Alternating Current Circuit

 

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In today’s class, we will be talking about the alternating current circuit. Enjoy the class!

Alternating Current Circuit

Alternating Current Circuit | classnotes.ng

INTRODUCTION

Simple A.C circuits

An alternating current a.c. is a current which varies periodically. The electric circuit in which an alternating current flow is called an alternating circuit.

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Figure (b) shows above v – t relation

The e.m.f., E varies sinusoidally with time in a rotating coil which is given by:

E =E0 sin 2πf

E = E0 sin

Where    E, E0 = Em is the instantaneous and maximum (peak) values of E or its amplitude respectively.

or 2πf  = phase angle

 

s

For figure (b) l – t relation

If an alternating current l varied sinusoidally, it could be represented by the equation:

I = Im sin 2πf

I = Im sin

Where

I = instantaneous current at time t

Im = maximum (peak) value of current or its amplitude

or (2πf) = angular frequency of the current

f = frequency

= phase angle which is the state of a periodically varying system at a particular time.

 

Note:

The phase difference between the voltage and the current through an RLC series circuit is represented by the equation:

tan = VLVCVRhence,  = tan1VL  VCVR

 

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The phase of an A.C. quantity

The phase of an A. C. quantity represents the fraction of the time period of that alternating quantity that has elapsed since the current last passed through the zero position of reference. The phase is also expressed in terms of angle in radians. For example phase at is T/4 second or π/2 radians. In electricity, we are more concerned with the phase difference rather than an absolute phase of an alternating quantity. The phase difference between quantities indicates the lag or lead of an alternating quantity with respect to the other.

A leading quantity is a quantity which reaches maximum (or zero) value earlier as compared to the other quantity while lagging alternating quantity is one which reaches its zero or maximum value later than the other quantity. In figure two alternating quantities are shown quantity leads by an angle ϕ. Hence their equations are

IA Imax sin wt   and   IB Imax sin (ω+ ϕ)

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Peak and root mean square (r.m.s) of a.c.

The peak or amplitude of the current I0 is the maximum numerical value of the current.

The root mean square (r.m.s) value of an alternating current is that direct current which produces the same heating effect per second in a given resistor.

P = I2R

For an a.c. circuit, the instantaneous power is given by

P = IV (instantaneous values)

Ir.m.s =  = Ieff.

Where I0 is the maximum steady current.

Similarly Vr.m.s =  = Veff.

Where r.m.s. is the root mean square and V0, the peak value or the maximum steady voltage.

The mean or average value of an alternating quantity

The mean value or average value (Iav) of an alternating current is equal to the steady current which transfers across any circuit the same charge as is transferred by the alternating current during the same time.

In the case of sinusoidal or symmetrical alternating current, the average value over the complete cycle is zero. Hence in these cases, the average value is obtained by integrating the instantaneous values of alternating quantity over half cycle only. The alternating currents average value is given by

Iav=2Imaxπ     or        Iav=0.637Imax

Representation of AC and voltage by rotating vectors

A phasor is a vector which rotates about the origin with angular speed ω, as shown in the figure given below:

g

The vertical components of phasors V and I represent the sinusoidally varying quantities v and i. The magnitudes of phasors I and V represent the amplitudes or the peak values Vand iof these oscillating quantities. The projection of voltage and current phasors on the vertical axis, i.e., Vm sinωt and im sinωt respectively represent the value of current and voltage at that instant.

Worked examples

(1) When the R.M.S. voltage of a square of electricity supply is given 240V, calculate the peak value of the supply.

Solution

d

 

(2) Calculate the instantaneous value of the current if in a circuit it has r.m.s. value of 15.0A when its phase angle is 30°

x

(3) In an a.c. circuit the peak value of the potential difference is 180V. What is the instantaneous p.d. when it is reached 1/8th of a circle?

x

A.C. circuit containing resistance only (Resistive circuit)

AC circuit containing resistance only is a circuit which consists of a resistor as shown in the figure below

c

A.C circuit containing resistance only

Since the circuit is non-inductive, it is easy to apply Ohm’s law

c

x

Maximum current flows in this circuit

Phase relationship

V = V0 sin

c

The current is in phase with the applied voltage. The phase difference is Z0.

Worked examples

(1) A 240 V is connected with a resistor of 20 Ω in an A.C circuit. Find:

(i) the current in the circuit

(ii) The phase angle and draw the phase diagram.

Solution

v

c

(ii) Since there is no other circuit in the element, the angle is 0°.

x

General evaluation
  1. Define alternating current.

Assignment

(1) (a) Explain what is meant by the r.m.s value of an alternating current. If the alternating current is represented by I = Im sinx, state what the symbols I, I0,  and represent.

(b) Calculate the instantaneous value of such a current, if in a circuit it has r.m.s. value of 15.0A when its phase angle is 30°.

(2) Explain the meaning of Peak value of an alternating current. If the peak value of such a current is 15A, calculate its root mean square value.

 

In our next class, we will be talking more about Alternating Current Circuit. We hope you enjoyed the class.

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