All About Circuits

Module 2

DC Circuit

Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur 1

Lesson 9

Analysis of dc Resistive Network in Presence of One Non-linear Element

Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur 2

Objectives

  To understand the volt ( V ) – ampere ( A ) characteristics of linear and nonlinear elements. Concept of load-line and analysis of dc resistive network having a single nonlinear element using load-line analysis.

L.9.1 Introduction

The volt-ampere characteristic of a linear resistance is a straight line through the origin as in fig. 3.2 (see Lesson-3) but the characteristic for non-linear element for example, diodes or lamps is not linear as in fig. 3.3 (lesson-3). Temperature effects cause much non-linearity in lamps that are made of metals. Most materials resistance increases (or decreases) with rise (or fall) in temperature. On the other hand, most nonmetals resistance decreases or increases with the rise or fall in temperature. The typical tungsten lamp resistance rises with temperature. Note, as the voltage across the lamp increases, more power is dissipated and in turn rising the filament temperature. Further note, that the increments of voltage produce smaller increments of current that causes increase resistance in the filament element. Opposite effects can be observed in case of carbon filament lamp or silicon carbide or thermistor. Additional increments of voltage produce large increments of current that causes decrease resistance in the element. Fig.9.1 shows the characteristics of tungsten and carbon filaments.

Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur 3

Let us consider a simple circuit shown in fig. L.9.2(a) that consists of independent sources, combination of linear resistances, and a nonlinear element. It is assumed that the nonlinear element characteristics either defined in terms of current ( i (t ) ) (flowing through it) and voltage ( vnl (t ) ) (across the nonlinear element) relationship or Voltage (vnl (t )) and current (i ) relationships of nonlinear element can...