Module 4
Single-phase AC circuits
Lesson 15
Solution of Current in
AC Series and Parallel
Circuits
In the last lesson, two points were described:
1. How to solve for the impedance, and current in an ac circuit, consisting of single element, R / L / C?
2. How to solve for the impedance, and current in an ac circuit, consisting of two elements, R and L / C, in series, and then draw complete phasor diagram?
In this lesson, the solution of currents in simple circuits, consisting of resistance R, inductance L and/or capacitance C connected in series, fed from single phase ac supply, is presented. Then, the circuit with all above components in parallel is taken up. The process of drawing complete phasor diagram with current(s) and voltage drops in the different components is described. The computation of total power and also power consumed in the different components, along with power factor, is explained. One example of series circuit are presented in detail, while the example of parallel circuit will be taken up in the next lesson.
Keywords: Series and parallel circuits, impedance, admittance, power, power factor.
After going through this lesson, the students will be able to answer the following questions;
1. How to compute the total reactance and impedance / admittance, of the series and parallel circuits, fed from single phase ac supply?
2. How to compute the different currents and also voltage drops in the components, both in magnitude and phase, of the circuit?
3. How to draw the complete phasor diagram, showing the currents and voltage drops?
4. How to compute the total power and also power consumed in the different components, along with power factor?
Solution of Current in R-L-C Series Circuit Series (R-L-C) circuit
+ -
V
R L C
Fig. 15.1 (a) Circuit diagram
O D E
A I
The voltage balance equation for the circuit with R, L and C in series (Fig. 15.1a), is t
V dt
C i dt L di i R
v = + + 1 ∫ = 2 sin ω
The current, i is of the form, )
( sin
2 ω ± φ
= I t
i
As described in the previous lesson (#14) on series (R-L) circuit, the current in steady state is sinusoidal in nature. The procedure given here, in brief, is followed to determine the form of current. If the expression for i = 2 I sin ( ω t − φ ) is substituted in the voltage equation, the equation shown here is obtained, with the sides (LHS & RHS) interchanged.
t V
t I
C t
I L t
I R
ω
φ ω ω
φ ω ω
φ ω sin 2
) (
cos 2 ) / 1 ( ) (
cos 2 )
( sin 2
=
−
⋅
−
−
⋅ +
−
⋅
or R ⋅ 2 I sin ( ω t − φ ) + [ ω L − ( 1 / ω C )] ⋅ 2 I cos ( ω t − φ ) = 2 V sin ω t
The steps to be followed to find the magnitude and phase angle of the current I , are same as described there (#14).
So, the phase angle is φ = tan
−1[ ω L − ( 1 / ω C )] / R and the magnitude of the current is I = V / Z
where the impedance of the series circuit is Z = R
2+ [ ω L − ( 1 / ω C )]
2Alternatively, the steps to find the rms value of the current I, using complex form of impedance, are given here.
The impedance of the circuit is
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
+
=
− +
=
±
∠ R j X X R j L C
Z
L Cω ω
φ ( ) 1
where,
( )
22 2
2
( X X ) R L ( 1 / C )
R
Z = +
L−
C= + ω − ω , and
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟ =
⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
=
− −R C L
R X
X
L C( 1 / )
tan
tan
1 1ω ω
φ
( ( 0 1 / ) )
) (
0 0
C L
j R
j V X
X j R
j V Z
I V
C
L
ω ω
φ φ
− +
= +
− +
= +
±
∠
°
= ∠
∠
− −
∓
2 2
2
2
( ) 1
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
+
− =
= +
=
L C R
V X
X R
V Z
I V
C L
ω ω Two cases are: (a) Inductive ⎟⎟
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ >
L C
ω ω 1 , and (b) Capacitive ⎟⎟
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ <
L C
ω ω 1 .
