ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-1

Lab 7 : Transient Response of RLC Circuits

Prelab 7:

1. Read the purpose, principles and procedures sections of Lab 7.

2. For the series RLC circuit of procedure 3a, calculate α and ω ο and use these
numbers to predict the response of the circuit as underdamped, overdamped or
critically damped. Use a value of 140 Ω for the internal resistance of the inductor.
Predict the exponential time constant and, if appropriate, the damped frequency ωd.

3. For the series RLC circuit of procedure 3d, calculate the value of potentiometer
resistance required for critical damping. Use a value of 140 Ωfor the internal resistance
of the inductor.

4. For the parallel RLC circuit of procedure 4, calculate α and ωo and use these numbers
to predict the response of the circuit as underdamped, overdamped or critically
damped. Use a value of 0 Ωfor the internal resistance of the inductor. (Although the
inductor’s resistance cannot really be neglected, the formulas for α and ωo only apply
to the parallel circuit if the inductor is ideal.) Predict the exponential time constant
and, if appropriate, the damped frequency ωd.

5. Your T.A. will collect your written prelab at the start of the lab period. Keep a copy for
your use during the lab period. Remember to include the internal resistance of the
function generator.
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-2

Lab 7: Transient Response of RLC Circuits

Equipment and parts needed for this lab:

Standard lab equipment set consisting of : 1 Personal Computer

1 HP 54600A oscilloscope
1 HP 33120A Sweep/Function Generator
1 HP 34401A Digital Multimeters
1 Triple Output Power Supply
1 Digibridge
1 Breadboard
22 A.W.G. wire (uncut)

Additional parts needed:

1 – 100 Ωresistor
1 - 1 kΩpotentiometer
1 - pot adjuster
1 - 1 µF capacitor
1 - 120 mH inductor

Purpose

In this lab you will investigate the transient response of both series and parallel RLC circuits.
The oscilloscope will be used in dual trace mode to simultaneously display two waveforms.

Principles

1. The transient response of an RLC circuit is determined by the relative magnitudes of the decay
constant α and the resonance frequency ωo.

For the series-connected circuit:

1 R
ωo = α=
LC 2L

For the parallel-connected circuit:

1 1
ωo = α=
LC 2RC
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-3

The three possible responses are:

a) overdamped, when α2 > ωο 2

b) critically damped, when α2 = ωο2

c) underdamped, when α2 < ωο2

2. The voltage or current for the passive elements in the underdamped circuits can all be
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-4

described by:

X(t) = e−αt { A cos ωd t + Bsin ωd t } ωd = ωo 2 − α 2

where x represents either voltage or current, and the
coefficients A and B are determined by the particular conditions of the circuit. The response
x (t) for the underdamped case will be a damped sinusoidal waveform as shown in the last
figure:

NOTE: The exponential envelope can be described as e- t /τ where τ = 1/α is the time constant
for the decay. Also, the damped frequency ωd is just 2π times the inverse of the period T.
The time constant of the exponential decaying function will be obtained by using:

[
X( t ) = e −αt A cos ( ωd t ) + B sin ( ωd t ) ]
@ t = 0, X ( 0) = 0 = A

[
∴ X ( t ) = e −αt B sin ( ωd t ) ]
Let X ( t 1 ) = VA , X ( t 2 ) = VB

⇒ VA = e −αt1 B

V B = e −αt 2 B

Solving fo r α

ln VA = −αt 1 + ln B
- ln VB = +αt 2 - ln B
ln VA − ln VB = αt 2 − αt 1

ln VA − ln VB
⇒α =
t 2 − t1

1
Since τ = & ∆t = t 2 - t 1
α

−1
  V 
τ = ∆t ln  A  
  VB  
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-5

ωd = 2 πfd

1
fd =
Td

Td = ∆t

Procedures

1. Use the multimeter to measure the resistances of the resistors provided for this lab. Use the
Digibridge to measure the values of the capacitors and inductors provided. Compare with
the nominal values. IMPORTANT: The inductors have a significant resistance due to the
large number of wire windings on their coils. Use the multimeter to measure the
inductor’s resistance.

