First-Order Circuits (Part 1)
Source-Free RC and RL Circuit
Introduction
In this course, we shall examine two types of simple circuits: a circuit comprising
a resistor and capacitor and a circuit comprising a resistor and an inductor.
These are called RC and RL circuits, respectively. As simple as these circuits
are, they find continual applications in electronics, communications, and control
systems
We carry out the analysis of RC and RL circuits by applying Kirchhoff’s laws,
as we did for resistive circuits. The only difference is that applying Kirchhoff’s
laws to purely resistive circuits results in algebraic equations, while applying
the laws to RC and RL circuits produces differential equations, which are more
difficult to solve than algebraic equations. The differential equations resulting
from analyzing RC and RL circuits are of the first order. Hence, the circuits are
collectively known as first-order circuits.
The Source-Free RC Circuit
A source-free RC circuit occurs when its dc source is suddenly disconnected. The
energy already stored in the capacitor is released to the resistors.
Consider a series combination of a resistor
and an initially charged capacitor
Since the capacitor is initially charged, we
can assume that at time 𝑡 = 0 the initial voltage is
Applying KCL at the top node of the circuit
This is a first-order differential equation, since only the first derivative
of 𝑣 is involved. To solve it, we rearrange the terms as
Integrating both sides, we get
where ln 𝐴 is the integration constant. Thus
Taking powers of 𝑒 produces
But from the initial conditions 𝑣 0 = 𝐴 = 𝑉0 , Hence,
This shows that the voltage response of the RC circuit is an exponential decay
of the initial voltage. Since the response is due to the initial energy stored and
the physical characteristics of the circuit and not due to some external voltage
or current source, it is called the natural response of the circuit.
The voltage response of the RC circuit
As 𝑡 increases, the voltage decreases toward zero. The rapidity with which the
voltage decreases is expressed in terms of the time constant, denoted by 𝜏
In terms of the time constant, the voltage is
Example
The switch in the circuit has been
closed for a long time, and it is
opened at 𝑡 = 0. Find 𝑣(𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0.
Calculate the initial energy stored in
the capacitor.
Solution
For 𝑡 < 0 the switch is closed; the capacitor is
an open circuit to dc. Using voltage division
𝑣𝐶 𝑡
Since the voltage across a capacitor cannot change instantaneously, the voltage
across the capacitor at 𝑡 = 0− is the same at 𝑡 = 0
For 𝑡 > 0 the switch is opened, and we have the RC circuit shown here
Notice that the RC circuit is source free; the independent source before switch
open (at 𝑡 < 0) is needed to provide or the initial energy in the capacitor.
The resistors in series give
The time constant is
Thus, the voltage across the capacitor for 𝑡 ≥ 0 is
or
The initial energy stored in the capacitor is
The Source-Free RL Circuit
Consider the series connection of a resistor and an
inductor. Our goal is to determine the circuit response,
which we will assume to be the current 𝑖(𝑡) through
the inductor. We select the inductor current as the
response in order to take advantage of the idea that
the inductor current cannot change instantaneously. At
𝑡 = 0 we assume that the inductor has an initial
current 𝐼0 or
with the corresponding energy stored in the inductor as
Applying KVL around the loop
or
Rearranging terms and integrating gives
Taking the powers of 𝑒, we have
The equation shows that the natural response of the RL circuit is an exponential
decay of the initial current.
The current response of the RL circuit.
Example
The switch in the circuit has been closed
for a long time. At 𝑡 = 0 the switch is
opened. Calculate 𝑖(𝑡) for 𝑡 > 0
Solution
When 𝑡 < 0 the switch is closed, and the
inductor acts as a short circuit to dc
40 40 40
𝑖1 = = = =8A
(4 ∥ 12) + 2 3 + 2 5
12
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑖 =6A
4 + 12 1
Since the current through an inductor cannot change instantaneously
𝑖 0 = 𝑖 0− = 6 A
When 𝑡 > 0 the switch is open and the
voltage source is disconnected. We
now have the source-free RL circuit
Combining the resistors, we have
The time constant is
Thus, for 𝑡 > 0
Problems
If the switch opens at 𝑡 = 0, find 𝑣(𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0, and 𝑤𝐶 (0)
Let 𝑣𝐶 0 = 60 V. Determine 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡), 𝑣𝑥 (𝑡), and 𝑖𝑜 (𝑡) for 𝑡 ≥ 0
For the circuit below, find 𝑖(𝑡) for 𝑡 > 0
In the circuit shown below, find 𝑖(𝑡), 𝑖𝑜 (𝑡), and 𝑣𝑜 (𝑡) for all time 𝑡,
assuming that the switch was open for a long time.