(a) Inductive
In this case, the circuit is inductive, as total reactance ( ω L − ( 1 / ω C ) ) is positive, under
the condition ( ω L > ( 1 / ω C ) ) . The current lags the voltage by φ (taken as positive),
with the voltage phasor taken as reference. The power factor (lagging) is less than 1
(one), as 0 ° ≤ φ ≤ 90 ° . The complete phasor diagram, with the voltage drops across the
components and input voltage ( OA), and also current ( OB ), is shown in Fig. 15.1b. The voltage phasor is taken as reference, in all cases. It may be observed that
) ( )]
(
DA
[ )]
( [ )
( i R V i j X V i j X V i Z
V
OC= +
CD=
L+ = −
C=
OA=
using the Kirchoff’s second law relating to the voltage in a closed loop. The phasor diagram can also be drawn with the current phasor as reference, as will be shown in the example given here. The expression for the average power is . The power is only consumed in the resistance, R, but not in inductance/capacitance (L/C), in all three cases.
R I I
V cos φ =
2φ
O D
E
V
Inductive (X
L> X
C) Fig 15.1 (b) Phasor diagram
I (-jX
C)
I (+jX
L) A
I B I.R
In this case, the circuit is inductive, as total reactance ( ω L − ( 1 / ω C ) ) is positive, under the condition ( ω L > ( 1 / ω C ) ) . The current lags the voltage by φ (positive). The power factor (lagging) is less than 1 (one), as 0 ° ≤ φ ≤ 90 ° . The complete phasor diagram, with the voltage drops across the components and input voltage ( ), and also current ( ), is shown in Fig. 15.1b. The voltage phasor is taken as reference, in all cases. It may be observed that
OA OB
) ( )]
( [ )]
( [ )
( i R V i j X V i j X V i Z
V
OC= +
CD=
L+
DA= −
C=
OA=
using the Kirchoff’s second law relating to the voltage in a closed loop. The phasor diagram can also be drawn with the current phasor as reference, as will be shown in the example given here. The expression for the average power is . The power is only consumed in the resistance, R, but not in inductance/capacitance (L/C), in all three cases.
R I I
V cos φ =
2(b) Capacitive
φ
O D
E
V
Capacitive (X
L< X
C) Fig 15.1 (c) Phasor diagram
I (-jX
C) I(+jX )
LA B
I I.R
The circuit is now capacitive, as total reactance ( ω L − ( 1 / ω C ) ) is negative, under the condition ( ω L < ( 1 / ω C ) ) . The current leads the voltage by φ , which is negative as per convention described in the previous lesson. The voltage phasor is taken as reference here. The complete phasor diagram, with the voltage drops across the components and input voltage, and also current, is shown in Fig. 15.1c. The power factor (leading) is less than 1 (one), as 0 ° ≤ φ ≤ 90 ° , φ being negative. The expression for the average power remains same as above.
The third case is resistive, as total reactance ( ω L − 1 / ω C ) is zero (0), under the
condition ( ω L = 1 / ω C ) . The impedance is Z ∠ 0 ° = R + j 0 . The current is now at unity
power factor ( φ = 0 ° ), i.e. the current and the voltage are in phase. The complete phasor
diagram, with the voltage drops across the components and input (supply) voltage, and
also current, is shown in Fig. 15.1d. This condition can be termed as ‘resonance’ in the
series circuit, which is described in detail in lesson #17. The magnitude of the impedance
in the circuit is minimum under this condition, with the magnitude of the current being
maximum. One more point to be noted here is that the voltage drops in the inductance, L
and also in the capacitance, C, is much larger in magnitude than the supply voltage,
which is same as the voltage drop in the resistance, R. The phasor diagram has been
drawn approximately to scale.
+
-
E
O
( L )
I j.X
( C )
I -j X
I V , V OD OB ( ) I.R
Resistive (X
L= X
C) Fig. 15.1 (d) Phasor diagram
D, A
It may be observed here that two cases of series (R-L & R-C) circuits, as discussed in the previous lesson, are obtained in the following way. The first one (inductive) is that of (a), with C very large, i.e. 1 / ω C ≈ 0 , which means that C is not there. The second one (capacitive) is that of (b), with L not being there ( L or ω L = 0 ).
