Transient Analyses

Electrical Circuit & Network

Course Code: EE/S3/CTN Semester: 3rd

Unit: 5 Transient Analyses

Objectives
• To understand the behaviour of energy dissipative element, R and storing elements,
L & C.
• To understand the rise or fall of current in a simple R-L series circuit excited with dc
source during charging and discharging respectively.
• Meaning of time constant for R-L circuit and explain its relationship to the
performance of the circuit.
• Energy stored in an inductor
• To understand the rise or fall voltage across the capacitor in a simple R-C series
circuit excited with dc source during charging and discharging respectively.
• Meaning of time constant for R-C circuit and explain its relationship to the
performance of the circuit.
• Energy stored in a capacitor

5.1 Introduction

In dc resistive network current and voltage are independent of time, where Voltage
(cause→ input) and current (effect→ output) responses displays simultaneously except for a
constant multiplicative factor R (V=R.I). Two basic passive elements namely, inductor L and
capacitor C are introduced in the dc network. Automatically, the question may arise
whether or not the methods developed in for resistive circuit analysis are still valid or not.
The voltage/current relationship for these two passive elements are defined by the
𝑑𝑖𝐿 (𝑡)
derivative (voltage across the inductor vL(t) =L 𝑑𝑡
where iL(t) =current flowing through the
𝑑𝑣𝑐 (𝑡)
inductor and current through the capacitor ic(t) =C 𝑑𝑡 , vc(t)= voltage across the capacitor) or
1 𝑡 1 𝑡
in integral form as iL(t) = 𝐿 ∫0 𝑣𝐿 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + iL(0) or vC(t) = 𝐶 ∫0 𝑖𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + vC(0) rather than the
algebraic equation (V= IR ) for all resistors. We can still apply the KCL, KVL, Mesh-current
method, Node-voltage method and all network theorems but they result in differential
equations rather than the algebraic equations that we have considered in resistive networks.

An electric switch is turned on or off in some circuit (for example in a circuit consisting of R-L),
transient currents or voltages (quickly changing current or voltage) will occur for a short period
after these switching actions. After the transient has ended, the current or voltage in question
returns to its steady state situation (or normal steady value). Duration of transient phenomena
are over after only a few micro or milliseconds, or few seconds or more depending on the values
of circuit parameters (like, R, L and C).The situation relating to the sudden application of dc
voltage to circuits possessing resistance ( R ), inductance ( L ), and capacitance (C ) will now be

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investigated in this lesson. We will continue our discussion on transients occurring in a dc circuit
only. It is needless to mention that transients also occur in ac circuit but they are not included in
this lesson.

➢ Significance of Inductance of a coil

----------its behaviour is to resist any change of electric current through the coil.

Voltage across the coil is directly proportional to the rate of change of current through the
inductor and it is expressed by the equation

The direction of induced emf is opposite to that of current increases or decreases (Lenz’s Law)

The inductance of a coil can also be defined as flux (Φ) linkage per unit of current flowing
through the coil.

Continuity condition of Inductors

The current that flows through a linear inductor must always be a continuous. From the
expression, the voltage across the inductor is not proportional to the current flowing
𝑑𝑖𝐿 (𝑡)
through it but to the rate of change of the current with respect to time 𝑑𝑡 . The voltage
across the inductor vL(t) is zero when the current flowing through an inductor does not
change with time. This observation implies that the inductor acts as a short circuit under
steady state dc current. In other words, under the steady state condition, we can assume
that the inductor terminals are shorted through a conducting wire. Alternating current (ac),
on the other hand, is constantly changing; therefore, an inductor will create an opposition
voltage polarity that tends to limit the changing current. If current changes very rapidly with
time, then inductor causes a large opposition voltage across its terminals. If current changes
through the inductor from one level to another level instantaneously i.e. in dt ≈ 0sec., then
the voltage across it would become infinite and this would require infinite power at the
terminals of the inductor. Thus, instantaneous changes in the current through an inductor
are not possible at all in practice.

