FEI 3103
Circuit Theory
Chapter 1
Methods of Analysis
1
Methods of Analysis - Chapter 1
1.1Motivation
1.2Nodal analysis.
1.3Nodal analysis with voltage sources.
1.4Mesh analysis.
1.5Mesh analysis with current sources.
1.6Nodal and mesh analysis by inspection.
1.7Nodal versus mesh analysis.
2
1.1 Motivation (1)
If you are given the following circuit, how can we determine:
(1) the voltage across each resistor,
(2) current through each resistor,
(3) power generated by each current source, etc.
3A 12A
What are the things which we need to know in
3
order to determine the answers?
1.1 Motivation (2)
Things we need to know in solving any resistive
circuit with current and voltage sources only:
• Kirchhoff’s Current Laws (KCL)
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Laws (KVL)
• Ohm’s Law
How should we apply these laws to
determine the answers?
4
1.1 Motivation (3)
• With Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s law established, they may
now be applied to circuit analysis.
• Two techniques will be presented in this chapter:
– Nodal analysis, which is based on Kichhoff current
law (KCL)
– Mesh analysis, which is based on Kichhoff voltage
law (KVL)
• Any linear circuit can be analyzed using these two
techniques.
• The analysis will result in a set of simultaneous
equations which may be solved by Cramer’s rule or
computationally (using MATLAB for example).
5
1.2 Nodal Analysis (1)
It provides a general procedure for analyzing circuits
using node voltages as the circuit variables.
Example 1
Obtain the node voltages, V1 and V2 in the
circuit below.
3A 12A
6
1.2 Nodal Analysis (2)
Steps to determine the node voltages:
1. Select a node as the reference node.
2. Assign voltages v1,v2,…,vn-1 to the
remaining n-1 nodes. The voltages are
referenced with respect to the
reference node.
3. Apply KCL to each of the n-1 non-reference
nodes. Use Ohm’s law to express the branch
currents in terms of node voltages.
4. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations
to obtain the unknown node voltages. 7
1.2 Nodal Analysis (3)
Example 1 – circuit independent current source only
Apply KCL at
node 1 and 2
v1 v2
3A 12A
The key idea to bear in mind is that, since
3 resistance is a passive element, by the passive
sign convention, current must always flow from a
higher potential to a lower potential.
Currents flows from a higher potential to
a lower potential in a resistor.
i= v higher – v
lower
8
R
Answer v1 = -6 V, v2 = -42 V
1.2 Nodal Analysis (4)
Example 2 – calculate the node voltage in the circuit
shown below:
Answer v1 = 13.333 V, v2 = 20 V 9
1.2 Nodal Analysis (5)
Example 3 – current with dependant current source
Determine the voltages at the nodes in figure
below.
original circuit circuit for analysis
answer v1= 4.8 V, v2 = 2.4 V, v3 = -2.4 V 10
1.3 Nodal Analysis with
Voltage Source (1)
Example 4 –circuit with independent voltage source
How to handle the 2V voltage source? 11
1.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage
Source (2)
A super-node is formed by enclosing a (dependent
or independent) voltage source connected between
two non-reference nodes and any elements
connected in parallel with it.
*Note: We analyze a circuit with super-nodes using
the same three steps mentioned above except that
the super-nodes are treated differently.
12
1.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage
Source (3)
Basic steps:
1. Take off all voltage sources in super-
nodes and apply KCL to super-nodes.
2. Put voltage sources back to the nodes and
apply KVL to relative loops.
13
1.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Source
(4)
Example 4 – circuit with independent voltage source
For the circuit shown below, find the node voltage.
Super-node => 2 = i1+i2+7
Apply KVL => -v1-2+v2 = 0
14
Answer v1 = -7.333 V, v2 = -5.333 V
1.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Source (5)
Example 5 – circuit with two independent voltage
sources
Find the node voltages in the circuit below:
15
1.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage
Source (6)
Example 5 – circuit with two independent voltage
sources
i3 +10= i1 + i2 i1 = i3 + i5 + i4 -v1+20+v2 = 0 -v3+3vx+v4 = 0
16
Answer: V1=26.67 V, V2=6.667 V, V3=173.33 V, V4=-46.67 V
