Investigate Complex Waves

Electrical and Electronic Principles

By Brendan Burr

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS.........................................................2
TASK 1..............................................................................5
1.1 Calculate the r.m.s value of a voltage waveform given by
:-...................................................................................... 5
volts................................................................................5
Solution:-.........................................................................................5
1.2 A complex voltage waveform has an r.m.s value of 220 V
and it contains 25% third harmonic and 15% fifth harmonic.
Determine ........................................................................6
(a) The r.m.s value of the fundamental and each harmonic.. 6
Solution:-.........................................................................................6
......................................................................................6
(b) The maximum value of the fundamental and each
harmonic..........................................................................7
Solution:-.........................................................................................7
(c) The frequency of the harmonics if the frequency of the
fundamental is 60 Hz.........................................................7
Solution:-.........................................................................................7
(d) The equation of the voltage waveform..........................7
Solution:-.........................................................................................7
1.3 Determine the average power in a 50 resistor if the
current i flowing through it is represented by :-..................8
mA...................................................................................8
Solution:-.........................................................................................8
1.4 A voltage waveform v, represented by :- ......................9
volts................................................................................9
is applied to a circuit and the resulting current i is given
by :-.................................................................................9
amps...............................................................................9
Determine :- .....................................................................9
(a) The total active power in Watts supplied to the circuit. . .9
Solution:-.........................................................................................9
2

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(b) The overall power factor.............................................12

Solution:-.......................................................................................12
TASK 2............................................................................ 13
2.1 Using an Excel Spreadsheet show that the following
Fourier Series represents a rectangular voltage waveform of
period 2 and amplitude of 2V by plotting a graph of at least
2 cycles of the waveform. ...............................................13
....................................................................................13
Use values of x from 0 to 360 degs in steps of 10 degs for
each cycle. .....................................................................13
Note that the value of x in above Fourier Series is
represented in radians.....................................................13
Solution:-.......................................................................................13
2.2 The values of a voltage waveform v volts at different
times in a periodic cycle are given by the following
tabulated data :-.............................................................14
(a) Using Excel Spreadsheet copy the above tabulated data
into the appropriate cells. ...............................................14
Solution:-.......................................................................................14
(b) Draw a graph of voltage v against angle x degrees over 1
cycle only........................................................................ 14
Solution:-.......................................................................................14
(c) Using Excel Spreadsheet S/W complete Table 1 of data 15
Solution:-.......................................................................................15
(d) Using the Tabulated data find all of the Fourier
coefficients correct to 2 decimal places using the
appropriate formulae.......................................................16
Solution:-.......................................................................................16
(e) Write the equation for v..............................................17
Solution:-.......................................................................................17
(f) Using Excel Spreadsheet draw a graph of voltage v
against angle x degrees by using the equation for v. Use the
same values for x as in above table:.................................17
Solution:-.......................................................................................17
(g) Compare the graph obtained in 2.2 (b) with the graph
obtained in 2.2 (f):.......................................................... 18
Solution:-.......................................................................................18
(h) Explain the differences in these results.......................19
3

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

Solution:-.......................................................................................19
(i) Justify the results are valid..........................................19
Solution:-.......................................................................................19
(j) Explain why a numerical method of harmonic analysis is
required.......................................................................... 19
Solution:-.......................................................................................19
EVALUATION...................................................................20
CONCLUSION...................................................................20
Books.............................................................................21
Catalogues......................................................................21
Websites......................................................................... 21

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

TASK 1
1.1

Calculate the r.m.s value of a voltage waveform given by :

v = 80 + 240 sin t + 50 sin 2t + + 20 sin 4t

4
3

Solution:2
2
2
2 V1m +V2 m +V4 m
VRMS = VO

240 2 + 50 2 + 20 2
VRMS = 80 2 +

VRMS = 191 .4418972

VR
M
S

=
1
9
1

.4
4 V
o
lts

volts

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

1.2

A complex voltage waveform has an r.m.s value of 220 V and it

contains 25% third harmonic and 15% fifth harmonic. Determine

(a)

The r.m.s value of the fundamental and each harmonic.

