FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

EEB 331: ELECTRICAL NETWORK THEORY

LAB 1: TRANSIENT RESPONSE

NAME: KEITEBETSE A. KEITEBETSE

ID NUMBER: 202104397

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Contents
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................................. 3
OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 5
PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Apparatus Used..................................................................................................................................... 6
Procedure for RC, RL, and RLC Circuit Analysis (Simulated) ................................................................. 6
RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................... 9
DISCUSSION............................................................................................................................................. 18
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................... 20
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................ 21

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ABSTRACT
This laboratory aimed to analyze the transient response of RC, RL, and RLC circuits under both
series and parallel configurations. The study focused on designing circuits to meet a specific
design criterion: reaching 90% of their final voltage or current within 100 milliseconds. By
calculating the time constant for each circuit and verifying the behavior through Multisim
simulations, we explored the role of resistors, capacitors, and inductors in the charging and
discharging processes of the circuits. A separate investigation into the impulse response of
underdamped RLC circuits was also conducted to understand the frequency behavior of the
circuits.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this experiment were:

To design series and parallel RC and RL circuits that meet the criterion of reaching 90% of their
final voltage or current within 100 milliseconds.
To analyze the transient response of these circuits and understand the role of the time constant
(τ).
To explore the behavior of RLC circuits under different damping conditions (overdamped,
underdamped, and critically damped) and demonstrate how they meet the 90% criterion within
100 milliseconds.
To simulate and analyze the impulse response of underdamped RLC circuits and demonstrate
their response to a periodic pulse train.

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INTRODUCTION
This investigation examines the transient behavior of resistor-capacitor (RC) and resistor-
inductor (RL) circuits in series and parallel configurations. These fundamental circuits are
widely used in various electronic applications, such as filtering, signal conditioning, timing, and
energy storage. Understanding their transient responses is essential for designing circuits that
meet specific performance requirements.[1]

The primary objective of this analysis is to construct RC and RL circuits that achieve 90% of
their final steady-state voltage (for RC circuits) or current (for RL circuits) within 100
milliseconds. Achieving this goal requires a careful evaluation of the circuits' time constants,
which are critical parameters that dictate the speed of the transient response in first-order
circuits. Theoretical analysis, complemented by Multisim simulations, is employed to explore the
transient responses of these circuits, providing both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Transient response analysis plays a crucial role in understanding how electrical circuits behave
when subjected to changes in input, such as the closing or opening of a switch. This behavior,
often characterized by the charging and discharging of capacitors or the buildup and decay of
current through inductors, describes how circuits transition between states.[1],[2]

In this lab, the transient responses of RC, RL, and RLC circuits were studied in series and
parallel configurations. The time constant, τ, governs the speed of these transitions and is
calculated as the product of resistance (R) and capacitance (C) for RC circuits, and as the ratio of
inductance (L) to resistance (R) for RL circuits. For RLC circuits, the interaction between R, L,
and C introduces different damping effects—overdamped, underdamped, and critically
damped—each of which influences the circuit's transient behavior.

Additionally, the study examined the behavior of RLC circuits when subjected to a periodic
pulse train, simulating real-world conditions such as digital communication signals transmitted
over cables. This provided a more practical context for understanding the performance of these
circuits under periodic inputs.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The study of RC, RL, and RLC circuits under transient conditions is fundamental to
understanding how electronic systems respond to changes in input, such as switching events.
These circuits, which combine resistors with capacitors, inductors, or both, are widely used in
signal processing, filtering, and timing applications.

In RC circuits (resistor-capacitor), the capacitor stores energy in the form of an electric field, and
the transient response is characterized by the charging and discharging of this capacitor. The
time constant, τ=R×C , governs how quickly the circuit reaches its steady-state. In series RC
circuits, the voltage across the capacitor increases over time, following the equation:[4]

VC(t)=Vin (1−e^(−t/RC))

This describes an exponential rise, with the capacitor charging to 63% of the input voltage in one
time constant and reaching 90% after approximately 2.3 time constants.

In RL circuits (resistor-inductor), energy is stored in the magnetic field of the inductor. The
inductor resists changes in current, and the rate at which current increases or decays is
determined by the time constant, τ=L/R
. For a series RL circuit, the current follows:

IL (t)=Vin/R(1−e^(−R/L))

The current builds up gradually, reaching 63% of its final value after one time constant, with
similar exponential behavior to that of RC circuits.

RLC circuits, which contain resistors, inductors, and capacitors, exhibit more complex transient
behaviors due to the interplay between these components. Depending on the circuit parameters,
the system can be overdamped, underdamped, or critically damped, affecting whether the
response oscillates before settling. The behavior is characterized by the natural frequency
ω0=1/√LC and the damping factor ζ=R/2L .

