Principle of EE1

Lesson 5
Prof. Võ Văn Tới
School of Biomedical Engineering
Vice-Provost for Life and Health Science, Engineering and Technology Development
of
International University
Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
Capacitor and Capacitance
Phenomenon
1. What will happen if I is at 1?

5Ω I vAB iAB
1
2 0V 0A
iAB vAB
5V A
II
10 Ω B
2. Then, what will happen if II is closed?

5Ω I vAB iAB
1
2 5V 0A
iAB vAB
5V A
II
10 Ω B
3. Then, what will happen if I is at 2?

5Ω I vAB iAB
1
2 0V 1A
iAB vAB
5V A
II
10 Ω B
4. What will happen if I is at 1 and II is
replaced by a 2-metal-plate device?
5Ω I vAB iAB
1
2 0V 0A
iAB vAB
5V A
II
10 Ω B
 vAB [V] Transient Steady state

vAB (0-) = vAB (0+) = 0

5Ω I
1 vAB (ꚙ) = 5V
2
iAB 0 τ
τ: time constant
t

5V A iAB [A]
II 1 iAB (0-) = 0A
10 Ω
B iAB (0+) = 1A
iAB (ꚙ) = 0A
0 τ t

II is called a Capacitor = storing energy element. It can be empty or full.

Empty => Closed switch, Full => Open switch
5. What happen if Capacitor is full and I is at
2?
vAB [V] Transient Steady state

5Ω I 5
1
2
iAB vAB
5V A 0 τ t
II τ: time constant
10 Ω
B iAB [A]
1

0 τ t
 vAB [V]
5
5Ω I
1 vAB (0+) = vAB (0-) = 5V
2 vAB (ꚙ) = 0V
iAB vAB
5V A
II 0
10 Ω τ τtime constant t
B
Transient Steady state
iAB [A] τ
t
0

iAB (0-) = 0A
- 0.5 iAB (0+)= -0.5A
iAB (ꚙ) = 0A

Capacitor acts like a source

 5Ω I
vAB [V] Transient Steady state

1 5

2
iAB
5V A Capacitor is charging
0 τ t
II vAB τ: time constant

10 Ω iAB [A]
B 1

0 τ t

5Ω I
1 vAB [V]
5

2
iAB
5V A
II vAB
0 t
τ τtime constant

10 Ω Transient Steady state Capacitor is discharging

B iAB [A]
0
τ
t

- 0.5
Capacitor
C = εrε0 A/d
C: capacitance [F]
εr: Relative permittivity of the material
ε0: Permittivity of air = 8.85 pF/m
A: Area [m2]
d: Distance [m]
E: Electric field = V/d [V/m]
V: voltage [V]
Symbols of capacitor
Defibrillator.
“Automated external
defibrillator”.
Máy sốc tim tự động.
 Basic notes
1. Capacitor is a storing energy element: it can be
charged and discharged => time constant C
2. Empty => Closed switch, Full => Open switch
3. Q [C] = C [F] . V [V]
4. Stored energy W [J] = ½ C [F] . V2 [V]
5. Voltage cannot change instantly v(0+) = v(0-)
6. Current changes instantly i(0) = max
7. ic(t) = = C
 Capacitor connections
• Series
1. Same charge Q
2. 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + …
3. V1 = V
4. Wt = W1 + W2 + W3 + …

• Parallel
5. Same voltage V
6. Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 + …
7. Qt = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + …
8. Q1 = Qt
9. Wt = W1 + W2 + W3 + …
 Example
C1 = 3,000pF

Find: QC1, QC2, QC3,

10V
VC1, VC2, VC3
C2 = 200pF C3 = 800pF

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 Solution for Q and V
C2&3 = C2 + C3 (formula 6) = 200 + 800 = 1,000F
Ceq = = = 750 F (f.2)
Q = Ceq V = 750 x 10 = 7.5*10-9 C
QC1 = Q = 7.5*10-9 C (f. 1)
QC2 = Q = 7.5*10-9 = C (f.8)
QC3 = Q = 7.5*10-9 = C
VC1 = V (f.3) C1 = 3,000pF
VC1 = V = 10 = 2.5V
VC2 = VC3 = V = 10 = 7.5V (f.5) 10V

C2 = 200pF C3 = 800pF
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 DETERMINE THE VALUES OF CURRENT AND
VOLTAGE OF A CAPACITOR AT A SPECIFIC TIME

