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Alternating Current Circuit

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Welcome to class!

In today’s class, we will be talking about the alternating current circuit. Enjoy the class!

Alternating Current Circuit

INTRODUCTION

Simple A.C circuits

An alternating current a.c. is a current which varies periodically. The electric circuit in which an alternating
current flow is called an alternating circuit.
Figure (b) shows above v – t relation

The e.m.f., E varies sinusoidally with time in a rotating coil which is given by:

E =E0 sin 2πf

E = E0 sin

Where E, E0 = Em is the instantaneous and maximum (peak) values of E or its amplitude respectively.

or 2πf = phase angle

For figure (b) l – t relation

If an alternating current l varied sinusoidally, it could be represented by the equation:

I = Im sin 2πf

I = Im sin

Where
I = instantaneous current at time t

Im = maximum (peak) value of current or its amplitude

or (2πf) = angular frequency of the current

f = frequency

= phase angle which is the state of a periodically varying system at a particular time.

Note:

The phase difference between the voltage and the current through an RLC series circuit is represented by
the equation:

𝑉𝐿 – 𝑉𝐶 – 1 𝑉𝐿 – 𝑉𝐶
tan ∅ = 𝑉𝑅
ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, ∅ = tan 𝑉𝑅

The phase of an A.C. quantity

The phase of an A. C. quantity represents the fraction of the time period of that alternating quantity that has
elapsed since the current last passed through the zero position of reference. The phase is also expressed in
terms of angle in radians. For example phase at A is T/4 second or π/2 radians. In electricity, we are more
concerned with the phase difference rather than an absolute phase of an alternating quantity. The phase
difference between quantities indicates the lag or lead of an alternating quantity with respect to the other.

A leading quantity is a quantity which reaches maximum (or zero) value earlier as compared to the other
quantity while lagging alternating quantity is one which reaches its zero or maximum value later than the
other quantity. In figure two alternating quantities are shown quantity A leads B by an angle ϕ. Hence their
equations are

IA = Imax sin wt and IB = Imax sin (ωt + ϕ)

The peak or amplitude of the current I0 is the maximum numerical value of the current.

The root mean square (r.m.s) value of an alternating current is that direct current which produces the same
heating effect per second in a given resistor.

P = I2R

For an a.c. circuit, the instantaneous power is given by

P = IV (instantaneous values)

Ir.m.s = = Ieff.

Where I0 is the maximum steady current.

Similarly Vr.m.s = = Veff.

The mean or average value of an alternating quantity

The mean value or average value (Iav) of an alternating current is equal to the steady current which transfers
across any circuit the same charge as is transferred by the alternating current during the same time.

In the case of sinusoidal or symmetrical alternating current, the average value over the complete cycle is
zero. Hence in these cases, the average value is obtained by integrating the instantaneous values of
alternating quantity over half cycle only. The alternating currents average value is given by

Iav=2Imaxπ or Iav=0.637Imax

Representation of AC and voltage by rotating vectors

A phasor is a vector which rotates about the origin with angular speed ω, as shown in the figure
given below:

The vertical components of phasors V and I represent the sinusoidally varying quantities v and i. The
magnitudes of phasors I and V represent the amplitudes or the peak values Vm and im of these oscillating
quantities. The projection of voltage and current phasors on the vertical axis, i.e., Vm sinωt and im sinωt
respectively represent the value of current and voltage at that instant.

Worked examples

(1) When the R.M.S. voltage of a square of electricity supply is given 240V, calculate the peak value of
the supply.

Solution
(2) Calculate the instantaneous value of the current if in a circuit it has r.m.s. value of 15.0A when its phase
angle is 30°

(3) In an a.c. circuit the peak value of the potential difference is 180V. What is the instantaneous p.d. when it
is reached 1/8th of a circle?

A.C. circuit containing resistance only (Resistive circuit)

AC circuit containing resistance only is a circuit which consists of a resistor as shown in the figure below
A.C circuit containing resistance only

Since the circuit is non-inductive, it is easy to apply Ohm’s law

Maximum current flows in this circuit

Phase relationship

V = V0 sin
The current is in phase with the applied voltage. The phase difference is Z0.

Worked examples

(1) A 240 V is connected with a resistor of 20 Ω in an A.C circuit. Find:

(i) the current in the circuit

(ii) The phase angle and draw the phase diagram.

Solution

(ii) Since there is no other circuit in the element, the angle is 0°.

General evaluation

1. Define alternating current.

Assignment
 (1) (a) Explain what is meant by the r.m.s value of an alternating current. If the alternating current is
represented by I = Im sinx, state what the symbols I, I0, and represent.

(b) Calculate the instantaneous value of such a current, if in a circuit it has r.m.s. value of 15.0A when its
phase angle is 30°.

(2) Explain the meaning of Peak value of an alternating current. If the peak value of such a current is 15A,
calculate its root mean square value.

In our next class, we will be talking more about Alternating Current Circuit. We hope you enjoyed the class.

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond
as soon as possible.

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PRIMARY 6

FULL SUBJECT SYLLABUS

 First Term

 Second Term

 Alternating Current Circuit

 Alternating Current Circuit II

 Atomic Models

 Radioactivity

 Transformation of Elements

 Quantum
  Photoelectric Effect

 Conduction of Electricity Through Gases

 Wave Nature of Matter

 Radioactivity II

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