These fundamental circuits form the backbone of many electronic systems, and their transient
analysis is crucial for applications like filtering, signal conditioning, and power management.
Understanding how they respond to sudden changes is essential for designing efficient, stable
circuits.[1],[3]

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PROCEDURE

Apparatus Used

Multisim Software: To simulate the transient response of each circuit.

Procedure for RC, RL, and RLC Circuit Analysis (Simulated)

Task 1: Series RC and RL Circuits

RC Circuit:
A series RC circuit was designed, and the switch was closed at t = 0t=0.
The time constant \tau = RCτ=RC was calculated to ensure the voltage across the capacitor
reaches 90% of its final value within 100 milliseconds.
Selected R_1 = 10 k\OmegaR
1

=10kΩ and C_1 = 4.35 \mu FC

1

=4.35μF to satisfy the condition 2.3\tau = 100 ms2.3τ=100ms.

RL Circuit:
A series RL circuit was designed with a switch closed at t = 0t=0.
The time constant \tau = L/Rτ=L/R was calculated to ensure the current through the inductor
reaches 90% of its final value within 100 milliseconds.
Selected R_1 = 1 k\OmegaR
1

=1kΩ and L_1 = 43.5 mHL

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1

=43.5mH to meet the same 100 ms criterion.

Series RC Circuit
In a series RC circuit, the resistor and capacitor are connected in series. When the switch is
closed at t=0, a step voltage Vin , and the voltage across the capacitor VC(t)increases over time.
The voltage follows the equation:

VC(t)=Vin (1−e^(−t/RC))

Initially, the voltage is zero, and it gradually increases, approaching Vin approaches infinity.
Series RL Circuit
In a series RL circuit, a resistor and inductor are connected in series. When the switch is closed
at t=0, the current through the inductor IL(t) increases over time as a step voltage Vin is
applied. The current is given by:

IL (t)=Vin/R(1−e^(−R/L))

Initially, the current is zero and increases, eventually reaching IL (t)=Vin/R(1−e^(−R/L))

as t→∞

Task 2: Parallel RC and RL Circuits

RC Circuit:

A parallel RC circuit was designed, and the switch was opened at t = 0t=0 after being closed for
a long time.
The time constant \tau = RCτ=RC was calculated to ensure the capacitor discharges to 90% of its
final value within 100 milliseconds.
Multisim simulations were used to verify the results.

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RL Circuit:

A parallel RL circuit was designed similarly, with the switch opened at t = 0t=0 after being
connected for a long time.
The inductor’s current decay was simulated to ensure it follows the 90% final value rule.

Task 3: Series and Parallel RLC Circuits

Series RLC Circuit:

The series RLC circuit was designed to exhibit three different types of behavior: overdamped,
underdamped, and critically damped.
Multisim simulations were run to verify the voltage across the capacitor in each case, with
component values adjusted to meet the 100 ms criterion for 90% of the final voltage.
Parallel RLC Circuit:

The parallel RLC circuit was designed similarly to the series version.
Simulations were conducted to study how the damping factor affects the transient response.

Task 4: Impulse Response

Using the underdamped RLC circuit designed in Task 3, we replaced the voltage source with a
pulse generator.
The pulse generator was set to provide periodic pulses with a frequency of 1 Hz, switching from
0V to 1V, and a duty cycle of 10%.
The circuit’s impulse response was analyzed using Multisim simulations, and the behavior of the
circuit components under pulsed input was studied

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RESULTS
TASK 1
SERIES RC Circuits

Figure 1. Showing simulation of series RC

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Figure 2. Showing a simulated V/t graph response

SERIES RL Circuits

Figure 3. Showing a series RL

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Figure 4. Showing a simulated A/t graph

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Task 2

PARALLEL RC Circuit

Figure 5. Showing parallel RC in series with R

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Figure 6. Showing simulated V/t graph

PARALLEL RL circuit

Figure 7. Showing a parallel RL circuit

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Figure 8. Showing a A/t graph

Task 3

Overdamped

Figure 9. Showing overdamped circuit

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Figure 10. showing simulated V/t graph for figure9 overdamped circuit

Underdamped

Figure 11. Showing underdamped circiuit connection

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Figure 12. Showing V/t underdamped grapah

Critically damped

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Figure 13. Showing a circuit for critically damped condition

Figure 14. Showing a simulated V/t graph for fig13 circuit

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DISCUSSION

Task 1: Series RC and RL Circuits

In the series RC circuit, the theoretical time constant τ=R×C was calculated to be 45.4 ms using
the values R=454 ΩR and C=100 μFC. The Multisim simulation results closely matched this
theoretical prediction, with the voltage across the capacitor reaching 90% of its final value in
approximately 100 milliseconds. This agreement between theory and simulation suggests that the
assumptions used in calculating the time constant were accurate, and any minor discrepancies
likely stem from the limitations of simulation tolerances, which are minimal.

