AC Theory Cheatsheet

  1. Inductance is the relationship between the current and the magnetic field generated in a coil. Each is proportional to the delta of the other.

    [latex]
    {\large
    \frac{L = ( d^2 n^2)}{l + 0.45d}
    }
    [/latex]

    [latex]d2[/latex] is diameter of coil in meters
    [latex]n[/latex] is number of coil turns
    [latex]I[/latex] is length of coil in meters

  2. Resistance (R) is not affected by AC voltage or current frequency and remains the same for AC/DC

    [latex]
    {\normalsize
    R =
    \frac{V}{I}
    }
    [/latex]


  3. Reactance (X) or Back EMF is the opposition to current flow in proportion to the current frequency 

    • Inductive reactance (XL) rises with an increase in frequency:

      [latex]2πƒL[/latex]


    • Capacitive reactance (XC) rises with a decrease in frequency:

      [latex]
      {\large
      \frac{1}{2πƒC}
      }
      [/latex]


  4. Impedance describes the combined effect of resistance (R), inductive reactance (XL) and capacitive reactance (XC) in an AC circuit
    For DC circuit:

    [latex]Z = \sqrt{( R^2 + (XC^2) )}[/latex]



    For AC circuit:

    [latex]Z = \sqrt{( R^2 + (XL – XC)^2 )}[/latex]


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