Electro-techniques 143
Lecture 4: Kirchhoff’s Laws (Section 2.4)
Agenda: Lecture 4
1 Kirchhoff’s Laws (2.4)
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Circuit Analysis
A circuit is said to be solved when the voltage across and the current in
every element have been determined.
Ohm’s law may not be enough to provide a complete solution.
𝑣𝑣1 = 𝑖𝑖1𝑅𝑅1
𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 = 𝑖𝑖𝑐𝑐 𝑅𝑅𝑐𝑐
𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑙 = 𝑖𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑅𝑅𝑙𝑙
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Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)
Node
A node is a point where two or more circuit elements meet.
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)
The algebraic sum of all the currents at any node in a circuit equals zero.
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KCL Step-by-Step
To use Kirchhoff’s current law, an algebraic sign corresponding to a
reference direction must be assigned to every current at the node.
Example: Choose positive sign for currents leaving and negative for
entering node
Can use opposite convention as long as you are consistent.
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KCL - Easy Example
When only two elements connect to a node, if you know the current in
one of the elements, you also know it in the second element.
When just two elements connect at a single node, the elements are said to
be in series.
For the flash light, if you know any one of the element currents, you
know them all.
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Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
Loop (Closed Path)
Starting at an arbitrarily selected node, we trace a closed path in a circuit
through selected basic circuit elements and return to the original node
without passing through any intermediate node more than once.
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
The algebraic sum of all the voltages around any closed path in a circuit
equals zero.
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KVL Step-by-Step
To use Kirchhoff’s voltage law, we must assign an algebraic sign
(reference direction) to each voltage in the loop.
As we trace a closed path, a voltage will appear either as a rise or a drop
in the tracing direction.
Assigning a positive sign to a voltage rise requires assigning a negative
sign to a voltage drop.
Again, can use opposite
convention as long as you
are consistent.
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KVL - Easy Example
Trace the closed path clockwise, assigning a positive algebraic sign to a
voltage drop. Starting at node d leads to the expression
vl – vc + v1 – vs = 0
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