Solution:VO = 0
2

V1m +V3m +V5 m

2

VRMS =

V1m +V3m +V5 m

2

220 =

V3m = 0.25 V1m

V5 m = 0.15 V1m
V1m + ( 0.25 V1m ) + ( 0.15 V1m )
2
2

220 2 =

2 220 2 = V1m 1 + 0.25 2 + 0.15 2

V1m =

2 220 2
1 + 0.25 2 + 0.15 2

298 .6914627
2
74 .67286566
V3 mRMS =
2
44 .8037194
V5 m RMS =
2
V1mRMS =

V1mRMS = 211 .2067588

V3mRMS = 52 .80168968

Volts

V5 m RMS = 31 .68101381

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(b)

The maximum value of the fundamental and each harmonic.

Solution:V1m = 298 .6914627

V3m = 74 .67286566
V5 m = 44 .8037194

(c)

Volts

The frequency of the harmonics if the frequency of the fundamental

is 60 Hz.

Solution:f 0 = 60 Hz
f 3 = 180 Hz
f 5 = 30 Hz

(d)

The equation of the voltage waveform.

Solution:v = 298 .7 Sin ( 2 60 t ) + 74 .7 Sin ( 2180 t ) + 44 .8 Sin ( 2300 t )

v =
2
9
8

.7
S
i
n

(
1
2
0

)
t

+
7
4 .7
S
i
n

(
3
6
0

)
t

+
4
4 .8
S
i
n

(
6
0
0

)
t

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

1.3

Determine the average power in a 50 resistor if the current i flowing

through it is represented by :i =140 sin (t ) + 40 sin ( 3t ) + 20 sin ( 5t ) mA

Solution:2

P0 = i0 RMS R
2

P3 = i3 RMS R
2

P5 = i5 RMS R
2

140 10 3

P0 =

50
2

P0 = 490 mW
2

40 10 3

P3 =

50
2

P3 = 40 mW
2

20 10 3

P5 =

50
2

P5 = 10 mW

PTOTAL = P0 + P3 + P5
PTOTAL = 490 mW + 40 mW +10 mW
PTO
T
A
L

=
5
4
0

m
W

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

1.4

A voltage waveform v, represented by :

v = 100 sin (t ) + 22 sin 3t + 8 sin 5t

6
4

volts

is applied to a circuit and the resulting current i is given by :

i = 5 sin t + +1.91 sin 3t + 0.76 sin ( 5t 0.452 )

3

Determine :(a)

The total active power in Watts supplied to the circuit

Solution:-

amps

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves
v1 =100 SIN (t )

i1 = 5SIN t +
3

Power , P1 = v1 i1 COS ( )
v1m
2
i1m
=
2

v1RMS =
i1RMS

P1 =

v1m
i
1m COS ( )
2
2

P1 =

100
5

COS
2
2
3

P1 = 250 COS
3

v3 = 22 SIN 3t
6

i3 = 1.91SIN ( 3t )
Power , P3 = v3 i3 COS ( )
v3m
2
i3m
=
2

v3RMS =
i3RMS

P3 =

v3m i3m

COS ( )
2
2

P3 =

22 1.91

COS
2
2
6

P3 = 21 .01 COS
6
P
1
2
5
1 =

P3 =
1
8 .1
9
5
1
9
3
7
3

W
a
tts

10

W
a
tts

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

v5 = 8SIN 5t
4

i5 = 0.76 SIN ( 5t 0.452 )

Power , P5 = v5 i5 COS ( )
v5 m
2
i5 m
=
2

v5RMS =
i5RMS

P5 =

P5 =

v5 m i5 m

COS ( )
2
2
8
0.76

COS ( 0.3333981634
2
2

P5 = 3.04 COS ( 0.3333981634

P5 =
2.8
7
2
6
0
4
6
2
6

W
a
tts

PTOTAL = P1 + P3 + P5
PTOTAL =125 +18 .19519373

+ 2.872604626

PTOTAL =146 .0677984

P
T
O
T
A
L

=
1
4
6

.0
7 W
a
tts

11

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(b)

The overall power factor.

