Chapter 3.

Circuit Analysis Techniques

3.1 Circuit Analysis by Inspection
Example 3.1: Consider Figure Find VS that cause 2 ohm
Resistance to conduct 3A flowing downward.
Solution: 1.Label the nodes
2. Select the reference node and ground it
3. Label the current directions
1A 1A

4 Ohms 3 Ohms 4 Ohms VA 3 Ohms VB

i2 i1
i3
1 Ohms 2 Ohms 3A 2 Ohms 3A
1 Ohms

+ +
Vs Vs
 1A
4. Start from where maximum
information are available(From2Ω)
Apply Ohms Law VB-0=2X3=6
4 Ohms VA 3 Ohms VB
SO VB=6V
i2 i1
5. Consider Node B Apply KCL i3
2 Ohms 3A
i1+1A=3A 1 Ohms

i1=2A
6. Ohms Law VA-VB= 3 x i1 +
Vs
VA-6=3x2 =6+6=12V VA=12V
7. i2 by Ohms Law. i2=VA-
0/4=12/4=3A i2=3A 0

8. Apply KCL at node A i3=i1+i2=2+3=5A

i3=5A
9. Ohms Law at resistance 1 ohms
Vs- VA=1Xi3= Vs=1X5+12=17
Vs=17V
Example 3.2. Find value of R that cause 2A current source to release 12
watt.
10 Ohm VA 20 Ohm VB

i3 i2
i1 _
+
17V 2A
R 4 Ohm
i4 +

1. We know for current source to release power, the current must flow
in the direction of increasing voltage and i1 always flow from higher
to lower potential. This means that GND is at higher potential than
VB. SO P=VI, V=P/I, 0-VB=12/2, -VB=6V, OR
VB=-6V
2. To find i1 using ohms law V=IR, 0-VB=i1x4, -VB=4i1, i1=-VB/4,
i1=-(-6)/4=1.5A (Current direction is ok)
3. For i2 Apply KCL at node VB, i2+i1=2A, i2=2A-1.5A=0.5A,
i2=0.5A
 Example continue
10 Ohm VA 20 Ohm VB

i3 i2
i1 _
+
17V 2A
R 4 Ohm
i4 +

4. Find VA, VA-VB=20 X i2, VA= 20x0.5-VB=10+(-6),

VA=4V
5.Find i3,use ohms law, 17-VA=10xi3, (17-4)/10=i3,or 3=13/10,
i3=1.3
• 6. Find i4, Apply KCL at node VA, i3=i2+i4, i4=i3-i2=1.3-0.5,
i4=0.8A
• 7. Find R, Apply Ohms law, VA-0=Rx i4, R=VA/i4=4/0.8=5 Ohm, So
R=5Ω
Example 3.3 Design a six stage Resistive Ladder, when driven by a 100V
source, yields the following node voltages 50V, 20V, 10V, 5V, 2V,
1V as shown. All series resistors are of 10k ohms
10 K 50V 10 K 20V 10 K 10V 10 K 5V 10 K 2V 10 K 1V
i3 i5 i7 i9
i1 i11

+
100V
R2 R12
R4 i4 R6 i6 R8 i8 R10 i10 i12
i2

1. Start from the farthest branch and move towards the source.
2. For Shunt Resistances use ohms Law, V=IR, R=V/I and for Currents
use Ohms Law and KCL at your ease.
3. i11=2-1/10k=0.1mA ,i12=i11=0.1mA,So R12=1-0/i12=1/0.1mA=10KΩ,
R12=10KΩ
4. i9=5-2/10k=3/10k=0.3mA, i9=i10+i11, i10=i9-i11=0.3-0.1=0.2mA,
R10=2-0/i10=2/0.2 R10=20/2mA= 10K and so on We find All Rs as
R2=R8=25K, R4=R10=R12=10K, and R6=20K . We also find all Is.
Example 3.4 a) What is the Equivalent Resistance seen by the source
b) Modify the circuit so that Req=100KΩ
10 K 50V 10 K 20V 10 K 10V 10 K 5V 10 K 2V 10 K 1V
i3 i5 i7 i9
i1 i11

