Chart of RC Time Constants for Series Charge Rate
See brief example below
Above is the charge rate of a resistor and a capacitor in series. If we have a resistor value
of 1,000 Ohms (1K Ohm, see
NOTE) and a capacitor value of 10 µ Fd (10 microFarad = 0.000010 Farad,
see NOTE), for one time constant, we
simply multiply the two values together. It takes 5 time constants to charge the capacitor fully
to the DC supply voltage (100%) or 5 t
NOTE: Numeration Lesson Sheet
Example:
t = 1 time constant in Seconds
R = 1.0 K Ohm
C = 10µFd (0.000010 Farad)
Then: t = R*C or substituting the values of R and C, we get t = (1,000)*(0.000010)
1t = 0.01 Seconds (1/100th of a Second
Therefore, 5t = 5*(0.01 Seconds) or 5t = 0.05 Seconds ( 5/100ths of a Second)
Please look at the chart above to see the curve. Does it make sense now?