Example 15.1
A resistance, R is connected in series with an iron-cored choke coil (r in series with L). The circuit (Fig. 15.2a) draws a current of 5 A at 240 V, 50 Hz. The voltages across the resistance and the coil are 120 V and 200 V respectively. Calculate,
(a) the resistance, reactance and impedance of the coil, (b) the power absorbed by the coil, and
(c) the power factor (pf) of the input current.
I
V
A
L
B R C
I
Fig. 15.2 (a) Circuit diagram D r
Solution ) (OB
I = 5 A V
S(OA ) = 240 V f = 50 Hz ω = 2 π f
The voltage drop across the resistance V
1( OC ) = I ⋅ R = 120 V
The resistance, R = V
1/ I = 120 / 5 = 24 Ω
The voltage drop across the coil V
2( CA ) = I ⋅ Z
L= 200 V
The impedance of the coil, Z
L= r
2+ X
L2= V
2/ I = 200 / 5 = 40 Ω From the phasor diagram (Fig. 15.2b),
V 1 V 2
A
A R L C
E B D
40V, 50 Hz I
1A
Fig. 15.2(b): Phasor Diagram
556 . 0
600 , 57
000 , 32 240
120 2
) 200 ( ) 240 ( ) 120 ( cos 2
cos
2 2
2 2
2 2
=
× =
×
−
= +
⋅
⋅
−
= +
∠
= OA OC
CA OC AOC OA
φ
The power factor (pf) of the input current = cos φ = 0 . 556 ( lag ) The phase angle of the total impedance, φ = cos
−1( 0 . 556 ) = 56 . 25 ° Input voltage, V
S( OA ) = I ⋅ Z = 240 V
The total impedance of the circuit, Z = ( R + r )
2+ X
L2= V
S/ I = 240 / 5 = 48 Ω Ω
+
=
°
∠
= +
+
=
∠ ( R r ) j X 48 56 . 25 ( 26 . 67 j 39 . 91 )
Z φ
LThe total resistance of the circuit, R + r = 24 + r = 26 . 67 Ω The resistance of the coil, r = 26 . 67 − 24 . 0 = 2 . 67 Ω The reactance of the coil, X
L= ω L = 2 π f L = 39 . 9 Ω
The inductance of the coil, H mH
f
L X
L0 . 127 127 10 127
50 2
9 . 39 2
3
=
⋅
=
× =
=
=
−π π
The phase angle of the coil,
°
=
=
=
= cos
−1( /
L) cos
−1( 2 . 67 / 40 . 0 ) cos
−1( 0 . 067 ) 86 . 17
L
r Z
φ
Ω
°
∠
= +
= +
=
∠ r j X ( 2 . 67 j 39 . 9 ) 40 86 . 17 7 )
Z
Lφ
L LThe power factor (pf) of the coil, cos φ = 0 . 067 ( lag )
The copper loss in the coil = I
2r = 5
2× 2 . 67 = 66 . 75 W
Example 15.2
An inductive coil, having resistance of 8 Ω and inductance of 80 mH, is connected in series with a capacitance of 100 μ across 150 V, 50 Hz supply (Fig. 15.3a). Calculate, F (a) the current, (b) the power factor, and (c) the voltages drops in the coil and capaci- tance respectively.