+
100V
R2 R12
R4 i4 R6 i6 R8 i8 R10 i10 i12
i2

a) Req = Vs/i1=100/5mA=20KΩ Or we can find by solving

series parallel combinations
b) To ensure the same node voltages we must leave all resistance ratio
unchanged. This can be obtained by multiplying all resistances by a
common scale factor Req(new)/Req(old)=100K/20K=5
• So R1=R3=R5=R7=R9=R11=10Kx5=50K
• and R2=R8=25Kx5=125K and R4=R10=R12=10Kx5=50K and
R6=20Kx5=100K
• DC Biasing: Diodes Transistors and ICs require a certain voltages and
currents to operate properly. This is called DC Biasing. Resistances plays a
fundamental roles in DC Biasing. Suppose the two devices X1 & X2 are
powered by 15V source. X1 need to work at 5V with 2mA, and X2 at 6V with
0.5mA. Connecting X1, X2 in series or parallel will not work because of
Voltage and current conflicts. so we use a series resistor R1 to resolve
voltage conflict and R2 to resolve current conflict.
• Example 3.5: Design a suitable Biasing Network for devices X1 and X2.
• By KVL the voltage drop across R1 is 15-(5+6)=4V So R1=4/2mA=2KΩ
• By KCL Current through R2 is 0.2mA-0.5mA=1.5mA So the R2=6/1.5=4KΩ
R1 X1
X1
5V
5V
2K 2mA
2mA

X2
X2 +
+ 6V
6V
15V R2
0.5mA
15V 0.5mA
4K

Fig. B
Fig. A

• So for proper biasing of X1 and X2 THE R1 and R2 must be 2KΩ and

4KΩ Respectively
 3.2 Nodal Analysis
In Nodal Analysis We find out the node voltages as per
following steps
1. Choose the reference node and label the other nodes
2. Give direction to currents
3. Apply KCL at each node and get the equations and find the
values of all currents using Ohms Law.
4. Place currents values in the equations obtained in step 3
and solve the equations using any method.
1 Ohm
Example 3.6
i2
Apply the Nodal
Analysis to the circuit +
12V
4A 3 Ohm
and find unknown
currents and node
voltages Fig.1
Solution: 1 Ohm Va

1. Designate Nodes i1 i2
2. Give current directions
+
3. Apply KCL at node Va 12V
4A 3 Ohm
i1=4+i2-------(A)
Where i1=(12-Va)/1 ---(B)
i2=(Va-0)/3-----(C)
0 Fig.2
4. Placing these values in equation A
(12-Va)/1=4+Va/3 12-Va=(12+Va)/3 36-3Va=12+Va 24=4Va
Va=24/4 Va=6v
Example 3.7 : Verify in above example that the energy is conserved 5.
Solution: 1.Placing VA in equation B and C we get i1=6A and i2=2A
2. Power released by source P=V x i1= 12 x 6= 72 P=72w
3. Power dissipate by resistor 1Ω P=VI=(12-6)6=6X6=36W
4. Power Dissipated By resistor 3Ω P=VI=6X2=12W
5. Current source dissipate Power as arrow is downward so P=VI=6X4=24
6 Power is conserved….72w=24w+36w+12w
Exercise 3.8 If current Source connected upward

Apply KCL at node Va

i1+4=i2
=(12-Va)/1+4= Va/3 = 36-3Va+12=Va
= 48=4Va, Va=48
Va=12V
 Example 3.8: Apply Nodal Analysis and Find V1 & V2
3K Ohm V1 4K V2

i1 i3
i4 _
+
9V 5mA
6K 2K
i2 +

1. Apply KCL at node V1 i1=i2+i3

(9-V1)/3K = V1/6K+ (V1-V2)/4K
Multiply both sides by 12 we get 4(9V1-V1)=2V1+3(V1-V2)
36-4V1=2V1+3V1-3V2 9V1-3V2-36=0 3(3V1-V2-12)=0
3V1-V2-12=0---------(A)
Apply KCL at node V2 i3=i4+5mA (V1-V2)/4K=V2/2K+5mA
Multiply eq by 4 we get V1-V2=2V2+20. V1-3V2-20=0….(B)
Solving equation A and Eq. B we get V1=2V, and V2=-6V
Example3K3.9:
Ohm
Check the results of Example 3.8
V1 4K V2

