Circuit Analysis

In the previous tutorial we saw that complex circuits such as bridge or T-networks can be
solved using Kirchoff's Circuit Laws. While Kirchoffs Laws give us the basic method for
analysing any complex electrical circuit, there are different ways of improving upon this
method by using Mesh Current Analysis or Nodal Voltage Analysis that results in a lessening
of the math's involved and when large networks are involved this reduction in maths can be a
big advantage.
For example, consider the circuit from the previous section.

Mesh Analysis Circuit

One simple method of reducing the amount of math's involved is to analyse the circuit using
Kirchoff's Current Law equations to determine the currents, I1 and I2 flowing in the two
resistors. Then there is no need to calculate the current I3 as its just the sum of I1 and I2. So
Kirchoff's second voltage law simply becomes:

Equation No 1 : 10 = 50I1 + 40I2

Equation No 2 : 20 = 40I1 + 60I2

therefore, one line of math's calculation have been saved.

Mesh Current Analysis

A more easier method of solving the above circuit is by using Mesh Current Analysis or Loop
Analysis which is also sometimes called Maxwells Circulating Currents method. Instead of
labelling the branch currents we need to label each "closed loop" with a circulating current. As
a general rule of thumb, only label inside loops in a clockwise direction with circulating
currents as the aim is to cover all the elements of the circuit at least once. Any required branch
current may be found from the appropriate loop or mesh currents as before using Kirchoffs

method.
For example: :

i1 = I1 , i2 = -I2 and I3 = I1 - I2

We now write Kirchoff's voltage law equation in the same way as before to solve them but the
advantage of this method is that it ensures that the information obtained from the circuit
equations is the minimum required to solve the circuit as the information is more general and
can easily be put into a matrix form.
For example, consider the circuit from the previous section.

These equations can be solved quite quickly by using a single mesh impedance matrix Z. Each
element ON the principal diagonal will be "positive" and is the total impedance of each mesh.
Where as, each element OFF the principal diagonal will either be "zero" or "negative" and
represents the circuit element connecting all the appropriate meshes. This then gives us a
matrix of:

Where:

[ V ] gives the total battery voltage for loop 1 and then loop 2.

[I]

[ R ] is called the resistance matrix.

states the names of the loop currents which we are trying to find.

and this gives I1 as -0.143 Amps and I2 as -0.429 Amps

As :

I3 = I1 - I2

The current I3 is therefore given as : -0.143 - (-0.429) = 0.286 Amps

which is the same value of 0.286 amps, we found using Kirchoffs circuit law in the previous
tutorial.

Mesh Current Analysis Summary.

This "look-see" method of circuit analysis is probably the best of all the circuit analysis
methods with the basic procedure for solving Mesh Current Analysis equations is as follows:

1. Label all the internal loops with circulating currents. (I1, I2, ...IL etc)

2. Write the [ L x 1 ] column matrix [ V ] giving the sum of all voltage sources in each
loop.

3. Write the [ L x L ] matrix, [ R ] for all the resistances in the circuit as follows;

o
o

R11 = the total resistance in the first loop.

o
o

Rnn = the total resistance in the Nth loop.

o
o

RJK = the resistance which directly joins loop J to Loop K.

4. Write the matrix or vector equation [V] = [R] x [I] where [I] is the list of currents to

be found.
As well as using Mesh Current Analysis, we can also use node analysis to calculate the
voltages around the loops, again reducing the amount of mathematics required using just
Kirchoff's laws. In the next tutorial about DC Theory we will look at Nodal Voltage Analysis to
do just that.

The method of loop or mesh currents is generally used in solving networks having some degree
of complexity. Such a degree of complexity already begins for a network of three meshes. It
might even be convenient at times to use the method of loop or mesh currents for solving a twomesh circuit.
The mesh-current method is preferred to the general or branch-current method because the
unknowns in the initial stage of solving a network are equal to the number of meshes, i.e., the
mesh currents. The necessity of writing the node-current equations, as done in the general or
branchcurrent method where branch currents are used, is obviated. There are as many meshvoltage equations as these are independent loop or mesh, currents. Hence, the M-mesh currents
are obtained by solving the M-mesh voltages or loop equations for M unknowns. After solving
for the mesh currents, only a matter of resolving the confluent mesh currents into the respective
branch currents by very simple algebraic manipulations is required.
This method eliminates a great deal of tedious work involved in branch-current method and is
best suited when energy sources are voltage sources rather than current sources. This method can
be used only for planar circuits.
The procedure for writing the equations is as follows :
1. Assume the smallest number of mesh currents so that at least one mesh current links every
element. As a matter of convenience, all mesh currents are assumed to have a clockwise
direction.
The number of mesh currents is equal to the number of meshes in the circuit.
2. For each mesh write down the Kirchhoffs voltage law equation. Where more than one mesh
current flows through an element, the algebraic sum of currents should be used. The algebraic
sum of mesh currents may be sum or the difference of the currents flowing through the element
depending on the direction of mesh currents.

