RL Circuit Simulation

Overview

The circuit consists of a resistor (R1) and an inductor (L1) forming an RL circuit. The circuit is driven by a square wave voltage source (V1).

  • When the input voltage Vin switches from low to high, the inductor L1 resists the change in current, causing a gradual increase in current through R1.

  • When Vin switches from high to low, the inductor resists the decrease in current, resulting in an exponential decay of current through R1.

  • This creates a characteristic exponential response to changes in voltage.

Time Constant

The time constant (τ) of an RL circuit is given by:

\[\tau = \frac{L}{R}\]

For this simulation:

  • Resistance: R = 100 Omega

  • Inductance: L = 1H

  • Time Constant: τ = 1 / 100 = 0.01 s

Circuit Diagram

The following diagram illustrates the RL circuit:

RL Circuit Diagram

Simulation Output

The output voltage Vout follows an exponential response due to the inductor’s resistance to changes in current. The simulation produces the following waveform:

RL Circuit Output Waveform

Conclusion

The RL circuit demonstrates inductive behavior, where the inductor resists changes in current, causing a smooth exponential rise and fall. This behavior makes RL circuits useful in applications such as filtering, signal processing, and energy storage.