i1 i3
i4 _
+
9V 5mA
6K 2K
i2 +

Since From 3.8 V1=2V, and V2=-6V and

i1=(9-V1)/3K, i2=V1/6K. i3= (V1-V2)/4K and i4= V2/2K
1. placing v1 & v2 in above currents we find currents as
i1=(9-2)/3k=7/3k= 2.3mA, i2=2/6k= 0.33mA
i3=(2-(-6)/4k=8/4k=2mA i4= (0-(-6)/2k=3mA
2. Check KCL at V1 2.3mA=0.33mA+2mA , 2.3mA=2.3mA
3. Apply KCL at V2 2mA+3mA=5mA
Here i4=3mA IS ADDED AS IT IS OBTAINED BY -6V
Example 3.10 Apply Nodal analysis to the circuit of
figure a and check results
1. Designate nodes
2. Give current directions
6.5A 6.5A

2 Ohms 4 Ohms 2 Ohms V2 4 Ohms

V1 V3

3A 3A
8 Ohms 8 Ohms
1 Ohms 1 Ohms

Figure b
Figure. a 0
1. Apply KCL at node V1 6.5A
6.5+(V2-V1)/2=V1/1,
Multiply both sides by 2
3V1-V2=13………(A)
2 Ohms V2 4 Ohms
V2=3V1-13…..(A) V1 V3
2. Apply KCL at node V2
3=(V2-V1)/2+(V2-V3)/4
3A
Multiply by 4 both sides 1 Ohms
8 Ohms
12=2V2-2V1+V2-V3,
3V2-2V1-V3=12……(B)
V3=3V2-2V1-12…..(B)
3. Apply KCL at node 3 Figure b
(V2-V3)/4=V3/8+6.5 0

Multiply both sides by 8

2V2-2V3=V3+52
2V2-3V3=52……..(C)
4. Placing equation B in Equation C 2V2-3(3V2-2V1-12)=52
2V2-9V2+6V1+36=52, 6V1-7V2=52-36, 6V1-7V2=16……(D)
5 . Place Eq A in Eq D, 6V1-7(3V1-13)=16, 6V1-21V1+91=16, -15V1=-
91+16, V1=5V
6. Place V1 IN Eq D, 6(5)-7V2=16, 30-7V2=16, -7V2=-30+16, -7V2=-14,
V2=2V
7. Place V2 in Eq C, 2(2)-3V3=52, 4-3V3=52, -3V3=52-4, -V3=48/3,
V3=-16V
6.5A
Check(i1,i2,i4 &i8 are currents V2
V1 V3
passing through 1,2,4 & 8 Ohms Resistors)
1. i1 by Ohms Law 2 Ohms 4 Ohms
i1=v1/R1=5/1=5A, i2=(5-2)/2 =1.5A,
1.5A 4.5A
i4=(2-(-16))/4=4.5A,
5A
i8=(0-(-16))/8=2A 2A
3A
2. KCL at Node V1 8 Ohms
1 Ohms
6.5A=5A+1.5A
Figure c
3. KCL AT Node V2
3A+1.5A=4.5A
4. KCL at Node V3
0
6.5A=4.5A+2A
Super Node: When the voltage source (Dependent or Independent) is
connected between two non-reference nodes, they form a super
node. In the figure below 8V source form super node.
Example 3.11 a) Apply Nodal analysis and check the Results
b) Find magnitude and direction of current Passing through 8V
source. Is the source delivering or absorbing the power.
Solution: a) 1) Encircle the voltage source and its nodes(Source connected
with the non reference node) So that V3-V2=8, Or V3=V2+8
2) Label all the Node voltages and currents
2 Ohms 2 Ohms
i1
8V
8V V2 V3
1.5 Ohms
1.5 Ohms V1 +
+
i2 i4
i3
3 Ohms
10
3 Ohms 0.5A Ohms
10
0.5A Ohms
 2 Ohms
3. Apply KCL at V1, i1= 0.5+i2
i1
(V3-V1) /2=0.5+(V1-V2)/1.5
8V
Multiply by 6 both sides 1.5 Ohms
3V3-3V1=3+4V1-4V2, V2 +
V3
V1 i2 i4
4V1+3V1-4V2-3V3+3=0
i3
7V1-4V2-3V3+3=0…….(A)
3 Ohms
Place V3= V2+8 in equation A 10
0.5A Ohms
7V1-4V2-3(V2+8)+V3=0, 7V1-4V2-
3V2-24+3
7V1-7V2-21=0, 7(V1-V2-3)=0,
V1-V2=3…….(B)
0