E
R L
+
-
B A
I
D
V
Fig. 15.3 (a) Circuit diagram C
Solution
f = 50 Hz ω = 2 π f = 2 π × 50 = 314 . 16 rad / s
L = 80 mH = 80 ⋅ 10
−3= 0 . 08 H X
l= ω L = 314 . 16 × 0 . 08 = 25 . 13 Ω
C = 100 μ F = 100 ⋅ 10
−6F = Ω
⋅
= ×
=
−31 . 83
10 100 16 . 314
1 1
C
6X
Cω R = 8 Ω V
S( OA ) = 150 V
The impedance of the coil, Z
L∠ φ
L= R + j X
L= ( 8 . 0 + j 25 . 13 ) = 26 . 375 ∠ 72 . 34 ° Ω The total impedance of the circuit,
Ω
°
−
∠
=
−
=
− +
=
− +
=
−
∠
95 . 39 435 . 10
) 7 . 6 0 . 8 ( ) 83 . 31 13 . 25 ( 0 . 8 )
( X X
4j j
j R
Z φ
L CThe current drawn from the supply,
A j
Z A
I V 39 . 95 14 . 375 39 . 95 ( 11 . 02 9 . 26 ) 435
. 10
150
0 ⎟⎟ ⎠ ∠ ° = ∠ ° = +
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
= ⎛
−
∠
°
= ∠
∠ φ φ
The current is, I = 14 . 375 A
The power factor (pf) = cos φ = cos 39 . 95 ° = 0 . 767 ( lead ) D
A E
I I.R
B
IZ L I. (jX L )
I. (-jX C )
Fig. 15.3 (b) Phasor diagram
Please note that the current phasor is taken as reference in the phasor diagram (Fig.
15.3b) and also here. The voltage drop in the coil is, V
j
V Z
I
V
L L) 24 . 361 1
. 115 (
34 . 72 14 . 379 34
. 72 ) 375 . 26 375 . 14 (
1
0
1
+
=
°
∠
=
°
∠
×
=
∠
⋅
°
∠
=
∠ θ φ
The voltage drop in the capacitance in, V
j
V Z
I
V
C C58 . 457
0 . 90 58 . 457 0
. 90 )
83 . 31 475 . 14 (
2
0
2
−
=
°
−
∠
=
°
−
∠
×
=
−
∠
⋅
°
∠
=
∠ θ φ
Solution of Current in Parallel Circuit Parallel circuit
The circuit with all three elements, R, L & C connected in parallel (Fig. 15.4a), is fed to the ac supply. The current from the supply can be computed by various methods, of which two are described here.
C +
- V
Fig. 15.4 (a) Circuit diagram.
I
I L R L
I R I C
First method
The current in three branches are first computed and the total current drawn from the supply is the phasor sum of all three branch currents, by using Kirchoff’s first law related to the currents at the node. The voltage phasor (V ) is taken as reference.
All currents, i.e. three branch currents and total current, in steady state, are sinusoidal in nature, as the input (supply voltage is sinusoidal of the form,
t V
v = 2 sin ω
Three branch currents are obtained by the procedure given in brief.
, or i
RR
v = ⋅ i
R= v / R = 2 ( V / R ) sin ω t = 2 I
Rsin ω t , where, I
R= ( V / R )
Similarly, dt
i L d v =
LSo, is, i
Lt I
t L
V dt
t V
L dt
v L
i
L= ( 1 / ) ∫ = ( 1 / ) ∫ 2 ( sin ω ) = − 2 [ /( ω )] cos ω = − 2
Lcos ω )
90 (
sin
2 − °
= I
Lω t
where, I
L= ( V / X
L) with X
L= ω L
, from which is obtained as,
∫
= C i dt
v ( 1 / )
Ci
Ct I
t C
V t
dt V C d dt
v C d
i
C= = ( 2 sin ω ) = 2 ( ⋅ ω ) cos ω = 2
Ccos ω )
90 (
sin
2 + °
= I
Cω t
where, I
c= ( V / X
C) with X
C= ( 1 / ω C ) Total (supply) current, i is
cos 2 cos
2 sin
2 I t I t I t
i i i
i =
R+
L+
C=
Rω −
Lω +
Cω ) (
sin 2 cos
) (
2 sin
2 I
Rω t − I
L− I
Cω t = I ω t ∓ φ
=
The two equations given here are obtained by expanding the trigonometric form appearing in the last term on RHS, into components of cos ω t and sin ω t , and then equating the components of cos ω t and sin ω t from the last term and last but one (previous) .
