EE 131

LECTURE 7 SECOND-ORDER
CIRCUITS

Prepared by:

Engr. Rogelio F. Bersano Jr.

Outline
Introduction

RLC Circuit and Differential Equations

Natural Response of an RLC Circuit

Forced Response of an RLC Circuit

Complete Response of an RLC Circuit

Second-Order Circuits: Introduction

A second-order circuit is a circuit that is

represented by a second-order
differential equation.
2nd-order circuits have 2 independent
energy storage elements (inductors and/or
capacitors)
The circuit will also contain resistance.
Second-Order Circuits: Introduction

A 2nd-order differential equation has the

form:

Solution of a 2nd -order differential equation

requires two initial conditions: x(0) and
x(0).
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Consider two irreducible energy storage elements that are

described by a 2nd-order differential equation.

Figure 1. A parallel RLC circuit

Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Writing the nodal equation at the

top,
[1]

Figure 1
Then substitute the equation for the inductor voltage

[2]

Substitute [2] to [1], obtaining

[3]
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Equation [3] is in the form of a 2nd-order diff. eqn. This

method of obtaining equation [3] is called the direct
method.

Table 1. The Direct Method for Obtaining the Second-Order Differential

Equation of a Circuit
Identify the first and second variables, x1 and x2. These variables are
Step 1
capacitor voltages and/or inductor currents.
1
Step 2 Write one first-order differential equation, obtaining

= (1 , 2 )
Obtain an additional first-order differential equation in terms of the
Step 3 1
second variable so that 2 = 1 or 1 = 2
Substitute the equation of step 3 into the equation of step 2, thus
Step 4
obtaining a second-order differential equation in terms of x2.
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Now consider the series RLC circuit shown. Use the direct
method to obtain the second-order differential equation.

Figure 2. A Series RLC circuit

Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Writing the mesh equation,

[4]

or
Figure 2
[5]

Then substitute the equation for the capacitor

current
[6]

Substitute [6] to [5], obtaining

[7]
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Example 1. Consider a more complicated 2nd-order circuit.

Obtain the 2nd-order differential equation. Use R = 1 , L1 = 1
H, and L2 = 2 H.

Figure 3. Circuit with two inductors

Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations
Table 2. Operator Method for Obtaining the Second-Order Differential
Equation of a Circuit
Step 1 Identify the variable x1 for which the solution is desired.
Write one differential equation in terms of the desired variable x1 and a
Step 2
second variable, x2.
Obtain an additional equation in terms of the second variable and the
Step 3
first variable.
Use the operator s = d/dt and 1/s = to obtain two algebraic
Step 4
equations in terms of s and the two variables x1 and x2.
Using Cramers rule, solve for the desired variable so that
Step 5
x1=f(s,sources) = P(s)=Q(s), where P(s) and Q(s) are polynomials in s.
Step 6 Rearrange the equation of step 5 so that Q(s)x1 = P(s).
Convert the operators back to derivatives for the equation of step 6 to
Step 7
obtain the second-order differential equation.
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations
Example 1
For mesh 1,

[8]
Figure 3.
Use R = 1 , L1 = 1 H, and
For mesh 2, L2 = 2 H.

[9]

Then we have

and [10-11]
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations
Example 1
Replacing d/dt by s, Solving for i2,
[12]

[13]

Rewriting eqn [12-13]

Replacing the s operator
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Example 2. Find the differential equation for the current i2 for

the circuit shown.

Ans.
Second-Order Circuits: Differential Equations

Example 3. Find the differential equation for the voltage v for

the given circuit.

Ans.
Second-Order Circuits: Natural Response
A 2nd-order differential equation has the
form:
[14]

The complete response x(t) is given by

= + [15]

The natural response satisfies the unforced

differential equation when f(t)=0..
Second-Order Circuits: Natural Response
The natural response of a circuit xn will satisfy the
equation
[16]

The solution for homogenous 2nd order differential

equation,
= [17]

Where A and s are to be determined.

Second-Order Circuits: Natural Response
Replacing the differential with s-operator,

[18]
Characteristic equation

The solution of the quadratic eqn has two roots,

The roots of the characteristic equation contain all

the information necessary for determining the
character of the natural response.
Second-Order Circuits: Natural Response

Example 3. Find the natural response of the circuit current i2

shown in the circuit.

Ans.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Consider the shown circuit

KCL at the top node

[19]

Differentiate eqn [19] to avoid integration

[20]
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Using the operator s, we obtain the characteristic equation

[21]

Solving the roots of the characteristic equation,

[22]

Where = = ()
or Neper frequency
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
The damped resonant frequency, , is defined to be

When 0 > , the roots of the characteristic equation are

complex and can be expressed as
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
The roots of the characteristic equation assume three
possible conditions:
1. Two real and distinct roots when 2 > 0 2
the circuit is said to be overdamped.
2. Two real equal roots when 2 = 0 2
the circuit is critically damped.

3. Two complex roots when 2 < 0 2

the circuit is said to be underdamped.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
The Overdamped Voltage Response ( > )
When the roots of the characteristic equation are real and
distinct, the voltage response of a parallel RLC circuit is
said to be overdamped. The solution for the voltage is of
the form
[23]

The constants A1 and A2 are determined by the initial

conditions
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Summary of the process for finding the overdamped
response, v(t), as follows
1. Find the roots of the characteristic equation, s1 and s2,
using the values of R, L, and C.
2. Find v(0+) and dv(0+)/dt using circuit analysis.
3. Find the values of A1 and A2 by solving Eqs. 24 and 25
simultaneously:
[24]

[25]

4. Substitute the values for s1, s2, A1, and A2 into Eq. 23 to
determine the expression for v(t) for 0.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Example 4. For the circuit given, vc(0+) = 12 V, and iL(0+) = 30
mA.
a) Find the initial current in each branch of the circuit.
b) Find the initial value of dv/dt.
c) Find the expression for v(t).