4. Apply KCL at super node, i2=i1+i3+i4,

Placing all currents we get (V1-V2)/1.5=(V3-V1)/2+V2/3+V3/10
Multiply both 30 both sides, 20V1-20V2=10V2+3V3+15V3-15V1
35V1-30V2-18V3=0, 35V1-30V2-18(V2+8)=0, 35V1-30V2-18V2-144=0
35V1-48V2=144………( C )
5. Solving Equation B & C we get
V1=0V, V2=-3V and V3=5V
Check 2 Ohms
i1
1. i2=(V1-V2)/1.5=0-(-3)/1.5=2A 8V
2. i1=(V3-V1)/2=5-0/2=5/2=2.5A V1 1.5 Ohms V2 + V3
3. i3=(0-V2)/3=-(-3)/3=1A(upward) i2 i4
i3
4. i4=(V3-0)/10=5/10=0.5A
3 Ohms
10
5. KCL at node V1 2.5=0.5+2 0.5A Ohms
6. KCL at super node
I2+i3=i1+i4, 2A+1A=2.5A+0.5A
3A=3A
Check results shows that obtained results are correct
0

b) The current through 8V source(The currents coming out

from the positive side of super node of the source) are
i1+i4=2.5A+0.5A=3A,
This conforms the active sign conversion So the 8V Source is
delivering power.
Example 3.12 Apply Nodal analysis to the circuit
Solution: 4V source is forming a super node. We label the node voltages
and all current directions as shown in the second figure.
1. Apply KCL at node V1 i2=i1+i3 (12-V1)/18=V1/3+(V1-(V2+4))/8….(A)
2. Apply KCL at the super node I3+i4=i5
{V1-(V2+4)}/8+{12-(V2+4)}/5=V2/6..(B)
3. Multiply Eq A and B by 72 and 120 respectively and we get the
equations as 37V1-9V2=84..(A) 15V1-59V2=-132…(B)
8 Ohms 8 Ohms
i3

18 Ohms 5 Ohms 18 Ohms 5 Ohms

V1
V2+4
i4
i2

12V i1 12V

+
3 10
+

3 10 4V
Ohms Ohms 4V Ohms Ohms

i5
6 Ohms
6 Ohms
V2
 8 Ohms
37V1-9V2=84…………….(A)
i3
15V1-59V2=-132……….(B)
Solving these equations we get V1 18 Ohms 5 Ohms
V2+4
V1=3V and V2=3V i2
i4

And the voltage at the positive i1 12V

+
side of 4V Source is 3Ohms 10
Ohms 4V

V2+4=3+4=7V
Check: i1=v1/3=3/3=1A, i5
i2=(12-3)/18=0.5A, 6 Ohms
i3=(7-3)/8=0.5A (Anticlockwise) 0
V2

i4=(12-7)/5=5/5=1A,
i5=V 2/6=3/6=0.5A
Apply KCL at node V1, 0.5A+0.5A=1A 1A=1A
Apply KCL at super node= 1A=0.5A+0.5A 1A=1A
Important :1O Ω resistor does not intervene in our calculations, because
it is connected between two known voltages 12V and 0V. It only absorb
Power from 12V source without effecting remainder of the circuit.
 3.3 Loop Analysis
• Nodal Analysis helps us to find unknown Voltages at nodes
• Loop analysis helps us to find all unknown currents in loops
• In loop analysis we use auxiliary current variables called mesh currents
i1 i2
R1 R3
R3
R1
i1
+ + + i1 i2 +
R2
R2
v1 i2 v1
v2 v2
Original Circuit
Labeled Circuit
• Steps for Loop Method :
1. Select the meshes and label with corresponding Currents and their
directions.
2. Apply KVL around each mesh and get the equations.
3. Find each branch voltages with corresponding mesh currents via Ohm’s
Law and place these in the equations.
4. Solve the resulting set of Simultaneous equations for unknown mesh
currents.
 Example3.13 : In circuit below. FindR1=3
current through R2.
R3=1
Solution: Apply KVL at mesh 1.
13  3i1  4(i1  i2 )
13  7i1  4i2 ...(1) + i1 i2 +
• Apply KVL at loop/mesh2 R2=4
0  4(i2  i1 )  1i2  2 v113V 2V
v2
2  4i1  5i2 ...(2)
• Solving Equation 1 & 2 WE get Labeled Circuit
i1  3 A and i2  2 A
• The branch current through R2 is iR3  i1  i2  3  2  1A( Down)
• Check Use the mesh currents to find the branch currents and hence find the
branch voltages and then verify the KVL for each mesh.
vR1  i1 R1  3  3  9V ( at left )
vR2  iR 2 R2  1 4  4V (at left )
vR3  iR3 R3  2  1  2V ( at top )
• KVL around the two meshes yields
13=9+4 and 4=2+2 Hence Verified
Example 3.14 : Find Loop currents and Check the results of Fig.
1 1