2. For the series RLC circuit in this procedure, set the signal generator to “High Z”, and input a
100 Hz square wave with peak-to-peak amplitude of 12 V. Display this voltage waveform
on Ch1.

a. Build the circuit shown. Measure the time constant of the indicated output. Display
resistor voltage on Ch2 and source voltage on Ch1. Save the dual traces to a floppy disk.

b. Compute the time constant τ and damped frequency ωd. Record the values in Table 7.1

c. Display capacitor voltage on Ch1 and inductor voltage on Ch2. Connect the ground
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-6

node between the two components. Sketch the dual traces. Note any phase relationship
between the two traces. (You will need to invert one of the traces for an accurate display.
Why?)

d. Replace the 100 Ωresistor with a 1 kΩpotentiometer as shown in Fig. 7.2.

Observe the voltage across the potentiometer as the pot is varied from maximum to minimum
values. You should see a transition from overdamped to underdamped (or vice versa).
Now adjust the pot value so that critical damping is achieved, and record the pot’s
resistance at that setting. Note down the value in table 7.1

3. For the parallel RLC circuit in this procedure, set the signal generator for a 100 Hz square
wave with peak-to-peak amplitude of 12 V. Display this voltage waveform on Ch1.

a. Build the circuit shown.. Measure the time constant of the indicated output. Display the
output voltage on Ch2 and source voltage on Ch1. Save the dual traces.

b. Compute the time constant τ and damped frequency ωd. Record these values in Table
7.2
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-7

Table 7.1
Procedure 2.b & d.

Parameter Measured Calculated % Error

τ, time constant
ωd
R,potentiometer

Table 7.2
Procedure 3

Parameter Measured Calculated % Error

τ, time constant
ωd
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-8

Report Requirements

1. Compare the differences between the measured and calculated value of the time constants for
the circuits you built. Comment on the differences.

• EE 1152 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

LABORATORY
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OBJECTIVE

To impart hands on experience in verification of circuit laws and

theorems, measurement of circuit parameters, study of circuit
characteristics and simulation of time response.

1. Verification of Kirchoff's voltage and current laws, Thevenin's and

Norton's Theorems.

1. Study of oscilloscope and measurement of sinusoidal voltage, frequency

and power factor.

1. Measurement of time constant of series R-C electric circuits.

2. Frequency response of RC and RL circuits.
3. Resonant frequency and frequency response of a series RLC circuit.

6. Study of the effect of Q on frequency response and bandwidth of

series and

parallel resonant circuits.

ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-9

7. Study of low pass and high pass filters.

1. Measurement of real power, reactive power, power factor and impedance

of RC, RL and RLC circuits using voltmeters and ammeters.

1. Power measurement in a three phase circuit by two Wattmeters.

2. Study of first and second order circuit transients by digital
simulation.

**

P
= 45 Total = 45

*REFERENCE BOOK*

1. Paul B.Zbar, Gordon Rockmaker and David J.Bates, 'Basic Electricity',

A text – Lab Manual, McGraw Hill, Seventh Edition - 2001.

Detailed Syllabus

*1.
**Verification of Kirchoff's voltage and current laws, Thevenin's and
Norton's*

* Theorems*

**

*Aim*

To verify Kirchchoff's voltage and current laws, Thevenin's and

Norton's Theorems.

* Exercises*

1. Verify the Kirchoff's voltage and current law in a

series circuit and in a circuit with series and parallel combination.

2(a) Determine the Thevenin equivalent voltage VTH and resistance RTHof a

DC circuit with a single voltage source.

(b) Verify experimentally the values of VTH and RTH in

solving a series –

parallel circuit.

3. Determine the values of Norton's constant – current source IN and

Norton's current – source resistance RN in a DC circuit containing one or
two voltage sources.

*2. ** Study of Oscilloscope and Measurement of

sinusoidal voltage, frequency and *

* power factor*

* Aim*

To study the dual trace oscilloscope controls and to AC voltage values, time
and frequency of A.C voltage with the oscilloscope.

*Exercises*
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-10

1. Learn the dual trace oscilloscope controls, safety precautions,

probe compensation and the procedure to measure A.C. voltage and phase angle
measurement.

