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Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE) PDF Download

In a series RLC circuit, three components—a resistor (R), an inductor (L), and a capacitor (C)—are connected one after another. Resonance happens when the opposing reactive effects of the inductor and capacitor balance each other out, leaving the circuit purely resistive. At this point, the circuit displays unique characteristics, like reaching peak current and having the lowest impedance. Grasping the concept of resonance in a series RLC circuit is key to designing and evaluating a wide range of electronic systems and devices.

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

or

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

The impedance of the circuit hinges on the frequency of the alternating supply, thanks to the formulas XL = 2πfL for inductive reactance and XC = 1/(2πfC) for capacitive reactance, as shown in Figure 1(b). In Figure 2, you can see jXL and -jXC graphed against supply frequency. Since XL rises directly with frequency, the inductive reactance starts at zero and climbs steadily upward in a straight line as frequency increases. On the flip side, capacitive reactance XC, being inversely tied to frequency, behaves quite differently—it’s astronomically high at low frequencies and drops sharply as frequency rises, though it never quite hits zero. This gives the plot of (-jXC) versus frequency its distinctive curved shape, as depicted.

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)(a) Series RLC circuit with a variable frequency source.

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)(b) XL and XC vary with the frequency of the voltage source.

 So this,

In a series RLC circuit with a variable frequency source, XL becomes equal to XC at a particular frequency, known as the resonance frequency. The circuit impedance is then equal to R.

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

For this,

A plot of +jXL and -jXC versus frequency for a series RLC circuit shows that at a particular frequency (fr), XL = XC, and consequently (XL = XC) = 0. The frequency fr is known as the resonance frequency for the circuit.

In a series RLC circuit, the total reactance is calculated as (XL - XC). At lower frequencies, XL is significantly smaller than XC, making the total reactance predominantly capacitive. At higher frequencies, where XL exceeds XC by a wide margin, the total reactance shifts to being mostly inductive. There’s a specific frequency, labeled fr, where XL and XC are exactly equal in value. At this point, the impedance of the series RLC circuit simplifies significantly.

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

or

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

When this happens, the circuit enters a state called electrical resonance, and the frequency where XL matches XC is termed the resonance frequency (fr).

In a series RLC circuit, the resonance frequency is the point where XL equals XC.

At frequencies below and above resonance, the reactance (X = XL - XC) takes on significant values, leaning either inductive or capacitive. As a result, when you plot the circuit’s impedance (from Equation 1) against frequency, you’ll notice it spikes to high levels on either side of the resonance frequency. Right at resonance, though, it drops to its lowest point, where Z simply equals R.

For a series RLC circuit, impedance hits its minimum at the resonance frequency.

Current at Resonance

The current in the series RLC circuit is determined from

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

or 

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

Where I is the numerical value of the current without reference to its phase angle. Thus, at resonance, when XL=XC, the current equation becomes

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

A typical graph of current versus frequency for the series RLC circuit is shown in the figure. The current drops to a minimum at frequencies above and below resonance but spikes sharply at resonance as the impedance reaches its lowest point. This current-versus-frequency graph is often called the circuit’s frequency response curve.

Phase Angle

As observed, the impedance of the series RLC circuit is predominantly capacitive at frequencies well below resonance. This causes the circuit current to lead the applied voltage by a phase angle of roughly 90°. On the other hand, at frequencies far above resonance, the impedance becomes mostly inductive, shifting the current’s phase angle to about -90°. The graph of phase angle versus frequency for the series RLC circuit illustrates this shift: starting with a 90° leading phase angle at low frequencies, dropping to 0° at the resonance frequency, and transitioning to a 90° lagging phase angle beyond fr

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)(a) Graph of impedance versus frequencySeries RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

(b) Graph of current versus frequency

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)(c) Graph of current phase angle versus frequencySo this ,

Graphs of impedance, current, and phase angle versus frequency for a series RLC circuit. Because Z=R+j(XL-XC), the impedance dips to R at fr, and the current peaks. The current phase angle is zero at fr, becomes leading below fr and is lagging above fr.

Resonance Frequency

The frequency at which resonance occurs is easily calculated by equating Xand XC:

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

Or

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

​So 

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

​Giving

Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

When L and C are in henrys and farads, respectively, Equation 2 gives fr in hertz.

The document Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency | Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE) is a part of the Electrical Engineering (EE) Course Network Theory (Electric Circuits).
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FAQs on Series RLC Circuit Resonance Frequency - Network Theory (Electric Circuits) - Electrical Engineering (EE)

1. What is the resonance frequency in a series RLC circuit?
Ans. The resonance frequency in a series RLC circuit is the frequency at which the inductive reactance (XL) and capacitive reactance (XC) are equal in magnitude, resulting in maximum current flow through the circuit. It can be calculated using the formula: \( f_0 = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}} \), where \( f_0 \) is the resonance frequency, L is the inductance, and C is the capacitance.
2. How does frequency affect the impedance of a series RLC circuit?
Ans. In a series RLC circuit, the impedance (Z) varies with frequency. At low frequencies, the impedance is dominated by the inductive reactance (XL), which increases with frequency, while at high frequencies, capacitive reactance (XC) becomes dominant, which decreases with frequency. At resonance frequency, the impedance is minimized and is purely resistive (Z = R), resulting in maximum current.
3. What happens to the circuit at frequencies below and above the resonance frequency?
Ans. Below the resonance frequency, the circuit behaves inductively, meaning it has a higher total impedance due to the dominance of inductive reactance (XL). Above the resonance frequency, the circuit behaves capacitively, where capacitive reactance (XC) dominates, leading to a decrease in total impedance. This shift causes changes in the phase relationship between voltage and current in the circuit.
4. How can you determine the quality factor (Q) of a series RLC circuit?
Ans. The quality factor (Q) of a series RLC circuit is a measure of its selectivity and can be determined using the formula: \( Q = \frac{f_0}{\Delta f} \), where \( \Delta f \) is the bandwidth of the circuit, defined as the range of frequencies over which the circuit can effectively operate around the resonance frequency. A higher Q indicates a sharper resonance peak and lower energy losses.
5. Why is it important to understand the frequency effect on circuit impedance in practical applications?
Ans. Understanding the frequency effect on circuit impedance is crucial in practical applications such as filtering, tuning, and signal processing. It allows engineers to design circuits that can selectively allow certain frequencies to pass while attenuating others, optimizing performance in communication systems, audio equipment, and power supply designs. This knowledge also helps in minimizing energy losses and improving overall circuit efficiency.
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