Series LR Circuit

Series LR Circuit

Vishal kumarUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 05:58 PM IST

A Series LR Circuit, consisting of an inductor (L) and a resistor (R) connected in series, is a fundamental electrical circuit used to study the behaviour of current and voltage over time. This type of circuit is essential for understanding the transient response and steady-state behaviour of inductive loads. In real life, series LR circuits are widely used in applications such as tuning radio frequencies, filtering signals in electronic devices, and controlling the speed of motors in industrial machinery. By analyzing series LR circuits, engineers can design and optimize various electronic and electrical systems for better performance and efficiency.

This Story also Contains

  1. Series LR Circuit
  2. Important Terms
  3. Solved Examples Based on Series LR Circuit
  4. Example 1: Calculate the Reactance in the given circuit
  5. Summary
Series LR Circuit
Series LR Circuit

Series LR Circuit

A Series LR Circuit consists of an inductor (L) and a resistor (R) connected in series within an electrical circuit. This combination is fundamental in analyzing how current and voltage change over time in inductive loads. In practical applications, series LR circuits are essential in various technologies such as radio frequency tuning, signal filtering in electronic devices, and controlling motor speeds in industrial equipment.

The above figure shows that the pure inductor of inductance L is connected in series with a resistor of resistance R through sinusoidal voltage, which is given by $V=V_0 \sin (\omega t+\varphi)$.

The alternating current I, which is flowing in the circuit gives rise to voltage drop VR across the resistor and voltage drop VL across the coil. As we have studied in the previous concept the voltage drop VR across R would be in phase with the current but the voltage drop across the inductor will lead the current by a phase factor $\pi / 2$.

So, the voltage drop across R is $V_R=I R$

The voltage drop across the inductor L is $\mathrm{V}_{\mathrm{L}}=\mathrm{I}(\omega \mathrm{L})$

Where I is the value of current in the circuit at a given instant of time

So, the voltage phasor diagram is

In the above figure, we have taken current as a reference quantity because the same amount of current flows through both components. Thus from the phasor diagram

$
\begin{aligned}
V & =\sqrt{V_R^2+V_L^2} \\
& =I \sqrt{R^2+\omega^2 L^2} \\
& =I Z
\end{aligned}
$
where
$
Z=\left(R^2+\omega^2 L^2\right)^{1 / 2}
$

Here, Z is known as the Impedance of the circuit.

By using the formula of impedance we can write that

$I=\frac{V_0 \sin (\omega t-\phi)}{Z}$

This is current in the steady state which lags behind applied voltage by an angle φ.

From here and the above figure, we can see that

$\tan \varphi=\frac{\omega L}{R}=\frac{X_L}{R}$

Important Terms

1. Power Factor

The power factor in an electrical system is a measure of how effectively the electrical power is being used. It is defined as the ratio of real power, which performs useful work, to apparent power, which is the product of the current and voltage in the circuit. A power factor close to 1 indicates efficient utilization of electrical power, while a lower power factor signifies inefficiencies, often due to reactive power in inductive or capacitive loads.

$
\cos \phi=\frac{R}{Z}
$
$R \rightarrow$ resistance
$
Z \rightarrow \text { impedance }
$

2. Inductive susceptance ($S_{L}$)

Inductive susceptance is a concept used in AC circuit analysis to describe the ease with which an AC circuit allows the flow of alternating current through an inductor. It is the imaginary component of admittance, which is the inverse of impedance. It is the reciprocal of reactance.

$S_L=\frac{1}{X_L}=\frac{1}{2 \pi \nu L}$

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Solved Examples Based on Series LR Circuit

Example 1: Calculate the Reactance in the given circuit

1) $\pi$
2) $2 \pi$
3) $3 \pi$
4) $4 \pi$

Solution:

Inductive reactance XL

Opposition offered by inductive circuit.

wherein

$\begin{aligned} X_L & =\omega L=2 \pi \nu L \\ \nu_{d c} & =0 \quad X_L=0 \\ X_L & =2 * 50 * 10 * 10^{-3} * \pi \\ & =1000 * 10^{-3} * \pi \\ X_L & =\pi \Omega\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 2: The susceptance of a circuit is

1) $\frac{1}{R}$
2) $\frac{1}{Z}$
3) $\frac{1}{X}$
4) None

Solution:

Susceptance is a measure of how easy it is for alternating current to pass through a capacitance or an inductance. Susceptance is the imaginary part of admittance, whose real part is conductance, which is the inverse of resistance. So conductance, Susceptance, or Admittance, all have the same unit ohm-1

Susceptance (S) - The reciprocal of reactance.

$S=\frac{1}{X}$

Hence, the answer is the option (3).

