Enter your Resistance (R), Inductance (L), Capacitance (C), and Frequency (f) into this RLC Series Circuit Calculator to find the circuit's Total Impedance (Z), along with Current (I), Phase Angle (φ), Resonant Frequency, and Q-Factor — each with selectable units so you're never stuck converting by hand.
Total Impedance (Z)
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Current (I)
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Phase Angle (φ)
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Resonant Frequency
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Q-Factor
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Inductive Reactance (XL)
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Capacitive Reactance (XC)
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An RLC series circuit consists of a resistor (R), inductor (L), and capacitor (C) connected in series. The same current flows through all components, but the voltages across each component may differ in magnitude and phase.
The resonant frequency is the frequency at which the inductive reactance equals the capacitive reactance, causing them to cancel out. At this frequency, the circuit impedance is minimized and equals the resistance value.
The total impedance Z is calculated using the formula: Z = √[R² + (XL - XC)²], where XL is inductive reactance and XC is capacitive reactance. The reactances depend on frequency.
The Q-factor (quality factor) measures the circuit's selectivity and energy storage relative to energy dissipation. It's calculated as Q = (1/R) × √(L/C) for a series RLC circuit.
The phase angle indicates whether the circuit is capacitive (negative angle) or inductive (positive angle). At resonance, the phase angle is zero, meaning voltage and current are in phase.
RLC circuits are used in radio tuning circuits, filters, oscillators, and impedance matching networks. They're fundamental building blocks in electronics for frequency-selective applications.