The Superposition Method

Introduction
In a circuit having more than one independent source, we can consider the effects of the sources one at
a time. If a circuit has n independent sources, then we will have to solve n circuits. It is easier? Perhaps, the
resulting partial circuits will have one source and some resistors. We might be able to solve the partial circuits
using the short-cut methods we saw earlier each partial circuit may go very fast. As we consider the effect of
each source by itself, we must turn off (de-activate) all of the other sources set their values to zero.
Remarks: Superposition theorem is most often used when it is necessary to determine the individual
contribution of each source to a particular response.
Replace voltage sources with shorts. Replace current sources with opens.

Objectives
Statement of superposition theorem and its application to a resistive d.c network containing more than one
source in order to find a current through a branch or to find a voltage across the branch.

Procedure for using the superposition theorem

Step-1: Retain one source at a time in the circuit and replace all other sources with their internal
resistances.
Step-2: Determine the output (current or voltage) due to the single source acting alone.
Step-3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each of the other independent sources.
Step-4: Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all the contributions due to the independent
sources.

Application of superposition theorem

Example- 01 Consider the network shown. (a)
Calculate Iab and Vcg using Superposition theorem.

Prepared by: Encontro, Mendoza, Falculan, Gualberto, Galija

Solution: Voltage Source Only (retain one source at a time):
First consider the voltage source that acts only in the circuit and the
current source are replaced by its internal resistance (in this case internal
resistance is infinite ()). The corresponding circuit diagram is shown (b)
and calculates the current flowing through the a-b branch.

Voltage across c-g terminal:

Vcg = V bg + V cb = 2 1.043 + 4 0.13 = 2.61volts
(Note: we are moving opposite to the direction of
current flow and this indicates there is rise in
potential).
Note c is higher potential than g .

Current source only (retain one source at a time):

Now consider the current source 2Is = A only and the voltage source is replaced by its internal resistance
which is zero in the present case. The corresponding the simplified circuit diagram is shown below (c & d).

The total current flowing through 1 resistor (due to the both sources) from a to b = 0.913 (due to
voltage source only; current flowing from a to b) 0.522 (due to current source only; current flowing from b
to a) = 0.391 A.
Total voltage across the current source V cg = 2.61 volt (due to voltage source; c is higher potential
than g ) + 3.651volt (due to current source only; c is higher potential than g ) = 6.26 volt.

Prepared by: Encontro, Mendoza, Falculan, Gualberto, Galija

Sample no.1
Consider the 2-source, 2-resistor circuit one more time. Lets us
use superposition to find the voltage VR2.

Solution:
Turn off one of the sources the order doesnt
matter. So start by deactivating the current source.
Set the value of IS to zero, which has the same
effect as replacing IS with an open circuit.

Sample no.2
Go back to the original circuit and turn off the other source
set VS to zero, which is the same as replacing it with a short
circuit

Summary of the superposition method

1. Identify all of the independent sources in the circuit.
2. Choose one source that will remain active. De-activate all of the others. (Remove current sources, leaving
open circuits. Replace voltage sources with short circuits.)
3. Using whatever techniques are appropriate, solve for the desired quantity (current or voltage) in the circuit.
This will be a partial result, due only to the one active source in the circuit.
4. Return to the original circuit. Choose a different source to remain active and de-activate all of the others.
5. Solve again for the desired quantity, which will be a second partial result.
6. Continue in this manner, working sequentially through each of the sources in the circuit, finding a partial
result for each.
7. Add together all of the partial results to obtain the total result corresponding to all of the sources working
simultaneously in the circuit.

Prepared by: Encontro, Mendoza, Falculan, Gualberto, Galija

 Source Conversion/ Source transformation
In circuit analysis, it is sometimes useful to convert a voltage source to an equivalent current source, or
vice versa.

Converting a Voltage source to a Current source

=
R

Terminal equivalency

Example no.1
Convert the voltage source to an equivalent current source and show the equivalent circuit.

100
= = = 2.13
47

Prepared by: Encontro, Mendoza, Falculan, Gualberto, Galija

 Converting a Current source to Voltage source

Example no.2
Convert the current source to an equivalent voltage source and show the equivalent circuit.

= = (10)(1.0) = 10

Prepared by: Encontro, Mendoza, Falculan, Gualberto, Galija