Solution:Power

_ Factor

Total _ Power
Voltage Current

vRMS =

V1m +V3m +V5 m

2

vRMS =

100 2 + 22 2 + 82
2

vR
M
S

=
7
2 .6
2
2
3
1
0
6
2

iRMS =

i1m + i3m + i5 m
2

iRMS =

52 +1.912 + 0.76 2
2

iR
M
S

=
3.8
2
2
6
7
5
7
6
4

Power _ Factor =

Total _ Power
Voltage Current

Power _ Factor =

146 .0677984
72 .62231062 3.822675764

Power _ Factor = 0.5261589315

= COS 1 ( 0.5261589315

=
1.0
1
6
7
1
8
9
5
8

R
A
D
S

12

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

TASK 2
2.1

Using an Excel Spreadsheet show that the following Fourier Series

represents a rectangular voltage waveform of period 2 and
amplitude of 2V by plotting a graph of at least 2 cycles of the waveform.
v = f ( x) =

8
1
1
1

sin x + sin 3 x + sin 5 x + sin 7 x + ..........

3
5
7

Use values of x from 0 to 360 degs in steps of 10 degs for each cycle.
Note that the value of x in above Fourier Series is represented in radians.
Solution:-

Task 2.1
2.5
2
1.5
1
Volts

0.5
0
-0.5

100

200

300

400

-1
-1.5
-2
-2.5
Degrees

13

500

600

700

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

2.2

The values of a voltage waveform v volts at different times in a periodic

cycle are given by the following tabulated data :x degrees 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
v (volts)
62 35 -38 -64
-63 -52 -28 24
80
96
90
70
(a)

Using Excel Spreadsheet copy the above tabulated data into the
appropriate cells.

Solution:See Task 2.2b.

(b)

Draw a graph of voltage v against angle x degrees over 1 cycle only

Solution:-

Volts

Task 2.2b
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
-20 30
-40
-60
-80

80

130

180

230

Degrees

14

280

330

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(c)

Using Excel Spreadsheet S/W complete Table 1 of data

Solution:-

15

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(d)

Using the Tabulated data find all of the Fourier coefficients correct
to 2 decimal places using the appropriate formulae.

Solution:-

1
212
12
a0 =17 .67
a0 =

2
418
12
a1 = 69 .66
a1 =

2
39
12
a2 = 6.50
a2 =

2
49
12
a3 = 8.17
a3 =

2
279
12
b1 = 46 .42
b1 =

2
29 .5
12
b2 = 4.91
b2 =

2
55
12
b3 = 9.17
b3 =

a0 = 17 .67
a1 = 69 .66
a2 = 6.50
a3 = 8.17
b1 = 46 .42
b2 = 4.91
b3 = 9.17

16

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(e)

Write the equation for v.

Solution:v = a0 + ( a1 Cos ( x ) ) + ( a2 Cos ( 2 x ) ) + ( a3 Cos ( 3 x ) )

+ ( b1 Sin ( x ) ) + ( b2 Sin ( 2 x ) ) + ( b3 Sin ( 3 x ) )

a0 = 17 .67
a1 = 69 .66
a2 = 6.50
a3 = 8.17
b1 = 46 .42
b2 = 4.91
b3 = 9.17

v =17 .67 +( 69 .66 Cos ( x ) ) +( 6.50 Cos ( 2 x ) ) +( 8.17 Cos (3 x ) )

+( 46 .42 Sin ( x ) ) +( 4.91 Sin ( 2 x ) ) +( 9.17 Sin (3 x ) )

(f)

Using Excel Spreadsheet draw a graph of voltage v against angle x

degrees by using the equation for v. Use the same values for x as in
above table:

Solution:-

Task 2.2f
120
100
80

Volts

60
40
20
0
-20 30

80

130

180

230

-40
-60
-80
Degrees

17

280

330

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(g)

Compare the graph obtained in 2.2 (b) with the graph obtained in 2.2
(f):

Solution:With
Equation
x
v
30
65
60
28
90
-31
120
-67
150
-64
180
-50
210
-28
240
22
270
80
300
100
330
85
360
73

Without
Equation
x
v
30
62
60
35
90
-38
120
-64
150
-63
180
-52
210
-28
240
24
270
80
300
96
330
90
360
70