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
Remarks:
(i) The current flowing through the inductor cannot change instantaneously (i.e. i(0-)
just right before the change of current = i(0+) just right after the change of
current). However, the voltage across an inductor can change abruptly.
(ii) When the current flowing through the inductor does not change (constant), the
inductor acts as a short circuit (i.e. analogous to short circuited inductor
terminals with a conducting wire).
(iii) These properties of inductor are important since they will be used to determine
“boundary conditions”.

5.2 Simple R-L Circuit supplied from a DC voltage source

Ideal Inductor:

The switch ‘S’ is closed at time‘t=0’ and assumed that the initial current flowing through the
ideal inductor i(0) just before closing the switch is equal to zero. To find the system response,
i(t) vs t , we can apply KVL around the closed path.

Appling KVL

Equation implies that the current through inductor increases with increase in time and
theoretically it approaches to infinity as t→ ∞ but in practice, this is not really the case.

Real or Practical inductor:

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Now we are going to study the growth of current in the circuit through two stages, namely; (i) dc
transient response (ii) steady state response of the system.

D.C Transients: The behaviour of the current i(t); charge q(t) and the voltage v(t) in the
circuit (like R-L, R-C, R-L-C circuit) from the time t(0+) switch is closed until it reaches its final
value is called dc transient response of the concerned circuit. The response of a circuit
(containing resistances, inductances, capacitors and switches) due to sudden application of
voltage or current is called transient response. The most common instance of a transient
response in a circuit occurs when a switch is turned on or off – a rather common event in an
electric circuit.

Growth or Rise of current in R-L circuit

To find the current expression (response) for the circuit shown in fig., we can write the KVL
equation around the circuit.

The equation is the standard first order differential equation and its solution can be
obtained by classical method where VS is the applied voltage or forcing function.

𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
[VS- i(t) R]= L ;
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
Therefore, [VS− i(t) R]= 𝐿

Multiplying by (-R) and integrating both side

(−𝑅)𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑅
∫ [VS− i(t) R]= - 𝐿 ∫ 𝑑𝑡
𝑅
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 [VS- i(t) R] = - 𝐿 t +K

Assume current flowing through the inductor just before closing the switch ‘S” (at t=0 -) is
i(0) =0
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 VS = K
Substituting the value of K we get
𝑅
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 [VS- i(t) R] = - 𝐿 t +𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 VS
𝑅
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 [VS- i(t) R] - 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 VS = - 𝐿 t
[VS− i(t) R] 𝑅 𝑡
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 = - 𝐿 t = - 𝜆; where L/R=λ---time constant
𝑉𝑆
[VS− i(t) R]
= 𝑒 −𝑡/λ
𝑉
𝑉𝑆 𝑉 𝑉
i(t) = (1- 𝑒 −𝑡/λ ) = 𝑅𝑆 + 𝑅𝑆 𝑒 −𝑡/λ
𝑅

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If(t) is the steady state /forced response of the system due to the forcing function ( f(t) = V S) or
input signal to the series R L – circuit while the forcing function (or input to the system) is step
function (or constant input).

In(t) is also sometimes called as transient /natural response of system (i.e. the second part of
response is due to an initial condition of the system or force free response).

Note: Theoretically at time t→ ∞ the current in inductor reaches its steady state value but in
practice the inductor current reaches 99.3% of its steady state value at time t=5 λ sec.

Graphical representation of equations are shown in Fig. for different choices of circuit
parameters (i.e., L & R)

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Assume current flowing through the inductor just before closing the switch ‘S” at (t=0-),
i(0-) = i0 ≠0 the expression for current flowing through the circuit is given by

This means that the complete response of the circuit is the algebraic sum of two outputs due to
two inputs; namely (i) due to forcing function VS (ii) due to initial current i0 through the inductor.

Time Constant (λ):

The time constant of the circuit can be defined as

1) It is the time during which current would have reached its maximum value Im (= VS/R)
had it maintained its initial rate of rise.
𝐼𝑚 𝑉𝑠/𝑅 𝐿
Time taken = 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 𝑉𝑠/𝐿 = 𝑅 =𝜆
[Putting i (t) =0 (occurs at t=0) in the equation

2) Time constant of an R-L circuit may also be defined as the time during which the
current actually raises to 0.632 of its maximum steady value.
[Putting t=L/R in

= Im(1-e-λ/λ) = Im(1-e-1) =0.632 Im]

This delayed rise of current, in an inductive circuit, is utilized in providing time lag in the
operation of electric relays and trip coils etc.

