Time constant in RC AC and RL AC Circuits?

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SUMMARY

In AC circuits, the time constants for RC and RL configurations differ from their DC counterparts. For RC AC circuits, the time constant is not simply R*C, as it primarily pertains to transient analysis rather than steady-state conditions. Similarly, for RL AC circuits, the time constant is not R/L in the same context. Instead, time constants in AC circuits are crucial for understanding frequency response, where 1/τ serves as a significant marker in response-versus-frequency analyses.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of RC and RL circuit configurations
  • Knowledge of AC signal behavior and sinusoidal waveforms
  • Familiarity with transient versus steady-state analysis
  • Basic concepts of frequency response in electrical circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the frequency response of RC and RL circuits
  • Study the concept of impedance in AC circuits
  • Learn about Bode plots for analyzing circuit behavior
  • Explore transient analysis techniques for AC circuits
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, students studying circuit theory, and anyone interested in analyzing AC circuit behavior and frequency response.

theBEAST
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Homework Statement


I know that in a RC DC circuit the time constant is R*C. But what about a RC AC circuit, is it the same time constant?

Same goes with RL AC circuit, is the time constant R/L?

Thanks!
 
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theBEAST said:

Homework Statement


I know that in a RC DC circuit the time constant is R*C. But what about a RC AC circuit, is it the same time constant?

Same goes with RL AC circuit, is the time constant R/L?

Thanks!

For AC (sinusoidal) circuits we're more often interested in the "steady-state" conditions that exist for continuously applied AC signals. In this scenario the time constants "##\tau##" don't have quite the same import for signal shape that they do for transient analysis since all the steady-state circuit responses are sinusoidal too.

For AC circuits the time constant expressions are more useful for determining how a given circuit will behave at different frequencies, and ##1/\tau## represents an important "landmark" in response-versus-frequency analyses.
 

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