Unit 4: AC Circuits Syllabus

Unit 4: AC Circuits

 Lecture 19: Single Phase AC Circuits

o Series R-L circuit, phasor diagram, impedance,

power factor, voltage, current and power waveforms.
o Active, reactive and apparent power.
 A.C. Through RL Series Circuit
A pure resistance R and a pure inductive coil of
inductance L are connected in series.
Let V = rms value of the applied voltage,
I = rms value of the resultant current
VR = IR voltage drop across R
VL = I XL voltage drop across L
B

𝑽𝑳
V

𝑣 =𝑉 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 ) − − − − − (1)

𝑉 =𝑉 𝑅 +𝑉 𝐿
𝝓
O
𝑉
2
=¿ 𝑽𝑹 A I
08/11/2025
 𝑉 = √ 𝐼 (𝑅 + 𝑋 𝐿 )
2 2 2

𝑉
= 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑍 = √ ¿ ¿
𝐼

The quantity is known as the impedance (Z) of the circuit.

𝑍 =√ ¿ ¿

{ }
(𝑉 ¿ ¿ 𝐿)
tan ( 𝝓 ) =
( 𝐼 . 𝑋 ¿¿ 𝐿) 𝑋 𝐿
¿
−1 𝑋𝐿
(𝑉 ¿¿ 𝑅)= = ¿¿ 𝝓=𝑡𝑎𝑛
( 𝐼 . 𝑅) 𝑅 𝑅

(𝑉 ¿¿ 𝑅) ( 𝐼 . 𝑅) 𝑅 𝑅
cos ( 𝝓 ) = = = ¿ 𝑃𝐹 =𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( 𝝓 ) =
(𝑉 ) ( 𝐼 . 𝑍) 𝑍 𝑍

𝑉𝑚
𝑣 =𝑉 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 ) 𝑖= 𝐼 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 − 𝝓 ) 𝐼 𝑚=
𝑍
 𝑍 =√ ¿ ¿

𝝓=𝑡𝑎𝑛
−1
{ }
𝑋𝐿
𝑅

Impedance Triangle 𝑉 =𝑉 0
𝐼=𝐼 − 𝝓

O V
𝝓
𝝓
I
11/08/2025 5
Power in RL circuit
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝=𝑣 .𝑖
𝑝=𝑉 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 ) . 𝐼 𝑚 sin ( ω𝑡 − 𝝓 )
𝑝=𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑚 sin ( ω𝑡 ) . sin ( ω𝑡 − 𝝓 )
1 Thus the instantaneous power consists of two
𝑝= 𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑚¿ parts.
2
1.A constant part =
2.A variable part = ) which varies at twice
the supply frequency.

The average value of the varying

power component over a complete
cycle is zero.

1
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑃 = 𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓
2
𝑉 𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓
√2 √2
11/08/2025
𝑃=𝑉 . 𝐼 . 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡 6
 Power Triangle
𝑃=𝑉 . 𝐼 .𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡
o
𝝓
𝑄=𝑉 .𝐼 .𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝝓𝑉𝐴𝑅
𝑆=𝑉 . 𝐼 𝑉𝐴

𝟏¿ 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑷=𝑽 .𝑰 .𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝓𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒕

𝟐¿ 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑸=𝑽 . 𝑰 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝓 𝑽𝑨𝑹
𝟑 ¿ 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑺=𝑽 . 𝑰 𝑽𝑨

Remember that in an a.c. circuit, the product of r.m.s. volts and

r.m.s. amperes gives volt-amperes (VA) and not true power in watts.
True power (W) = volt-amperes (VA) × power factor.

11/08/2025 7
 Complex notation of Impedance
V 𝐼=𝐼 − 𝝓

𝑉 (V 0 ) 𝑉
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒= = =  𝝓=𝒁  𝝓=𝑅+ 𝑗 𝑋 𝐿
𝐼 (𝐼 − 𝝓 ) 𝐼
Imaginary axis
Z
𝑋𝐿

φ
Real axis
R

11/08/2025 8
 Lecture 20:
o Series R-C circuit, phasor diagram, impedance, power
factor, Voltage, current and power waveforms. Active,
reactive and apparent power.
 A.C. Through RC Series Circuit

A pure resistance R and a pure Capacitor of

Capacitance C are connected in series.
Let V = rms value of the applied voltage,
I = rms value of the resultant current
VR = IR voltage drop across R
VC = I XC voltage drop across C

𝑽𝑹
𝑣 =𝑉 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 ) − − − − − (1) O
𝝓 A I

𝑉 =𝑉 𝑅 +𝑉 𝐶
𝑽𝑪
V

2
𝑉 =¿ B
11/08/2025 10
 𝑉 = √ 𝐼 (𝑅 + 𝑋 )
2 2
𝐶
2

𝑉
= 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑍 = √ ¿ ¿
𝐼

The quantity is known as the impedance (Z) of the circuit.

