Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 1
OBJECTIVE:
Verification of Star Delta Transformation

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Circuit #4 of D3000 1.3 Electrical Networks-1 Module

Power Source
Ammeter
Connecting Wires

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
Star-delta transformation is a mathematical technique to simplify the analysis of an electrical
network

Delta Connections
Star Connections
Situations often arise in circuit analysis when the resistors are neither in parallel nor in series.
The transformation is used to establish equivalence for networks with 3 terminals. Where three
elements terminate at a common node and none are sources, the node is eliminated by transforming
the impedances. For equivalence, the impedance between any pair of terminals must be the same for
both networks and hence the current through any pair of nodes must be same for both networks.
Delta to Y Conversion:
To obtain the equivalent resistances in the wye network, we compare the two networks and
make sure that the resistance between each pair of nodes in the delta or PIE network is the same as
the resistance between the same pair of nodes in the Y (or T) network. Each resistor in the Y network
is the product of the resistors in the two adjacent delta branches, divided by the sum of the three delta
resistors. Equations for transformation from -Load to Y-load are as follows:

Y to Delta Conversion:
Each resistor in the delta network is the sum of all possible products of Y resistors taken two
at a time, divided by the opposite Y resistor. One may wonder why RY is less than R delta. Well, we
notice that the Y connection is like a series connection while the delta -connection is like a
parallel connection. Equations for transformation from Y-load to -load are as follows:

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
Connection for Delta network:

A
N3
V
Ra

Rc

N1

Rb

N2

Connection for Star network:

N3
R3

V
R1

R2
N1

N2

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

PROCEDURE:

Connect the circuit for delta connection as shown in figure.

Note the current flowing through Ra.
Repeat the same procedure and note the currents flowing through Rb and Rc respectively.
Note these values in the table.
Now connect the circuit for star connection as shown in figure 2.
Using same procedure as described above, note the currents flowing through R 1, R2 and R3
respectively.
Note these values in the table.
The current through any pair of nodes must be same for both networks.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Resistance:
Delta
B&C

A&B

A & B

A&C

Star
B & C

A & C

Verify,

Also,

Currents:

Delta
Sr. No. Voltage
(volts)
1
2
3

Ia
(mA)

Ib
(mA)

Star
Ic
(mA)

Voltage
(volts)

I1
(mA)

I2
(mA)

I3
(mA)

PRECAUTIONS:

While dealing with electric circuits handle the apparatus carefully.

Make sure the connections are tight.
Observe the readings carefully.

LEARNING AND FINDINGS:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 2
OBJECTIVE:
Verification of Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Circuit #1 of D3000 1.3 Electrical Networks-1 Module

DMM
Shorting links and connecting leads

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
In order to achieve the maximum load power in a DC circuit, the load resistance must equal
the driving resistance, that is, the internal resistance of the source. Any load resistance value above
or below this will produce a smaller load power.
System efficiency () is 50% at the maximum power case. This is because the load and the
internal resistance form a basic series loop, and as they have the same value, they must exhibit equal
currents and voltages, and hence equal powers. As the load increases in resistance beyond the
maximizing value the load voltage will rise, however, the load current will drop by a greater amount
yielding a lower load power. Although this is not the maximum load power, this will represent a
larger percentage of total power produced, and thus a greater efficiency (the ratio of load power to
total power).

Power dissipated in the load resistor RL is given by V2/ RL .When load has extreme values of
zero and infinity then power dissipated is zero. For other values of R L power reaches a maximum
value when RL is equal to internal resistance of source. When this happen load is matched to internal
resistance of source.

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

In both cases (a) and (b) maximum power is transferred when load resistance is equal to
source internal resistance r. That is
RL = r
Under these maximum power conditions, the potential difference across the load R L is equal
to potential difference across the potential difference across the internal resistance.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:

With the module power supplies switched OFF.