Ans.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
The Underdamped Voltage Response ( > )
When 2 < 0 2 , roots of the characteristic equation are
complex, the response is underdamped. The solution for
the voltage is of the form

[26]

where
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Summary of the process for finding the underdamped
response, v(t), as follows
1. Find the roots of the characteristic equation, s1 and s2,
using the values of R, L, and C.
2. Find v(0+) and dv(0+)/dt using circuit analysis.
3. Find the values of B1 and B2 by solving Eqs. 27 and 28
simultaneously:
[27]

[28]

4. Substitute the values for s1, s2, B1, and B2 into Eq. 26 to
determine the expression for v(t) for 0.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Example 5. For the circuit given, vc(0+) = 0 V, and
iL(0+) = -12.25 mA.
a) Find the initial current in each branch of the circuit.
b) Find the initial value of dv/dt.
c) Find the expression for v(t).

Ans.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
The Critically Damped Voltage Response ( = )
When 2 = 0 2 , the parallel RLC circuit is said to be
critically damped. The solution for the voltage is of the
form

[29]

The constants D1 and D2 are determined by the initial

conditions
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Summary of the process for finding the critically damped
response, v(t), as follows
1. Find the roots of the characteristic equation, s1 and s2,
using the values of R, L, and C.
2. Find v(0+) and dv(0+)/dt using circuit analysis.
3. Find the values of D1 and D2 by solving Eqs. 30 and 31
simultaneously:
[30]

[31]

4. Substitute the values for s1, s2, D1, and D2 into Eq. 29 to
determine the expression for v(t) for 0.
Natural Response: Parallel RLC Circuits
Example 6. For the circuit given, vc(0+) = 0 V, and
iL(0+) = -12.25 mA.
a) Find the value of R that results in a critically damped
voltage response..
b) Calculate v(t) for t > 0.

Ans.
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Consider the shown circuit

KVL around the loop

[32]

Differentiate eqn [32] to avoid integration & rearranging it,

[33]
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Using the operator s, we obtain the characteristic equation

[34]

Solving the roots of the characteristic equation,

[35]

Where = = ()
or Neper frequency
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
The damped resonant frequency, , is defined to be

When 0 > , the roots of the characteristic equation are

complex and can be expressed as
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
The roots of the characteristic equation assume three
possible conditions:
1. Two real and distinct roots when 2 > 0 2
the circuit is said to be overdamped.
2. Two real equal roots when 2 = 0 2
the circuit is critically damped.

3. Two complex roots when 2 < 0 2

the circuit is said to be underdamped.
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Thus the three possible solutions for the current are as
follows:
1. For overdamped,

[36]

2. For critically damped,

[37]

3. For underdamped,

[38]
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Example 7. The 0.1 uF capacitor in the circuit shown is
charged to 100 V. At t = 0, the capacitor is discharged through
a series combination of a 100 mH inductor and a 560 ohm
resistor.
a) Find i(t) for t > 0.
b) Find vc(t) for t > 0.

(a) Ans.
(b)
Forced Response: RLC Circuits
The forced response of an RLC circuit will often be of the
same form as the forcing function.

Table 1. Forced Responses

Complete Response: RLC Circuits
The complete response is the sum of the natural response
and the forced response,

= + [39]

where = () Analyze the circuit at t =

Complete Response: RLC Circuits
General procedure
1. Find the characteristic equation and the natural
response.
i. Determine if the circuit is a series RLC or parallel RLC
(for t > 0 with independent sources killed). If the circuit
is not series RLC or parallel RLC, determine the
describing equation of capacitor voltage or inductor
current.
ii. Obtain the characteristic equation. Use the standard
formulas for and 0 for a series RLC circuit or a
parallel RLC circuit.
iii. Find the roots of the characteristic equation
(characteristic roots).
iv. Determine the form of the natural response based on
the type of characteristic roots.
Complete Response: RLC Circuits
General procedure
2. Find the forced response - Analyze the circuit at t =
to find xf = x().

3. Find the initial conditions, x(0) and x(0).

4. Find
i. Find the total response, x(t) = xn + xf .
ii. Use the two initial conditions to solve for the two
unknowns in the total response.
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Example 8. The initial energy stored in the circuit is zero. At t =
0, a dc current source of 24 mA is applied to the circuit. The
value of the resistor is 400 .
a) What is the initial value of iL?
b) What is the initial value of diL/dt?
c) What are the roots of the characteristic equation?
d) What is the numerical expression for iL(t) when t 0?

Ans.
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Example 9. The initial energy stored in the circuit is zero. At t =
0, a dc current source of 24 mA is applied to the circuit. The
value of the resistor is 625 .
a) Find iL(t) for t 0?

Ans.
Natural Response: Series RLC Circuits
Example 9. The switch in the circuit shown has been in
position a for a long time. At t = 0, it moves to position b. Find
(a) i(0+); (b) vc(0+); (c) di(0+)/dt; (d) s1, s2; and (e) i(t) for t 0; (f)
vc(t) for t 0?

Ans.