At the time when the switch is changing position

 Example 16Ω
A 1 t = 1h

IC I1 I2
2 t=0

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
VC
I3 V2 8Ω
B

Switch was at 1 for a long time, at t = 0 sec it goes to 2 and stays there
for 1h then goes back to 1
Find: i1, i2, i3, ic
V1, V2, VC
At t = 0-, t= 0+, t = 1h-, t = 1h+ 22
 Solution A 16Ω 1 t = 1h
I2
t=0 - IC I1 2 t=0

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
Questions: VC
I3 V2 8Ω
1. Where is switch? at 1
2. Is C full or empty? full => OC B

i1 = i2 = 12 = 3A A 16Ω 1 t = 0-

IC I1 I2
i3 = 12 – 3 = 9A => v1 = 9 x 8 = 72V 2
I4
VC 8Ω 8Ω V1 12A
iC = 0A => vC = v = 3 x 8 = 24V I3 V2 8Ω
AB
i4 = 0 A => v2 = 0V B

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 Solution A 16Ω
t=0 + 1 t = 1h

IC I1 I2
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 24V = vAB 2 t=0

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
Questions: VC
I3 V2 8Ω
1. Where is switch? at 2
B
2. Is C full or empty? full => discharge
A 16Ω 1
i1 = = 3A
IC I1 I2 t = 0+
2
i2 = – = – 1A I4
=> i3 = 1A => V1 = 8V VC 8Ω 8Ω V1 12A
KCL at A: iC = i2 – i1 I3 V2 8Ω
= – 1 – 3 = – 4A B
i4 = 12A => v2 = 12 x 8 = 96V
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 Solution A 16Ω 1 t = 1h
I2
t = 1h - IC I1 2 t=0

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
Questions: VC
I3 V2 8Ω
1. Where is switch? at 2
2. Is C full or empty? Empty => SC B

i1 = i2 = i3 = iC = 0A A 16Ω 1
I2
v1 = 0V IC I1 2 t = 1h-

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
i4 = 12A => v2 = 12x8 = 96V VC
I3 V2 8Ω
vC = 0V B

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 Solution A 16Ω
t = 1h + 1 t = 1h

IC I1 I2
vC (1h+) = vC (1h-) = 0V = vAB 2 t=0

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
Questions: VC
I3 V2 8Ω
1. Where is switch? at 1
B
2. Is C full or empty? Empty => SC
vC = 0V 16Ω
A 1 t = 1h+
i1 = 0A IC I1 I2
2
i2 = iC = 12 = 4A 8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
VC
I3 V2 8Ω
i3 = 12 – 4 = 8A => v1 = 64V
i4 = 0A => v2 = 0V B
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 Solution A 16Ω 1 t = 1h
I2
t→ꚙ IC I1 2 t=0

8Ω 8Ω V1 I4 12A
Questions: VC
I3 V2 8Ω
1. Where is switch? at 1
2. Is C full or empty? full => OC B
A 16Ω
i1 = i2 = 12 = 3A 1 t = 0-

IC I1 I2
i3 = 12 – 3 = 9A => v1 = 9 x 8 = 72V 2
I4
VC 8Ω 8Ω V1 12A
iC = 0A => vC = v = 3 x 8 = 24V I3 V2 8Ω
AB
i4 = 0 A => v2 = 0V B

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 I1 [A] I2 [A] I3 [A] I4 [A] Ic [A] v1 [V] v2 [V] vc [V]

t = 0- 3 3 9 0 0 72 0 24
t = 0+ 3 -1 1 12 -4 8 96 24
t =1h- 0 0 0 12 0 0 96 0
t =1h+ 0 4 8 0 4 64 0 0
t→ꚙ 3 3 9 0 0 72 0 24
 DETERMINE THE EQUATION OF VOLTAGE
AND CURRENT OF A CAPACITOR WHEN t ≥ 0
OR WHEN – ꚙ ≤ t ≤ + ꚙ

This is a function with respect to time

Charging
iC = C
R1
vR1 = R1 iC = R1 C
ic
KVL: E = vR1 + vC = R1 C + vC C
R2 VC
=> vC (t) = E – (E – v0) E

Where τc= R1 C and v0 = vC (0)

