents resistance.

2. Aim:

To analyze complex AC network and factors affecting its operations by using complex number
and phase diagrams:

 Ohms law
 Series and parallel circuits
 Phasor diagrams

3. Apparatus:

Digital Function Generator: GFG-8020G

Digital Storage Oscilloscope: TDS2014
Third Voltage Probe for DSO
Resistors: 1 x 1000Ω, 1 x 820Ω,1 x 100Ω
Capacitor: 2 x 0.047nF, 1 x 0.1μF
Inductor: 1 x 10mH
Bread Board

4. Summary of Results:

All of the theoretical values calculated were different than the measured values with the
uncertainties greater than 5% due to the inconsistencies and the prolonged or repeated
experiments involved that increases the internal resistance.

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 5. Procedures:

The circuit shown in the figure below was connected to the function generator, which was
tuned to peak to peak at 14.14V, sinusoidal waveform. The other components such as resistors
and capacitors, were rated as 1000Ω as R1, 820Ω as R2, 0.047nF as C1 and C2 respectively.

Figure 1

The peak to peak value (voltage) across the parallel components of C2 and R2 were measured,

they were connected to the earth terminal. The phase relationship between the input signal
and the parallel voltage was measured by using the cursor function set to time, and the angle
were measured in degrees to ensure that the oscilloscope earth is in tune to the signal
generator earth.

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 Figure 2

The voltage dropped and the phase angles across resistor R1 was measured, where they were
reconnected as shown in figure 2. This is still the same circuit as Figure 1 but it allows the
voltage across resistor R1 to be measured as it is now connected to ground.

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 Figure 3

The voltage drops and phase angles across capacitor C1 were measured by reconnecting the
circuit as shown in Figure 3. Using the voltage measured across R1 and Ohms Law, the total
current through the circuit in Polar complex number form in relationship to the input voltage E1
was determined. The magnitude and phase of the current through each component were
calculated from the measured volt drops and then compared with the values calculated in the
pre-laboratory. The impedance of the circuit in both Polar and Rectangular complex forms were
determined from the calculated current result.

All measured peak to peak voltage and current magnitudes and phases were tabulated in the
table and the measured phasor diagram was drawn to the same scale on the bottom half of the
A4 graph paper used in the preliminary with the theoretical phasor diagram at the top so that a
visual comparison of results can be made and submitted with the report.

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The circuit shown in figure 4 was connected with the Function Generator set to 11.31 V peak to
peak at 4.5 kHz, sinusoidal waveform. The other components such as the resistors and
capacitors were R = 100 , C = 0.12 nF and L = 10 mH respectively.

Figure 4

By using the oscilloscope, the peak to peak value (voltage) across the capacitor that was
connected to the earth terminal was measured. The phase relationship between the input
signal and the capacitor voltage was measured by using the cursor function set to time and
then the angle was calculated in degrees. It is ensured that the oscilloscope earth is commoned
to the signal generator earth.

The voltage drops and phase angles across the other components in the circuit were measured.
The circuit needed to reconnect to enable the voltage drops and phase relationships to be
measured across the other components. This is because it is necessary to measure with that
component connected to ground (earth). The DC resistance of the inductor was measured with
the Ohm meter and recorded.

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 6. Measurements and results:

Series Parallel RC Network

Quantity Measured Values Theoretical Values

Volts Δt Phase Angle
VR1 5.07 V 28μs 25.8° ∠
VC1 4.76 V 60μs 55.4° ∠
VR2 138 mV 28μs 25.8° ∠
VC2 187 mV 60μs 55.4° ∠
Current Angle
IT ∠
IR1 ∠
IC1 ∠
IR2 ∠
IC2 ∠

Series RLC Circuit

Quantity Measured Values Theoretical Values

Volts Δt Phase Angle
VR 200 mV 28μs 45.7° ∠
VC 572 mV 78μs 55.4° ∠
VL 815 mV 34μs 127.2° ∠
Current Angle
IT ∠
IR ∠
IC ∠
IL ∠

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7. Data and calculations:

Series Parallel RC Network

∠ Ω

∠ Ω

∠ A
∠

9
∠

∠ V

∠ V

∠ A

∠ A

∠ A

∠ A

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Series RCL Circuit Close to Resonance

∠ Ω

∠ A
11
 ∠

∠ V

∠ V

∠ V

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 8. Discussion:

Two experiments are conducted in the laboratory to know more about the concept if the AC
circuits, voltage value, current value and impedance value present within the circuits and the
relationship between the impedance value and the circuits. Some principles and laws are
applied on this experiment to calculate the values of the AC measurement.