Connect short links 1.2 & 1.4, 1.6 & 1.7 as shown in circuit diagram.
Connect DMM at 1.5 & 1.12 which gives the open circuit voltage or no load voltage.
Set R1 fully clockwise.
Switch on the module power supplies and note the reading of DMM (open circuit voltage) the
load resistance being infinite.
Transfer the leads of DMM at 1.5 & 1.10. Insert a short link at 1.11 & 1.12.
Note the value of DMM this representing the source terminal voltage at R1 for 1k.
Adjust the value of R1 in steps and note the value of source terminal voltage.
For each set of readings calculate the value of power dissipated in R1 from expression V2 /R1

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

R1
VR1
IR1
PR1

1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

GRAPH:
Plot graphs between a) V & I and b) R & P. Use graph paper.

PRECAUTIONS:

While dealing with electric circuits handle the apparatus carefully.

Make sure the connections are tight.
Observe the readings carefully.

LEARNING AND FINDINGS:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 3
OBJECTIVE:
Verification of Reciprocity Theorem

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Circuit #4 of D3000 1.3 Electrical Networks-1 Module

DMM
Shorting links and connecting leads

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
In its simplest form, the reciprocity theorem states that if an emf E in one branch of a
reciprocal network produces a current I in another, then if the emf E is moved from the first to the
second branch, it will cause the same current in the first branch, where the emf has been replaced by
a short circuit.
In other words, it simply means that E (causing a current say I) and I (caused by E in any certain
branch) are mutually transferable. The ratio E/I is known as transfer resistance or impedance (Z) in
AC networks. Another way of stating the above theorem is that the receiving point and sending point
in a network are interchangeable.
When applying reciprocity theorem for a voltage source, following steps must be taken: Voltage source is replaced by a short circuit in original location & Current source is replaced
by an open circuit in original location.
Polarity of source in new location is such that the current direction in that branch remains
unchanged.
Two-Port Networks:
Consideration of reciprocity leads naturally to two-port networks. These are networks with four
terminals considered in two pairs as ports at which connections are made. The emf E in the
reciprocity theorem is considered to be connected to one port, say port 1, while the current is at port
2, assumed to be short-circuited. The ports result from breaking into two of the branches of the
network. One terminal of each port is denoted by (+) to specify the polarity of the voltage applied at
the port, and currents are positive when they enter the (+) terminal.
The fundamental variables are V1, I1, V2 and I2. Any two of these variables are functions of the
remaining two. For certain networks, some of the four choices are not admissible. In most cases, the
variables appearing in the models are variations from DC bias conditions, not the DC variables
themselves.
A single resistor forms two two-ports, depending on
whether it is in series or shunt. For the series resistor, it
is normal to take the dependent variables as I1 and I2,
and the independent variables V1 and V2. The
coefficients are called the admittance parameters, since
admittance is the ratio of current to voltage. If the
resistor is connected in shunt, the natural independent
variables are I1 and 2, while V1 and V2 are the
dependent variables. The coefficients in this case are
the impedance parameters, since impedance is the ratio
of voltage to current. In both cases, we see that the offdiagonal or transfer coefficients are equal.
A non-bilateral and a nonlinear element, such as a
rectifying diode, destroy reciprocity.

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

T-Network:
R1

R3

400 ohm

1000 ohm

E
20V

R2

800 ohm

Reciprocal:
R1

R3

400 ohm

1000 ohm

R2

E
20 V

800 ohm

Pie Network:
R2
800 ohm
E
20 V

R1

400 ohm 1000 ohm

R3

Reciprocal:
R2
800 ohm

R1

400 ohm 1000 ohm

R3

E
20 V

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:

Connect the circuit for T-Network as shown in circuit diagram.

Vary voltage from 5 V to 12 V with the difference of 2 V and note the corresponding current
I with the help of ammeter.
Now interchange the positions of ammeter and power supply to obtain the reciprocal TNetwork. Again repeat the same procedure and note current I.
Connect the same resistances in PIE-Network and repeat the same procedure and calculate
currents I, I.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Sr. No.
1
2
3
4

Voltage
5
7
9
12

T-Network
I

Voltage
5
7
9
12

PIE-Network
I

PRECAUTIONS:

While dealing with electric circuits handle the apparatus carefully.