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Fall or Decay of current in a R-L circuit

In this circuit, the switch ‘S’ is closed sufficiently long duration in position ‘1’. This means
that the current through the inductor reaching its steady-state value (I = VS/R=I0) and it acts,
as a short circuit i.e. the voltage across the inductor is nearly equal to zero. If the switch ‘S’
is opened at time‘t’=0 and kept in position ‘2’ for t>0 as shown in fig., this situation is
referred to as a source free circuit.

Since the current through an inductor cannot change instantaneously, the current through the
inductor just before i(0-) and after i(0+) opening the switch ‘S’ must be same. Because there is no
source to sustain the current flow in inductor, the magnetic field in inductor starts to collapse
and this, in turn, will induce a voltage across the inductor. The polarity of this induced voltage
across the inductor is just in reverse direction compared to the situation that occurred during
the growth of current in inductor (i.e. when the switch ‘S’ is kept in position ‘1’). This is
illustrated in fig., where the voltage induced in inductor is positive at the bottom of the inductor
terminal and negative at the top. This implies that the current through inductor will still flow in
the same direction, but with a magnitude decaying toward zero. Appling KVL around the closed
circuit in fig., we obtain

It is the homogeneous (input free), first-order differential equation with the initial (boundary)
inductor current (initial condition,

𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑅
From equation = - 𝐿 dt
𝑖
𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
Integrating both sides we have ∫ =-∫ 𝑅𝐿𝑑𝑡
𝑖
𝑅
Therefore, 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑖(𝑡)= - 𝐿 t +K
𝑉
At time t=0 (at the instant of switching off, the initial condition i(0-) = i(0+) = 𝑅𝑠 = Im
𝑅
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝐼m= - 𝐿 x 0 +K

Putting the value K,

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𝑅
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑖(𝑡)= - 𝐿 t +𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝐼m
𝑖(𝑡) 𝑅 𝑖
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 = - 𝐿 t; = 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜆
𝐼𝑚 𝐼𝑚

i(t) = Im 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜆 for t≥ 0

Here, transient has ended and steady state has been reached when both current in inductor i(t)
and voltage across the inductor including its internal resistance are zero.

Time Constant ( λ) for exponential decay response:

For the source free circuit, it is the time 𝜆 by which the current falls to 36.8 percent of its initial
value.
𝐼
[Putting t=λ, we get i(t)= 𝑚 =0.368 𝐼𝑚 ]
𝑒

Energy stored in an inductor

Let us turn our attention to power and energy consideration for an inductor. The instantaneous
power absorbed by the inductor is expressed by product of the current through inductor i(t) and
the voltage across it v(t).

Since the energy is the product of power and time, the energy absorbed by an inductor over a
period is expressed as

1
=2L i2(t)
From this relation we see that the energy stored in an inductor is always non-negative. At any
consequent time at which the current is zero, no energy is stored in the inductor. The ideal
inductor (RL=0 Ω) never dissipates energy, but only stores.
In true sense, a physical or practical inductor dissipates a very small amount of stored energy
due to its small series resistance.

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Example-For the circuit shown in Fig.10.12, the switch ‘ S ’ has been closed for a long time
and then opens at t = 0 .
Find: i) Vab(0-) ii) Ix(0-), IL(0-) iii) Ix(0+) iv) Vab(0+) v) Ix(t=∞) vi) Vab(t=∞) vii) Ix(t) for t >0

Solution: When the switch S was in closed position for a

long time, the circuit reached in steady state condition
i.e. the current through inductor is constant and hence,
the voltage across the inductor terminals a and b is zero
or in other words, inductor acts as short circuit i.e.,
Vab(0-) = 0V It can be seen that the no current is flowing
through resistor 6Ω. The following are the currents
through different branches just before the switch ‘S’ is
opened i.e., at t=0-.