3. Solve the above equations and from the mesh currents find the branch currents.
Fig. 36 shows two batteries E1 and E2 connected in a network consisting of three resistors.
Let the loop currents for two meshes be I1 and I2 (both clockwise-assumed). It is obvious that
current through R3 (when considered as a part of first loop) is (I1- 12). How ever, when R3 is
considered part of the second loop, current through it is (I2 I 1).
Applying Kirchhoffs voltage law to the two loops, we get
E1 R1 R1 R3(I1 I2) = 0
E1 I1 ( R1 + R3) + I2 R3 = 0
- I 2 R 2 E 2 R 3 ( I 2 I1 ) = 0
- I2 R2 E2 I2 R3 + I2 R3 = 0
I1 R3 I2 ( R2 R3)- E3 = 0

The above two equations can be solved not only to find loop currents but branch currents as
Example 7. Determine the currents through various resistors of the circuit shown in Fig. 37
using the concept of mesh
Solution. Refer Fig. 37.
Since there are two meshes, let the loop currents be as shown.
Applying Kirchhoffs law to loop 1, we get

24 4 I1 2(I1 I2) = 0
- 6 I1 + 2 I1 + 24 = 0
3 I1 I2 = 12

For loop 2, we have

-2 (I2 I1) 6 I2 12 = 0
2 I1 8 I2 12 = 0
I1 4 I1 = 6

Solving (i) and (ii), we get,

I2 = 42 / 11 A

and

I2 = 6 /11

Hence

Current through 4 Q resistor = 42 / 11 A (from L to M). (Ans.)

Current through 6 Q resistor = 6 / 11 A (from N to M). (Ans.)

Current through 2 Q resistor = 42 / 11 ( 6 /11) = 48 / 11 A ( From M to P)

Example 8. Determine the current supplied by each battery in the circuit shown in Fig. 38.

Solution. Refer Fig. 38.

As there are three meshes, let the three loop currents be as shown.
Applying Kirchhoffs law to loop 1, we get
20 5 I1 3 ( I1 I2) 5 = 0
8 I1 3 I2 = 15
For loop 2, we have
- 4 I2 + 5 2 (I2 I3) + 5 + 5 3 (I2 I1 ) = 0
3 I1 9 I2 + 2 I3 = 15
For loop 3, we have
- 8 I3 30 5 2( I3 I2) = 0
2 I2 10 I3 = 35
Eliminating I1 from (i) and (ii ), we get
63 I2 16 I3 = 165
Solving (iii) and (iv),we get

I2 = 1.82 A and I3 = 3.15 A

(- ve sign means direction of current is counter-clockwise)
Substituting the value of 12 in (i), we get
I1 = 2.56 A
Current through battery B 1 (discharging current) = I1 = 2.56 A. (Ans.)
Current through battery B2 (charging current) = I1- I2 = 2.56- 1.82 = 0.74 A. (Ans.)
Current through battery B s (discharging current) = I2 + I3 = 1.82 + 3.15 = 4.97 A. (Ans.)
Current through battery B4 (discharging current)= I2 = 1.82 A. (Ans.)
Current through battery B5 (discharging current) = I3 = 3.15 A. (Ans.)
Example 9. Determine the currents through the different branches of the bridge circuit shown in
Fig. 39.
Solution. Refer Fig. 39.
The three mesh currents are assumed as shown

The equations for the three meshes are :

For loop 1: 240 20 (I1 I2) 500 (I1 I2) =0

- 70 I1 + 20 I2 + 50 I3 = 240
70 I1 20 I2 50 I3 = 240

For loop 2: 30 i2 40 ( I2 I2) 200(I2 I1) = 0

20 I1 90 I2 + 40 I3 = 0
2 I1 9 I2 + 40 I3 = 0

For loop 3:

60 i3 500 ( I3 I1) 40 (I3 I2) = 0

50 I1 + 40 I2 150 I3 = 0
5 I1 + 4 I2 15 I3 = 0
Solving these equations, we get
I1 = 6.10 A, I2 = 2.56 A, I3 = 2.72 A
Current through 30 Q resistor = I3 = 2.73 A (A to B)
Current through 60 Q resistor= I3 = 2.72 A (B to C). (Ans.)
Current through 20 Q resistor= I1- I 2 = 6.10-2.56 = 3.54 A (A to D).
Current through 50 Q resistor= I1- I 3 = 6.10-2.72 = 3.38 A (D to C).
Current through 40 Q resistor= I 3 I 2 = 2. 72- 2.56 = 0.16 A (D to B).