Solution: We
1A 1A
redraw and - 12 + + 6 -
4 3 4 3
Label the Ckt. -
5
1 1 +
as in Fig.a +
6
2 2
Since the upper i1
+ i2
i1=2A
+ i2=3 -

Mesh has a current 17 17

Source, So its mesh Fig. a Fig. b

Current is just 1A.

Apply KVL at mesh I1 yields
0  4(i1  1)  1(i1  i2 )  17  5i1  i2  13....(1)
Apply KVL at mesh i2
17  1(i2  i1 )  3(i2  1)  2i2  i1  6i2  20...(2)
Solving Equation 1 & 2 we get i1  2 A and i2  3 A
Checking: Redraw the circuit as per sign of i1 in Fig. b and Apply Ohm’s Law
v4  4(2  1)  12V ( @ right ) and v1  1(2  3)  5V ( @ bottom)
v3  3(3  1)  6V ( @ left ) and v2  3  2  6V ( @ top)
KVL at bottom meshes Yields
Shows Results are correct
12  5  17 and 5  6  6  17
Example:3.15 Apply Loop analysis to the circuit of Figure below
Solution: Apply KVL around meshes we get 2K 4K

1  2i1  6(i1  i2 )  10(i1  i3 ) + i1

6K
i2 +
1V 7V

0  6(i2  i1 )  4i2  7  8(i2  i3 10K 8K

15  10(i3  i1 )  8(i3  i2 )  1i3 i3

1K
Collecting and Rearranging we get +
18i1  6i2  10i3  1............(1) 15V

6i1  18i2  8i3  7.............(2)

10i1  8i2  19i3  15.......(3)
Solving Equation 1 , 2 & 3 by Gaussian elimination or by Cramer Rule we
get
i1  1.5mA i2  1mA i3  2mA
• Supermeshes: When two or more unknown mesh currents pass
through the same current source its voltage established by
surrounding elements can not be expressed directly in terms of its
current. This problem is solved by considering only one mesh
current passes through the current source. To bypass the remaining
meshes are expanded in to larger meshes or Supermeshes.
Example 3.16 : Apply Loop analysis to the Circuit 1 A
Solution: Circuit contain two meshes
sharing same current Source. We allow
only first mesh current to pass through +
Source and expand a second mesh in to a i2 3
12 i1
Supermesh or Loop So that i1  4 A...(1) 4
Apply KVL around the supermesh yields
12  1(i1  i2 )  3i2 ...(2)
Solving 1 & 2 we get i2  2 A
Checking: i1  4  2  6 A() and then i3  2 A()
Apply KCL at Node A 6 A  4 A  2 A  6 A  6 A KCL verified
By Ohm’s Law v  1 6  6V ( @ left ) and v  3  2  6V
1 3
KVL AROUND A CLOSED LOOP i2 yields 12=6+6 KVL Verified
Example 3.17: Use Loop Analysis to find the power(Released and
2K
absorbed) by each source in the circuit.
Solution: Expand the upper mesh in to a supermesh
Current around the bottom right directly taken 0.5mA. 1.5K
0.5mA
Apply KVL around the meshes i1 & i2 yields.
loop i1  8  1.5i1  3(i1  0.5) +

