ALTERNATING CURRENT

INPUT   DATA ♥ EXAMPLE Of Input/Output

Title  

Voltage, V  volt 

    

Non-inductive resistance, R1  ohm  
Inductive resistance, RL  ohm 
Inductive reactance, XL  ohm 
Capacitive reactance, XC  ohm 

     Reset

OUTPUT   VARIABLES   &   GRAPHS

Variables   Values   Units
 ♦  Current   amp  
 ♦  Potential difference across capacitor  volt 
 ♦  Potential difference across resistor  volt 
 ♦  Potential difference across resistor  volt  
 ♦  Power factor    
 ♦  Power used  Watt  
THEORY  &   FORMULAE

R-L-C Circuits

Resistance (R) is the opposition to flow of dc (direct current); reactance (X) is the same opposition, but to ac (alternating current) in a pure inductor or capacitor. Reactance is variable with frequency; in capacitances it varies inversely. Impedance (Z) is a combination of reactance and resistance.

The following relationships hold:

   Z = √[(R1 + RL)2 + (XL - XC)2]
   I = V/Z
   p.d. across capacitor = IXC
   p.d. across resistor = IR1
   p.d. across inductor (coil) = I√[RL2 + XL2]
   Power factor = [R1 + RL]/Z
   Power used = I2[R1 + RL]

where
     V = voltage
     I = voltage
     Z = impedance
     R1 = non-inductive resistance
     RL = inductive resistance
     XL = inductive reactance
     XC = capacitive reactance
     p.d. = potential difference

Tips

    ◊ Use link EXAMPLE Of Input/Output  to demo data entry expectations and results; you may edit & use it as starting point

BIBLIOGRAPHY