1

2.1 Branch-Current Analysis

2.2 Mesh Analysis
2.3 Nodal Analysis
2.4 Mesh with Current Sources
2.5 Nodal with Voltage Sources
2.6 Bridge Network
Chapter 2: Circuit Analysis
2
Introduction
Consider this network
Circuit simplification is difficult because there are
2 or more sources, and they are neither in series
nor parallel.
There will be an interaction between sources that
will not permit the reduction techniques that is
used to find quantities such as the effective
resistance.
3
Steps required for Branch-Current Analysis: -
1. Assign a distinct current of arbitrary direction to
each branch of the circuit.
2. Add the polarities for each voltage drop across
resistor.
3. Apply KVL for each mesh.
4. Apply KCL to a node that includes all the branch
currents.
5. Solve the equations for branch currents.
2.1 Branch-Current Analysis
4
Example 1 :
Determine the current
in each branch of the
network using branch-
current analysis
5
Solution:
Assign distinct current
of arbitrary direction to
each branch of the
network (one branch
one current)
Add the polarities for
each R
6
Solution(continue):
Kirchhoffs Voltage Law:
Loop 1:
- E
1
+ V
1
+ V
3
= 0
I
1
R
1
+ I
3
R
3
= E
1
Loop 2:
- V
3
V
2
+ E
2
= 0
I
2
R
2
+ I
3
R
3
= E
2
7
Solution(continue):
Kirchhoffs Current Laws
I
1
+ I
2
= I
3
Solve the equations
2I
1
+ 0I
2
+ 4I
3
= 2 ---(1)
0I
1
+ I
2
+ 4I
3
= 6 ---(2)
I
1
+ I
2
- I
3
= 0 ---(3)
Solve by using elimination method or Cramers rule,
I
1
= -1A, I
2
= 2A, I
3
= 1A
Observation: 3 branches, 3 equations
8
Mesh Analysis defines a unique array of currents (Mesh
or Loop current) to the network.
Steps required for Mesh Analysis: -
1. Assign current in clockwise direction to each closed loop
of network.
2. Insert polarities for each resistor.
3. Apply KVL to each closed loop.
4. Solve the resulting equations.
Note: if a resistor has two or more current passing through it, the net
current = the mesh current of the closed loop + mesh currents
from other loops in same direction - mesh currents from other
loops in opposite direction.
2.2 Mesh Analysis
9
Example 2 : find the branch currents I
1
, I
2
, I
3
.
1.Assign current in clockwise direction
( )
1 2 3
5 10 15
0 10 10 5 15
0
: 1 mesh For
2 1
2 1
2 1 1
2 3 1 1
=
=
= + + +
= + + +
i i
i i
i i i
E V V E
( )
1 2
10 20 10
0 4 6 10 10
0
: 2 mesh For
2 1
2 1
2 2 1 2
4 2 3 2
= +
= +
= + + +
= + + +
i i
i i
i i i i
V V V E
Solution:
+ -
+
-
+ -
+
-
2. Insert polarities for each R according
to the direction of current.
3. Apply KVL to each closed loop in
clockwise direction.
-
+
E
1
V
1
V
2
V
4
V
3
E
2
10
Example 2 : find the branch currents I
1
, I
2
, I
3
.
A i A i 1 , 1
2 1
= =
Solution:
+ -
+
-
+ -
+
-
-
+
E
1
V
1
V
2
V
4
V
3
E
2
Solve the equations
3i
1
2i
2
= 1 ---(1)
- i
1
+ 2i
2
= 1 ---(2)
A i i I A i I A i I 0 , 1 , 1
2 1 3 2 2 1 1
= = = = = =
Observation: 2 meshes, 2 equations.
11
Example 3 : Use mesh analysis to nd the current I
0
.
Solution:
+ -
+
-
+
-
-
+
E
1
V
1
V
2
V
4
V
3
E
2
+
-
-
+
- +
( )
12 6 5 11
24 12 10 22
0 12 ) ( 10 24
0
: 1 mesh For
3 2 1
3 2 1
3 1 2 1
2 1 1
=
=
= + +
= + +
i i i
i i i
i i i i
V V E
( )
0 2 19 5
0 4 38 10
0 4 24 ) ( 10
0
: 2 mesh For
3 2 1
3 2 1
3 2 2 1 2
4 3 1
= +
= +
= + +
= + +
i i i
i i i
i i i i i
V V V
( )
( )
0 2
0 16 8 8
0 4 ) ( 12 ) ( 4
0 4 ) ( 12 4
0
: 2 mesh For
3 2 1
3 2 1
2 3 1 3 2 1
2 3 1 3 0
4 2 2
= +
= +
= + +
= + +
= + +
i i i
i i i
i i i i i i
i i i i I
V V E
2 1 0
i i I =
12
Example 3 : Use mesh analysis to nd the current I
0
.
Solution:
+ -
+
-
+
-
-
+
E
1
V
1
V
2
V
4
V
3
E
2
+
-
-
+
- +
Solve the equations
11i
1
- 5i
2
- 6i
3
= 12 ---(1)
-5i
1
+ 19i
2
- 2i
3
= 0 ---(2)
-i
1
- i
2
+ 2i
3
= 0 ---(3)
A i A i A i 5 . 1 , 75 . 0 , 25 . 2
3 2 1
= = =
A i i I 5 . 1 75 . 0 25 . 2
2 1 0
= = =
13
2.3 Nodal Analysis
Nodal analysis - provides nodal voltages by using KCL.
Steps required for Nodal Analysis: -
1. Determine the no. of nodes (junction of 2 or more
branches).
2. Select a reference node (Ground), and label all other
nodes.
3. Apply KCL at each node (except the reference node).
4. Solve the resulting equations.
Note: A network of N nodes require (N-1) equations to find (N-1)
nodal voltages where by the Reference node is eliminated.
14
Example 4 : Calculate the node voltages.
1. Determine the no. of nodes.
2. Select a reference node (Ground),
and label all other nodes.
3. Apply KCL at each node except the
reference node.
4. Solve the resulting equations.
20 3
5 2
2
0
4
5
: 1
2 1
1 2 1
1 2 1
3 2 1
=
= +

