Transients in RLC circuits

Whenever a network containing energy storage elements such as inductor or capacitor is

switched from one condition to another, either by change in applied source or change in
network elements, the response current and voltage change from one state to the other state.
The time taken to change from an initial steady state to the final steady state is known as the
transient period. This response is known as transient response or transients. The response of
the network after it attains a fi nal steady value is independent of time and is called the
steady-state response. The complete response of the network is determined with the help of a
differential equation

INITIAL CONDITIONS

In solving the differential equations in the network, we get some arbitary constant. Initial
conditions are used to determine these arbitrary constants. It helps us to know the behaviour
of elements at the instant of switching. To differentiate between the time immediately before
and immediately after the switching, the signs ‘–’ and ‘+’ are used. The conditions existing
just before switching are denoted as i (0–), v (0–), etc. Conditions just after switching are
denoted as i (0+), v (0+). Sometimes conditions at t = ∞ are used in the evaluation of
arbitrary constants. These are known as final conditions.

In solving the problems for initial conditions in the network, we divide the time period in the
following ways:

1. Just before switching (from t = –∞ to t = 0–)

2. Just after switching (at t = 0+)

3. After switching (for t > 0)

If the network remains in one condition for a long time without any switching action, it is
said to be under steady-state condition.

1. Initial Conditions for the Resistor For a resistor, current and voltage are related by v(t)
= Ri(t). The current through a resistor will change instantaneously if the voltage
changes instantaneously. Similarly, the voltage will change instantaneously if the
current changes instantaneously
2. Initial Conditions for the Inductor For an inductor, current and voltage are related by,

Voltage across the inductor is proportional to the rate of change of current. It is

impossible to change the current through an inductor by a f nite amount in zero time.
This requires an infi nite voltage across the inductor. An inductor does not allow an
abrupt change in the current through it.
The current through the inductor is given by

where i(0) is the initial current through the inductor.

If there is no current fl owing through the inductor at t = 0–, the inductor will act as an
open circuit at t = 0+. If a current of value I0 fl ows through the inductor at t = 0–, the
inductor can be regarded as a current source of I0 ampere at t = 0+
3. Initial Conditions for the Capacitor For the capacitor, current and voltage are related
by,

Current through a capacitor is proportional to the rate of change of voltage. It is

impossible to change the voltage across a capacitor by a fi nite amount in zero time.
This requires an infi nite current through the capacitor. A capacitor does not allow an
abrupt change in voltage across it.
The voltage across the capacitor is given by,

where v(0) is the initial voltage across the capacitor.

If there is no voltage across the capacitor at t = 0–, the capacitor will act as a short
circuit at t = 0+. If the capacitor is charged to a voltage V0 at t = 0–, it can be
regarded as a voltage source of V0 volt at t = 0+. These conditions are summarized in
RESISTOR-INDUCTOR CIRCUIT

Consider a series RL circuit as shown in Figure. The switch is closed at time t = 0.

The inductor in the circuit is initially un-energised.
Applying KVL to the circuit for t > 0,

This is a linear differential equation of fi rst order. It can be solved if the variables can
be separated.
Integrating both the sides,

where ln denotes that the logarithm is of base e and k is an arbitrary constant. k can be
evaluated from the initial condition. In the circuit, the switch is closed at t = 0, i.e.,
just before closing the switch, the current in the inductor is zero. Since the inductor
does not allow sudden change in current, at t = 0+, just after the switch is closed, the
current remains zero.
Setting i = 0 at t = 0,
The complete response is composed of two parts, the steady-state response or forced response
or zero state response V/R and transient response or natural response or zero input
response .The natural response is a characteristic of the circuit. Its form may be found by
considering the source-free circuit. The forced response has the characteristics of forcing
function, i.e., applied voltage. Thus, when the switch is closed, response reaches the steady-
state value after some time interval.
The natural response is a characteristic of the circuit. Its form may be found by considering
the source-free circuit. The forced response has the characteristics of forcing function, i.e.,
applied voltage. Here, the transient period is defi ned as the time taken for the current to reach
its final or steady state value from its initial value.
The term L/R is called time constant and is denoted by T.
T = L/ R
At one time constant, the current reaches 63.2 per cent of its final value V/R.
After 5 time constants, the current reaches 99.33 per cent of its fi nal value. The voltage
across resistor is

Similarly, voltage across inductor is

1. In the network of Fig., the switch is initially at the position 1. On the steady state
having reached, the switch is changed to the position 2. Find current i(t).

At t = 0 , − the network is shown in Fig. 10.78.

At t = 0−, the network has attained steady-state condition. Hence, the inductor acts as a short
circuit.