Make sure the connections are tight.
Observe the readings carefully.

LEARNING AND FINDINGS:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 4
OBJECTIVE:
Design and Implementation of RC Series Circuit for understanding of transient response,
charging, discharging and time constant.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
Decade Capacitor box
Decade Resistor Box
Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
Function Generator
Connecting Leads

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
Capacitor is an electronic device, which is used to store electric charge
or electrical energy. A capacitor stores electric charge on its plates. There
are various types of capacitors available.
In its simplest form a capacitor consists of two identical conducting
plates which are placed in front of each other. One plate of capacitor is
connected to the positive terminal of power supply and the other plate is
connected to negative terminal. The plate which is connected to positive
terminal, acquired positive charge, and the other plate connected to negative
terminal. Separation between plates is very small. The space between the
plates is field with air or any suitable dielectric material. Electric charge stored between the plates of
a capacitor is directly proportional to the potential difference between the plates. Charge storing
capability of a capacitor is called capacitance of
capacitor.
Basic RC Circuit:
A basic switched RC circuit is shown in
Figure. Most of the key ideas concerning charging,
discharging and dc transients in RC circuits can be
developed from it.
Capacitor Charging
First, assume the capacitor is uncharged and that
the switch is open. Now move the switch to the
charge position. At the instant the switch is closed
the current jumps to E/R amps, then decays to zero, while the voltage, which is zero at the instant the
switch is closed, gradually climbs to E volts. The shapes of these curves can be easily explained.
First, consider voltage. In order to change capacitor voltage, electrons must be moved from one
plate to the other. Even for a relatively small capacitor, billions of electrons must be moved. This
takes time. Consequently, capacitor voltage cannot change instantaneously, i.e., it cannot jump
abruptly from one value to another. Instead, it climbs gradually and smoothly as illustrated in figure.

10

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Now consider current. The movement of electrons noted above is a current. As indicated in
Figure, this current jump abruptly from 0 to E/R amps, i.e., the current is discontinuous. (Since
capacitor voltage cannot change instantaneously, its value just after the switch is closed will be the
same as it was just before the switch is closed, namely 0 V. Since the voltage across the capacitor
just after the switch is closed is zero (even though there is current through it), the capacitor looks
momentarily like a short circuit. This is an important observation and is true in general, that is, an
uncharged capacitor looks like a short circuit at the instant of switching. Applying Ohms law
yields current equal to E/R amps.)
Charging equations:

Steady State Condition:

When the capacitor voltage and current reach their final
values and stop charging, the circuit is said to be in steady state.
Since the capacitor has voltage across it but no current through
it, it looks like an open circuit. This is also an important observation and one that is true in general,
i.e. a capacitor looks like an open circuit to steady state dc.
Capacitor Discharging:
Now consider the discharge case. First, assume the capacitor is charged to E volts and that the
switch is open. Now close the switch. Since the capacitor has E volts across it just before the switch
is closed, and since its voltage cannot change instantaneously, it will still have E volts across it just
after as well. The capacitor therefore looks momentarily like a voltage source, and the current thus
jumps immediately to E/R amps. (Note that the current is negative since it is opposite in direction to
the reference arrow.) The voltage and current then decay to zero as indicated.
Discharging equations:

11

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

The Time Constant

The rate at which a capacitor charges depends on the product of R and C and its known as
the time constant of the circuit and is given the symbol (the Greek letter tau). RC has units of
seconds.
Thus,
=RC (seconds, s)
Duration of a Transient
The length of time that a transient lasts depends on the exponential function