Ix(0-)=20/5 =4A, and the current through 10Ω resistor I10Ω=20/10=2A. The algebraic sum of these
two currents is flowing through the inductor i.e., (ii) IL(0-)=6+2=6A

When the switch ‘S’ is in open position

The current through inductor at time t=0+ is same as that of current IL(0-), since inductor cannot
change its current instantaneously .Therefore, the current through ix(0+) is given by ix(0+) =
iL(0+)=6A.
Applying KVL around the closed loop at t=0+we get,
20 - ix(0+).R= Vab(0+)
Vab(0+)=20-6x5= -10V. The negative sign indicates that inductor terminal ‘b’ as +ve terminal and
it acts as a source of energy or mathematically, Vba(0+)=10V
At steady state condition (t→ ∞) the current through inductor is constant and hence inductor
acts as a short circuit. This establishes the following relations
Vab(t=∞)=0V and Ix(t=∞) = 20/5=4A
The circuit expression Ix(t) for t >0 can be obtained using the KVL around the closed path.
KVL equation:

Solution is

20
Ix(t) = 5
[1-e-(5/1) t ]+ [6. e-(5/1) t ] = 4 +2.e-5t A for t≥ 0.

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Continuity condition of capacitors

To find the current-voltage relationship of the capacitor, one can take the derivative of both
sides of Eq.

The voltage-current relation can also be represented by another form as

It can be seen that when the voltage across a capacitor is not changing with time, or, in other
words, the capacitor is fully charged, the current through the capacitor is zero. This means that
the capacitor resembles as an open circuit and blocks the flow of current through the capacitor.
The voltage across and charge on a capacitor cannot change instantaneously (i.e. just right
before the change of voltage =vc(0-) just right after the change of voltage vc(0+). However,
current through a capacitor can change abruptly.
The capacitor acts as an open circuit (i.e., when the capacitor is fully charged) when voltage
across the capacitor does not change (constant).
These properties of capacitor are important since they will be used to determine “boundary
conditions”.

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5.3 Simple R-C circuit supplied from a DC voltage source.

The switch ‘S’ is closed at time‘t=0’. It is assumed that the capacitor is initially uncharged and
the current flowing through the circuit at any instant of time‘t’ after closing the switch is i (t).

The KVL equation around the loop can be written as

------------- first-order differential equation

Vs=i(t).R + vc(t)
𝑑𝑞(𝑡) 𝑑 dvc(t)
i(t)= =𝑑𝑡(C.vc(t)) =C.
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
vc(t)
Vs = vc(t) +CR 𝑑𝑡
dvc(t) 𝑑𝑡
− 𝑉𝑠−vc(t)=- − 𝐶𝑅

Integrating both side, we get

−dvc(t) 1
∫ 𝑉𝑠−vc(t) = − 𝐶𝑅 ∫ 𝑑𝑡
𝑡
loge(Vs-vc(t)) = - 𝐶𝑅 +K

At t=0, vc(t) =0; we get logeVs =K

𝑡
Hence, loge(Vs-vc(t)) = - 𝐶𝑅 + logeVs
𝑉𝑠−vc(t) 𝑡 𝑡
loge = - 𝐶𝑅 = - 𝜆 where λ=CR= time constant
𝑉𝑠
𝑡
𝑉𝑠−vc(t)
= 𝑒 −𝜆
𝑉𝑠
𝒕
𝐯𝐜 (𝐭) =Vs (1- 𝒆−𝝀 ) =𝐯𝐜𝐟 (𝐭)+ 𝐯𝐜𝐧 (𝐭) =steady state response + natural/transient response.