Discharging
KVL: vR1 + vR1 + vC = 0
R1
C + vC = 0
I
=> vC (t) = v’0 id C
R2 VC
E
Where τd= (R1 + R2) C and v’0 = vC (0)
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 General equations
vc(t) = Vss + k
• vc(t): instantaneous voltage valid for all t
• Vss: steady state voltage i.e. when vc(∞)
• k: constant = vc(0) – Vss
• C
ic(t) = C
 Method
Find:
1. vC(0-) to determine vC(0+)
2. vC (ꚙ) to determine vSS
3. τ = Rth C
4. k = vC(0+) – vSS
Establish:
5. vc(t) = Vss + k
6. ic(t) = C
Plot: vc(t) and ic(t)
 5Ω I
vAB [V] Transient Steady state

1 5

2
iAB
5V A Capacitor is charging
0 τ t
II vAB τ: time constant

10 Ω iAB [A]
B 1

0 τ t

vc(t) = Vss + k
5Ω I
1 vAB [V]

ic(t) = C
5

2
iAB
5V A
II vAB
0 t
τ τtime constant

10 Ω Transient Steady state Capacitor is discharging

B iAB [A]
0
τ
t

- 0.5
 Example

Switch was open for a long time, at t = 0 sec it closes

Find: VC and ic for t ≥ 0

t=0

Vc 0.1F
4Ω 12Ω 10V
2Ω
 Solution
t = 0-
=> For t ≥ 0:
1. Switch: open
vc (0-) = 0 vc(t) = 10 – 10 = 10 (1 – )
2. C: empty
ic(t) = C = 0.1(–10) (–5) = 5
t = 0+
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 0 t=0

t →ꚙ
Vc 0.1F
3. Switch: closed 4Ω 12Ω 10V
v(ꚙ) = vSS = 10V
4. C: full => OCz 2Ω
5. τ = Rth C = 2 x 0.1 = 0.2 = sec
6. k = vC(0+) – vSS = 0 – 10 = – 10 Vc
4Ω 12Ω 10V
2Ω
 Solution: Plots
vc (0-) = 0 Vc [V]

vc (0+) = 0 10

vc(ꚙ) = 10V
τ = 0.2 sec 0.2 t [s]
ic [A]
ic (0-) = 0A 5

ic (0+) = 5A
ic(ꚙ) = 0A 0.2 t [s]
 Example

Switch was closed for a long time, at t = 0 sec it opens

Find: VC and ic for – ꚙ ≤ t ≤ + ꚙ

t=0

Vc 0.1F
4Ω 12Ω 10V
2Ω
 Solution
t = 0-
1. Switch: closed => For – ꚙ ≤ t ≤ + ꚙ:
vc (0-) = 10V
2. C: full => OC vc(t) = 10
t = 0+ ic(t) = C = 0.1(10) (–2) = –2
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 10V
t →ꚙ
Vc
3. Switch: open 4Ω 12Ω 10V
v(ꚙ) = vSS = 0V 2Ω
4. C: empty
5. τ = Rth C = 5 x 0.1 = 0.5 = ½ sec
Rth= 4//12 +2 = 5Ω
6. k = vC(0+) – vSS = 10 – 0 = 10 12Ω
4Ω
2Ω
 Solution: Plots
Vc [V]
vc (0-) = 10V
10
vC (0+) = 10V
v(ꚙ) = 0V
τ = 0.5 sec 0.5 t [s]
ic (0-) = 0A
ic [A]
ic (0+) = –2 = – 2 A 0.5

ic(ꚙ) = 0A t [s]

-2
Solution: Plots
Vc [V]

10

0.5 t [s]

ic [A]
0.5

t [s]

-2
 Example
5Ω
t=0
ic

VC 4F 5Ω 2A

Switch was open for a long time, at t = 0 sec it closes

Find: VC and ic for t ≥ 0

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t = 0- Solution
1. Switch: open
vc (0-) = 10V 5Ω
2. C: full => OC t=0
ic
t = 0+
VC 4F 5Ω 2A
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 10V
t →ꚙ 5Ω