. As t

increases,
decreases, and when it reaches zero, the transient is gone. Theoretically, this takes
infinite time. In practice, however, over 99% of the transition takes place during the first five time
constants (i.e., transients are within 1% of their final value at t=5). This can be verified by direct
substitution. Similarly, the current falls to within 1% of its final value in five time constants. Thus,
for all practical purposes, transients can be considered to last for only five time constants.
Moreover larger the time constant, the longer will be the duration of the transient.
Square Wave Signal
Useful wave shapes can be obtained by using RC circuits with the required time constant. If
we apply a continuous square wave voltage waveform to the RC circuit whose pulse width matches
that exactly of the 5RC time constant (5) of the circuit, then the voltage waveform across the
capacitor would look something like this:

12

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

The voltage across the capacitor alternates between charging up to Vc and discharging down
to zero according to the input voltage. Here in this example, the frequency (and therefore the
resulting time period, = 1/T) of the input square wave voltage waveform exactly matches twice that
of the 5RC time constant. This (10RC) time constant allows the capacitor to fully charge during the
ON period (0-to-5RC) of the input waveform and then fully discharge during the OFF period (5to-10RC) resulting in a perfectly matched RC waveform.
If the time period of the input waveform is made longer (lower frequency, < 1/10RC) for
example an ON half-period pulse width equivalent to say 8RC, the capacitor would then stay
fully charged longer and also stay fully discharged longer producing an RC waveform as shown.

If however we now reduced the total time period of the input waveform (higher frequency,
> 1/10RC), to say 4RC, the capacitor would not have sufficient time to either fully charge during
the ON period or fully discharge during the OFF period. Therefore the resultant voltage drop
across the capacitor, Vc would be less than its maximum input voltage producing an RC waveform as
shown below.

13

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:

Connect the circuit as shown in circuit diagram.

Select suitable values of R, C and compute f=1/10RC.
Select Square wave at frequency calculated in above step.
Calculate time constant using formula, =RC
Celebrate CRO if required.
Connect the probe of CRO across capacitor to get wave form of capacitor voltages.
Note the value of VP and calculate 63.2% of VP
Calculate value of ( Time/Div. * No. of Div. on X-axis when wave form is at 63.2%
of VP).
Compare the value of with the value calculated from formula of .

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Sr. No.

Vp

63.2%Vp

(RC)

(CRO)

1
2
3

PRECAUTIONS:

While dealing with electric circuits handle the apparatus carefully.

Make sure the connections are tight.
Observe the readings carefully.

LEARNING AND FINDINGS:

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

14

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 5
OBJECTIVE:
Design and Implementation of RL Series Circuit for understanding of inductive transients and
time constant.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
Inductors
Decade Resistor Box
Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
Function Generator
Connecting Leads

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
As we saw in previous lab, when a circuit containing capacitance is disturbed, voltages and
currents do not change to their new values immediately, but instead pass through a transitional phase
as the circuit capacitance charges or discharges. The voltages and currents during this transitional
interval are called transients. In a dual fashion, transients occur when circuits containing
inductances are disturbed. In this case, however, transients occur because current in inductance
cannot change instantaneously.
To get at the idea, consider Figure shown below, we see a purely resistive circuit. At the instant
the switch is closed, current jumps from 0 to E/R as required by Ohms law. Thus, no transient (i.e.,
transitional phase) occurs because current reaches its final value immediately. Now consider second
circuit. Here, we have added inductance. At the instant the switch is closed, a counter emf appears
across the inductance. This voltage attempts to stop the current from changing and consequently
slows its rise. Current thus does not jump to E/R immediately as in (a), but instead climbs gradually
and smoothly as in (b). The larger the inductance, the longer the transition takes.

15

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Inductor Voltage
Now consider inductor voltage. When the switch is open as in Figure (a) shown below, the
current in the circuit and voltage across L are both zero. Now close the switch. Immediately after the
switch is closed, the current is still zero, (since it cannot change instantaneously). Since vR = Ri, the
voltage across R is also zero and thus the full source voltage appears across L as shown in (b). The
inductor voltage therefore jumps from 0 V just before the switch is closed to E volts just after. It then
decays to zero, since; the voltage across inductance is zero for steady state dc. This is indicated in
(c).