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𝑞(𝑡) 𝑄
Now, vc(t) = and Vs = 𝐶
𝐶
𝑡
𝑞(𝑡) 𝑄
Equation becomes, = 𝐶 (1- 𝑒 −𝜆 )
𝐶
𝒕
−
∴ 𝒒(𝒕)= 𝑸(1- 𝒆 ) 𝝀

𝑑𝑞(𝑡)
Now, i(t) = 𝑑𝑡
𝑡 𝑡
𝑑𝑞(𝑡) 𝑑 1
= i(t) = 𝑄 𝑑𝑡(1- 𝑒 −𝜆 )= 𝑄(𝜆 𝑒 −𝜆 )
𝑑𝑡
𝑡 𝑡
𝑄 𝐶𝑉𝑠
= 𝜆 𝑒 −𝜆 = 𝐶𝑅 𝑒 −𝜆
𝑡
𝑉𝑠
i(t)= 𝑒 −𝜆
𝑅
𝒕
i(t) = Im 𝒆−𝝀 where Im= Maximum Current Vs/R

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If the capacitor is initially charged with a voltage vc(o)=v0 and the current flowing through the
circuit at any instant of time ‘t’ after closing the switch is i(t), final expression for capacitor
voltage as

5.4 Time Constant.

• Time constant of the R-C circuit is defined as the time during which voltage across
capacitor would have reached its maximum value Vs had it maintained its initial rate
of rise.
Just at start vc(t)=0, we get

𝑑𝑣𝑐(𝑡) 𝑉
Initial rate of rise of the voltage across the capacitor is ( 𝑑𝑡 ) t=0 = - 𝐶𝑅𝑠
Time taken to reach the voltage Vs = Vs ÷ ( Vs /CR) = CR sec.
• Time constant of the R-C circuit is defined as the time during which voltage across
the capacitor actually rises to 0.632 of its final steady value.
Put, t = λ in relation
𝑡 𝜆
vc (t) =Vs (1- 𝑒 −𝜆 ) = Vs (1- 𝑒 −𝜆 ) = 0.632 Vs

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• Time constant of the R-C circuit is defined as the time during which the charging
current falls to 0.37 of its initial maximum value.
Put , t = λ in relation
𝑡
i(t) = Im 𝑒 −𝜆 =0.37 Im

Discharging of a capacitor or fall of a capacitor voltage in dc circuits

𝑑𝑣𝑐(𝑡)
Or vc(t)=-CR 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣𝑐(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
vc(t)
= - 𝐶𝑅

𝑑𝑣𝑐(𝑡) 1
Or ∫
vc(t)
= -
𝐶𝑅
∫ 𝑑𝑡

𝑡
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 vc(t) = - 𝐶𝑅 + K

At the start of discharge, when t = 0, vc(t) = Vs

𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑠 = 0 + K ; 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑠 = K

Putting this value

𝑡 𝑣𝑐(𝑡) 𝑡
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 vc(t) = - 𝜆 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑠 or 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑠
=-𝜆

𝒕
𝒗𝒄 (t) = 𝑽𝒔 𝒆−𝝀
𝒕
−
Similarly, 𝒒(t) = Q 𝒆 𝝀

𝒕
and i(t) = −𝑰𝒎 𝒆−𝝀
Voltage across the resistance

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Energy stored in a capacitor

The ideal capacitor does not dissipate any of the energy supplied by the source. It stores energy in
the form of an electric field between the conducting plates. Let us consider a voltage source Vs is
connected to a series R-C circuit and it is assumed that the capacitor is initially uncharged. the
instantaneous power supplied to the capacitor is given by

pc(t) = vc(t) x i(t)

Now, the energy supplied to the capacitor in dt second is given by

𝑑𝑞(𝑡) 𝑑𝑣𝑐 (𝑡)
∆w = pc(t) x dt = vc(t) x i(t) x dt = vc(t) x 𝑑𝑡
x dt = vc(t) xC 𝑑𝑡
x dt =C vc(t) 𝑑𝑣𝑐 (𝑡)

Total energy supplied to the capacitor in t seconds is expressed as

𝑣 (𝑡) 1 1 𝑞2 (𝑡)
w(t) = C∫0 𝑐 vc(t) 𝑑𝑣𝑐 (𝑡)= 2. C. vc (t)2 = 2. 𝐶
Joules

When the capacitor is fully charged, its terminal voltage is equal to the source voltage Vs. The
amount of energy stored in capacitor in the form of electric field is given by

1 1 𝑄2
W = 2. C. Vs2 = 2 . 𝐶
Joules

where Q is the final charge accumulated on each plate of the capacitor at steady state (i.e.
t→∞) i.e., when the capacitor is fully charged

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Example: The switch ‘S’ shown in fig. is kept open for a long time and then it is closed at
𝑑𝑣𝑐 (𝑡)
time t = 0. Find (i) vc(0-) (ii) vc(0+) (iii) ic(0-) (iv) ic(0+) (v) ]t=0 (vi) find the time constants of
𝑑𝑡
the circuit before and after the switch is closed (vii) vc(∞).

