Electrical technology Lab

SQUARE WAVE RESPONSE OF FIRST ORDER RC/RL CIRCUITS

Theory:

1.R-C series circuit:

If the switch ‘s’ in Fig.a is closed at t = 0, a step input of ‘K’ units is

applied to the R-C series circuit, the equations for the response are:

I  s 
 
K  vc 0 
K  v c  0   RC
t
1 or i (t )  e (1)
R(s  ) R
RC
t

vc (t )  K  [vc (0  )  K ]e RC & (2)

t
v R (t )  [ K  v c (0  )]e RC (3)

s
+
i + i
R VR
R VR
_ _
+ vs(t)
K
+ - +
C C Vc
_
Vc _
Fig.b Square Wave input
Fig.a Step Input

The response to a single step input decays too fast to be observable.

To obtain an observable transient wave form it is necessary to connect a square

wave input vs (t) whose half period is sufficiently long compared to the time constant of
the circuit. It is equivalent to a repeated application of a step input to a circuit in the
steady state. This results in a steady wave form appearing on the CRO screen.

From the expressions of the step response given above, the responses to a
square wave input can be written down as follows.(Assuming T/2 >>RC)(Examine why?)

vc(t) = K-2Ke-t/RC when vs(t) = +K

= -K+2Ke-t/RC when vs(t) = -K

vR(t) = 2Ke-t/RC when vs(t) = +K

= -2Ke-t/RC when vs(t) = -K

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2.R-L series circuit

i
The expressions for the step response are +
R VR
i(t) = K/R + [i(0-) – K/R]e-Rt/L
-
VR(t) = R i(t) = K + [R i(0 )-K] e - -Rt/L k +
VL(t) = Ldi/dt = [K-Ri(0-)] e-Rt/L L VL

-
-
For a square wave input, when the voltage is K, i(0 ) can be taken to be –K/R
(prior to a –ve to +ve transition of input).So,

vR(t) = K-2Ke-Rt/L when vs(t) = k

When the input voltage is –K, i(0-) can be taken to be K/R (prior to a +ve to –ve
transition of input).So,

VR(t) = -K+2Ke-Rt/L. when vs(t) = -K

Similarly, VL(t) = 2Ke-Rt/L when vs(t) = K
= -2Ke-Rt/L when vs(t) = -K

Vs (t)
T/2 T 3T/2

-K t
`
2K -2ke-t / RC
VL(t) of Series- 2ke-t / RC
R-L Circuit
/VR (t) of Series- -2ke-t / RC -2ke-t / RC t
R-C Circuit
-2K

K
VR(t) of Series- -k+2ke-t / RC -k+2ke-t / RC
R-L Circuit
/VC (t) of Series- k-2ke-t / RC
R-C Circuit
t
-K

Square wave responses

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Objective :

To observe the response wave forms for a square wave input and determine
the relevant time constants from the response wave forms and compare with calculated
values.

Equipment:

1.Function generator(square wave),CRO,

2.Components R = 1K, C = 1F for R-C circuit.
R = 1K, L = 25 mH for R-L circuit

Procedure:

1. The time constant of the R-C circuit being 1*103*1*10-6 = 1*10-3 sec ie., 1msec, the

T/2 of the square wave should be atleast 10 msec (to ensure that the transient vanishes

and steady state is established before the next voltage transition occurs). So, T = 20 msec.

There fore frequency should be less than 50 Hz or so.

x+

R=1KΩ VR (t)
Vs (t)
15 Vp-p, +
y+
-
40 Hz C=1μF VC (t)

x-,y-

2. Set the source to generate a square wave of about 15 Vp-p and 40 Hz frequency.

3. Connect the circuit as shown in the circuit diagram. Observe and plot Vs(t) and Vc(t).
4. Connect ‘R’ adjacent to ground.(ie., interchange the positions of R & C)
5. Observe and plot VR (t).

6. Repeat the same with L in place of C with L = 25mH, R = 1K Source set to 15 Vp-p,

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and 2000 Hz.

x+
R=1KΩ VR (t)
Vs (t)
15 Vp-p, + y+
-
2000 Hz L = 25mH VL (t)

x-,y-

7. From the plots, the relevant time constant, which is “The time required for the
magnitude of the transient component to decay to 1/e of its initial value” is evaluated and
compared with the calculated value.

RESULT

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