Note that just after the switch is closed, the inductor has voltage across it but no current through
it. It therefore momentarily looks like an open circuit. This observation is true in general, that is, an
inductor with zero initial current looks like an open circuit at the instant of switching.
To study the response of an RL series circuit, consider an inductor (i.e., a coil with an inductance
L) in series with a battery of emf E and a resistor of resistance R. This is known as an RL circuit.
There are some similarities between the RL circuit and the RC circuit, and some important
differences.
An RL Circuit with a Battery: First consider what happens
with the resistor and the battery. When the switch is closed we
have a current; when the switch is opened again we have no
current. Now add an inductor to the circuit. When we close the
switch now the current tries to jump up to the same value we
had with the resistor but the inductor opposes this because a
change in current means a change in flux for the coil. If the
inductor adds negligible resistance to the circuit the current
eventually reaches the same value it had with the resistor but
the current follows an exponential curve to get there.

Where =L/R
Waveforms for square wave input:

16

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

VL

Time

The Time Constant

The rate, at which an inductor current achieves its final value, depends on the ratio of L and R
and its known as the time constant of the circuit and is given the symbol (the Greek letter tau).
L/R has units of seconds.
Thus,
=L/R (seconds, s)
Duration of a Transient
The length of time that a transient lasts depends on the exponential function

. As t

increases,
decreases, and when it reaches zero, the transient is gone. Theoretically, this takes
infinite time. In practice, however, over 99% of the transition takes place during the first five time
constants (i.e., transients are within 1% of their final value at t=5). This can be verified by direct
substitution. Similarly, the current falls to within 1% of its final value in five time constants. Thus,
for all practical purposes, transients can be considered to last for only five time constants.
Moreover larger the time constant, the longer will be the duration of the transient.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

17

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

PROCEDURE:

Connect the circuit as shown in circuit diagram.

Select suitable values of R, L and compute f=1/10RC.
Select Square wave at frequency calculated in above step.
Calculate time constant using formula, =L/R
Celebrate CRO if required.
Connect the probe of CRO across capacitor to get wave form of capacitor voltages.
Note the value of VP and calculate 63.2% of VP
Calculate value of ( Time/Div. * No. of Div. on X-axis when wave form is at 63.2%
of VP).
Compare the value of with the value calculated from formula of .

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Sr. No.

Vp

63.2%Vp

(L/R)

(CRO)

1
2
3

PRECAUTIONS:

While dealing with electric circuits handle the apparatus carefully.

Make sure the connections are tight.
Observe the readings carefully.

LEARNING AND FINDINGS:

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

18

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 6
OBJECTIVE:
Design and Implementation of RC Series Circuit using OrCad Capture PSpice circuit
simulation software to measure transient response & time constant.

SOFTWARE REQUIRED:

OrCad PSpice

THEORETICAL BACKGROUNG:
OrCAD EE PSpice is a SPICE circuit simulator application for simulation and verification of
analog and mixed-signal circuits. PSpice is an acronym for Personal Simulation Program with
Integrated Circuit Emphasis.
We can analyze a circuits behavior using PSpice Simulation tool in many ways and confirm
that it performs as specified. A circuit to be analyzed using PSpice is described by a circuit
description file, which is processed by PSpice and executed as a simulation. PSpice creates an output
file to store the simulation results, and such results are also graphically displayed within the OrCAD
EE interface.
The type of simulation performed by PSpice depends on the source specifications and control
statements. PSpice supports the following types of analyses:

DC Analysis - for circuits with timeinvariant sources (e.g. steady-state DC sources). It

calculates all nodal voltages and branch currents over a range of values. Supported types
include linear sweep, Logarithmic sweep, and Sweep over List of values.
Transient Analysis - for circuits with time variant sources (e.g., sinusoidal sources/switched
DC sources). It calculates all nodes voltages and branch currents over a time interval and
their instantaneous values are the outputs.
AC Analysis - for small signal analysis of circuits with sources of varying frequencies. It
calculates the magnitudes and phase angles of all nodal voltages and branch currents over a
range of frequencies.

