Step Response of an RL Circuit

Find the current in the loop or the voltage across the

inductor after the switch is closed at t = 0.

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 1

Write KVL
di
around the Vs  Ri  L
loop dt
di  Ri  Vs R  Vs 
Solve for the    i  
highest-order dt L L R 
derivative
di R  Vs 
dt    i   dt
dt L R 
Differential change R  Vs 
di    i   dt
in current L R 
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 2
 di R
Separate the variables   dt
Vs L
i
R
i (t ) t
Introduce dummy dx R
variables x and y I Vs   L 0 dy
0 x 
R
V 
i (t )   s 
ln  R  Rt
Integrate to ln V  L
I0   s 
R
V 
i (t )   s  R
Invert to exponential    e L
R  t

V
I0  s
R
R
Final expression for Vs  Vs   L t
i(t) i (t )    I 0   e
R  R
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 3
Take a closer look at the current

When the initial energy is equal to zero

R
Vs Vs   t
i (t )   e L
R R
Vs Vs 1 Vs
i ( )   e  0.6321
R R R

Plot shown on the next slide

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 4

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 5
Look at the derivative at t = 0

 
di Vs  1  t Vs  1  t
   e    e
dt R  R L
 R
di Vs t
 e
dt L
di Vs
(0) 
dt L

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 6

If the current continued at this rate

Vs
i t
L
@t  ,
Vs Vs L Vs
i ( )    
L L R R

Plot shown on next slide

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 7

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 8
What About the Voltage
Across the Inductor?
di
vL
dt
d Vs Vs  L t 
 R

vL   e 

dt  R R 

 
R
Vs R  L  t  
R
 t
vL  e   Vs e  L 
R  L 


ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 9

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 10
Look at the derivative of the voltage
R
  t
v  Vs e L

R
dv R   t
  Vs e L
dt L
dv R
(0)   Vs
dt L

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 11

If the voltage continued at this rate

R
v   Vs t
L
@t ,
R L
v   Vs  Vs
L R

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 12

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1 13