Since the inductor does not allow sudden change in current,

For t > 0,
Writing the KVL equation for t > 0,

Comparing with the differential equation

The solution of this differential equation is given by,

2. The network of Fig. is under steady state with switch at the position 1. At
t = 0, switch is moved to position 2. Find i (t).
Solution

At t = 0 , − the network is shown in fig, At t = 0−, the network has attained steady-state
condition. Hence, the inductor acts as a short circuit.

Since current through the inductor cannot change instantaneously,

For t > 0, the network is shown in Fig.

Writing the KVL equation for t > 0,

Comparing with the differential equation

The solution of this differential equation is given by,

 At t = 0, i( 0)= 1.25 A

3. In the network of Fig., an exponential voltage v(t) =e −3t is applied at

t =0. Find the expression for current i(t). Assume zero current through inductor at
t=0.

Solution: At t = 0 , i(0-)=0.
Since current through the inductor cannot change instantaneously,
i(0+)=0;
Writing the KVL equation for t > 0,

Comparing with the differential equation

The solution of this differential equation is given by,

At t =0, i(0) = 0
 4. In the given network of Fig. 10.3, the switch is closed at t = 0. With zero current
in the inductor, find I, di/dt, d2i/dt2 , at t=0+

At t = 0–, no current flows through the inductor,

i(0-)=0

At t = + 0 , the network is shown in Fig. 10.4. At t = + 0 , the inductor acts as an open circuit.
i(0+)=0

Writing the KVL equation for t > 0,

Differentiating equation ii)

 5. In the network of Fig. 10.6, the switch is closed at t = 0. With the capacitor
uncharged, find value for i, di/dt, d2i/dt2 at t=0+

Solution
At t = 0−, the capacitor is uncharged.

At t = + 0 , the network is shown in Fig. At t = 0+, the capacitor acts as a short circuit.
RESISTOR–CAPACITOR CIRCUIT

Consider a series RC circuit as shown in Fig. The switch is closed at time t = 0. The capacitor
is initially uncharged. Applying KVL to the circuit for t > 0,

Differentiating the above equation,

This is a linear differential equation of first order. The variables may be separated to solve the
equation.

Integrating both the sides,

The constant k can be evaluated from initial condition. In the circuit shown, the switch is
closed at t = 0. Since the capacitor never allows sudden change in voltage, it will act as short
circuit at t = 0+. Hence, current in the circuit at t = 0+ is V/R . Setting I= V /R= at t = 0,
When the switch is closed, the response decays with time as shown in Fig. 10.125(a).
The term RC is called time constant and is denoted by T. T = RC .After 5 time constants, the
current drops to 99 per cent of its initial value.
The voltage across the resistor is

Similarly, the voltage across the capacitor is

Current response Voltage response

At t = 0, vC (0) = 0

k=V
Hence,

Example 1. The switch in the circuit of Fig. 10.126 is moved from the position 1 to 2 at t = 0.
Find vC (t)

At t = 0−, the network is shown in Fig. 10.127. At t = 0−, the network has attained steady-
state condition. Hence, the capacitor acts as an open circuit.

vC (0−) = 100 V
Since the voltage across the capacitor cannot change instantaneously,

For t > 0, the network is shown in Fig.

Writing the KCL equation for t > 0,

At t = 0, vC (0) = 100 V

Example – For the given circuit, the switch is closed at t = 0 Find vC (t) for t > 0
Solution - At t = 0−, vC (0−) = 0 Since the voltage across the capacitor cannot change
instantaneously, vC (0+) = 0 Since the resistor of 2 Ω is connected in parallel with the voltage
source of 5 V, it becomes redundant.
For t > 0, the network is as shown in Fig
Writing KCL equation for t > 0,

RESISTOR–INDUCTOR–CAPACITOR CIRCUIT
Consider a series RLC circuit as shown in Fig. 10.164. The switch is closed at time t = 0. The
capacitor and inductor are initially uncharged. Applying KVL to the circuit for t > 0,
Differentiating the above equation,

This is a second-order differential equation. The auxiliary equation or characteristic equation

will be given by

Let s1 and s2 be the roots of the equation.

Where

And

The solution of the above second-order differential equation will be given by,

where k1 and k2 are constants to be determined and s1 and s2 are the roots of the equation.
Now depending upon the values of a and w0, we have 3 cases of the response.
In this case, the solution is given by,
Let

Fig Underdamped response

1. Fig. 1 In the network of Fig. 10.168, the switch is closed at t >0 Obtain the expression
for current i t for t>0

At t =0- the switch is open,

i (0 ) =0, vc(0-) = 0
-

Since current through the inductor and voltage across the capacitor cannot change
instantaneously
i (0+) =0, vc(0+) = 0
 .-
For t>0, write KVL

……………(i)