EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

DC Circuits:
First-Order Circuits
Hasan Demirel
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits
Introduction
The Source-Free RC Circuit
The Source-Free RL Circuit
Step Response of an RC Circuit
Step Response of an RL Circuit
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: Introduction

A first-order circuit can only contain one energy
storage element (a capacitor or an inductor).

The circuit will also contain resistance.

So there are two types of first-order circuits:
RC circuit
RL circuit

A first-order circuit is characterized by a first-

order differential equation.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free Circuits

A source-free circuit is one where all independent sources
have been disconnected from the circuit after some switch
action.
The voltages and currents in the circuit typically will have
some transient response due to initial conditions (initial
capacitor voltages and initial inductor currents).

We will begin by analyzing source-free circuits as they are

the simplest type. Later we will analyze circuits that also
contain sources after the initial switch action.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

A source-free RC circuit occurs when its dc source is suddenly
disconnected.
The energy already stored in the capacitor is released to the resistors.

V0

Since the capacitor is initially charged, we Applying KCL at the top node:
can assume that at time t=0, the initial voltage is:

By definition, iC =C dv/dt and iR = v/R. Thus,

Then the energy stored:
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

V0

This is a first-order differential equation, since

Taking powers of e produces:
only the first derivative of v is involved.
Rearranging the terms:

From the initial conditions: v(0)=A=V0

Integrating both sides:

The natural response of a circuit refers to the behavior

ln A is the integration constant. Thus
(in terms of voltages and currents) of the circuit itself,
with no external sources of excitation.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

General form of the Differential Equations (DE) and the response for a
1st-order source-free circuit:

In general, a first-order D.E. has the form:

dx 1
x(t ) 0 for t 0
dt
Solving this DE (as we did with the RC circuit) yields:
t

x(t ) x(0)e
for t 0

here = (Greek letter Tau) = time constant(in seconds)

 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Notes concerning :
dv 1
1) For the Source-Free RC circuit the DE is: v(t ) 0 for t 0
dt RC
So, for an RC circuit: RC
2) is related to the rate of exponential decay in a circuit as shown below.

3) It is typically easier to sketch a response in terms of multiples of than to

be concerning with scaling of the graph.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Ex. 7.1: In Fig. 7.5, let vC(0)= 15 V. Find vC , vx and ix for t>0.

Solution
Equivalent Circuit for the above circuit can be generated:
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Equivalent Resistance seen by a Capacitor
For the RC circuit in the previous example, it was determined that
= RC. But what value of R should be used in circuits with multiple
resistors?
In general, a first-order RC circuit has the following time constant:
REQ C
where REQ is the Thevenin resistance seen by the capacitor.
More specifically,
REQ = R (seen from the terminals of the capacitor for t>0 with
independent sources killed.)
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Ex. : Refer to the circuit below. Let vC(0)= 45 V. DeterminevC , vx and io for t0.

Solution
Consider Req seen from the capacitor.

12 6
Req 8 12
18
1
Time constant : Req C 12 4 s
3
t
Then: vC (t ) vC (0)e 4
45e 0.25t V

4 1
v x (t ) vC (t ) 45e 0.25t 15e 0.25t V
48 3

v x (t ) vC (t ) 15e 0.25t 45e 0.25t

io (t ) 3.75e 0.25t V
8 8
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Ex. 7.2: The switch in the circuit below has been closed for a long time, and it is
opened at t= 0. Find v(t) for t0. Calculate the initial energy stored in the
capacitor.

Solution
For t<0 the switch is closed; the capacitor is an open circuit to dc, as represented in Fig. (a).

For t>0 the switch is opened, and we have the RC circuit shown in Fig. (b).

Time constant :

Then:

The initial energy stored in the capacitor:

 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Ex. : If the switch in Fig. below opens at t= 0, find v(t) for t0 and wC(0).

Solution
For t<0 the switch is closed; the capacitor is an open circuit to dc as shown in Fig. (a).

3
vC (t ) 24 8 V for t 0
3 6 (a)
vC (0) V0 8 V
For t>0 the switch is opened, and we have the RC circuit shown in Fig. (b).
12 4
Req 3
16
Time constant : 1
Req C 3 0.5 s
6 (b)
t
Then: v(t ) vC (0)e 0.5
8e 2t V
1 1 1
The initial energy stored in the capacitor: wC (0) Cv C2 (0) (8) 2 5.33 J
2 2 6
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RC Circuits

Ex. : The switch in the circuit shown had been closed for a long time and then
opened at time t = 0.
a) Determine an expression for v(t).
b) Graph v(t) versus t.
c) How long will it take for the capacitor to
completely discharge?
d) Determine the capacitor voltage at time
t=100ms.
e) Determine the time at which the capacitor
voltage is 10V.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

A source-free RL circuit occurs when its dc source is suddenly
disconnected.
The energy already stored in the inductor is released to the resistors.

t=0
I0

At time, t=0 , the intuctor has the initial We can apply KVL around the loop above :
current:

By definition, vL =L di/dt and vR = Ri. Thus,

Then the energy stored:
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

t=0
I0

Taking powers of e produces:

This is a first-order differential equation, since

only the first derivative of i is involved.
Rearranging the terms and integrating: Time constant for RL circuit becomes:

