Question

Find out the phase relationship between voltage and current in a pure inductive circuit.

Answer 1

Consider a circuit containing a pure inductor of inductance L connected across an alternating voltage source. The alternating voltage is given by the equation.

υ = V_m sin ωt …(1)

The alternating current flowing through the inductor induces a self-induced emf or back emf in the circuit. The back emf is given by

Back emf, ε -L `"di"/"dt"`

By applying Kirchoff’s loop rule to the purely inductive circuit, we get

AC circuit with inductor

υ + ε = 0

V_m sin ωt = L`"di"/"dt"`

di = L`"V"_"m"/"L"` sin ωt dt

i = `"V"_"m"/"L" int` sin ωt dt = `"V"_"m"/"L"_omega`  (-cos ωt) + constant

The integration constant in the above equation is independent of time. Since the voltage in the circuit has only time dependent part, we can set the time independent part in the current (integration constant) into zero.

`[(cos omega"t" = sin(pi/2 - omega"t")),(- sin (pi/2 - omega"t") = sin (omega"t" - pi/2))]`

i = `"V"_"m"/"L"_omega sin (omega"t" - pi/2)  or ` i = `"I"_"m" sin(omega"t" - pi/2)`  ....(2)

where `"V"_"m"/"L"_omega = "I"_"m"`, the peak value of the alternating current in the circuit. From equation (1) and (2), it is evident that current lags behind the applied voltage by `pi/2` in an inductive circuit.
This fact is depicted in the phasor diagram. In the wave diagram also, it is seen that current lags the voltage by 90°.

Inductive reactance X_L:

The peak value of current I_m is given by I_m = `"V"_"m"/"L"_omega`. Let us compare this equation with I_m = `"V"_"m"/"R"` from resistive circuit. The equantity ω_L Plays the same role as the resistance in resistive circuit. This is the resistance offered by the inductor, called inductive reactance (X_L). It is measured in ohm.

X_L = ω_L

The inductive reactance (X_L) varies directly as the frequency.

X_L = 2πfL …….. (3)

where ƒ is the frequency of the alternating current. For a steady current, ƒ= 0. Therefore, X_L = 0. Thus an ideal inductor offers no resistance to steady DC current.

Phasor diagram and wave diagram for AC circuit with L