Example 3: Calculate the susceptance (S) in a given circuit

1) $\frac{1}{\pi}$
2) $\frac{2}{-\pi}$
3) $\pi$
4) $2 \pi$

Solution:

Inductive susceptance SL

$
S_L=\frac{1}{X_L}=\frac{1}{2 \pi \nu L}
$

Susceptance in the given circuit
$
\begin{aligned}
S & =\frac{1}{X_L}=\frac{1}{\omega L} \\
& =\frac{1}{2 \pi \times 50 \times 10^{-2}}=\frac{1}{\pi}
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 4: Calculate the power factor for a given circuit

1) 0.012
2) 0.24
3) 0.028
4) 0.16

Solution:

Power factor
$
\cos \phi=\frac{R}{Z}
$
wherein
$R \rightarrow$ resistance
$Z \rightarrow$ impedance
Power factor,
$
\cos \phi=\frac{R}{Z}
$

In the given circuit
$
\begin{aligned}
& R=0.1 \Omega \\
& Z=\sqrt{R^2+\left(X_L-X_C\right)^2} \\
& X_L=\omega L=(2 \pi \times 50) \times 10^{-2}=\pi \\
& X_C=\frac{1}{\omega C}=\frac{1}{100 \pi \times 10^{-2}}=\frac{1}{\pi} \\
& Z=\sqrt{(0.1)^2+\left(\pi-\frac{1}{\pi}\right)^2}=8 \Omega
\end{aligned}
$

$\Rightarrow \cos \phi=\frac{0.1}{8}=0.012$

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 5: Given fig satisfies which of the following electrical circuits?

1) Inductive Circuit

2) Capacitive Circuit

3) Resistive Circuit

4) None

Solution:

Phasor diagram

Both are on the same plane

wherein

This shows that the phase difference between V and i is 0.

This is the case only for resistive circuits.

Hence, the answer is the option (3).

Summary

A Series LR Circuit, consisting of an inductor and a resistor connected in series, is essential for understanding the transient and steady-state behaviour of inductive loads. This circuit is widely used in practical applications like tuning radio frequencies, filtering signals, and controlling motor speeds. Key concepts include inductive reactance, impedance, power factor, and inductive susceptance. By analyzing these components, engineers can design and optimize various electronic and electrical systems for improved performance and efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How does the presence of an inductor in a series LR circuit affect its response to impulse inputs?
A:
When an impulse input is applied to a series LR circuit, the inductor opposes the rapid change in current, causing the current response to rise gradually and then decay exponentially. The shape of this response is determined by the circuit's time constant (τ = L/R).
Q: How does the presence of an inductor in a series LR circuit affect its response to a square wave input?
A:
When a square wave is applied to a series LR circuit, the inductor opposes rapid changes in current, causing the current waveform to become more rounded or triangular. The degree of this effect depends on the L/R time constant relative to the square wave's period.
Q: What is the significance of the inductive time constant in determining the circuit's response to step changes in voltage?
A:
The inductive time constant (τ = L/R) in a series LR circuit determines how quickly the current responds to step changes in voltage. A larger time constant results in a slower current response, while a smaller time constant allows for faster current changes.
Q: How does the concept of phasor addition apply to voltage analysis in a series LR circuit?
A:
In a series LR circuit, phasor addition is used to combine the voltage drops across the resistor and inductor. The resistor voltage phasor is in phase with the current, while the inductor voltage phasor leads the current by 90°. The vector sum of these phasors gives the total circuit voltage.
Q: What is the relationship between the power factor and the ratio of resistance to reactance in a series LR circuit?
A:
In a series LR circuit, the power factor is related to the ratio of resistance (R) to reactance (XL). Specifically, the power factor is equal to R/Z, where Z is the total impedance. A higher R/XL ratio results in a higher power factor.
Q: How does the frequency dependence of inductive reactance affect the current-limiting properties of a series LR circuit?
A:
As frequency increases in a series LR circuit, the inductive reactance increases, causing the total impedance to rise. This results in a natural current-limiting effect at higher frequencies, making series LR circuits useful in applications where high-frequency current suppression is desired.
Q: What is the significance of the phase difference between the inductor voltage and the resistor voltage in a series LR circuit?
A:
In a series LR circuit, the voltage across the inductor leads the voltage across the resistor by 90°. This phase difference is crucial in understanding the energy storage and release cycle in the circuit and contributes to the overall phase shift between total voltage and current.
Q: How does the concept of impedance matching relate to power transfer in a series LR circuit?
A:
Impedance matching in a series LR circuit involves adjusting the circuit parameters to maximize power transfer from the source to the load. This typically occurs when the source impedance is the complex conjugate of the load impedance, balancing the resistive and reactive components.
Q: What is the relationship between the time constant and the rate of energy storage in the inductor of a series LR circuit?
A:
The time constant (τ = L/R) in a series LR circuit is directly related to the rate of energy storage in the inductor. A larger time constant results in a slower rate of energy storage and release, while a smaller time constant allows for faster energy exchange.
Q: What is the relationship between the voltage drops across the resistor and inductor in a series LR circuit?
A:
In a series LR circuit, the voltage drops across the resistor (VR) and inductor (VL) are related by the impedance triangle. The total voltage (V) is the vector sum of VR and VL, with VL leading VR by 90°.