𝑍 =√ ¿ ¿

{ }
(𝑉 ¿¿𝐶)
tan ( 𝝓 )=
( 𝐼 . 𝑋 ¿ ¿ 𝐶) 𝑋 𝐶
¿
−1 𝑋𝐶
( 𝑉 ¿ ¿ 𝑅)= = ¿¿ 𝝓=𝑡𝑎𝑛
( 𝐼 . 𝑅) 𝑅 𝑅

(𝑉 ¿¿ 𝑅) (𝐼𝑅) 𝑅 𝑅
cos ( 𝝓 )= = = ¿ 𝑃𝐹 =𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( 𝝓 )=
(𝑉 ) (𝐼 . 𝑍) 𝑍 𝑍

current I leads the applied voltage V by an angle.

𝑉𝑚
𝑣 =𝑉 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 ) 𝑖= 𝐼 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 + 𝝓 ) 𝐼 𝑚=
𝑍
11/08/2025 11
 𝑍 =√ ¿ ¿

𝝓=𝑡𝑎𝑛
−1
{ }
𝑋𝐶
𝑅
𝜑

Impedance Triangle
I

O
𝝓
V

11/08/2025 12
Power in RC circuit
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝=𝑣 .𝑖
𝑝=𝑉 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 ) . 𝐼 𝑚 sin ( ω 𝑡 +𝝓 )
𝑝=𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑚 sin ( ω𝑡 ) . sin ( ω𝑡 +𝝓 )
1
𝑝= 𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑚 ¿ Thus the instantaneous power consists of two
2 parts.
1.A constant part =
2.A variable part = ) which varies at twice
the supply frequency.

The average value of the varying

power component over a complete
i cycle is zero.
v
𝑃
1
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑃 = 𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓
2
𝑉 𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓
√2 √2
11/08/2025
𝑃=𝑉 . 𝐼 . 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡 13
 Power Triangle

𝑆=𝑉 . 𝐼 𝑉𝐴
𝑄=𝑉 .𝐼 .𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝝓𝑉𝐴𝑅
𝝓
o
𝑃=𝑉 . 𝐼 .𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝝓𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡
𝟏¿ 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑷=𝑽 .𝑰 .𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝓𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒕
𝟐¿ 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑸=𝑽 . 𝑰 . 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝓 𝑽𝑨𝑹
𝟑 ¿ 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑺=𝑽 . 𝑰 𝑽𝑨

Remember that in an a.c. circuit, the product of r.m.s. volts and

r.m.s. amperes gives volt-amperes (VA) and not true power in watts.
True power (W) = volt-amperes (VA) × power factor.

11/08/2025 14
 Complex Notation of Impedance
𝑽 =𝑽  𝟎 𝑰 =𝑰  𝝓

𝑉 (𝑉 0) 𝑉
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒= = = − 𝝓=𝑍 − 𝝓=𝑅 − 𝑗 𝑋 𝐶
𝐼 ( 𝐼  𝝓) 𝐼
Imaginary axis

Real axis
−𝝓 R

Inductive Circuit
𝑋𝐶
Z

𝑍 =( 𝑍  ± 𝝓)=( 𝑅 ± 𝑗 𝑋 )

11/08/2025
Capacitive Circuit
 Lecture 21:
o Numericals on R-L and R-C circuits
Example 1
A 60 Hz sinusoidal voltage is applied to a series R-L circuit. The values of the resistance and the inductance are 3 Ω
and 0.0106 H respectively.
(i) Compute the r.m.s. value of the current and its phase angle with respect to the voltage.
(ii) Write the expression for the instantaneous current in the circuit.
(iii) Compute the r.m.s. value and phase of voltages across the resistance and inductance.
(iv) Find the average power dissipated by the circuit.
(v) Calculate the p.f. of the circuit.
Solution:
; R=3 Ω

(i) r.m.s. value of the current

(ii)

(iii) and =80V.

(iv)

(v)
Example 2:
A pure resistance of 50 Ω is in series with a pure capacitance of 100µF. The series
combination is connected across 100-V, 50-Hz supply. Find (a) the impedance (b) current (c)
power factor (d) phase angle (e) voltage across resistor (f) voltage across capacitor. Draw the
Phasor diagram.

Solution:
; R=50 Ω

(a) Impedance

(b) r.m.s. value of the current

𝑽 𝑹 =𝟖𝟒. 𝟐 𝑽
O A
𝝓=𝟑𝟐.𝟑𝟔 ° I=1.684A
(c)

(e) and V=100V

𝑽 𝑪 =𝟓𝟑 . 𝟗𝑽
=53.9 V.