=
+ =
v v
v v v
v v v
i i i
node For
Solution:
60 5 3
2 60 120 3 3
6
0
5 10
4
: 2
2 1
2 2 1
2 2 1
5 1 4 2
= +
+ = +

+ = +

+ = +
v v
v v v
v v v
i i i i
node For
Observation: (3-1) nodes, 2 equations.
V v
V v
20
333 . 13
2
1
=
=
1
2
15
Example 5:
For the circuit below, obtain v
1
and v
2
.
Observation: 4 meshes, (3-1) nodes
i
1
i
2
i
4
i
5
i
6
i
3
1 2
16
At node 1,
At node 2,
) 1 ( 60 5 8
6
5 10 2
2 1
1 1 1 2
3 2 1 4
= +
+ + =

+ + =
v v
v v v v
i i i i
Solution:
i
1
i
2
i
4
i
5
i
6
i
3
) 2 ( 36 3 2
4 2
3 6
2 1
2 1 2
5 4 6 3
= +
+

= +
+ = +
v v
v v v
i i i i
Solving (1) and (2),
v
1
= 0 V, v
2
= 12 V
1
2
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2.4 Mesh with Current Sources
Case 1: If the current source exists only in one of the mesh, find the
current directly.
Case 2: If the current source exists between two or more meshes, it forms
a supermesh. Exclude the current source (replace with an open
circuit) and the elements that connected in series with it. Apply
KVL in the supermesh and KCL in the nodes of the excluded
elements.
Consider the following case 1
Applying Mesh analysis in usual way
Loop 1:
( ) 0 6 4 10
2 1 1
= + + i i i
Loop 2:
A 5
2
= i A 2
1
= i
18
Supermesh is formed when two meshes have a
(dependent or independent) current source
in common.
Consider the following case 2
19
Apply KVL on the
supermesh loop figure (b):
20 14 6
0 4 10 6 20
2 1
2 2 1
= +
= + + +
i i
i i i
Applying KCL:
6
1 2
+ = i i
Solving Equation:
A 8 . 2
A 2 . 3
2
1
=
=
i
i
20
Example 6:
Find i
1
to i
4
using mesh analysis.
Note that meshes 1 and 2 form a supermesh since they
have an independent current source in common.
Also, meshes 2 and 3 form another supermesh because
they have a dependent current source in common.
The two supermeshes intersect and form a larger supermesh as
shown.
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Applying KVL to the larger supermesh,
) 1 ( 0 4 6 3
0 ) ( 8 4 6 2
4 3 2 1
4 3 3 2 1
= + +
= + + +
i i i i
i i i i i
At node P,
) 2 ( 5
5
2 1
1 2
= +
+ =
i i
i i
At node Q,
) 3 ( 0 3
) (
) ( 3
3
4 3 2
4 0
2 4 3
2 0 3
=
=
= +
= +
i i i
i I
i i i
i I i
Q
For mesh 4,
) 4 ( 5 5 4
0 10 2 ) ( 8
4 3
4 3 4
= +
= + +
i i
i i i
22
) 4 ( 5 5 4
) 3 ( 0 3
) 2 ( 5
) 1 ( 0 4 6 3
4 3
4 3 2
2 1
4 3 2 1
= +
=
= +
= + +
i i
i i i
i i
i i i i
Solve the equations
A i
A i
A i
A i
143 . 2
93 . 3
5 . 2
5 . 7
4
3
2
1
=
=
=
=
23
Consider the following circuit
Find the nodal voltages for
the given circuit.
2.5 Nodal with Voltage Sources
Case 1: If the voltage source is connected to a reference node, set the
voltage equal to the voltage source.