I will begin the comparison with the different entries of v. There is

clearly a difference in the values of v when the derived equation is
used for calculating the value of Voltage.
One thing I noticed was how the differences in values have a tendency
of cancelling one another out, for example at 60 and 90 degrees where
the values are out by 7 volts in either phase. This tendency has
resulted in there being very little effect on the summation of all of the
values, which in turn has kept the coefficients at a very similar number.
With the two graphs there are clear similarities with regards to form, but
there are also a few anomalies. These anomalies come straight from
the two above charts, at 60 and 330 degrees. The effect this has on
the waveform is obvious, there are three clear areas where the curve
flattens out, rather than continuing in an obvious path. These are
between 60 - 90 degrees, 120 - 210 degrees, and 300 360 degrees.

18

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

(h)

Explain the differences in these results.

Solution:The differences in the results have partly derived from the fact that
there was a limitation on the number of decimal places allowed. All of
the coefficients that I calculated had many more numbers that had to
be cut off and rounded, which begins to make other calculations
inaccurate.
Another reason is that the formula for calculating the Fourier
Coefficients is only an approximate method. Because of this the
values are very unlikely to be exactly correct, causing deviances in the
answers for the coefficients and then anomalies in the form of the
graph.
(i)

Justify the results are valid.

Solution:The Voltage values that have been calculated from the equation follow
a very similar trend as to what is expected. This suggests to me that
the values are approximately correct, but slightly out.
(j)

Explain why a numerical method of harmonic analysis is required.

Solution:In the real world waveforms are produced by an electronic circuit and
through measuring equipment such as oscilloscopes you can read
them, but the equation is often not provided. Harmonic analysis can be
used to provide an equation through careful derivation of points on the
waveform, which is often shown as volts/time. Using this information
can enable you to calculate coefficients and then the overall equation
of the voltage, so at any point in time the voltage can be determined.
This can be useful for predicting what the voltage might be at a certain
time in a circuit, when an irregular waveform is present, which may
help when fault finding.

19

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

Evaluation
For Task 1.1 I had to calculate the RMS voltage from a complex waveform
equation. This was relatively easy once the formula was given to us. It was
simply a case of knowing what information had to be extracted from the
equation to be able to successfully calculate the RMS value.
Task 1.2 presented a problem which was the reverse of being supplied with
an equation, instead we had to make the equation from the information given.
Again I found this straight forward after receiving the formulas and an
example to understand what information needed to be placed where.
For Task 1.3, I had to work out the average power when the current (given in
the equation) flowed through a 50 ohm resistor. The general calculation for
the power when I know the current and resistance isnt a problem when the
current is static, i.e DC, however the thought of the current equation made the
question seem difficult. After going through an example everything became
clear and it was very obvious what the process was to successfully calculate
the power. So after thinking it was going to be difficult, I actually managed to
work out the answer fairly easily.
1.4 seemed at first to be difficult, because it is difficult to comprehend the
waveform from the equation without plotting it on Graphmatica or MS Excel. I
soon realised that it was just another number crunching Task, which involved
knowing where to enter the relevant data.
Task 2 moved onto the subject of Harmonic Analysis, which required the
information to be plotted using MS Excel. We usually take a short cut and
enter the equations into Graphmatica as this saves a lot of time and can be
written like the equation, rather than in MS Excel where the equation has to
be entered in a form that the software recognises.
The bulk of the time was taken up by entering formula in the correct way into
multiple cells to determine the coefficients and the values for the voltage. My
results came out as expected, and there was only a slight deviation to the
exact voltage values, reasons of which I have explained above.

Conclusion
To conclude, I enjoyed completing this assignment. It has broadened my
understanding of the methods of splitting a waveform into segments to create
a formula which can enable you to make an equation for the waveform. This
new knowledge can also fit into the work at I do onsite as AgustaWestlands. I
am please, again, with my presentation of the assignment and the accuracy of
my work, these two attributes example the large amounts of time I put into
these assignments and the results I am fortunate to get back from them.

20

Brendan Burr BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Investigate Complex Waves

Bibliography
Through guidance from my lecturer, the following text books, catalogues and
websites I was able to complete this assignment:
Books
N/A
Catalogues
N/A
Websites
N/A

21