RC Circuit:
A resistorcapacitor
circuit (RC
circuit),
or RC
filter or RC
network, is
an electric circuit composed
of resistors and capacitors driven by a voltage or current source.
A first order RC circuit is composed of one resistor and one
capacitor and is the simplest type of RC circuit.

19

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Basic user interface of PSpice:

Creating a new project in PSpice:

To begin, run the OrCad Capture program and create a new project by selecting File
| New | Project.
Choose an appropriate file name and a directory to store all of your files. Then create a
project using the Analog or Mixed-Signal Circuit Wizard. Click OK.
On the next screen you have to choose which PSpice part symbol library to load.
Placing Components:
Choose the circuit components by selecting Place | Part or the second button on the
vertical toolbar.
In the Place Part dialog window choose the circuit component from the appropriate
library. Following table lists the circuit components that you will use regularly, their
part name, and the libraries where they can be found.
Circuit Element

Part Name

Library

Independent DC Current Source

IDC

SOURCE

Independent AC Current Source

IAC

SOURCE

Independent DC Voltage Source

VDC

SOURCE

Independent AC Voltage Source

VAC

SOURCE

ANALOG

R_var

ANALOG

Capacitor

ANALOG

Inductor

ANALOG

Resistor
Variable Resistor

20

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Voltage Controlled Voltage Source

ANALOG

Current Controlled Voltage Source

ANALOG

Voltage Controlled Current Source

ANALOG

Current Controlled Current Source

ANALOG

PROCEDURE:

Choose the part named VDC for the independent DC voltage source, R for the resistors
and C for capacitor.
Add the resistor and capacitor to your circuit by going to the ANALOG library and
highlighting the part name R and C and then click OK.
In the Capture window your cursor will now turn into a diagram of the resistor.
To change the orientation of any circuit component before adding it to the grid, press
CTRL-R, or right click and select Rotate.
To specify the attribute of the circuit component, you must add it in the attribute box.
Note: Most circuit components will already have a default value. The default value for
the resistor is 1k and the default value for the independent DC voltage source is 0V
DC.
Double click on the attribute box, or right click on the attribute box and select Edit
Properties.
In the Display Properties dialog window enter the desired value. This value can be an
integer or a real number.

Once all the circuit components are selected, you must connect them with wires.
To create wires select Place | Wire, or click the third vertical toolbar button.
Place a wire in your circuit by clicking on the starting node for the wire, and clicking
again at the ending node for the wire.
Note: Make sure that the wires you place do not overlap any circuit components;
To end the wire hit ESC, or right click on the mouse and select End Wire.
To complete your circuit in PSpice you must add a circuit ground. On the vertical
toolbar select the GND button or select Place | Ground, and then choose the part
named 0/Source. Place the ground at an appropriate node in your circuit.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

21

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Add probes and run the simulation:
There are two choices for voltage probes. The first is a single probe that measures the voltage at
the selected node with respect to ground. The second is a pair of probes that measure the voltage
difference between them just like the leads of a voltmeter. If measuring current, the current probe
must be attached the pin of a component, and it will measure the current flowing out of the
component at that pin.

Click on the single voltage probe icon at the top of the window an icon that looks a bit like
a turkey baster will be attached to the cursor.
Click on the wire somewhere between the source and the resistor to attach the probe, which
will measure the source voltage with respect to ground.
Then add another probe to measure the capacitor voltage. For variety, try using the doubleprobe as shown below.

Setting up simulation Profile:

Once you constructed the circuit

create a new simulation by
selecting
PSpice
|
New
Simulation Profile. Choose an
appropriate name for the
simulation.
In the Simulation Settings
dialog window, under the
Analysis tab select Time
Domain (Transient) as the
Analysis Type.
In the General Settings option,
specify start time of the
simulation in the Start saving data after dialog box. This should usually be set to 0.
Specify the end time of the simulation in the Run to time dialog box. This should
usually be set to about 5 to 6, where is the time constant of your circuit calculated
by multiplying value of Resistor and capacitor.

