Determining the constants R and L of a coil

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the resistance (R) and inductance (L) of a coil in an AC circuit, using voltage readings from a series circuit that includes a standard resistor. The context involves analyzing voltage measurements at a frequency of 60 Hz.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between voltage readings and circuit components, questioning the validity of the measurements and the need for a circuit diagram. There are discussions about the nature of the voltages being peak or RMS and how that affects calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the interpretation of voltage readings and the importance of circuit diagrams. Some guidance has been offered regarding the treatment of the coil's resistance and inductance in AC circuits, but no consensus has been reached on the values of R and L.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding whether the voltage readings are peak or RMS values, which affects the calculations. The lack of a circuit diagram is noted as a potential barrier to understanding the problem fully.

viciado123
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We determined the constants R and L of a coil by placing it in series with a standard resistor of 10 ohms and reading the voltages on the terminals of Rs, the coil and the series circuit complete. What are the values of R and L for the following voltage readings at 60 Hz:
Vrs = 20; Vcoil = 22,4; Vt = 36

Answer:
R = 5 ohms
L = 26,5mH

I find the current
Vrs = I . Zr
20 = I . 10 I = 2A
Now I do not know how to find R and L
 
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Is this an experiment you've done? Do you have a circuit diagram for this? I'm curious because those voltages don't agree with each other. (if they are measured at the same time, and the circuit is what I think it is)

A diagram is almost a necessity for any circuit question since a small change might significantly alter how current and voltage behave.
 


Is this an experiment you've done? Do you have a circuit diagram for this? I'm curious because those voltages don't agree with each other. (if they are measured at the same time, and the circuit is what I think it is)

A diagram is almost a necessity for any circuit question since a small change might significantly alter how current and voltage behave.
 


viciado123 said:
I find the current
Vrs = I . Zr
20 = I . 10 I = 2A
Now I do not know how to find R and L

The current is OK. You know that in Ac circuits, the voltage is impedance times current.
Usually the ohmic resistance of a coil can not be ignored, so you need to treat the coil as an ideal inductor with impedance wL and resistor R in series.

This resistance of the coil adds to the resistance of the total circuit,
too.

Do you know how to calculate the resultant impedance of an inductor L and a resistor R connected in series?

ehild
 


All right, I get it now. The question should mention that those are the AC peak voltages. You should use phasor magnitudes in your calculations. So they aren't measured at the same time.
 


cartonn30gel said:
All right, I get it now. The question should mention that those are the AC peak voltages.

Or rather RMS voltages. The AC voltmeters read the RMS voltage usually.

ehild
 

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