Alternating Curren1

ALTERNATING CURRENT
An alternating current (AC) is a sinusoidal current. The current

reverse at regular time interval and has alternating positive and
negative values. Just like in waves, one alternation is called a cycle. The
number of cycles per second being the frequency (f) and as well the
time taken to complete the cycle is the period (T). The frequency (f) of
an alternating angular frequency (w) and the period (T) are related by
2π
w=2 π = T
An AC is advantageous over the DC because it is more efficient

and economical to produce and transmit over long distances and can
easily be step-up or step-down using transformers. It also defers from
DC in that it has a varying magnitude and direction of drift velocity
imposed on the charge carries random movement.
The AC is one which varies sinusoidally with time known as

sinusoidal wave form. A sinusoid is a signal that has the form of sine
and cosine
1) This form is used because it is easy to generate and transmit.

2) It is the form of voltage generated through the world and supplied
at homes, factories and laboratories.
A sinusoidal is handle mathematically. It can be compressed by

the equation V(t)=Vosinwt where;
Vo is the peak value of amplitude of emf in volts.

V(t) is the value of the emf at time (t) in volts.
W is the angular frequency in rads of the supply and equal to 2πf.
Wt is the argument of the emf.
Similarly, the corresponding sinusoidal alternating current is

given by I(t)=Iosinwt.
Average and root-mean (RMS) value of an alternating current.
The value of an alternating current (and voltage) varies from zero

to a maximum Im.
So in order to measure the effectiveness of a voltage or current source
in delivering power to a resistive load, the effective value or root mean
T 2 2
R V R+V 2 + R
square value is used. Pav =I ∙ R+ I ∙ R +∙∙ ∙ ∙ → ∫ V dt . I e H 2 R=
2 2 2
1 2 =¿
T 0 T
T
R
∫ V 2 dt
T 0
• The effective value of current is given by IeH=√ V 21+ V 22+ V 23 ∙ ∙∙ ∙ So

I e H= √(mean value of I 2) .
• It follows that I e H=I rms ∧I e H=V rms .

The rms value or effective value of an AC is heat of an AC in the
steady (or direct) current which would dissipate heat at the same rate in a
given resistance in the AC. The root mean square (rms) potential
difference (Pd) of an ac voltage is the value of the direct pd which when
applied across the same resistor, produces heat at the same rate as mean
rate of the heat produced by the alternating voltage.
IMPEDANCE AND ADMITTANCE
Impedance is the opposition effort to the flow of alternating current.
V O V rms
This is given by the equation z= =
I O I rm s
. It is measured ohms (‍) and
depends on the frequency of AC and the value of R, L and C.
Admittance (Y) is the reciprocal of the impedance measured in seconds
I o I rms
(S) Y = =
V o V rms
.
Impedance Z plays the same role in AC circuit as R does in DC circuit.

Impedance Z is a complex quantity and thus can be expressed in a
rectangular form Z = R + Xi. Hence the impedance can be represented
in polar form as shown below
0
o
Z = √ X 2 + R2
Real axis
X
θ= actan (R)
X = Z sin
R =Z cos
1) PURELY RESISTIVE CIRCUITS
A pure resistor is one whose capacitive and inductive effects
are negligible. Where;
V= Vmsinwt
V Vm
I= = Sinwt =IoSinwt
R R
Example
A 60W light bulb designed for use with a 120V supply may
be operated at the correct rating from 240V, 50Hz supply
connecting it in series with resistor. Calculate the normal
working conditions
1) The current flowing in the lamp
2) The resistance R of the lamp
3) The value of suitable resistor
A PURELY INDUCTIVE CIRCUIT
The total opposition that a purely inductor offers to a flow.
V m V rms Vm
X L= = Since Vm = WLIm, Then X L= =wl  X l =2 πfL .
I m I rms Im
If the rms value of the sinusoidal voltage applied to the inductor is

V
constant, then the rms current is given by XL  I rms= XL
rms
.
V 1
 I rms = 2 πfI
rms
Hence I rms ∝ f .
Purely capacitative circuit

