What is an RLC Circuit Impedance Calculator?
In AC circuits, Impedance (Z) represents the total opposition to alternating current, combining Resistance (R), Inductance (L), and Capacitance (C). This tool is an online simulator that calculates impedance, current, phase difference, and resonant frequency for series and parallel circuits, providing visual vector diagrams for better understanding.
1. Series Circuit Impedance Formula
In a series circuit, the same current flows through all components. The impedance $Z$ is calculated using the following formula:
Where $X_L = 2\pi f L$ is inductive reactance and $X_C = \frac{1}{2\pi f C}$ is capacitive reactance. The phase angle $\theta$ is $\tan^{-1}(\frac{X_L - X_C}{R})$.
2. Parallel Circuit Admittance Calculation
In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied across components. It is easier to use Admittance (Y), the reciprocal of impedance.
3. What is Resonant Frequency (f₀)?
Resonance occurs when inductive reactance and capacitive reactance cancel each other out, making the circuit purely resistive.
In series resonance, impedance is minimized (current is maximized). In parallel resonance, impedance is maximized (current is minimized).
Features
- Real-time Vector Diagrams: Visualizes the magnitude and direction of vectors as you change values.
- Free & No Registration: All features are accessible directly in your browser.
- Secure: All calculations are performed locally; no data is sent to a server.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A. If the circuit is inductive (L is dominant), the current lags behind the voltage (Lagging). If it is capacitive (C is dominant), the current leads the voltage (Leading).
A. No, you can input inductance in mH and capacitance in μF directly. You can also switch to direct reactance (Ω) input.