Prepared by: Mel Cary R.

Mula
DC ELECTRICAL TRANSIENTS

Complete Response = transient response + steady-state response

Transient Response is the circuit’s temporary response that will die out with time. It is temporary; it is the portion
of the complete response that decays to zero as time approaches infinity.

Steady-state Response is the behavior of the circuit a long time after an external excitation is applied. It is the
portion of the complete response that remains after the transient response has died out.

The Electrical Circuit Parameters

a. Resistance
b. Capacitance
c. Inductance

The Resistance, R

Materials in general have a characteristic behavior of resisting the flow of electric charge. This physical property,
or ability to resist current, is known as resistance and is represented by the symbol R. The circuit element used to
model the current-resisting behavior of a material is the resistor.

Symbol of a Resistor:

To solve for the voltage and current in the resistor, we use Ohm’s Law.
V = IR
where: V = voltage across the resistor in volts
I = current flowing through the resistor in amperes
R = resistance in ohms (Ω)

The Capacitance, C

Capacitance is the ability of an electrical device to store electrical charge per volt applied.

Capacitor

A capacitor is an element designed to store energy in its electric field. It consists of two conductors or plates that
are near one another, but not touching. Capacitors are used extensively in electronics, communications, computers
1

and power systems.

Page
 Prepared by: Mel Cary R. Mula

Symbol of a Capacitor:

The magnitude q of the charge on each plate is given by

q = CV
where: V = the voltage between the plates
C = the capacitance
q = the charge in coulombs (C)

Sample Problem # 1:
A 2µF capacitor is connected across a 500 V supply. Determine the amount of charge stored in the
capacitor.

The electric potential energy stored in a capacitor is

1 2
W= CV
2
where: W = energy stored in the capacitor in joules (J)

Transient Analysis on Resistor-Capacitor Circuit

Formulas:
−t
V
i= e RC
R

q=CV ( 1−e )
−t
RC

−t
V R=iR=V e RC

( )
−t
V C =V 1−e RC
Time constant, τ of a resistor-capacitor circuit is defined as
τ =RC
where: i = current flowing through the circuit
V = supply voltage
VR = voltage at the resistor
VC = voltage at the capacitor
t = time in seconds
2 Page

Sample Problem # 2:
 Prepared by: Mel Cary R. Mula
An 80 µF capacitor in series with a 1000 ohm resistor is connected suddenly across a 110 V dc supply. Find
the value of the current after one time constant.

Source-Free RC Circuit

Formulas:
−t
i=I 0 e RC
−t
RC
q=Q0 e

where: I0 = initial current

Q0 = initial charge

Sample Problem # 3:
A 5 µF capacitor is charged by being connected to a 3-V battery. The battery is then disconnected. If the
resistance of the dielectric material between the capacitor plates is 10^9 ohms, find the time required for the
charge on the capacitor to drop to 0.37 percent of its original value.

The Inductance, L

Inductance is the property whereby an inductor exhibits opposition to the change of current flowing through it,
measured in henrys (H).

Inductor

An inductor is an element designed to store energy in its magnetic field. Inductors find numerous applications in
electronic and power systems. They are used in power supplies, transformers, radios, TVs, radars and electric
motors.

The inductance of an inductor depends on its physical dimension and construction.

The electric potential energy stored in an inductor is

1 2
W= LI
2
where: W = energy stored in the inductor in joules (J)
3 Page
 Prepared by: Mel Cary R. Mula
Transient Analysis on Resistor-Inductor Circuit

( )
−R
V t
i= 1−e L
R
V R=iR
V L=V −V R

Time constant, λ of a resistor-inductor circuit is defined as

L
λ=
R
where: i = current flowing through the circuit
V = supply voltage
VR = voltage at the resistor
VC = voltage at the capacitor
t = time in seconds

Sample Problem # 4
A dc voltage of 100 volts is suddenly applied to a series circuit consisting of a 10 Ω resistor and a 10 H
inductor. Determine the time required for the current after switching on to reach one-half of its steady state value.

Source-free Resistor-Inductor Circuit

−R
t
L
i=I 0 e
where: I0 = initial current

Sample Problem # 5
A source free RL circuit contains a 30-mH inductor in series with a 400 ohm resistor. If the energy stored
in the coil at t = 0 is 0.96 µJ, find the magnitude of the current at t = 100 µsec.

Series RLC Circuit

4 Page
 Prepared by: Mel Cary R. Mula
There are three solutions or response namely,

Case I: Overdamped

2
R 1 (
2
> required condition )
4 L LC
V −mt
i= e sinh nt
ln

n=
√m=
R2
4L
2

R
−
1
LC

2L

Case II: Under-damped (Oscillatory Response)

2
R 1 (
2
< required condition )
4 L LC
V −mt
i= e sin Nt
ln

N=
√
m=
1
LC 4 L
R
R2
− 2

2L

Case III: Critically damped

2
R 1 (
2
= required condition )
4 L LC
V −mt
i= t e
L
R
m=
2L

Sample Problem # 6
A series circuit has a resistance of 1000 ohms, an inductance of 1 H and a capacitance of 6.25 µF. The
circuit combination is connected across a 24 V dc source at t = 0. Find the current 0.01 sec after closing the switch.
Note: Set your calculator in radian mode.

Sample Problem # 7
A series circuit has a resistance of R, an inductance of 1 H and a capacitance of 6.25 µF. Find R so that the
circuit will be critically damped.
5 Page