Analyzing the simulation:

To analyze the graph and read values from the graph you need to use the cursors.
Select Trace | Cursor | Display in the PSpice A/D window menu. The cursors should
now be displayed on the graph.
There are two cursors you can use; one cursor can be accessed by left clicking on the
graph with the mouse. Hold down the left click to move the cursor around on the graph.
The value that this cursor is pointing to, is displayed in the first entry of the Probe
Cursor dialog window (x-coordinate first, y-coordinate second).
The cursor that can be accessed by left clicking the mouse will always be displayed as
the first entry in this window.
When there is more than one waveform on the graph you can move the cursor onto
another waveform by clicking on the legend symbol (right click/left click depending on
which cursor you want to move) for the desired waveform located on the bottom of the
graph. i.e. the little square, triangle etc.
22

Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

It is recommended that you explore the Add Trace dialog window; there are many
other waveforms that you can choose from. You can even show the waveforms of the
currents in your circuit.

Settings for a transient simulation

One way of finding the time-constant from a graph like this is to extrapolate the initial decay linearly
and find the point at which it cuts the time axis. This should give the time-constant directly. Check it
for the plot. The output is more interesting from a pulse rather than a single step. Spice offers the
VPULSE source, whose parameters are listed in table 1 on the next page. Change the source in your
circuit to give a 0.2 ms pulse and plot both the input and output. You should find that the output
voltage goes negative for a while, although the input is always positive or zero. How is this possible?

GRAPH:
Output voltage from the RC high-pass filter with time-constant = 1ms.

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Circuit Diagram:
(Make Circuit diagram as instructed in assignment and paste here its print out.)

GRAPHS:
a)
a)
b)
c)
d)

Square wave input

VC vs. time
VR vs. time
IC vs. time
IC vs. time

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

(Verify the results for time constant from your circuit diagram and from graph.)

LEARNINGS & FINDINGS:

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

EXPERIMENT 7
OBJECTIVE:
Design and Implementation of RL Series Circuit using OrCad Capture PSpice circuit
simulation software to measure transient response & time constant using pulsed voltage.

SOFTWARE REQUIRED:

OrCad Pspice

THEORETICAL BACKGROUNG:
A resistorinductor circuit (RL circuit), or RL filter or RL network, is an electric circuit composed of
resistors and inductors driven by a voltage or current source. A first order RL circuit is composed of
one resistor and one inductor and is the simplest type of RL circuit.
A first order RL circuit is one of the simplest analogue infinite impulse response electronic filters. It
consists of a resistor and an inductor, either in series driven by a voltage source or in parallel driven
by a current source. Both RC and RL circuits form a single-pole filter. Depending on whether the
reactive element (C or L) is in series with the load, or parallel with the load will dictate whether the
filter is low-pass or high-pass.
Frequently RL circuits are used for DC power supplies to RF amplifiers, where the inductor is used
to pass DC bias current and block the RF getting back into the power supply.
The most straightforward way to derive the time domain behaviour is to use the Laplace
transforms of the expressions for
and
given above. This effectively transforms
.
Assuming a step input (i.e.,
before
and then
afterwards):

Inductor voltage step-response.

Resistor voltage step-response.

Partial fractions expansions and the inverse Laplace transform yield:

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Thus, the voltage across the inductor tends towards 0 as time passes, while the voltage across
the resistor tends towards V, as shown in the figures. This is in keeping with the intuitive point that
the inductor will only have a voltage across as long as the current in the circuit is changing as the
circuit reaches its steady-state, there is no further current change and ultimately no inductor voltage.

PROCEDURE:
1.