Case 2: If the voltage source is connected between two non-reference
nodes, it forms a supernode. Exclude the voltage source and
replace with a short circuit. Apply KCL in the supernode and KVL
to determine the nodes voltages.
1
2
1
2
24
Define the node voltage
Replace voltage source with short circuit
Apply KCL to the new network
1
2
1
2
25
2 4
4 - 6
: Supernode the For
2 1
2 1 2 1
2 3 2 1 3 1
V V
I I I I
I I I I I I
S S
S S
+ =
+ =
+ + + = +
2 1
12
: circuit original the Refer to
V V =
12
2 5 0 25 0
: equations Resulting
2 1
2 1
=
= +
V V
V . V .
*challenge: use source conversion or mesh analysis
12V
1
2
1 2
26
Example 7:
Find the node voltages in the circuit shown below.
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At supernode 1-2
) 1 ( 60 2 5
2 3 6
10
10
4 3 2 1
1 4 1 2 3
2 1 3
= +
+

+
+ = +
v v v v
v v v v v
i i i
At supernode 3-4
) 2 ( 0 16 5 2 4
4 1 6 3
4 3 2 1
3 4 2 3 4 1
5 4 3 1
= +
+ +

+ + =
v v v v
v v v v v v
i i i i
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For mesh 1
) 3 ( 20
2 1
= v v
For mesh 3
) 5 ( 20 2 2
0 ) ( ) ( 2 20
0 6 2 20
0 6 3 20
4 3 2 1
2 3 4 1
3
3
= + +
= +
= +
= + +
v v v v
v v v v
i v
i v v
x
x x
For mesh 2
) 4 ( 0 2 3
) ( 3
3
4 3 1
4 1 4 3
4 3
=
=
=
v v v
v v v v
v v v
x
2 3 3
4 1
6 v v i
v v v
x
=
=
29
) 5 ( 20 2 2
) 4 ( 0 2 3
) 3 ( 20
) 2 ( 0 16 5 2 4
) 1 ( 60 2 5
4 3 2 1
4 3 1
2 1
4 3 2 1
4 3 2 1
= + +
=
=
= +
= +
v v v v
v v v
v v
v v v v
v v v v
Solve the equations
V v
V v
V v
V v
67 . 46
33 . 173
667 . 6
67 . 26
4
3
2
1
=
=
=
=
30
Summary: Mesh-Nodal Analysis
(i) Mesh
To find mesh currents
Suitable to be used with
circuit with many series-
connected elements,
voltage sources &
Supermesh
Supermesh
Replace current sources
with an open circuits
(ii) Nodal
To find node voltages
Suitable to be used with
circuit with many parallel-
connected elements,
current sources &
Supernode
Supernode
Replace voltage sources
with a short circuits
Mesh Analysis vs. Nodal Analysis
31
2.6 Bridge Network
Belong to the family of complex networks because
the elements are neither in series nor in parallel.
Bridge configuration may be analyzed by using either
mesh or nodal analysis.
32
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( ) 0 5 2 1 5 2
0 5 4 2 5 4
20 2 4 2 4 3
2 1 3
3 1 2
3 2 1
= + +
= + +
= + +
I I I
I I I
I I I
0 8 5 2
0 5 11 4
20 2 4 9
3 2 1
3 2 1
3 2 1
= +
= +
=
I I I
I I I
I I I
A 667 . 2
A 667 . 2
A 4
3
2
1
=
=
=
I
I
I
Note that:
A 0
3 2 5
= = I I I
R
A bridge network is said to
be balanced, if the current
or voltage through the bridge
arm is 0A or 0V.