# A circuit comprises an inductor of 700mH of negligible resistance

1. ### lemon

200
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A circuit comprises an inductor of 700mH of negligible resistance connected in series with a 15Ω resistor and a 24V d.c. source. Calculate:

a) i) the initial rate of change of current ii)the time constant (T) for the circuit
b) the value of the current after 1T seconds, and ii) the time to develop maximum current.

2. Relevant equations
V=L x di/dt+iR ( i think:uhh:)

3. The attempt at a solution
The inductor has negligible resistance so we can use V=IR to calculate the current through the circuit = 24/15 = 1.6A
V-iR/L = 24-(1.6x15)/(700x10-3)=0

So, I got zero. So, I got nothing, right?
What am I doing wrong?
I suck at this!

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3. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

You're on the right track with the differential equation.

You need to solve the differential equation for the current in the circuit with a 24V step input. This is easiest to do using Laplace transforms. See my sketch below showing the circuit, the Laplace transform of the differential equation, as well as the Laplace transform of the input:

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4498/0208001346.jpg

I'll leave the math up to you but the result you should get for the current once you apply an inverse laplace transform is:

$$I(t) =\frac{24V}{R} [1-e^{-\frac{R}{L}t}]$$

Most circuit texts will present the result above for RL circuits, good ones will show the derivation. Once you have I(t) you should be able to find the all the answers you need with some basic calculus and plotting. Keep in mind that R/L is the time constant.

4. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

Hi:
Thanks for the reply. It's a bit over my head though. I just started electronics recently
Is=24/15+(700x10-3)=1.5A (2s.f.)
If I use the equation you gave in your drawing I get the above. Though I don't really know what I'm doing here, to be honest.

This is an ac circuit, right? So, the initial rate of change of current is the switch from positive to negative that induces an emf?
It says the inductor has negligible resistance so why is it added to the resistance in the calculation above?
And what exactly is a time constant T anyway? I know it is used in a capacitor circuit as well which is equal to the product or R by C.

5. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

I'll try to give you some physical insight into what is happening in the circuit.

1) The circuit starts at time t=0 with no current flowing.

2) Right at time t=0 the 24v voltage source is connected to the circuit. The voltage source is a DC signal and tries to force a current of $$24V/15\Omega$$ through the circuit. This is because as you pointed out the inductor has no intrinsic resistance.

3) When the circuit is connected the inductor does produce an EMF as you mentioned. This EMF prevents current from flowing within the circuit. The inductor isn't acting as a resistance, but it is limiting the amount current within the circuit.

4) Over time the energy in the inductor will decrease allowing more current to flow.

5) At time $$t=\infty$$ the emf in the inductor is zero and the circuit will operate as a voltage source in series with a resistor.

To understand this better with the math look at the time dependent current equation I gave you in two terms. The first term:
$$\frac{24V}{15\Omega}$$
accounts for the current that would be flowing in the circuit at $$t=\infty$$.

The second term:
$$\frac{24V}{15\Omega}e^{-\frac{R}{L}t}$$
accounts for the current the inductor is preventing from flowing.

When I think of inductors I always think of a device that inhibits any change in the current of a circuit. Since the circuit is switching from 0A to 24/15 A the inductor is generating an EMF to prevent this change.

To answer you question on time constant T, any exponential function of the form $$e^{\alpha t}$$ has a time constant $$\alpha$$ the time constant just determines how fast the function decreases if the time constant is negative, or increases if the time constant is positive. There are many applications for time constants from RC and RL circuits to population growth.

Hope this helps

6. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

a) i) the initial rate of change of current
I have found this in my book:
Quote: "At the instant of closing the switch, the rate of change of current is such that it induces and e.m.f. in the inductance which is equal and oppposite to V, hence V=VL+0, i.e. VL=V. Because V=VL+VR, then VR=0 and i=0."
This is saying my initial rate of change of current is 0, isn't it?

But if we are saying "an initial 'rate of change' of current", then it has to have changed from 0A. I found this also:
When t=0, i=0, therefore, VR=0, therefore, V=L x di/dt+0, so di/dt=V/L
If this is correct we get 24V/(700x10-3)=34.3A/s (3s.f.)
:tongue2:

ii)the time constant (T) for the circuit
This is given in the same way as the time constant for a series connected CR circuit T=LR
Therefore T=(700x10-3)x15Ω=10.5s

b) the value of the current after 1T seconds
Ok. Maybe here we have entered into current decay, as the induced emf is not restricting the current. So, i=Ie(-t/T)=is this 34.3e(-10.5/10.5)=12.6 (3s.f.)
or 34.3e(-1/10.5)=31.2 (3s.f.)

or, When i=max, di/dt=0, so i=I=V/R=24/15=1.6A
after 1T, i ≈ 0.63 x 1.6A = 1.008A

ii) the time to develop maximum current.
when t≥5T. This is a given approximation I found in the book.

How'd I do

7. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

The initial rate of change of the current is correct, another way to find it would have been to evaluate the derivative of I(t) at t=0.

