1.

3 SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

In any linear circuit containing multiple independent sources, the current or voltage at
any point in the network may be calculated as the algebraic sum of the individual
contributions of each source acting alone

Steps to apply superposition theorem:

1. Turn off all independent sources except ONE source. Replace the independent
voltage source with a short circuit and the independent current source with
open circuit.
2. Find the output (voltage or current) due to that active source using node or mesh
analysis.
3. Repeat step 1 and 2 for each of the other independent sources
4. Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all the contributions due to the
independent sources

Example 1

1k 1k

R1

+ Vs1 + Vs2
10V 1k
5V

Find current flowing through R1 using superposition theorem

SOLUTION

i) Source Vs1 =10V ON(Vs2= 5V short citcuit)

I 1k
1k

R1
R1

+ Vs1
Vs2- short
10V 1k

Vs1 10
I = RT = 1.5k
= 6.667

RT = 1k //1k + 1k = 1.5k
ii) Source Vs2 = 5V ON (Vs1 =10V - short circuit)

I
1k 1k

R1
IT
R1

+ Vs3
1k 10V

Vs12 5
IT = = = 3.333mA
RT 1.5k

RT = 1k //1k + 1k = 1.5k

Use current divider law:

1k 1k
I = 1k+1kx IT =1k+1k x 3.333mA = 1.667mA

Therefore current flowing through R1= 1K:

I = I + (-I )

= 6.667mA 1.337mA = 5 mA

Example 2

8ohm

+
6V 3A
-
4ohm

Find V using the superposition theorem

SOLUTION

i) Source V=6V ON ( I =3A open circuit)

8ohm

+
6V +
-
V1 4ohm
-
 Use voltage divider law:
4
V1= 4+8 x 6 = 2V

ii) Source I= 3A ON ( V= 6V short circuit)

8ohm

I
+ 3A
V2
4ohm
-

Find I at 4 by using current divider:

8
I = 8+4x 3 = 2A

V2 = 4I = 4(2) = 8V

Therefore :
V = V1 + V2 = 2V + 8V = 10 V

Example 3

14ohm

I -j 4
j5
+
+
j6 50 <0 V
10 <90 V -
-

Determine I by using the superposition theorem

SOLUTION

i) Source V = 10<90V ON (V =50<0V - short circuit)

14ohm

I1 -j 4
j5
+ j6
10 <90 V
-

14j4
I1 =( 14j4+j6) x IT
 V 10<90
IT = = = 0.89 +j0.21 A
RT 2.52+j10.64

RT = (14-j4) // (j6) + j5 = 2.52 + j10.64

14j4
I1 =( 14j4+j6) x (0.89 +j0.21) =0.925-j0.176 A

ii) Source V = 50<0V ON (V =10<90V - short circuit)

14ohm

I2 -j 4
j 5
+
j6 50 <0 V
-

V 50<0
IT = = = 3.542 + j0.322A
RT 14j1.273

RT = (j5//j6) + (14-j4) = 14 j1.273

j5
I2 =( j5+j6) x (3.542 +j0.322) = 1.61 + j0.145

Therefore :

I = I1 + I2 = 0.925 -j0.176 + 1.61 + j0.145 = 2.535 j0.031 A