I
RI cos φ = and I sin φ = ( I
L− I
C)
From these equations, the magnitude and phase angle of the total (supply) current are,
2 2 2
2
1 1 1
) (
)
( ⎟⎟
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟ +
⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
⋅ ⎛
=
− +
=
C L C
L
R
I I V R X X
I I
Y V L C
V R ⎟⎟ = ⋅
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟ +
⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
⋅ ⎛
=
2 2
1
1 ω
ω
⎥ ⎦
⎢ ⎤
⎣
⎡
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⋅
⎟⎟ =
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟⎟ =
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
=
− − −C l C
L R
C L
X R X
R X X
I I
I 1 1
) tan / 1 (
) / 1 ( ) / 1 tan (
tan
1 1 1φ
⎥ ⎦
⎢ ⎤
⎣
⎡ ⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⋅
=
−C
R L ω
ω tan
11
where, the magnitude of the term (admittance of the circuit) is,
2 2 2 2
1 1
1 1
1 ⎟⎟
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟ +
⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
= ⎛
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟ +
⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
= ⎛ C
L R
X X Y R
C L
ω ω
Please note that the admittance, which is reciprocal of impedance, is a complex quantity. The angle of admittance or impedance, is same as the phase angle, φ of the current I , with the input (supply) voltage taken as reference phasor, as given earlier.
Alternatively, the steps required to find the rms values of three branch currents and the total (suuply) current, using complex form of impedance, are given here.
Three branch currents are
L j V L j
V X
j I V j R I
I V I
L L
L R
R
∠ 0 ° = = ; ∠ − 90 ° = − = = ω = − ω
V C C j
j V X
j I V j I
C C
C
ω
ω =
= −
= −
=
° +
∠ 90 ( 1 / )
Of the three branches, the first one consists of resistance only, the current, is in phase with the voltage (V). In the second branch, the current, lags the voltage by , as there is inductance only, while in the third one having capacitance only, the current,
leads the voltage . All these cases have been presented in the previous lesson.
I
RI
L90 °
I
C90 °
The total current is
( ) ⎥
⎦
⎢ ⎤
⎣
⎡ ⎟⎟
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
+
=
− +
=
±
∠ j C L
V R I I j I
I
R c Lω ω
φ 1 1
where,
( )
⎥ ⎥
⎦
⎤
⎢ ⎢
⎣
⎡
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
+
=
− +
=
2
2
2 2
1 1
C L V R
I I I
I
R C Lω ω , and
⎥ ⎦
⎢ ⎤
⎣
⎡ ⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎟⎟ =
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
=
− −C L I R
I I
R L C
ω ω
φ tan
1tan
11
The two cases are as described earlier in series circuit.
(a) Inductive
I C
E O
D A
I R
I L I
φ
Inductive (I
L> I
C) Fig. 15.4 (b) Phasor diagram
In this case, the circuit being inductive, the current lags the voltage by φ (positive), as I
L> I
C, i.e. 1 / ω L > ω C , or ω L < 1 / ω C .This condition is in contrast to that derived in the case of series circuit earlier. The power factor is less than 1 (one). The complete phasor diagram, with the three branch currents along with total current, and also the voltage, is shown in Fig. 15.4b. The voltage phasor is taken as reference in all cases.
It may be observed there that
) ( ) ( ) ( )
( OD I DC I CB I OB
I
R+
L+
C=
The Kirchoff’s first law related to the currents at the node is applied, as stated above. The
expression for the average power is . The power is only
consumed in the resistance, R, but not in inductance/capacitance (L/C), in all three cases.
R V R I I
V cos φ =
R2=
2/
(b) Capacitive
The circuit is capacitive, as I
C> I
L, i.e. ω C > 1 / ω L , or ω L > 1 / ω C . The current leads the voltage by φ (φ being negative), with the power factor less than 1 (one). The complete phasor diagram, with the three branch currents along with total current, and also the voltage, is shown in Fig. 15.4c.
