SDG Electronics

RC charge and discharge

General first-order capacitor step from an initial voltage to a final source voltage.

Development preview. Check the assumptions below before relying on a result. Calculations run in your browser.

Loading calculator…

How it calculates

Model: V(t) = Vfinal + (Vinitial−Vfinal)e^(−t/RC); t = −RC ln[(Vx−Vfinal)/(Vinitial−Vfinal)]

Assumptions

  • Ideal voltage source and linear R/C; leakage and ESR are not included.

Worked example

These are the calculator's default inputs. Change any input above to recalculate.

Inputs

Series resistance
10000 Ω
Capacitance
0.000001 F
Initial capacitor voltage
0 V
Final source voltage
5 V
Evaluation time
0.01 s
Threshold voltage
3 V

Results

Voltage at time
3.1606 V
Time to threshold
0.00916291 s
Time constant
0.01 s
Current at time
0.00018394 A
Stored energy at time
0.00000499471 J

All electronics calculators