AC CIRCUITS

General Physics 2- STEM

 These large transformers are used to
increase the voltage at a power plant
for distribution of energy by electrical
transmission to the power grid.
Voltages can be changed relatively
easily because power is distributed by
alternating current rather than direct
current.
 ALTERNATING CURRENT
A current that is constantly
changing in amplitude and
direction.
AC WAVEFORMS
 Parameters of Alternating Signal

 Period (T) – the time of one complete cycle in seconds

 Frequency (f) – the number of cycles per second (Hertz)
 1 cycle/second (cps) = 1 Hertz (Hz)
 Wavelength (λ) – the length of one complete cycle
 Propagation Velocity (v) – the speed of the signal
 Phase (Φ) – a measurement that specifies the position of a sine wave
relative to reference
 THE SINUSOIDAL WAVE
  General equation for sine wave:

 Where:
 A(t) – instantaneous amplitude of voltage or current at a given time
(t)
 Am – maximum voltage or current amplitude of the signal
 ω – angular velocity in rad/sec; ω = 2πf
 t – time (sec)
 Φ – phase shift ( + or – in degrees)
 Measurements of AC Magnitude
AMPLITUDE - It is the height of an AC waveform as
depicted on a graph over time (peak, peak-to-peak,
average, or RMS quantity)
 PEAK AMPLITUDE – the height of an AC waveform as
measured from the zero mark to the highest positive or
lowest negative point on a graph. Also known as the
crest amplitude of a wave.
 Measurements of AC Magnitude
PEAK-TO-PEAK AMPLITUDE – the total height of an AC
waveform as measured from maximum positive to
maximum negative peaks on a graph. Often abbreviated
as “P-P”
 Measurements of AC Magnitude
AVERAGE AMPLITUDE – the mathematical “mean”
of all a waveform’s points over the period of one
cycle.
 For a sine wave, the average value so calculated
is approximately 0.637 of its peak value.
 Measurements of AC Magnitude
RMS AMPLITUDE - “RMS” stands for Root Mean
Square, and is a way of expressing an AC quantity
of voltage or current in terms functionally
equivalent to DC. Also known as the “equivalent”
or “DC equivalent” value of an AC voltage or
current.
 For a sine wave, the RMS value is approximately
0.707 of its peak value.
AC WAVEFORMS
AC QUANTITIES
AC QUANTITIES
Inductive
Reactance (XL)
 The property of
the inductor to
oppose the
alternating current
 AC QUANTITIES
Capacitve Reactance (Xc)
 The property of the capacitor to oppose the
alternating current
AC RESISTOR CIRCUIT
with an AC circuit
like this which is
purely resistive, the
relationship of the
voltage and
current is as shown:
Voltage (e) is in
phase with the
current (i)
AC INDUCTOR CIRCUIT
The most distinguishing
electrical characteristics of
an L circuit is that current
lags voltage by 90
electrical degrees
Because the current and
voltage waves are 90
degrees out of phase,
there are times when one
is positive while the other is
negative, resulting in
equally frequent
occurrence of negative
instantaneous power.
 AC INDUCTOR CIRCUIT
 Inductive reactance is the opposition that an inductor
offers to alternating current due to its phase-shifted
storage and release of energy in its magnetic field.
Reactance is symbolized by the capital letter “X” and is
measured in ohms just like resistance (R).
 Inductive reactance can be calculated using this
formula: XL = 2πfL
 The angular velocity of an AC circuit is another way of
expressing its frequency, in units of electrical radians per
second instead of cycles per second. It is symbolized by
the lowercase Greek letter “omega,” or ω.
 Inductive reactance increases with increasing
frequency. In other words, the higher the frequency, the
more it opposes the AC flow of electrons.
AC CAPACITOR CIRCUIT
 leads the voltage by 90 electrical
degrees
 The current through a capacitor is a
reaction against the change in
voltage across it
 A capacitor’s opposition to change
in voltage translates to an opposition
to alternating voltage in general,
which is by definition always
changing in instantaneous
magnitude and direction.
 For any given magnitude of AC
voltage at a given frequency, a
capacitor of given size will “conduct”
a certain magnitude of AC current.
 AC CAPACITOR CIRCUIT

Capacitive reactance is the opposition that a

capacitor offers to alternating current due to its
phase-shifted storage and release of energy in its
electric field. Reactance is symbolized by the
capital letter “X” and is measured in ohms just like
resistance (R).
Capacitive reactance can be calculated using this
formula: XC = 1/(2πfC)
Capacitive reactance decreases with increasing
frequency. In other words, the higher the
frequency, the less it opposes (the more it
“conducts”) the AC flow of electrons.
 SERIES RESISTOR-INDUCTOR CIRCUIT
For a series resistor-inductor circuit, the
voltage and current relation is determined in
its phase shift. Thus, current lags voltage by a
phase shift (θ)
 SERIES RESITOR-CAPACITOR CIRCUIT
 For a series resistor – capacitor circuit, the voltage and current relation is
determined by the phase shift. Thus the current leads the voltage by an
angle less than 90 degrees but greater than 0 degrees.
Important Equations (AC Circuits)