First-Order Circuits

PRESENTED BY: GABRIEL BACANI

First-Order Circuits
oA first-order circuit is characterized by
a first-order differential equation.
oKirchoffs law is also applied but
unlike with the resistive circuits, RC
and RL Circuits are of the first order
differential equations.

Basic Elements of the Network

Resistor

is a two terminal component. It produces a voltage across

its terminals that is proportional to the electric current passing
through it in accordance with Ohms Law.
Inductor
is a passive electrical component that can store energy in a
magnetic field created by the electric current passing through it
Capacitor
A capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores
energy in the form of an electrostatic field. It consists of two
conducting plates separated by an insulating material called
the dielectric.

Series RL Circuit
RL CIRCUIT W/ NATURAL
RESPONSE
Where the energy is assumed to be initially stored in
capacitive or inductive element

RL CIRCUIT W/ STEP RESPONSE

Where DC sources are considered in the circuit

Initial Conditions
For resistor:
The current through a resistor will change instantaneously if the
voltage changes instantaneously. Similarly instantaneously if the
voltage will change instantaneously if the current changes
instantaneously.
For Inductor:
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 finite amount in zero time. An inductor does not
allow an abrupt change in the current through it.

For Capacitor:
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 finite amount in zero
time.

CIRCUIT DERIVATION

SAMPLE PROBLEM
Suppose that a 24 V battery is conected to a circuit
with a resistor of 10ohms and an inductor of 24 mH
a) Find the current at t= 0 seconds; that is, at the
moment we connect the battery
b)What is the time constant and what does it
represent?
c) How long does it take for the current to reach
99% of its maximum value?