The third case is resistive, as I
L= I
C, i.e. 1 / ω L = ω C or ω L = 1 / ω C . This is the same condition, as obtained in the case of series circuit. It may be noted that two currents, and , are equal in magnitude as shown, but opposite in sign (phase difference being ), and the sum of these currents
I
LI
C180 ° ( I
L+ I
C) is zero (0). The total current is in phase with the voltage ( φ = 0 ° ), with I = I
R, the power factor being unity. The complete phasor diagram, with the three branch currents along with total current, and also the voltage, is shown in Fig. 15.4d. This condition can be termed as ‘resonance’ in the parallel circuit, which is described in detail in lesson #17. The magnitude of the impedance in the circuit is maximum (i.e., the magnitude of the admittance is minimum) under this condition, with the magnitude of the total (supply) current being minimum.
O
B
E I
φ
D
I C
I R
Capacitive (I
L< I
C) Fig. 15.4 (c) Phasor diagram
A V
I L
The circuit with two elements, say R & L, can be solved, or derived with C being large ( I
C= 0 or 1 / ω C = 0 ).
+
- O
L L
I ( V / ( j X )
( )
C C
I V/(-jX )
( )
I = I
RV R V
Resistive (I
L= I
C) Fig. 15.4 (d) Phasor Diagram
E D, B I R
Second method
Before going into the details of this method, the term, Admittance must be explained.
In the case of two resistance connected in series, the equivalent resistance is the sum of two resistances, the resistance being scalar (positive). If two impedances are connected in series, the equivalent impedance is the sum of two impedances, all impedances being complex. Please note that the two terms, real and imaginary, of two impedances and also the equivalent one, may be positive or negative. This was explained in lesson no. 12.
If two resistances are connected in parallel, the inverse of the equivalent resistance is the sum of the inverse of the two resistances. If two impedances are connected in parallel, the inverse of the equivalent impedance is the sum of the inverse of the two impedances.
The inverse or reciprocal of the impedance is termed ‘Admittance’, which is complex.
Mathematically, this is expressed as
2 1 2 1
1 1
1 Y Y
Z Z
Y = Z = + = +
As admittance (Y) is complex, its real and imaginary parts are called conductance (G) and susceptance (B) respectively. So, Y = G + j B . If impedance, Z ∠ φ = R + j X with X being positive, then the admittance is
B j X G
R j X X R
R
X R
X j R X j R X j R
X j R X
j R Y Z
− + =
+ −
=
+
= −
− +
= −
= +
°
= ∠
−
∠
2 2 2
2
2
)
2( ) (
1 0
φ 1
where,
2 2 2
2
;
X R B X X
R G R
= +
= +
Please note the way in which the result of the division of two complex quantities is obtained. Both the numerator and the denominator are multiplied by the complex conjugate of the denominator, so as to make the denominator a real quantity. This has also been explained in lesson no. 12.
The magnitude and phase angle of Z and Y are )
/ ( tan
;
12
2
X X R
R
Z = + φ =
−, and
⎟ ⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
= ⎛
⎟ ⎠
⎜ ⎞
⎝
= ⎛
= + +
=
− −R X G
B X
R B
G
Y
1 12 2 2
2
1 ; φ tan tan
To obtain the current in the circuit (Fig. 15.4a), the steps are given here.
The admittances of the three branches are
j L X
j Y Z
R Y Z
L
ω
1 1
90 1 1 ;
0 1
2 2
1
1
∠ ° = = ∠ − ° = = = −
C X j
j Y Z
C
ω
− =
=
=
°
∠ 1 1
90
3 3
The total admittance, obtained by the phasor sum of the three branch admittances, is B
j L G
C R j
Y Y Y
Y ⎟⎟ = +
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
+
= + +
=
±
∠ φ
1 2 31 ω ω 1
where,
⎥ ⎦
⎢ ⎤
⎣
⎡ ⎟⎟
⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
⎥ =
⎥
⎦
⎤
⎢ ⎢
⎣
⎡
⎟⎟ ⎠
⎜⎜ ⎞
⎝
⎛ −
+
=
−C L L R
R C
Y φ ω ω
ω ω 1 ; tan 1
1
12
2
, and
L C
B R
G = 1 / ; = ω − 1 / ω
The total impedance of the circuit is
2 2 2
2