• Capacitative Reactance Xc
This is the total opposition that the capacitor offers to the flow
V rms Vm
of current. It flows that X c = I =
Im
Since I m=WV m C .
rms
1 1
 X c = wc = 2 πfc .
V rms V
X c= → I rms = rms So I rms =2 πfc V rms.
I rms Xc
Example
1) A 1.2w capacitor is connected across a varied frequency 20v
rms alternating current supply. Calculate the RMS value of
current in the circuit of supply frequency is 50Hz. What will be
the current if the frequency is raised to 5000Hz.
2) A 60w light bulb designed for use with a 120v supply may be
operated at the correct rating from 240v, 50Hz supply by
connecting it in series with a capacitor.
a) Draw the diagram to show the relationship between the
potential difference across the lamp, capacitor and the supply.
b) Calculate for the capacitor (c), the root mean square value of
the potential difference across it.
Inductance and Resistance in series
By Pythagoras theorem, it follows that the vector sum v is given by
V 2=V 2L +V 2R But V L=IX L ∧V R=IR So
V V
 I ( X L + R ) and =√ X L + R but Z= ,
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
V =I X L + I R
L L
Z=¿ √X 2
L +R
2
Capacitance and reactance in series

2 2
V =V R +V C
1
2
V =IR and V C =I X C and XC=
WC
2 2 2 2
V =I (R + I C )
V
V =I √ R + X C  Z= I
2 2
Z=√ R2 + X 2C , Z=
√ R2 +
1
(2 πfc )
2
Example
a, What do you understand by;
i, The capacitance of capacitors
ii, The reactance XC of a capacitor state the relationship between C and
XC
b, Two capacitors of capacitance C 1∧¿ ¿ c 2 are charged to potentials V 1∧¿V ¿

2
respectively. The capacitors are then connected by connecting the

negatively charge plates. Derive an equation for the final potential
difference V across this combination. Explain your working carefully.
c, A certain 100 W lamp of negligible inductance is rated at 220 V.
When connected to 150 H Z , 250 V (rms) supply, the lamp may be
operated without over running it if a capacitor is connected in series with
it.
2, By means of phasor diagram (or etherwise) calculate for the capacitor
i, The rms potential difference across it
ii, Its reactance
iii, Its capacitance
iv, The lamp may also be operated by replacing the capacitor with a
resistor calculate the resistance required, and the power dissipated in
circuit employing the capacitor are that with the resistor
a,i, Capacitance C of a capacitance is a measure of the charge string
ability of a capacitor i.e
Q
C= V
1
ii, The reactance XC=
2 πfc is define as the opposition which offers the
reactant X C offer to the flow of AC
When S1 and S2are closed and C 2 connected in parallel
=❑1+❑2
 C V =C 1 V 1 +C 2 V 2
C 1 V 1 +C 2 V 2
 V= C1 +C 2 but C=C 1+C 2
C 1 V 1 +C 2 V 2
V=
C1 +C 2
From the phasor diagram

V 2=V C +V 2R
V C = √ V 2−V 2R
Resistance, capacitance and induction in series

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ALTERNATING CURRENT

An alternating current (AC) is a sinusoidal current. The current

An AC is advantageous over the DC because it is more efficient

The AC is one which varies sinusoidally with time known as

1) This form is used because it is easy to generate and transmit.

A sinusoidal is handle mathematically. It can be compressed by

Vo is the peak value of amplitude of emf in volts.

W is the angular frequency in rads of the supply and equal to 2πf.

Wt is the argument of the emf.

Similarly, the corresponding sinusoidal alternating current is

Average and root-mean (RMS) value of an alternating current.

The value of an alternating current (and voltage) varies from zero

• The effective value of current is given by IeH=√ V 21+ V 22+ V 23 ∙ ∙∙ ∙ So

• It follows that I e H=I rms ∧I e H=V rms .

Impedance Z plays the same role in AC circuit as R does in DC circuit.

If the rms value of the sinusoidal voltage applied to the inductor is

Purely capacitative circuit

Capacitance and reactance in series

b, Two capacitors of capacitance C 1∧¿ ¿ c 2 are charged to potentials V 1∧¿V ¿

respectively. The capacitors are then connected by connecting the

From the phasor diagram

Resistance, capacitance and induction in series

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