DC & AC Circuit Analysis

Fundamental laws, solving techniques, and alternating current properties.

1. DC Analysis & Ohm's Law

V I R

Click V, I, or R to see formula

Select a parameter from the magic triangle!
$$ V = I \times R $$

Voltage: The potential difference pushing the current.

$$ I = \frac{V}{R} $$

Current: The rate of flow of electric charge.

$$ R = \frac{V}{I} $$

Resistance: The opposition to current flow.

2. AC Waveforms & Phasors

AC signals are represented as rotating vectors (phasors) in the complex plane.

$$ V(t) = V_m \sin(\omega t + \theta) $$
$$ \mathbf{V} = V_{\text{rms}} \angle \theta = V_{\text{rms}} e^{j\theta} $$
■ Voltage Phasor ■ Real-Time Waveform

AC Circuit Analysis

3. Average & RMS Values

Fundamental

$$ V_{avg} = \frac{1}{T}\int_0^T v(t)\,dt \quad ; \quad V_{rms} = \sqrt{\frac{1}{T}\int_0^T v^2(t)\,dt} $$

$$ \text{Peak Factor} = \frac{V_{peak}}{V_{rms}} \quad ; \quad \text{Form Factor} = \frac{V_{rms}}{V_{avg}} $$

4. Signal Waveform Reference

8 Waveforms
$$ V_{rms} = \frac{V_m}{\sqrt{2}} \quad V_{avg} = 0 \quad (\text{Full Cycle}) $$

5. Phasor & Power Fundamentals

Vector Domain

$$ \mathbf{V} = V_{rms}\angle\phi \quad ; \quad Z = R + jX $$

$$ P = VI\cos\phi \quad ; \quad Q = VI\sin\phi \quad ; \quad S = VI $$

6. Series RL Circuit

Lagging

$$ V = \sqrt{V_R^2 + V_L^2} \quad ; \quad \phi = \tan^{-1}(X_L/R) $$

Current LAGS voltage by $\phi$. $\cos\phi$ is lagging.

7. Series RC Circuit

Leading

$$ V = \sqrt{V_R^2 + V_C^2} \quad ; \quad \phi = \tan^{-1}(X_C/R) $$

Current LEADS voltage by $\phi$. $\cos\phi$ is leading.

8. Series RLC & Resonance

Resonance

$$ Z = \sqrt{R^2 + (X_L - X_C)^2} \quad ; \quad f_0 = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}} $$

RESONANCE

9. Parallel RL Circuit

Admittance

$$ I = \sqrt{I_R^2 + I_L^2} \quad ; \quad Y = \sqrt{G^2 + B_L^2} $$

Voltage is common. Current LAGS by $\phi$.

10. Parallel RC Circuit

Admittance

$$ I = \sqrt{I_R^2 + I_C^2} \quad ; \quad Y = \sqrt{G^2 + B_C^2} $$

Voltage is common. Current LEADS by $\phi$.

11. Parallel Resonance (Practical)

Tank Circuit

$$ \omega_r = \sqrt{\frac{1}{LC} - \frac{R^2}{L^2}} \quad ; \quad Z_{max} = \frac{L}{CR} $$

Acts as a BAND-STOP filter. $I$ is minimum at $f_r$.

12. Series Resonance

Acceptor

$$ f_0 = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}} \quad ; \quad Q = \frac{\omega_0 L}{R} $$

Voltage Magnifier: $V_L = V_C = QV$. $Z$ is minimum ($R$).

13. Series vs Parallel Comparison

Switch to Parallel
Feature Series
Impedance Minimum (R)
Current Maximum
Filter Band-Pass

14. Power in AC (Complete)

Power Triangle

$$ S = P + jQ \quad ; \quad pf = \cos\phi = P/S $$

$P$ (Watts), $Q$ (VAR), $S$ (VA).

15. Electric vs Magnetic Analogy

Magnetism

$$ EMF(V) \leftrightarrow MMF(NI) \quad ; \quad R \leftrightarrow \mathcal{S} $$

Current $I \leftrightarrow \Phi$ (Flux). Conductivity $\sigma \leftrightarrow \mu$.

16. Three Phase Systems

STAR (Y)

$$ V_L = \sqrt{3}V_{ph} \quad ; \quad I_L = I_{ph} $$

Balanced Load: $P = \sqrt{3}V_L I_L \cos\phi$. Phase diff: 120°.

17. Graph Theory: Topology

Network Science

$$ \text{Rank} = N - 1 \quad ; \quad \sum \text{deg}(k) = 2B $$

$N$ = Nodes, $B$ = Branches. Euler: $N - B + l = 1$.

18. Trees, Twigs & Links

Terminology
Term Notation Formula
Twig Tree Branch $N-1$
Link Co-tree $B-N+1$
Possible Trees det[A][A'] $N^{N-2}$ (for complete)

19. Incidence Matrix [A]

KCL Basis

$$ [A][I_b] = [0] \quad ; \quad \text{Sum of column rows} = 0 $$

Reduced matrix $[\tilde{A}]$ by deleting reference row.

20. Tie-set (Loop) Matrix

KVL Basis

$$ [B_f][V_b] = [0] \quad ; \quad \text{Rank} = B - N + 1 $$

Each row = 1 Fundamental Loop using 1 Link.

21. Cut-set Matrix [Q]

Twig Dependent

$$ [Q_f][I_b] = [0] \quad ; \quad \text{Rank} = N - 1 $$

Each row corresponds to one fundamental Cut-set.

22. Principle of Duality

Morphing Duals

$$ R \leftrightarrow G \quad ; \quad L \leftrightarrow C \quad ; \quad V \leftrightarrow I $$

Node analysis is dual to Mesh analysis.