RLC Impedance Calculator (Series Circuit)
Enter the resistance, inductance, capacitance, frequency and supply voltage.
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Your results
Impedance |Z| (Ω)
Impedance |Z| (Ω)
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Phase angle (degrees)
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Current (A RMS)
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Power factor
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Real power (W)
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Circuit behaves as
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RLC Impedance Calculator (Series Circuit) by TheCalcTools
How the RLC Impedance Calculator (Series Circuit) works
In a series RLC circuit the reactances subtract: X = XL − XC. The impedance magnitude is √(R² + X²) and the phase angle atan(X ÷ R). Current = V ÷ |Z|.
Only the resistor dissipates real power, I²R; the power factor R ÷ |Z| shows how much of the apparent power is real.
The formula
|Z| = √(R² + (XL − XC)²); φ = atan((XL − XC) ÷ R)
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Resistance (Ω) | 100 |
|---|---|
| Inductance (mH) | 50 |
| Capacitance (µF) | 10 |
| Frequency (Hz) | 60 |
| Supply voltage (V RMS) | 120 |
- At 60 Hz: XL = 18.85 Ω, XC = 265.26 Ω, so |Z| = 265.93 Ω.
- Current 0.4513 A at a phase of -67.91°.
Result:
| Impedance |Z| (Ω) | 265.93 |
|---|---|
| Phase angle (degrees) | -67.91 |
| Current (A RMS) | 0.4513 |
| Power factor | 0.376 |
| Real power (W) | 20.36 |
| Circuit behaves as | Capacitive (current leads) |
Frequently asked questions
What happens at resonance?
XL = XC, so the impedance falls to R and the current peaks.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.