Then:

The natural response of the RL circuit is an exponential

decay of the initial current.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

General form of the Differential Equations (DE) and the response for a
1st-order source-free circuit:

In general, a first-order D.E. has the form:

dx 1
x(t ) 0 for t 0
dt
Solving this DE (as we did with the RL circuit) yields:
t

x(t ) x(0)e
for t 0

t t

Then: i (t ) i (0)e
I 0e
for t 0

L
Where:
R
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

Equivalent Resistance seen by an Inductor
For the RL circuit , it was determined that = L/R. As with the RC circuit,
the value of R should actually be the equivalent (or Thevenin) resistance
seen by the inductor.
In general, a first-order RL circuit has the following time constant:
L

REQ
where REQ is the Thevenin resistance seen by the inductor.

More specifically,
REQ = R (seen from the terminals of the capacitor for t>0 with
independent sources killed.)
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

Ex. 7.3: Assuming that i(0) =10 A, calculate i(t) and ix(t) in the circuit below.

Solution
Thevenin resistance at the inductor terminals. we insert a voltage source with v0=1 V. Applying KVL to the two loops
results (1)

(2)
Substituting Eq. (2) into Eq. (1) gives.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

Ex. 7.3: Assuming that i(0) =10 A, calculate i(t) and ix(t) in the circuit below.

Solution
Hence,

Time constant is:

Thus, the current through the inductor is:

 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

Ex. 7.4: The switch in the circuit below has been closed for a long time. At t=0
the switch is opened. Calculate i(t) for t>0.

Solution
When t<0 the switch is closed, and the inductor acts as a short circuit to dc,

Using current division:

Current through an inductor cannot change instantaneously,

 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

Ex. 7.4: The switch in the circuit below has been closed for a long time. At t=0
the switch is opened. Calculate i(t) for t>0.

Solution
When t>0 the switch is open and the voltage source is disconnected. We now have the source-
free RL circuit in Fig. (b).

The time constant is :

Thus,
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I

First-Order Circuits: The Source-Free RL Circuits

Ex. : Determine an expression for i(t). Sketch i(t) versus t.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Step Response (DC forcing functions)
Consider circuits having DC forcing functions for t > 0 (i.e., circuits that have
independent DC sources for t > 0).
The general solution to a differential equation has two parts:
x(t) = xh+ xp = homogeneous solution + particular solution
or
x(t) = xn+ xf = natural solution + forced solution

xn is due to the initial conditions in the circuit

and xf is due to the forcing functions (independent voltage and current
sources for t > 0).
xf in general take on the form of the forcing functions,
So DC sources imply that the forced response function will be a constant(DC),
Sinusoidal sources imply that the forced response will be sinusoidal, etc.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Step Response (DC forcing functions)
Since we are only considering DC forcing functions in this chapter, we assume
that : xf = B (constant).
Recall that a 1st-order source-free circuit had the form Ae-t/. Note that there
was a natural response only since there were no forcing functions (sources)
for t > 0. So the natural response was
xn Ae t / for t 0
The complete response for 1st-order circuit with DC forcing functions
therefore will have the form: x(t) = xf + xn
x(t ) B Ae t /
The Shortcut Method: An easy way to find the constants B and A is to
evaluate x(t) at 2 points. Two convenient points at t = 0 and t = since the
circuit is under dc conditions at these two points. This approach is sometimes
called the shortcut method.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Step Response (DC forcing functions)
The Shortcut Method :
So, x(0) = B + Ae0= B + A
And x() = B + Ae-= B
Complete response yields the following expression:

x(t ) x() [ x(0) x()]e t /

The Shortcut Method- Procedure: The shortcut method will be the key
method used to analyze 1st-order circuit with DC forcing functions:

1. Analyze the circuit at t = 0-: Find x(0-) = x(0+)

2. Analyze the circuit at t = : Find x()
3. Find = REQC or = L/REQ
4. Assume that x(t) has the form x(t) = x()+[x(0) x()] e-t/ using x(0) and
x()
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Step Response (DC forcing functions)
Notes: The shortcut method also works for source-free circuits, but x() = B=0
since the circuit is dead at t = . If variables other than vC or iL are needed, it is
generally easiest to solve for vC or iL first and then use the result to find the
desired variable.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Ex. 7.10: The switch in Fig. Below has been in position A for a long time. At t=0
the switch moves to B. Determine v(t) for t>0 and calculate its value at t =1 s
and 4 s.

Solution
Voltage across the capacitor just before t=0. Capacitor is open circuit under dc conditions:

Capacitor voltage cannot change instantaneously:

For t>0 (switch to B). Thevenin Resistance connected to the capacitor:

Time constant:
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Ex. 7.10: The switch in Fig. below has been in position A for a long time. At t=0
the switch moves to B. Determine v(t) for t>0 and calculate its value at t 1 s
and 4 s.

Solution
Since the capacitor acts like an open circuit to dc at steady state, v() = 30 V. Thus,
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RC Circuit
Ex. : Find v(t) and i(t) for t 0.
 EENG223: CIRCUIT THEORY I
First-Order Circuits: Step Response of an RL Circuit
Ex. : Find v(t) and i(t) for t 0.