Solution: As we know the voltage across the capacitor vc(t) cannot change instantaneously
due to the principle of conservation of charge.
Therefore, the voltage across the capacitor just before the switch is closed v c(0-) = voltage
across the capacitor just after the switch is closed vc(0+) = 40V , the terminal ‘a’ is positively
charged.
It may be noted that the capacitor current before the switch ‘S’ is closed is ic(0-) = 0A
On the other hand, at t=0, the current through 10Ω resistor is zero but the current through
capacitor can be computed as
+) 𝑣𝑐 (0) 40
ic(0 = = = 6.66A
6 6

Voltage across the capacitor cannot change instantaneously at instant of switching). The
rate of change of capacitor voltage at time t=0 is expressed as

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Time constant of the circuit before the switch was closed =λ=RC=10x4=40 sec.
10𝑥6
Time constant of the circuit after the switch is closed is λ= 𝑅𝑡ℎ C= (10+6)x4=15 sec.

(Replace the part of the circuit than contains only independent sources and resistive
elements by an equivalent Thevenin’s voltage source. In this case, we need only to find the
Thevenin resistance 𝑅𝑡ℎ )
When the switch ‘S’ is kept in closed position, initially the capacitor will be in discharging
state and subsequently its voltage will decrease with the increase in time. Finally, at steady
state the capacitor is charged with a voltage
40
vc(∞) =(10+6)x6 =15V

(NOTE: theoretically, time required to reach the capacitor voltage at steady value is
5.λ=5x15 =75 sec.)

Fill in the blanks

1. Immediately after a switch has been thrown, a capacitor’s ---------- must maintain the
same value that excited just before the switching instant.
2. At the instant of switching, current through the capacitor -------------instantaneously.
3. At steady state condition in a dc circuit, the capacitor acts as an ----- circuit.
4. A first order circuit with a single resistor, if the resistor is doubled in value, the time
constant is also ----- for an RC−circuit.
5. Inductor tends to block ----------- current but pass ---------- current.
6. The basic fundamental principle that explains the action of an inductor is known as ---------
---- law.
7. Exponential waveforms start ------ and finish ---------------.
8. A transient approximately always has a duration of -------- time constants.
9. After the first time constant, a transient goes through ---------- % of its steady state value.
10. -------- through inductor cannot change --------- but -------- across the inductor can ---------
instantaneously at the switching phase.
11. After a capacitor is fully charged in a dc circuit, it ---------- dc current.
12. The time rate of change of capacitor voltage is represented by the ------- tangent line to
the -versus- t curve. ()cvt
13. Time constant of a first order system is the measure of ----------- response of the circuit.

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14. The energy stored in a capacitor in the form of -------------- .

15. A simple series RL− circuit is excited with a constant voltage source, the speed of
response depends on ---------- and ------- of the circuit.
16. The energy stored in an inductor in the form of ---------------.
17. In a first order circuit if the resistor value is doubled, the time constant is halved for an --
------ circuit.
18. An inductor acts as ----------- for a ---------- current through it.
19. Once a capacitor has been charged up, it is able to act like a --------.
20. If the spacing between the plates is doubled, the capacitance value is ----------.

Exercise 2. In the following circuit, the switch closes at time t = 0, before which it had been
open for a long time. (a) Find and plot iL (t). (b) Find and plot vout (t).

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Exercise 3. In the below circuit, the switch has been closed for a long time before t = 0. The
switch then opens at t = 0, and then closes at t = 100 µs. Find and plot vout (t).