The time constant is incorrect, the time constant of an RL circuit is R/L. If exponential decay is of the form e^at where a is the time constant then the time constant in our equation for I(t) is R/L. Check the EM units of R and L and you will see you only get units of time with R/L.

Redo the rest of your answers with the correct time constant and you should be alright, never forget the power of dimensional analysis when you don't know an equation.

8. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

klouchis
The time constant is incorrect, the time constant of an RL circuit is R/L.

Shouldn't that be L/R?

9. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

Oh my, yes you are correct, I mistyped. The time constant is L/R so that way the ratio or (R/L)*t is unitless. Look back at the last post I had and reverse the R and L values.

Henries are equivalent units to Ohm*Seconds, only way to get a time constant it to ratio henries/ohm, or L/R.

My mistake, I hope I didn't cause any confusion.

10. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

No. No harm done.

a)i) So, the initial rate of change of current is when di/dt=V/L
Which is 24V/(700x10-3)=34.3A/s (3s.f.)

ii) the time constant (T) for the circuit
This is not given in the same way as the time constant for a series connected CR.
Therefore T=(700x10-3)/15Ω=0.0467s or 0.05s (2s.f.)

b) the value of the current after 1T seconds
Well there are two equations here - one for growth of current and one for decay.
I think it is growth because the question says 'initial rate'
Growth=I(1-e(-t/T))=34.3(1-e(-0.05/0.05))=21.68A (2s.f.)
But - Currents will be approximately 63% or their final values after 1T when growing.
Imax=V/R=24/15=1.6A
So, at 1T, I=0.63x1.6=1.008A
These figures don't agree

ii) the time to develop maximum current. When t≥5T.
Imax=V/R=24/15=1.6A

11. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

The two calculations don't agree because one of them is incorrect. It's the first one, I'm not sure what the equation, Growth=I(1-e(-t/T))=34.3(1-e(-0.05/0.05)) is saying. Here you define I as the initial rate of change which is 34.3A/s (which is correct). If I is in units of Amperes per second and it is multiplied by a unitless exponential function then the answer will be in Amperes per second not Amperes. So right away using dimensional analysis we know something isn't right. The original equation we were using is:

$$I(t)=\frac{V}{R} (1-e^{-\frac{R}{L} t})$$

All of you questions can be answered by this one equation. For the initial rate of change I':

$$I'=\frac{d I(t)}{dt}\right|_{t=0}$$

Just take the derivative and the initial rate of change is the derivative at t=0. For the value of the current at and time t just substitute that value into the equation of I(t). For t=L/R:

$$I(T)=\frac{V}{R}(1-e^{-1})$$

12. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

a)i) So, the initial rate of change of current is when di/dt=V/L
Which is 24V/(700x10^-3)=34.3A/s (3s.f.)

ii) the time constant (T) for the circuit
This is not given in the same way as the time constant for a series connected CR.
Therefore T=(700x10^-3)/15Ω=0.0467s or 0.05s (2s.f.)

b) the value of the current after 1T seconds
Currents will be approximately 63% or their final values after 1T when growing.
Imax=V/R=24/15=1.6A
So, at 1T, I=0.63x1.6=1.008A

ii) the time to develop maximum current. When t≥5T.
Imax=V/R=24/15=1.6A

ln[(-i/Imax)+1]
-1.008/1.6 + 1=0.37

ln(0.37)=-0.9942....
-1s (2s.f.)

13. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

I'm still unsure exactly what you are trying to find in part b part ii. The time it takes to reach maximum current is infinity. Usually you want to know when the current is within a certain percentage of the maximum current. An example being, what time will the current be 99% of the maximum current. It doesn't make any sense for the current to be maximum at -1s, the circuit isn't connected before time t=0. So what exactly are you trying to calculate in part ii of part b?

14. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

t=-T*ln(-i/Imax+1)

when i=Imax, ln(-1+1)=ln(0)=infinity

So the answer to this part of the question is just infinity?

15. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

That would be the answer assuming that's the question being asked. I have a feeling that a different question is being asked because knowing that I=1.6A when t is infinity doesn't seem like a practical problem. What exactly is the question for this part?

16. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

question b)ii)

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A circuit comprises an inductor of 700mH of negligible resistance connected in series with a 15Ω resistor and a 24V d.c. source. Calculate:

a) i) the initial rate of change of current ii)the time constant (T) for the circuit
b) the value of the current after 1T seconds, and ii) the time to develop maximum current.

17. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

Hmmm!
If you calculate the time mathematically, then (t) is infinity, right? However, if you assume that (i) reaches Imax after 5T, then t=5*0.05=0.25?

18. ### klouchis

29
Re: Inductors

Well if that's the only information you are given in the problem then the correct theoretical answer is infinity. No circuit will ever be left running until infinity though, it is important to know when the current is say 95% or 99% of the max value, so it would be a good idea to calculate those times as well.

19. ### lemon

200
Re: Inductors

The exact time is infinity however we assume that after 5T it reaches Imax because (i) is very close to Imax.