Calculate Impedances
For each component (resistor, capacitor, and inductor), calculate its impedance (Z) based on the component’s value and the frequency of the AC source.
For Resistors
ZR = R
R →resistance
For Capacitors
ZC = 1 / (jωC)
j→ imaginary unit
ω→ angular frequency (2πf)
C→ capacitance
For Inductors
ZL = jωL
L→ inductance.
Calculate Current
Use Ohm’s Law for AC circuits, which relates voltage (V), current (I), and impedance (Z): V = IZ. For each component, calculate the current by rearranging the formula: I = V / Z.
In AC circuits with inductors and capacitors, consider the phase relationships between voltage and current for each component. These relationships can be leading or lagging, depending on the component type.
Use Ohm’s Law to find the total current in the circuit:
ITotal = V / ZTotal.
Calculate Power
For resistors, calculate power dissipation using P = I² * R, where P is power, I is the RMS current, and R is the resistance.
For inductors and capacitors, calculate reactive power, which may be leading or lagging, based on the phase relationships.
This is a generalized method to analyze the AC circuit.
Working Principles of Alternating Current Generator
Do you ever wonder what kind of current flows in the power lines of our household? Is it the same current that is generated in electronic devices with DC battery supply or is it something different? In this article, we will discuss a different current that alternates i.e. varies in magnitude and direction. This type of current is called alternating current.
Alternating current is generally seen flowing in power lines(telephone cables, office lines) and normal household electricity that comes from a wall outlet. It is basically used for industrial, chemical, and domestic power usage where it is transmitted over a long distance. The most common frequency for AC power in many parts of the world is 50 or 60 hertz (Hz), meaning the direction of the current changes 50 or 60 times per second. On the contrary, we have DC current which flows in one direction and doesn’t change polarity.
In this article, we will see all the terminologies related to AC current, the method used for generating AC current, and the difference between AC and DC current. We will also discuss the phasors and the application of AC currents. The later part of this article will talk about AC circuit analysis.