RLC Circuit Calculator
Calculate impedance, resonant frequency, and quality factor of series and parallel RLC circuits with step-by-step AC analysis.
RLC Circuit Basics
An RLC circuit combines a resistor (R), inductor (L), and capacitor (C). At the resonant frequency, energy swaps between the inductor magnetic field and the capacitor electric field. Resistance sets how quickly oscillations die out.
Resonance and Quality Factor
$$f_0 = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}}$$Series circuits use \(Q = \frac{1}{R}\sqrt{\frac{L}{C}}\). Parallel circuits use \(Q = R\sqrt{\frac{C}{L}}\). Damping ratio is \(\zeta = 1/(2Q)\). Bandwidth near resonance is \(BW = f_0/Q\).
Series vs Parallel
In a series RLC branch, impedance is lowest at resonance and equals R. In parallel, impedance is highest at resonance. The tool reports resonant frequency, Q, damping, bandwidth, and impedance at your chosen operating frequency.
Related tools: RLC Impedance Calculator, Impedance Matching Calculator, and Resonant Frequency LC Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at resonance in a series RLC circuit?
Inductive and capacitive reactances cancel. Current is maximum and impedance equals the resistance R.
What does a high Q factor mean?
High Q means a sharp, narrow resonance peak and low damping. The circuit stores energy longer before dissipating it in R.
How is damping ratio related to Q?
Damping ratio \(\zeta = 1/(2Q)\). Underdamped circuits have \(\zeta < 1\). Critical damping occurs near \(\zeta = 1\).
Which units should I use for L and C?
Enter inductance in millihenries (mH) and capacitance in microfarads (µF). The calculator converts internally to henries and farads.
Where are RLC circuits used?
They appear in radio tuners, filters, motor drives, and power supplies. Resonance selects or blocks specific frequencies.
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