Whenever inductive and capacitive components are used in an AC circuit, the calculation of their effects on the flow of current is important.

EO 1.9DEFINE impedance (Z).

EO 1.10 Given the values for resistance (R) and inductance (L) and a simple R-L series AC circuit, CALCULATE the impedance (Z) for that circuit.

EO 1.11 Given the values for resistance (R) and capacitance (C) and a simple R-C series AC circuit, CALCULATE the impedance (Z) for that circuit.

EO 1.12 Given a simple R-C-L series AC circuit and the values for resistance (R), inductive reactance (X_L), and capacitive reactance (Xc), CALCULATE the impedance (Z) for that circuit.

EO 1.13 STATE the formula for calculating total current (I_T) in a simple parallel R-C-L AC circuit.

EO 1.14 Given a simple R-C-L parallel AC circuit and the values for voltage (V_T), resistance (R), inductive reactance (XL), and capacitive reactance (X_c), CALCULATE the impedance (Z) for that circuit.

Impedance

No circuit is without some resistance, whether desired or not. Resistive and reactive components in an AC circuit oppose current flow. The total opposition to current flow in a circuit depends on its resistance, its reactance, and the phase relationships between them. Impedance is defined as the total opposition to current flow in a circuit. Equation (8-6) is the mathematical representation for the magnitude of impedance in an AC circuit.

where

The relationship between resistance, reactance, and impedance is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Relationship Between Resistance, Reactance, and Impedance

The current through a certain resistance is always in phase with the applied voltage. Resistance is shown on the zero axis. The current through an inductor lags applied voltage by 90; inductive reactance is shown along the 90 axis. Current through a capacitor leads applied voltage by 90; capacitive reactance is shown along the -90 axis. Net reactance in an AC circuit is the difference between inductive and capacitive reactance. Equation (8-7) is the mathematical representation for the calculation of net reactance when X_L is greater than X_c.

where

Equation (8-8) is the mathematical representation for the calculation of net reactance when X_c is greater than X_L.

Impedance is the vector sum of the resistance and net reactance (X) in a circuit, as shown in Figure 5. The angle 0 is the phase angle and gives the phase relationship between the applied voltage and the current. Impedance in an AC circuit corresponds to the resistance of a DC circuit. The voltage drop across an AC circuit element equals the current times the impedance. Equation (8-9) is the mathematical representation of the voltage drop across an AC circuit.

where

The phase angle 0 gives the phase relationship between current and the voltage.