B
 Lecture 22:
o Series R-L-C circuit, phasor diagrams, impedance,
power factor, Concept of series resonance,
Derivation of resonant frequency, Numericals on
simple R-L-C series circuit and series resonance
circuit.
Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance in
Series

𝑽 =𝑽 𝑹 +𝑽 𝑳+𝑽 𝑪
11/08/2025 20
 ( i ) When X L >X 𝑪

VL 𝑉 2
=¿
( V L − VC ¿
𝑉 =√𝐼2 ¿ ¿
V ( V L− V C ¿
𝑉
𝝓 I
𝐼
= 𝑍= √ ¿ ¿
O VR
𝑍 =√ ( 𝑅2 + 𝑋 2 )

VC 𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑋= 𝑋 𝐿 − 𝑋 𝐶

𝝓=𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 { }
𝑋
𝑅

11/08/2025 21
 ( ii ) When XC >X 𝑳

2
𝑉 =¿

VL 𝑉 =√𝐼2 ¿ ¿

VR 𝑉
= 𝑍= √ ¿ ¿
I 𝐼
O 𝝓
𝑍 =√ ( 𝑅2 + 𝑋 2 )
V
( VC − V 𝑳 ¿ ( VC − V 𝑳 ¿
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑋= 𝑋 𝐶 − 𝑋 𝐿

{ }
VC 𝑋
𝝓=𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑅

11/08/2025 22
 ( iii ) When X L=X 𝑪

VL
= =

𝑉 =𝑉 𝑅

𝝓=0 𝑽 =𝐼 𝑅
I 𝒁 =𝑅
O VR V
𝝓=0

VC

11/08/2025 23
Resonance in series R-L-C Circuit
Resonance is a condition in a series RLC circuit in which the
capacitive and inductive reactances are equal in magnitude; thus,
they cancel each other and result in a purely resistive impedance.

= 𝝓=0
1
ω 𝑟 𝐿=
ω𝑟 𝐶

2 1 1
ω𝑟 = ω𝑟 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑 / 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝐿𝐶 √ 𝐿𝐶
1
𝑓 𝑟= 𝐻𝑧
When an R-L-C circuit is in resonance 2 π √ 𝐿𝐶
1. net reactance of the circuit is zero i.e. (XL =XC) = 0. or X = 0.
2. circuit impedance is minimum i.e. Z = R.
3. circuit current is maximum and is given by Ir= V/Zr = V/R.
4. power dissipated is maximum
5. circuit power factor angle Hence, power factor
6. although VL = VC yet Vcoil is greater than VC because of its resistance.
11/08/2025 24
 Z 𝑋𝐿
I

X
R

o 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝐻𝑧
𝑓𝑟
𝑋𝐶

Capacitive Inductive
Resistive
11/08/2025 25
Suppose an alternating voltage of constant magnitude, but of
varying frequency is applied to an R-L-C circuit. The variations of
resistance, inductive reactance XL and capacitive reactance XC with
frequency are shown in Fig.
(i) Resistance : It is independent of f, hence, it is represented by a

(ii) Inductive Reactance : It is given by XL = L = 2 πfL As seen, XL is directly

straight line.

proportional
to f i.e. XL increases linearly with f. Hence, its graph is a straight line

(iii) Capacitive Reactance : It is given by XC = 1/ C = 1/2 π fC. Obviously, it

passing through the origin.

is inversely proportional to f. Its graph is a rectangular hyperbola

which is drawn in the fourth quadrant because XC is regarded
negative. It is asymptotic to the horizontal axis at high frequencies
and to the vertical axis at low frequencies.
(iv) Net Reactance : It is given by X = XL ~ XC. Its graph is a hyperbola
(not rectangular) and crosses the X-axis at point which represents
resonant
11/08/2025frequency fr. 26
Example :
A coil of resistance 5 and inductance 120mH in series with a 100μF capacitor is connected to
a 300V, 50Hz supply. Calculate (a) the current flowing, (b) the phase difference between the
supply voltage and current, (c) the voltage across the coil and (d) the voltage across the
capacitor.
Solution:

R=5Ω

Since is greater than the circuit is inductive.

