Objective

To understand how a capacitor can introduce a phase shift in an AC power circuit and analyze the effect on the circuit's impedance and performance.

Theory

In AC circuits, capacitors cause a phase shift between voltage and current. The current leads the voltage by 90 degrees in a purely capacitive circuit. The impedance (Z) of a capacitor can be calculated using the formula:

Z = 1 / (2 * π * f * C)

Where:

• \( Z \) = Impedance (Ω)
• \( f \) = Frequency (Hz)
• \( C \) = Capacitance (F)

Understanding this phase shift is crucial for power factor correction in AC power systems.

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Components Required

• AC power source (e.g., function generator or AC adapter)
• Capacitor (e.g., 10µF to 100µF)
• Resistor (e.g., 100Ω)
• Oscilloscope
• Multimeter
• Connecting wires

Circuit Diagram

Below is the circuit diagram for the phase shift capacitor setup:

In this diagram:

• The AC voltage source is connected in series with the resistor and capacitor.
• Connect the oscilloscope across the capacitor and the resistor to measure voltage and phase shift.

Procedure

1. Set up the circuit on a breadboard according to the circuit diagram.
2. Connect the AC power source to the circuit.
3. Use the oscilloscope to measure the voltage across the capacitor and the resistor.
4. Record the peak voltage and phase angle between the current and voltage.
5. Change the frequency of the AC source and repeat measurements.
6. Analyze how the phase shift varies with frequency and capacitance.

Results

Document your findings in a table format:

Conclusion

This experiment demonstrates the effect of capacitors in introducing phase shifts in AC power circuits. Understanding these shifts is essential for improving power factor in electrical systems and optimizing circuit performance. Capacitors play a crucial role in energy storage and signal processing in various applications.