Calculating Q-Factor and Resistance for Series LC Filters

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mzzed
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Resistance
Click For Summary
To calculate the Q-factor for a series LC filter, both the resistance of the inductor and capacitor, as well as the load resistance, should be included. An equivalent circuit should be created using the DC resistance of each component along with load and source resistance, allowing for the calculation of effective DC resistance via Thevenin's theorem. The Q-factor is defined specifically around the resonant frequency, and it's important to consider the operating frequency resistance due to factors like skin effect and dielectric losses. The capacitor typically has a parallel loss resistance that needs to be converted into an equivalent series loss resistance for accurate calculations. Understanding these components is crucial for effective filter design.
Mzzed
Messages
67
Reaction score
5
I am trying to calculate the correct component values to use in a simple series LC filter, however I am not sure which value of resistance is to be included in these equations. When talking about a series LC filter, is the resistance required for calculating q factor the resistance of the inductor and capacitor? Or is it what ever the load resistance is further down the line in the circuit?

Thanks!
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Mzzed said:
the resistance of the inductor and capacitor? Or is it what ever the load resistance is further down the line in the circuit?
Both.
Create an equivalent circuit using the DC resistance of each component, load, and source resistance.
Calculate the effective DC resistance of all series and parallel branches combined (Thevenin Equivalent). Use that resistance to calculate the Q.
Note that in this sense, Q is defined only around the resonant frequency.

Cheers,
Tom
 
  • Like
Likes Mzzed
Normally, the capacitor has a loss resistance Rp in parallel to the capacitance.
Therefore, in order to combine this resistance Rp with the series loss resistance of the inductor Ri, the value of Rp (relatively large) must be transferred into an equivalent (small) series loss resistance Rs.
 
  • Like
Likes Mzzed
Thankyou both, exact answers I needed, really appreciate it!
 
Tom.G said:
Both.
Create an equivalent circuit using the DC resistance of each component, load, and source resistance.
Calculate the effective DC resistance of all series and parallel branches combined (Thevenin Equivalent). Use that resistance to calculate the Q.
Note that in this sense, Q is defined only around the resonant frequency.

Cheers,
Tom
Apart from simple textbook questions, I think you need to use the resistance at the operating frequency, because DC and AC resistance differ due to skin effect and dielectric losses.
 
Thread 'I thought it was only Amazon that sold unsafe junk'
I grabbed an under cabinet LED light today at a big box store. Nothing special. 18 inches in length and made to plug several lights together. Here is a pic of the power cord: The drawing on the box led me to believe that it would accept a standard IEC cord which surprised me. But it's a variation of it. I didn't try it, but I would assume you could plug a standard IEC cord into this and have a double male cord AKA suicide cord. And to boot, it's likely going to reverse the hot and...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
7K