University of Hartford – ECE
Department
AC Fundamentals Laboratory
Lab 2 – Capacitive Reactance
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Objectives
The core objective of this experiment is to make students familiarize with the use of capacitors in
circuits. To make them know how different combinations of the capacitors affect the circuit
parameters and finally by measuring the voltage and current through the capacitor students should be
able to compute capacitive reactance and the capacitance of the provided capacitor.
Table 2.1
Component Stated Value Measured Value
C1 0.1 uF 0.0884 uF
C2 0.047 uF 0.046 uF
R1 1KΩ 993 Ω
Table 2.2
C1 C2
Voltage Across R1 (VR) 0.154 V 0.041 V
Total Current (IT) 0.532 mA 0.283 mA
Voltage Across C (VC) 0.846 V 0.959 V
Capacitive Reactance (XC) -j 1591.55 -j 3386.26
Computed Capacitance (C) 0.1 uF 0.047 uF
Table 2.3
C1 & C2 in series C1 & C2 in parallel
Voltage Across R1 (VR) 0.02 V 0.2645 V
Total Current (IT) 0.19 mA 0.678 mA
Voltage Across C (VC) 0.98 V 0.7346 V
Capacitive Reactance (XC) -j 4977.8 -j 1082.68
Computed Capacitance (C) 0.0319 uF 0.147 uF
Analysis
Question 1
The reactance for the capacitors c1 and c2 in series is larger than them connected in parallel and it is
because of the fact that equivalent capacitance is smaller than the smallest capacitor in the
connection and as capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to the capacitance, thus it gets larger
in series than in the parallel connection case.
Question 2
The capacitive reactance increases inversely based on the size of the capacitor and this is because by
the formula we know that reactance is inversely proportional to the capacitance.
For example,
Let’s assume we have two capacitors of 1F and 10F
1 1
Xc1 = =
2 πfC 2 πf
1 0.1
Xc2 = =
2 πfC 2 πf
The larger the capacitor the smaller is the capacitive reactance
Question 3
Divisions = 4.5
SEC/DIV setting = 25ms/DIV
Period of the wave = 4.5 x 25 x 10-3 = 112.5 ms
Frequency = 1 / period = 1 / 112.5 ms = 8.89 Hz
Question 4
Given that,
C = 100 uF
f1 = 12.5 KHz
f2 = 12.5 MHz
1 1
Xc1 = = =¿
2 πfC 2 π x 12.5 x 103 x 100 x 10−6
1 1
Xc2 = = =¿
2 πfC 2 πx 12.5 x 10 6 x 100 x 10−6
Conclusion
To conclude, in a capacitor, two parallel conductivity capable plates are isolated by a non-conductive
zone by virtue of an electric field, that is used to store electricity (charge). As a capacitor's
capacitance increases, so does its ability to charge. Capacitive Reactance is a measure of the
resistance of the capacitor to alternating current. Capacitive Characteristic impedance has the symbol
XC. The frequency of the supply voltage as well as the magnitude of the capacitor affect the
capacitive reactance, which is quantified in ohms of reactance. Capacitors have a 90-degree current-
to-voltage relationship. The Capacitive Impedances, or reactance of a capacitor may be calculated
using the following formula:
1
Xc =
2 πfC