3. Switch: closed
v(ꚙ) = vSS = 5V
4. C: full => OC VC 5Ω 2A

5. τ = Rth C = 2.5 x 0.4 = 10 sec 5Ω

6. k = vC(0+) – vSS = 10 – 5 = 5
Rth= 5//5 = 2.5Ω 5Ω
=> For t ≥ 0:
vc(t) = 5 + 5 = 5 (1 + )
ic(t) = C = 4 (5) (–1/10) = –2
 Solution: Plots
Vc [V]
vc (0-) = 10V
10
vC (0+) = 10V
5
v(ꚙ) = 5V
τ = 10 sec 10
t [s]
ic (0-) = 0A
ic [A]
ic (0+) = –2 = – 2 A 10

ic(ꚙ) = 0A t [s]

-2
 Example
1 2
t=0 t=0
20Ω
Switch 1 was open for a long 95V i2 ic i3 i1
vc
time, switch 2 was closed for a 0.1F
5Ω
i3
15V
long time. At t = 0 sec they do
the opposite
Find: VC and ic , i1, i2, i3 for t ≥ 0

44
t = 0-
1. Switch 1: open, switch 2: closed
Solution
2. C: full => OC 1
t=0 2
t=0
20Ω
=> vc (0-) = 15V ic i1
i2 i3
95V
i1 = i3 = = 3A vc 5Ω 15V
0.1F i3
i2 = iC = 0A
t = 0+
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 15V 1 2

i2 ic i3 i1
vc 5Ω 15V

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t = 0+
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 15V
Solution
Switch 1: closed, switch 2: open 1
t=0 2
t=0
20Ω
i1 = 0 ic i1
i2 i3
95V
i2 = = 4A vc 5Ω 15V
0.1F i3
i3 = = 3A
ic = i2 – i3 = 4 – 3 = 1A
1 2
20Ω
ic i3 i1
95V i2
vc 5Ω 15V
0.1F

46
t →ꚙ Solution
1. Switch 1: closed, switch 2: open 1 t=0 2
t=0
2. C: full => OC 20Ω
ic i3 i1
=> vc = 95= 19V = vss 95V i2
vc 5Ω 15V
0.1F i3
ic = 0A
i1 = 0A 1 2
20Ω
i2 = i3 = 19/5 = 3.8A
ic i3 i1
95V i2
τ = Rth C = 4 x 0.1 = 0.4 = sec vc 5Ω
0.1F
k = vC(0+) – vSS = 15 – 19 = – 4
20Ω

=> For t ≥ 0: vc(t) = 19 – 4 Rth= 20//5 = 4Ω

vc 5Ω
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 Solution
For t ≥ 0:

vc(t) = 19 – 4
ic(t) = C = 0.1 (– 4) (– 2.5) =
1 2
i1 = 0A 20Ω
i2 = = 3.8 + 0.2 ic i3 i1
95V i2
vc 5Ω
i3 = = 3.8 – 0.8 0.1F

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 Summary and Plots
t = 0- t = 0+ t→ꚙ t≥0
vc[V] 15 15 19 19 – 4
i1[A] 3 0 0 0
i2[A] 0 4 3.8 3.8 + 0.2
i3[A] 3 3 3.8 3.8 – 0.8
ic[A] 0 1 0

Vc [V] i1[A] i2[A] i3[A] ic [A]

19 4 3.8
3
1
15 3.8 3

0.4 t [s] t [s] 0.4 t [s] 0.4 t [s] 0.4 t [s]

 Example
t=0
Switch was at 0 for a long time, at t = 0 sec 4KΩ 1 6KΩ

it goes to 1 and stays there for 3sec then 100V

0
t = 3s
vc
goes back to 0 14KΩ
100µF
Find: VC and ic for t ≥ 0, VC (2sec) and VC
(5sec)
The way to treat this problem:
Step 1: Ignore the fact that after 3 sec switch goes to 0 again i.e.,
solve the problem as if after t = 0+ the switch stays at 1 for ever.

50
 Solution
t = 0- t=0
1. Switch: at 0, no source 4KΩ 1 6KΩ

2. C: empty vc (0-) = 0 0
100V t = 3s
t = 0+ vc
14KΩ
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 0V 100µF

t →ꚙ 4KΩ 1 6KΩ
3. Switch: at 1 vc (ꚙ) = 100V = vSS 0
100V
4. C: full => OC vc
5. τ = Rth C = (6 + 4)103 x 100*10-6 = 1sec
6. k = vC(0+) – vSS = – 100 4KΩ 6KΩ

