1. What is AC Circuit Impedance?

Impedance (Z) is the total opposition that a circuit presents to alternating current. It combines resistance (R) and reactance (X) in a complex quantity, representing both magnitude and phase relationship between voltage and current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the impedance formula:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Complex impedance (ohms)
• \( R \) — Resistance (ohms)
• \( X_L \) — Inductive reactance (ohms)
• \( X_C \) — Capacitive reactance (ohms)
• \( j \) — Imaginary unit (\( \sqrt{-1} \))

Explanation: The calculator computes both the complex form and magnitude of impedance, as well as the phase angle between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Impedance Calculation

Details: Impedance calculation is crucial for analyzing AC circuits, designing filters, determining power factor, and ensuring proper component matching in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistance, inductive reactance, and capacitive reactance in ohms. All values must be non-negative. The calculator provides complex impedance, magnitude, and phase angle.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between impedance and resistance?
A: Resistance opposes DC current, while impedance opposes AC current and includes both resistive and reactive components with phase considerations.

Q2: What does the phase angle represent?
A: Phase angle indicates whether the current leads or lags the voltage. Positive angle means current lags (inductive), negative means current leads (capacitive).

Q3: How do I calculate reactance values?
A: \( X_L = 2\pi fL \) for inductive reactance and \( X_C = \frac{1}{2\pi fC} \) for capacitive reactance, where f is frequency.

Q4: What is resonance in AC circuits?
A: Resonance occurs when \( X_L = X_C \), resulting in purely resistive impedance and maximum current flow at the resonant frequency.

Q5: When is impedance purely real?
A: Impedance is purely real (resistive) when \( X_L = X_C \), meaning the circuit is at resonance with zero phase angle.