Series R-L-C Reactance, Impedance, and Resonant Frequency

The base AC-circuit relations behind filter, coil, and cable-reactance work: inductive reactance XL = 2 pi f L (rises with frequency), capacitive reactance XC = 1/(2 pi f C) (falls with it), series impedance Z = sqrt(R^2 + (XL - XC)^2), and power factor R/Z. At 60 Hz a 10 ohm / 0.05 H / 50 uF branch has XL 18.85, XC 53.05 ohm, so it is capacitive (leading), Z = 35.6 ohm, PF 0.28. The branch resonates where XL = XC, at f0 = 1/(2 pi sqrt(L C)) = 100.7 Hz, where the reactances cancel, Z collapses to just R, and current peaks -- the frequency a passive filter is tuned to and a cap bank must avoid. Single-frequency, linear, lumped-element steady state; a real cable/coil is distributed, and a harmonic or transient study governs a power-system resonance.

Run the calculator

Formula and source

XL = 2 pi f L; XC = 1/(2 pi f C); net X = XL - XC; Z = sqrt(R^2 + (XL - XC)^2); power factor = R/Z; resonant frequency f0 = 1/(2 pi sqrt(L C)).

Series R-L-C reactance, impedance, and resonance relations (classic AC circuit theory), by name; a harmonic or transient study governs a real power-system resonance.

Audience

This tile is built for electricians and the adjacent professions in the Electrical group. The interactive calculator runs entirely in your browser. No account, no fee, no advertising, no tracking.

Related tools

Posture

Rough Logic answers the math question the working professional asks on the job. The site is a calm, fast, ad-free, account-free, ever-free reference. It does not interpret code. It does not replace the licensed professional. It does not store your inputs. The Authority Having Jurisdiction governs all installations and inspections.