=> For t ≥ 0: C
vc(t) = 100 – 100 = 100 (1 – ) [V]
ic(t) = C = 100*10-6 (– 100 ) (–1) = 0.01 [A] = 10 [mA] 51
The way to treat this problem:
Step 1: Ignore the fact that after 3 sec switch goes to 0 again i.e., solve the
problem as if after t = 0+ the switch stays at 1 for ever.
Step 2: Calculate Vc for t = 3 sec
=> vc(3-) = 100 (1 – ) = 95V = vc(3+)
Step 3: Define a new time scale: t’ = t – 3 i.e., when t = 3 sec, t’ = 0 sec. Then
continue to solve the problem using t’ with vc(t’ =0-) = 95V
t’ = 0- Solution
1. Switch: at 1
vc (0-) = 95V t=0
2. C: full => OC 4KΩ 1 6KΩ

t‘ = 0+ 100V
0
t = 3s
vc
vC (0+) = vC (0-) = 95V 14KΩ
100µF
t’ →ꚙ
3. Switch: at 0 6KΩ
vc (ꚙ) = 0V = vSS 0
4. C: empty
14KΩ
C
5. τ’ = Rth C = (6 + 14)103 x 100*10-6 = 2sec
6. k = vC(0+) – vSS = 95
=> For t’ ≥ 0:
vc(t’) = 95[V]
ic(t’) = C = 100*10-6 (95) (–0.5) = – 4.75 [mA] 53
The way to treat this problem:
Step 1: Ignore the fact that after 3 sec switch goes to 0 again i.e., solve the
problem as if after t = 0+ the switch stays at 1 for ever.
Step 2: Calculate Vc for t = 3 sec
=> vc(3-) = 100 (1 – ) = 95V = vc(3+)
Step 3: Define a new time scale: t’ = t – 3 i.e., when t = 3 sec, t’ = 0 sec. Then
continue to solve the problem using t’ with vc(t’ =0-) = 95V
Step 4: Summarize all results with respect to the time t.
 Summary
For 0 ≤ t ≤ 3 sec
vc(t) = 100 (1 – ) [V] (1) For t = 0-
ic(t) = 10 [mA] (2) vc = 0
For t ≥ 3 sec ic = 0A
vc(t) = 95[V] (3) For t = 0+
ic(t) = – 4.75 [mA] (4) vc = 0
(2) => ic = 10 = 10mA (= 100/10K)
4KΩ 6KΩ 6KΩ For t = 2sec
ic (1) => vc = 100 (1 – ) = 86.5V
100V ic
86.5V
14KΩ 35V (2) => ic = 10 = 1.35 mA (= )
t = 2sec t = 5sec
For t = 3sec
(1) or (3) => vc = 95V
6KΩ 6KΩ (2) => ic = 10 = 0.5 mA (= )
ic (4) => ic = – 4.75 = – 4.75 mA (= )
100V ic
95V
14KΩ 95V For t = 5sec
t = 3sec -
t = 3sec + (3) => Vc = 95 = 35V
(4) => ic = – 4.75 = – 1.75 mA (= )
 Plots
For t = 0- Vc [V]
vc = 0 100
ic = 0A 95
For t = 0+
vc = 0
ic = 10mA 1 3 5 t [s]
For t = 3sec ic [mA]
vc = 95V
10
ic = 0.5 mA
ic = – 4.75 mA
0.5
τ = 1sec for 0 ≤ t ≤ 3 sec 1 3 5 t [s]
τ’ = 2sec for t ≥ 3 sec - 4.75
Plots
Vc [V]

100
95

1 3 5 t [s]
ic [mA]
10

0.5
1 3 5 t [s]
- 4.75
Plots
Vc [V]

100
95

1 3 5 t [s]
ic [mA]
10

0.5
1 3 5 t [s]
- 4.75
 Reminder
1. Capacitor is a storing energy element: it can be charged and discharged =>
time constant C
2. Charging and discharging currents are in opposite direction
3. Empty => Closed switch, Full => Open switch
4. Q [C] = C [F] . V [V]
5. Stored energy W [J] = ½ C [F] . V2 [V]
6. Voltage cannot change instantly v(0+) = v(0-)
7. Current changes instantly i(0) = max
8. For t ≥0: vc(t) = Vss + k and
9. ic(t) = C
Võ Văn Tới
School of Biomedical Engineering
International University of Vietnam National Universities
HCM City, Vietnam
Email: vvtoi@hcmiu.edu.vn
Website: www.hcmiu.edu.vn/bme

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