loop i2  8  2i2  10(i2  0.5) 3K 10K

Solving fir i1 & i2 8V

i1  2.1mA and i2  0.25mA Fig. a

Power of the voltage Source.(we need source current) 2K
i8V  i1  i2  2.1  0.25  2.35mA() i2
Since it conforms the active sign So power is released
p8V  8  2.35  18.8mW 1.5K
0.5mA
Power of the Current Source.(we need to find voltage
+
across current source)
i1
For that Apply KVL in loop 0.5 as 3K 0.5 10K

v0.5mA  v10  v3 8V

Fig. b
 10(0.5  0.25)  3(2.1  0.5)  2.6V ()
Since it also conforms the active Sign So power is also released by current Source
p0.5mA  2.6  0.5  1.3mW
 3.4 Linearity and Superposition
All the circuits studied until now with resistances and sources are
Linear. A circuit is said to be linear if it contains the following
properties.
1) The scaling Property: The branch currents and the node voltages
resulting from a single source in the circuit are linearly proportional to
the Source. Multiplying the source by a constant value multiplies all the
currents and voltages by the same constant, This is called scaling
Property.
2) The Additive Property: In the circuit with two or more R1
sources, The
branch currents and the node voltages
+
are the algebraic sum of contributions of
+
each source acting alone. is
v
R2
Example Of Linear Circuit. Fig b shows 12
-
contribution By vs when is=0 means open vs

ckt(i-v characteristic). Apply voltage Divider.

R1

R2
v1 
+

vs +

R1  R2
v1
R2
12
-
vs
v1 is linearly proportional to vs Fig. b Contribution by voltage source
 R1 A
• Contribution by current source :
+
Means vs=0 and i-v characteristics(ch.2)
+
v
when vs=0 the circuit is short as shown is
R2
12
in Figure b. Since Current source direction -
vs
is downward hence Node A is at lower
Fig. a
potential i.e “–”.
R1 A
* Source is connected parallel with R1 & R2
-
So by applying Ohm’s Law
RR RR v2
vs=0
v2  1 2 is  v2   1 2 is R2
R1  R2 R1  R2 is
+
Shows “vs” is linearly Proportional to “is”
Finally we claim v  v  v ...(1)
Fig. b Contribution by Current source
1 2

(voltage v due to sources vs & is acting simultaneously is the

algebraic sum of their individual contributions).
Placing v1 and v2 in Equation 1 we get
R2 R1 R2 R2 R1 R2
v vS  iS if iS upward  v  vS  iS
R1  R2 R1  R2 R1  R2 R1  R2
 R1 A
Proof: Apply KCL at node A
(vs  v) / R1  is  v / R2
+
+
v
is
R2
 vS  v  R1iS  vR1 / R2
12
-
vs
Fig. a

 R1 
 v( R1 / R2 )  v   R1iS  vS  v   1   R1iS  vS
 R2 
 R1  R2   R2   R2 
v  v   R1iS  vS  v   R1iS    vS
 R2   R1  R2   R1  R2 
 R1R2   R2  R2 R1 R2
v    is    vS  v  vS  iS
 R1  R2   R1  R2  R1  R2 R1  R2
If the Current Source is upward then
R2 R1 R2
v vS  iS
R1  R2 R1  R2
The super position Principle
• In Superposition Principle we calculate contributions from the
individual Sources acting alone and then superpose these
contributions algebraically.
• Advantages.
1. It breaks down a complex Network in to a simpler sub networks
each of which has only one source active and hence easier to
solve.
2. It is useful when a specific voltage and current is required.
3. Even when Nodal and Loop analysis is mandatory Superposition
Principle can be used for cross check.
• Steps
1. Label currents and voltages to be found and indicate their
reference directions.
2. Find the contributions from each independent source acting alone
with all other independent sources suppressed i.e voltage sources
shorted and current sources open.
3. Add all contributions algebraically.
Example: 3.18 a) Using superposition Principle Derive expression for v
b) Discuss the special case when R1=R2
Solution: R1 R2
+
a) Replacing v2 with short leave us +
+
V
with ckt. as in Fig b and replacing v1 V1 V2

with short leave us with a ckt. as shown -

Fig. a
in Fig.c R1 R2

Apply Voltage Divider for both figures b & c +

R2 R1 +
vx  v1 & v y  v2 V1
Vx

R1  R2 R1  R2
-
Apply Superposition Fig. b
R2 R1
v  vx  v y  v1 
R1 R2
v2
R1  R2 R1  R2
+

