AC Circuit Impedance Calculator
Engineering tool for RLC Series circuits. Calculates Impedance, Phase Angle, and Reactance with dynamic Phasor Diagram generation.
About
In Alternating Current (AC) systems, resistance alone does not dictate current flow. The interaction between Inductors, Capacitors, and Resistors creates a frequency-dependent opposition known as Impedance (Z). This calculator solves for the total impedance in a Series RLC circuit, determining the phase shift between voltage and current which is critical for Power Factor correction and circuit stability.
By inputting the passive component values and system frequency, the tool computes Inductive Reactance (XL) and Capacitive Reactance (XC). It then derives the net reactance and total impedance vector. The integrated Phasor Diagram visually represents these vectors, allowing engineers to instantly see if the circuit is inductive (lagging) or capacitive (leading).
Formulas
The magnitude of the impedance vector Z is the hypotenuse of the impedance triangle:
Ohm's Law for AC circuits applies as:
Reference Data
| Parameter | Symbol | Formula | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inductive Reactance | XL | 2πfL | Ohms (Ω) |
| Capacitive Reactance | XC | 1 / (2πfC) | Ohms (Ω) |
| Total Impedance | Z | √R2 + (XL − XC)2 | Ohms (Ω) |
| Phase Angle | φ | arctan(XL − XCR) | Degrees (°) |
| Resonant Freq | f0 | 1 / (2π√LC) | Hertz (Hz) |