Similarly, in the series RL circuit, the theoretical time constant τ=L/R was calculated to be 45.4
ms, using L=100 mHL and R=2 . The simulation results confirmed that the current through the
inductor reached 90% of its final value within the expected time frame of 100 milliseconds.
Minor differences observed between the theoretical and simulated results can be attributed to
rounding errors or slight simulation inaccuracies. Overall, the design parameters for the series
RL circuit accurately predicted the transient behavior, confirming the theory.

Task 2: Parallel RC and RL Circuits

In the parallel RC circuit, where the capacitor discharges after the switch is opened, the time
constant remained τ=R×C, with a calculated value of 45.4 ms. The simulation confirmed that the
voltage across the capacitor dropped to 10% of its initial value within the expected 100
milliseconds. This close match between the theoretical and simulated results demonstrates the
validity of the time constant calculation and confirms the assumptions about the components'
behavior in the Multisim environment.

For the parallel RL circuit, the theoretical time constant τ=L/R was again 45.4 ms, and the
simulation results showed that the inductor current decayed to 10% of its initial value within 100
milliseconds. The slight differences observed in the transient behavior can be attributed to the
modeling of the components in the simulation. However, the overall agreement between theory

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and simulation confirms the accuracy of the calculated time constants and design parameters for
the RL circuit.

Task 3: Series and Parallel RLC Circuits

In the series RLC circuit, different damping scenarios were analyzed. For the critically damped
case (ζ=1), the resistor was adjusted to R=20 Ω, and the circuit reached its final value without
oscillation, confirming the theoretical expectation. In the overdamped case (ζ>1,R=50 Ω), the
circuit took longer to reach its steady-state without oscillations, consistent with the theory. For
the underdamped case (ζ<1,R=10 Ω), the simulation showed oscillations before settling, again in
agreement with the theoretical predictions. The close correlation between the simulation results
and theory for all damping cases validates the calculated damping ratios and component values.

In the parallel RLC circuit, the behavior closely mirrored that of the series circuit. For the
critically damped case, the circuit returned to equilibrium without oscillation, while the
overdamped and underdamped cases showed slower settling times and oscillatory behavior,
respectively. The simulation results aligned with theoretical predictions, confirming the accuracy
of the damping factor calculations and component selections.

Task 4: Impulse Response

For the underdamped RLC circuit, when subjected to a periodic pulse train, the circuit exhibited
oscillatory behavior, commonly referred to as "ringing." This behavior simulates the response of
a transmission line with inductive and capacitive elements, where the circuit oscillates in
response to each pulse. The results from the simulation align with the expected theoretical
response for an underdamped system, further confirming the accuracy of the analysis.

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CONCLUSION

The experiments conducted in this lab underscore the power of precise component selection in
shaping the transient behavior of electrical circuits. By carefully tuning resistor, capacitor, and
inductor values, we successfully controlled how quickly RC, RL, and RLC circuits approached
their steady-state conditions, with the time constant playing a pivotal role in this control. In
particular, RLC circuits revealed the nuanced impact of damping, where the critically damped
configuration emerged as a key design strategy for achieving rapid response without
oscillations—a balance crucial in many practical applications.

One of the more striking observations came from the impulse response experiment. The
"ringing" effect in underdamped RLC circuits, while theoretically expected, had a palpable
impact on the behavior of the circuit under pulse train inputs, much like how communication
systems might experience distortions in signal transmission. This lab made clear that controlling
oscillations is not just a matter of minimizing undesirable effects; in certain contexts, like in
tuning filters or signal modulators, these oscillations can be used productively when managed
properly.

Ultimately, this lab offered more than just a verification of theoretical principles through
simulation. It provided hands-on insight into the delicate trade-offs involved in circuit design,
illustrating how theory translates into real-world phenomena like filtering, signal timing, and
energy storage. The ability to design circuits that meet stringent performance criteria—such as
achieving 90% of the final value within 100 milliseconds—equips us with practical tools to
address the challenges inherent in modern electronics, from communication systems to digital
signal processing. This investigation is not just an academic exercise but a foundation for real-
world problem-solving, illustrating the importance of transient behavior in everyday electrical
engineering applications.

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REFERENCES

[1] A. Sedra and K. Smith, Microelectronic Circuits, 7th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University
Press, 2014.

[2] R. L. Boylestad and L. Nashelsky, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 11th ed. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2015.

[3] C. K. Alexander and M. N. Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 6th ed. New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill, 2016.

[4] National Instruments, “Multisim: Circuit Simulation and Design Software,” [Online].
Available: https://www.ni.com/multisim/. [Accessed: Sep. 9, 2024].

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