+
b) WHEN R1=R2 Then
v1  v2
Vy
V2

v -
2 Fig. c

Indicating circuit is now yielding the mean of v1 & v2

Example 3.19: Using superposition Principal Find current I through voltage Source.
Solution: Suppressing the sources current and 1A
voltages we obtain the figures b and c respectively.
5
7
* Using KCL in Fig. b at node A we obtain.
i1  i3  i4  12 /(2  5)  12 /(7  3)  (12 / 7  12 /10) A 2
+
i

i1  1.7  1.2  2.9 A

12V 3
Fig. a

Apply KCL at node A in Fig.c

i2  i5  i6 .....( A) A
Find i6 by applying current divider formula 5
7
i3

i6  3 1/(7  3)  3 /10  0.3

i4
2
+
i1
12V 3
Find i5 by current divider formula Fig. b

i5  1 2 /(2  5)  2 / 7  0.28 A
Placing i5 and i6 in equation A 1A

i2  i5  i6  0.28  0.3  0.02 A()

A
5
7
i5 i6
2

i  i1  i2  2.9  (0.02)  2.88 A() Fig. c

i2 3
Example 3.20: Using superposition theorem in the circuit find the
contributions to v1 & v2 due to 9V source and the 5mA source.
3K Ohm V1 4K V2

Solution: Suppressing current i1 i3

i4 _
Source and we use the voltage +
9V 5mA
6K 2K
Divider formula to find V1, V2 i2 +

6 (4  2)
v1(9V )  9  4.5V
3  [6 (4  2)]
0
3K V1 4K V2 3K V1

2
v2(9V )   4.5V  1.5V
42
+ +
6K 2K 3K
9V 9V
Now suppressing the
voltage source and we find 3K V1 4K V2

the contribution by current

source as shown in fig B by Ohm’s Law 6K 2K
5mA

v2(5 mA)  [2 {4  (3 6)}]5  7.5V Fig. B

V1 4K V2

Apply Voltage Divider as in fig C

2
v1(5 mA)  (7.5)  2.5 2K 2K
24 5mA
Thus v1  4.5  2.5  2V and v2  1.5  7.5  6V Fig. B
Example 3.21: Using Superposition Principle Find v in the circuit
Solution: 1A
• Apply Voltage Divider formula for Fig. b
v1  [30 /(10  20  30)]10  5V
10
20
+ +
• Apply current divider formula in figure c 30 V
10V
i30  [(10  20) /(10  20  30)]1  0.5 A()
-
2A
Fig. a

Now find v2 by applying Ohm’s Law 10

20

v2  30  0.5  15V
+
+
10V
30 V1
• Apply again current divider to circuit of Fig. d Fig. b

i30  [10 /(10  20  30)]2  0.33 A()

-

Current is negative as entering in to –ive terminal of 30Ω1A

Hence v3  30  (0.33)  10V 10
20 +
v3 is negative as current entering in to negative V2
terminal of 30 ohms Resistor Fig. c
30 -

• Finally
v  v1  v2  v3 10
20
+
V3

v  5  15 10  10V
30
2A -

Fig. d
 3.5 Source Transformations
The Source Transformation exploits the equivalence between a voltage source in
series with a resistance and a current source in parallel with a resistance to
simplify a circuit. 20 10

Example: Apply the suitable source v

Transformations to the circuit and find v at 10Ω +

8
Solution:1) We start from Far sides and move 30
To the 10Ω. 10V 1A
2) In fig a 10V source and 20Ω series R is Fig. a 5
transformed to 10/20=0.5A Current source and
a 20Ω Parallel Resistance and 8Ω parallel R 10 8

are transformed to 8X1=8V Source and an 8Ω v

series Resistance as shown in Fig b

3. 20 and 30 are now parallel their Req=12Ω. 20 30
+
This Req is then used 0.5A to a 12X0.5=6V 10/20 8x1
Source and now 12Ω in series. Also 5 and 8
Fig. a 5 Fig. b
are combines as 5+8=13Ω. This all is shown
in Fig. c. 12 10 13
4. Now to find v at 10Ω we can use voltage Divider
10 +
v [6  (8)]  4V 8
12  10  13
6
+

The Voltage at 10Ω is the difference and also 8V source is downward.

Fig. c