2. Measure peak-to – peak A.C. voltage waveform using the oscilloscope.

3. Measure time for one cycle of an A.C signal and the corresponding
frequency using the oscilloscope.

*4. *Measure the phase angle difference between two A.C signals using
dual trace oscilloscope.**

**

*3. Measurement of time constant of series R-C electric circuits*

Aim

To determine experimentally the time taken by a capacitor to charge and

discharge through a resistance.

* Exercises*

a. Determine experimentally the time it takes a capacitor to charge

through a resistor and obtain a plot between voltage across capacitor and
time.

b. Determine experimentally the time it takes a capacitor discharge

through a resistor and obtain a plot between voltage across capacitor and
time.

c. Experimentally verify that the current and voltage in a

capacitive circuit are out of phase using dual trace oscilloscope.

1. *Frequency response of RC and RL circuits*

*Aim*

1. To study the effect on impedance and current of a change

in frequency in a series RL circuit.

2. To study the effect on impedance and current of a change

in frequency in a series RC circuit.

Exercises

1. Conduct suitable experiment and draw the following graphs for an RL

circuit.

a. Impedance Vs frequency

b. Current Vs frequency

c. XL Vs f

2. Conduct suitable experiment with a RC circuit and draw

the following graphs.

i.
Xc Vs f

ii.
Z Vs f
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-11

iii.
I Vs f

1. *Resonant frequency and frequency response of a series R L C circuit*

*Aim*

1. To determine experimentally the resonant frequency fR of

a series RLC circuit.

2. To verify that the resonant frequency of a series RLC

circuit is given by the formula

fR = 1 / 2pv LC.

3. To develop experimentally the frequency – response curve

of a series RLC circuit

Exercises

1. Draw the frequency response curve of a RLC circuit

(VLVs f, V
C Vs f)

2. Experimentally show the following

a. Resonant frequency fr = 1 / 2p vLC

b. The impedance at resonance Z = R

**

1. *Study of the effect of Q on frequency response and bandwidth of

series and parallel resonant circuits*

**

*Aim*

To measure the effect of circuit Q on frequency response and on bandwidth at

the half – power points.

* Exercises*

1. Experimentally study the effect of Q on frequency

response and bandwidth of RLC resonant circuit and obtain the following for
three values of Q.

i. I Vs frequency

ii. Half power points

iii. Bandwidth

iv. Ve Vs f

v. VL Vs f

2. Experimentally determine the resonant frequency in a

parallel resonant circuit. Draw current versus frequency in parallel
resonant circuit.

1. *Study of Low Pass and High Pass Filters*

ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-12

*Aim*

To determine experimentally the frequency response of a low and

high pass filters.

*Exercises*

1. Determine the frequency response of passive low pass (RL) and high
pass (RC) filter circuits.

1. Determine the frequency response of active low pass and high pass
filter circuits.

**

1. *Measurement of real power, reactive power, power factor and impedance

of RC, RL and RLC circuits using voltmeters and ammeters.*

**

Aim

To measure real power, reactive power, apparent power, power factor

and impedance
in A.C circuits using ammeters and three voltmeters.

*Exercises*

1. Experimentally determine the power factor, real power,

reactive power, apparent power and impedance in a RL series circuit using
voltmeter and ammeter. Draw the phasor diagram using the measurements.

2. Experimentally determine the power factor, real power,

reactive power, apparent power and impedance in a RC circuit. Draw the
phasor diagram using the measurements.

3. Experimentally determine the power factor, real power,

reactive power, apparent power and impedance in a RLC series circuit using
voltmeters and ammeters. Draw the phasor diagram using the measurements.

*9. Power Measurement in a three phase circuit by two Wattmeters*

* Aim*

To measure power in a three phase circuit by two

wattmeter method.

*Exercises*

1. Measure the real and reactive power input and power

factor to a three phase induction motor at different load condition using
two watt- meters

*10.* *Study of first and second order circuit transients by digital

simulation*

**

Aim

To study the first and second order circuit

transients by digital simulation.

*Exercises*
ELEN 214 Lab Manual 7-13

1. Obtain the response for the following cases using MATLAB

software or any other equivalent.

a. Source free or zero input response of RL and RC circuit.

b. D.C or step response of RL and RC circuits using available software.

c. Obtain the source free and step response of RLC circuit using