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Superposition Theorem Sample Tutorial

The superposition theorem allows engineers to analyze circuits with multiple sources by calculating the effect of each independent source separately and then combining the results. The document explains this process using a circuit with two batteries: 1) Replace all sources but one with a short or open circuit based on type, 2) Calculate voltages and currents with the single source, 3) Repeat for each source, and 4) Combine the individual results by adding voltages and currents algebraically while considering polarity and direction. This allows determination of the total response of the circuit to all sources acting simultaneously.

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devie mohan
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38 views5 pages

Superposition Theorem Sample Tutorial

The superposition theorem allows engineers to analyze circuits with multiple sources by calculating the effect of each independent source separately and then combining the results. The document explains this process using a circuit with two batteries: 1) Replace all sources but one with a short or open circuit based on type, 2) Calculate voltages and currents with the single source, 3) Repeat for each source, and 4) Combine the individual results by adding voltages and currents algebraically while considering polarity and direction. This allows determination of the total response of the circuit to all sources acting simultaneously.

Uploaded by

devie mohan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Explaining the Superposition Theorem in Circuit Analysis

Before getting too far, let's explain the superposition theorem using the linear circuit example of Figure 1.

Figure 1. Circuit schematic for explaining the superposition theorem.

Since we have two sources of power in this circuit, we will have to calculate two sets of values for voltage drops
and/or currents—one set for the circuit with only the 28 V battery and a second set with only the 7 V battery.

Step 1: Replace All of the Power Sources Except for One


When replacing the power supplies in the circuits, we must follow these two rules:

1. Replace all voltage sources with short circuits (wires)


2. Replace all current sources with open circuits (breaks)

Since we only have voltage sources (batteries) in our example circuit in Figure 1, we will replace every inactive
source during analysis with a short circuit wire. For example, in Figure 2, we have replaced the battery, B 2 , with a
short circuit.

Figure 2. Battery B2 replaced with a short circuit


On the other hand, Figure 3 has a battery, B 1 , that has been replaced with a short circuit.

Figure 3. Battery B1 was replaced with a short circuit.

Step 2: Calculate the Voltages and Currents Due to Each Individual Source

Analyzing the circuit of Figure 2 with only the 28 V battery using the table method, we obtain the values shown
in Table 1 for each of the resistor voltage drops and resistor currents.

Table 1. Voltage and current values were calculated for the circuit with B2 removed.

Now, we can add the voltages and currents into the circuit drawing, as shown in Figure 4, paying careful
attention to make sure we label the voltage drops with the correct polarity and the currents with the correct
direction of flow.
Figure 4. Voltages and currents are added to the circuit powered only by battery B1.

This step will be critical when we begin superimposing values later.

Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for Each Power Supply


Next, we’ll repeat this process for the circuit of Figure 3 with only the 7 V battery. The results are shown in Table
2 and Figure 5.

Table 2. Voltage and current values were calculated for the circuit with B1 removed.

Figure 5. Voltages and currents are added to the circuit powered only by battery B2.
Step 4: Superimpose the Individual Voltages and Currents
When superimposing these values of voltage and current, we must be careful to consider the polarity of the
voltage drop and the direction of the current flow, as the values have to be added algebraically.

Figure 6 shows the superposition of the resistor voltage drops.

Figure 6. Superposition of the resistor voltage drops.

Meanwhile, Figure 7 shows the circuit after adding the superimposed voltage values.

Figure 7. Application of the superimposed voltage values.


The resistor currents add up algebraically as well and can either be superimposed using resistor voltage drops
or calculated from the final voltage drops and respective resistances (I = V/R). Either way, the answers will be
the same.

Figure 8 demonstrates how the superposition method is applied to the currents.

Figure 8. Superposition of the resistor voltage drops.

Next, adding these superimposed current values results in the circuit of Figure 9.

Figure 9. Application of the superimposed current values.

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