Probes were used to connect the Function Generator on channel 1 and channel 2 of the Digital
Oscilloscope. The frequency and the peak to peak voltage were set to values required for the
experiments. Autoset button is pressed to stabilize the input waveform displayed. The current
flow is ensured to flow in a smooth way and the Digital Oscilloscope is functioned well

Based on the results obtained in the experiment, there is some different between them when
compared to the theoretical values, due to the errors occur when conducting the experiments
such as:

1. Internal resistance
2. Resistance, inductance and capacitance values used in the experiment not same with
the values we needed in experiment conducted.
3. Human error-failed to get the actual values needed in the experiment when adjusting
the peak to peak voltage and the frequency of the function generator.

Kirchoff’s law is used in the AC circuit’s analysis experiment, where:

The sum of voltage within a circuit must be equal to zero.

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Applying KVL within the loop:

E1 – VR1 – VC1 – VR2 (same value as VC2)

= 5 VRMS – (3.69 x 10-3 ∠ 89.92o V) – (5.0 ∠ - 0.077 o V) – (3.03 x 10-3 ∠ 89.92o V)

= 4.89 x 10-6 ∠ -174.39 o V

= -4.86 x 10-6 – j4.78x10-7 V

≈0V

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Applying KVL within the loop:

E – VR – VL – VC

= 4.5 VRMS – (3.66∠-35.6 o V) – (11.95∠54.4 o V) – (9.33∠-125.6 o V)

= 1.14 x 10-3 ∠167.5 o V

= - 1.1 x 10-3 + j2.46 x 10-4 V

≈0V

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 IS IC2

IR2

Applying KCL:

Is = IR2 + IC2

0 = IR2 + IC2 - Is

= (3.69× 10-6 ∠ 89.89o A) + (2.23×10-9 ∠ 179.89o A) - (3.69×10-6∠ 89.92o A)

= 2.98× 10-10 ∠ 179.8o A

= -2.9 x 10-10 + j1.08 x 10-12 A

≈0A

From the application of KCL within the AC circuit, the total current values calculated was 0 A,
where the input current was equal to the output current, thus verifying the usage of KCL in the
AC circuit for the experiments.

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When a component was not connected to the ground during experiments, due to the voltage
across the component that were shared by other in-line components, thus causing the voltage
measured across that component was not the actual voltage drop across it, as a result the final
measurements differed from the theoretical results.

The voltage magnitude and phase can be obtained by the oscilloscope without shifting the
ground by observing and taking measurements from the sinusoidal waves in the oscilloscope.
Without shifting the ground point next to the component where the voltage measurement
were to be taken, two channels can actually to be connected between the components and
then find the peak to peak voltage difference from the sine waves appeared in the oscilloscope.
The voltage difference will be the voltage value across the component.

9. Conclusion:

From this experiment of AC circuits, some of the principles of laws such as the Ohm’s Law,
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law, and Kirchhoff’s Current Law to the AC circuits can be applied to the
circuits. The principles and laws used in AC circuits are almost similar to the DC circuits. From
this experiment, the relationship between the voltages, current as impedance were also
studied and analyzed. There is some minor errors when conducting the experiments. These had
made the results obtain is slightly different to the theoretical results partly due to the internal
resistance involved as the heat increased as a result of repeated experiments. However, the
analysis of AC circuits requires the knowledge of conversion between rectangular form and
phasor form as there are certain limitations present within these forms during mathematical
operations.

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 10. Appendix:

Please refer to the attached pages behind.

11. References:

Apache HTTP Server Documentation Project. n.d. Phasor Digrams.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/electric/phase.html (accessed October 20,

2008).

Kaye, N. D. 2006. Electrical Systems 100 Laboratory: Expt No. 4 AC Circuits. Lab3

-2006v4.doc. Electrical Systems 100: Curtin.

Naing, W.O. Electrical Systems 100 Lecture 6. Lecture Slides: 3-17.

Alexander, C. and Sadiku, M. 2004. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. McGraw-Hill

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