In setting up the simulation profile, we will choose a

Transient analysis, in which a time span is specified. The
voltages and currents in the circuit will be calculated at time
intervals, starting at t = 0 and extending through the specified
time span. At each step, new values are calculated, using the
values from the previous step as initial conditions. The step
size is determined by the program, although you can specify a
maximum step size.
2.
We need to use sources that varies in time. The two most
common are VPULSE (or IPULSE) which is a square wave
and VSIN (or ISIN) which is a sinusoid. In order to specify
the shape of the waveforms, extra parameters are needed.
For the RC circuits in this tutorial, we will use the VPULSE
and IPULSE sources. Sinusoidal sources will be used in a
subsequent tutorial.
3.
We will need to use probes to specify the voltages or
currents that will show as traces on the plot.
4.
The plot will show up in a separate window, which has some analysis tools that might be
handy in certain situations.
5.
From the source library, choose the VPULSE source, as shown in figure, and place it in the
drawing window.
From the analog library, add a resistor and a
capacitor to the drawing window. Add a ground a
connection, and then wire the parts together, as
shown in figure.
Change the inductor value to 1 2H (2H in PSPICE
terminology). The resistor can stay at 1 k.)
The source has a number of parameters. A value
must be entered for each if any are left blank,
PSPICE will complain and refuse to run the
simulation.

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

TR

TF

V2

V1

TD
PW

t=0

PER

V1 - Initial voltage voltage level

V2 - Voltage after the switch (note that V2 can be less than V1).
TD - Delay time before the first transition from V1 to V2.
TR - Rise time in going from V1 to V2. (It is still TR, even if the V1 < V2.) TF Fall time in going from V2 to V1.
PW - Pulse width time that the voltage is at the V1 level.
PER - Period - the time for one cycle of the pulse wave form. The source will repeat the pulse for as
long as the simulation runs, as defined in the simulation set up.
Note: The value of PW be chosen according to 5T of the circuit and to make a square wave with
abrupt transitions, set TR and TF to be very small but not 0.
Set the parameters for the pulse to the values shown in the figure above. This should give
two clear transients from the circuit one up and one down. The high time, PW, is eight time
constants long. The low time (PER PW, assuming that the rise and fall are negligible) is also
eight time constants.
Set up the Simulation profile
Set up a new simulation profile. (Give it
whatever name you like.) From the popup menu, choose the Time Domain
(Transient) analysis type.
Add probes and run the simulation:
There are two choices for voltage probes.
The first is a single probe that
measures the voltage at the selected
node with respect to ground. The second
is a pair of probes that measure the
voltage difference between them just
like the leads of a voltmeter. If measuring
current, the current probe must be
attached the pin of a component, and it will measure the current flowing out of the component at that
pin.
The plot
If the simulation runs successfully, a plot window will open. Initially, it may be hidden behind the
drawing window click the flashing icon in the tray at the bottom to bring the plot to the front. The

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

plot should have traces of the two probe voltages. The plot traces will now be color coded to the
probes.

Analyzing the simulation:

To analyze the graph and read values from the graph you need to use the cursors.
Select Trace | Cursor | Display in the PSpice A/D window menu. The cursors
should now be displayed on the graph.
There are two cursors you can use; one cursor can be accessed by left clicking on
the graph with the mouse. Hold down the left click to move the cursor around on
the graph.
The value that this cursor is pointing to, is displayed in the first entry of the Probe
Cursor dialog window (x-coordinate first, y-coordinate second).
The cursor that can be accessed by left clicking the mouse will always be displayed
as the first entry in this window.
It is recommended that you explore the Add Trace dialog window; there are many
other waveforms that you can choose from. You can even show the waveforms of
the currents in your circuit.

GRAPH:

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

Circuit Diagram:
(Make Circuit diagram as instructed in assignment and paste here its print out.)

GRAPHS:
b)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Square wave input

VC vs. time
VR vs. time
IC vs. time
IC vs. time

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Electrical Network Analysis 2k14

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

(Verify the results for time constant from your circuit diagram and from graph.)

LEARNINGS & FINDINGS:

31