𝑍 =√ ( 𝑅2 + 𝑋 2 )=7.71 Ω

Current
 Lecture 23: Three Phase AC circuits
Concept of three-phase AC symmetrical
system, phase
sequence, balanced and unbalanced load.
Voltage,
current and power relations in three phase
balanced star
connected R-L load along with phasor
diagrams.
Concept of three-phase AC symmetrical system, phase sequence, balanced and
unbalanced load

Advantages of three phase system over single phase system

•In the 3-phase system, a rotating magnetic field can be produced in stationary
windings, whereas this cannot be possible in a single phase system.
•For the same rating, three phase machines (like motors, generators etc.) are
smaller and simpler in construction as compared to single phase machines.
Therefore, the overall cost of a three phase machine is less than that of a 1-
phase machine.
•To transmit the same amount of power over certain distance at a given voltage,
the three phase system requires less (or 3/4) of the weight of copper (conductor
material) than that required by the single phase system.
•The voltage regulation of three phase transmission lines is better than that of 1-
phase line.
•A single phase load can by supplied by a three phase system but, the converse is
not true.
Generation of Single Phase voltage
Generation of Three Phase
Voltage

V
VB  Bm
vR =VRm sin ( ) 2
1200
vY = VYm sin ( – 1200)
1200
V
vB = VBm sin ( - 240 )
0
1200
VR  Rm
2
V
VY  Ym
2
Three phase star connected RL load
VB -VY
-VY
Ib
VRY
Φ

Φ VR

Iy Φ Ir

VY

Zph
Relation between Line and Phase
Voltage

VRY OC 2OB 2 BC

OB
Cos 30  , OB VR Cos 30
VR
VRY 2OB 2 VR Cos30  3 VR
VL  3 V ph
 Lecture 24:
Voltage, current and power relations in
three phase
balanced delta connected R-L load along
with phasor
diagrams.
Numericals to find phase voltage, phase
current, line
current and powers in star and delta
connected loads
Three Phase Delta Connected RL Load R1 Zph1 R2

Y1 Zph2 Y2

B1 Zph3 B2

Zph
Three Phase Delta connected RL Load
V
br
Ibr

Vry
Φ
Iry

IR
Φ
Iyb
-Ibr

Vyb
Relation between Line and Phase Current

I R OC 2OB 2 BC
OB
Cos 30  , OB I RY Cos 30
I RY
I R 2OB 2 I RY Cos30  3 I RY
I L  3 I PH
Power Relations in Star and Delta connected load
Star Delta

VL  3 V ph I L Iph VL V ph I L  3Iph
P 3V ph I ph Cos  P 3V ph I ph Cos 
VL IL
P 3 I L Cos  P 3VL Cos 
3 3
P  3 VL I L Cos  Watt P  3 VL I L Cos  Watt
Q  3 VL I L Sin  VAr Q  3 VL I L Sin  VAr
S  3 VL I L VA S  3 VL I L VA
Example 1:
A three-phase Star-connected load , each phase of which has a resistance of 50 Ω and an inductive reactance of 30
Ω. This load is fed from three phase supply voltage of 440 V with frequency of 50Hz. Calculate:
(a) phase voltage and line voltage;
(b) phase current and line current ;
(c) the total Active Power, Reactive Power and Apparent Power taken from the supply

Solution:
(a) ;
(b) ;
(c)
Example 2:
A three-phase Delta -connected load , each phase of which has a resistance of 50 Ω and an inductive reactance of 30
Ω. This load is fed from three phase supply voltage of 440 V with frequency of 50Hz. Calculate:
(a) phase voltage and line voltage;
(b) phase current and line current ;
(c) the total Active Power, Reactive Power and Apparent Power taken from the supply

Solution:
(a)
(b) ;
(c)
 Model Questions
R-L, R-C and R-L-C series AC Circuit
1. If v=Vm sin ωt is applied across single phase circuit and current flowing through the circuit is i=Im sin(ωt-Ф). Derive
the expression for average power consumed in the circuit. Draw voltage, current and power waveforms.
2. If v=Vm sin ωt is applied across single phase circuit and current flowing through the circuit is i=Im sin(ωt+Φ).
Derive the expression for average power consumed in the circuit. Draw voltage, current and power waveforms.
3. What is Impedance? Draw Impedance Triangle for R-L and R-C Series circuit.
4. Explain concept of active, reactive and apparent power. Draw the power triangle for R-L series and R-C series circuit .
5. What is complex power? Explain its physical significance.
6. Draw the phasor diagram for following condition.
(a) XL > XC (b) XL < XC (c) XL = XC for R-L-C series circuit.

R-L-C Series Resonance

7. State the condition at which resonance occurs in series R-L-C circuit. Derive the expression for resonant frequency.
8. State any four characteristics of series resonance. Show the variation of X L, XC, Z and I against frequency.
 Polyphase AC Circuit
1. State the advantages of poly-phase ac system over single phase ac system.
2. Define the following terms :
(i)Symmetrical System (ii) Phase sequence (iii) balanced load
3. Derive the relation between line and phase values of currents and voltages for balanced three phase star connected RL
load.
4. Derive the relation between line and phase values of currents and voltages for balanced three phase Delta connected RL
load.
5. State the relations between line and phase values of voltages and currents in case of star and delta connected three phase
system.