Electric Circuit Theory

ENT 187/3

Electric Circuit
ENT161/4

Methods of Analysis
• Introduction

• Nodal Analysis
• Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Mesh Analysis
• Mesh Analysis with Current Sources
INTRODUCTION
Another three circuit analysis method is:
1. Nodal analysis ( application of KCL) known as Node voltage Method in
some reference book.
2. Mesh analysis ( application of KVL) known as loop current Method in
some reference book.

Useful in analyzed multiple loop circuits having two or more voltage

or current sources.
 NODAL ANALYSIS

1. In nodal analysis, we are interested in finding the node voltages.

2. Steps to determine node voltage:
1. Select reference node.
2. Assign voltage v1, v2, ......vn 1, to the remaining n-1 nodes (with
respect to reference node)
3. Apply KCL to each nonreference nodes. Use Ohm’s Law to express the
branch currents.
4. Solve the resulting simultaneously equations to solve for node voltage
NODAL ANALYSIS
The first step is selecting a node as the reference node. The reference node is
commonly called the ground since it is assumed to have zero potential.
NODAL ANALYSIS
Consider the above figure as an example:
1. Ground has been chosen as the reference node
2. Assign v1 and v2 as node 1 and 2 respectively.
(node voltage = voltage of node with respect to
the reference node).
3. Apply KCL:
Node1 : I1  I 2  i1  i2
Node2 : I 2  i2  i3
NODAL ANALYSIS
Apply Ohm’s Law, where current flows from a higher potential to a
lower potential in a resistor:
vhigher  vlower
i
R
We obtain:
v1  0 v v v 0
i1  , i2  1 2 , i3  2
R1 R2 R3

Substitute into equation: v1 v1  v2

I1  I 2  
R1 R2

v1  v2 v2 Solve for v1 and v2 using elimination

I2   technique/ Cramer’s rule.
R2 R3
NODAL ANALYSIS

Example 3.1:
Calculate the node voltages in the circuit shown in Figure 1.

2. Nodes Voltage,
v1 & v2

V2
V1 3.Applying KCL
(refer next slide)

Add references node

 NODAL ANALYSIS
Solution:

Eq. (3.1.1)

Using the elimination technique

NODAL ANALYSIS
NODAL ANALYSIS
Example 3.2:
Determine the voltages at the nodes in Figure shown.
Solution:
 NODAL ANALYSIS

We have three simultaneous equation to solve to get the node voltages v1,v2, v3.
Answer :

We can get the answer by Using 2 approaches:

i. elimination technique
ii. Cramer’s rule
3v1  2v 2  v3  12............(1)
 4v1  7v 2  v3  0..........(2)
2v1  3v 2  v3  0..............(3) Continue with v1 &
(1)  (2) v3..!!!!!!!
7v1  9v 2  12.............(4)
(2)  (3)
 2v1  4v 2  0............(5)
From(5)
2v1  4v 2
v1  2v 2 ................(6)
Substitute (6)in (4)
Answer : v1 = 4.8V
14v 2  9v 2  12
5v 2  12 v2 = 2.4V
v 2  2.4V v3 = -2.4V

How to solve using cramer’s rule??

NODAL ANALYSIS WITH VOLTAGE SOURCES

Possibilities:
1. If a voltage source is connected between the reference node and a nonrefence
node, simply set the voltage at the nonreference node equal to the voltage of the
voltage source
2. If the voltage is connected between two nonreference nodes, the two
nonreference nodes form a generalized node or supernode; apply both KCL
and KVL to determine the node voltages.

Supernode: formed by enclosing voltage source connected

between two nonreference nodes and any elements
connected in parallel with it.
NODAL ANALYSIS WITH VOLTAGE SOURCES

From the figure:

• v1 = 10V
• Nodes 2 and 3 form a supernode
• KCL at supernode:

i1  i4  i2  i3
v1  v2 v1  v3 v2  0 v3  0
  
2 4 8 6
KVL at supernode:
 v2  5  v3  0  v2  v3  5
NODAL ANALYSIS WITH VOLTAGE SOURCES

Practice Problem:
Find v and i in the circuit in Fig 3.11:
At node 1
i4

v1  7V ...........................(1)
1 2 3

i1
At node 2
i3
i1  i2  i3  i4 ...............(2)
i2
Node 2 & node 3 form super node
 v 2  3  v3  0
v3  v2  3.........................(3)
From (2)
v1  v2 v2  0 v3  0 v3  0
   ..........................(4)
4 3 2 6

Answer: -0.2V, 1.4A To be continued……….

NODAL ANALYSIS WITH VOLTAGE SOURCES

Practice problem:
For the circuit shown in Figure 3.9, find the node voltages.

Answer: v1= -7.333V, v2= -5.333V

MESH ANALYSIS

1. Mesh analysis is also known as loop analysis or the mesh-current method.

2. Mesh is a loop which does not contain any other loops within it.
3. Application: to find unknown currents
4. Only capable to a planar circuit
5. Planar circuit: can be drawn in a plane with no branches crossing one another.
MESH ANALYSIS

Fig. 3.15 a) a Planar circuit with crossing branches.

b)The same circuit redrawn with no crossing branches b)
MESH ANALYSIS

Steps in determining node voltage:

1. Assign mesh currents i1,i2,…in to the n meshes
Assign mesh current in the clockwise direction around each non redundant
closed loop

2. Apply KVL to each of the n meshes. Use Ohm’s Law to express the voltages
in terms of the mesh currents.
3. Solve the resulting n simultaneously equations to get the mesh currents by
using substitution or determinants.
MESH ANALYSIS
Consider the figure below:
1. Assign i1 and i2 as meshes 1 and 2.
2. Apply KVL to each mesh:

Mesh1 : V1  R1i1  R3 (i1  i2 )  0

Mesh2 : R2i2  V2  R3 (i2  i1 )  0
3. Solve for mesh currents i1 and i2

i3

i1 I3= i1 - i2
i2
MESH ANALYSIS
Example: For the circuit in Figure, find the branch currents I1, I2 and I3 using
mesh analysis.

i3

i1
i2

I3=i1-i2 or I3 = -(i2-i1)
MESH ANALYSIS
Practice Problem:
Calculate the mesh currents i1 and i2 in the circuit of Figure shown.

Answer: i1= 2/3 A, i2=0A

MESH ANALYSIS WITH CURRENT
SOURCES
Possibilities:
1. When a current source exists only in one mesh – set the current as equal
to the source.

• set i2 = -5A
• Mesh equation:

 10  4i1  6(i1  i2 )  0, i1  2 A
MESH ANALYSIS CURRENT SOURCES

2. When the current source exists between two meshes – create a

supermesh (by excluding the current source and any elements
connected in series with it).

A supermesh results when two meshes have a (dependent or

independent) current source in common.

Fig: a) Two meshes having a current source in common,

b) a supermesh, created by excluding the current source
MESH ANALYSIS CURRENT SOURCES

• From the above figure:

1. Apply KVL to supermesh:  20  6i1  10i2  4i2  0
2. Applying KCL to node 0:
i2  i1  6
3. Solving:

i1  3.2 A, i2  2.8 A
 FURTHER READING

1. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 2nd Edition,McGrawhill Alexander, C. K.

and Sadiku, M. N. O.
2. Electric Circuit, 8th Edition, Pearson, Nillson and Riedel