MCQ
1. An RL network is one which consists of ____________
a) Resistor and capacitor in parallel
b) Resistor and capacitor in series
c) Resistor and inductor in parallel
d) Resistor and inductor in series
2. If the switch is opened at t=0, what is the current in the circuit?

a) 0A
b) 1A
c) 2A
d) 3A
3. In an RL series circuit, when the switch is closed and the circuit is completed, what is
the response?
a) Response does not vary with time
b) Decays with time
c) Increases with time and then gradually goes to saturation
d) First increases, then decrease
4. If the switch is closed at t=0, what is the current in the above circuit?
a) 0A

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b) 10A
c) 20A
d) 30A
5. What is the voltage across the inductor at t=0 in the above circuit?
a) 0V
b) 20V
c) 60V
d) 58V
6. What is the expression for current in the given circuit shown above?

a) i=2(e-2t)A
b) i=2(1-e-2t)A
c) i=2(e2t)A
d) i=2(1+e-2t)A
7. What is the expression for voltage in the given circuit?
a) V=60e-0.5t
b) V=30e-0.5t
c) V=60e-2t
d) V=30e-2
8. 8. At steady state, the current in the inductor is?
a) Maximum
b) Minimum
c) Zero
d) Infinity
9. Initially, when the switch in a series RL circuit is closed, the inductor acts as?
a) Open circuit
b) Short circuit
c) Resistor
d) Capacitor
10. Initially, when the switch in a series RL circuit is closed, the current in the inductor is?
a) Maximum
b) Minimum
c) Zero
d) Infinity
11. Among the following, which is the right formula for growth in an inductive circuit?
a) VL=V(1-e-tR/L)
b) VL=(e-tR/L)
c) VL=(1-e-tR/L)
d) VL=V(e-tR/L)
12. The charging time constant of a circuit consisting of an inductor is the time taken for
the voltage in the inductor to become __________ % of the initial voltage.

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a) 33
b) 63
c) 37
d) 36
13. What is the time constant of an inductive circuit?
a) LR
b) R/L
c) 1/LR
d) L/R
14. Calculate the time constant of an inductive circuit having resistance 5 ohm and
inductance 10H.
a) 2s
b) 4s
c) 5s
d)10s
15. Calculate the resistance in an inductive circuit whose time constant is 2s and the
inductance is 10H.
a) 7ohm
b) 10ohm
c) 2ohm
d) 5ohm
16. Calculate the inductance in an inductive circuit whose time constant is 2s and the
resistance is 5 ohm.
a) 10H
b) 20H
c) 5H
d) 15H
17. The charging time constant of a circuit consisting of an inductor is the time taken for
the current in the inductor to become __________% of the initial current.
a) 33
b) 63
c) 37
d) 36
18. 5. After how many time constants, the transient part reaches more than 99 percent
of its final value?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
19. When the switch in Fig. is closed, how long will it take for the capacitor voltage to
reach its steady state value?

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a) 1ms b) 10ms c) 50ms d) 500us

20. When the switch in Fig. is closed, how long will it take for the capacitor voltage to
rise to 6.3 volts?

a) 2.2ms b) 220ms c) 2.2s d) 120ms

21. A CR circuit connected to a DC supply will, for a time after a voltage is applied to it,
behave as though the capacitors were very ________ value resistances, but these
effects will disappear after a time approximately equal to _______ time constant(s).
The missing words in this sentence are:
a) Low and one b) Low and five c) High and one d) High and five
22. Refer to Fig. What will be the approximate voltage across the inductor 100ns after
the switch is closed?

a) 6.3V b) 7.07V c) 0V d) 10V

23. Calculate the time constant of a circuit consisting of a 15mH inductor and a
470Kohm resistor.
a) 32ns b) 7s c) 31.9ms d) 70ms
24. If a simple LR circuit consisting of a 20Ω resistor in series with a 100mH inductor is
connected to a 10V supply, from which it draws a current of 500mA after it has
reached its steady state. How long after switch on, will the current take to reach
316mA?
a) 5ms b) 2ms c) 2s d) 500ms

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Response of a series R-L-C circuit due to a dc voltage source

The above equation is a 2nd order linear differential equation

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