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Lab 5: Nodal And Mesh Analysis

Abstract
In this experiment, we had to construct a planar circuit and study node voltages and mesh
currents. When we compared the calculated and measured values using both nodal and mesh
analysis the numbers were very close. Nodal and mesh analysis are two fundamental techniques
used to help find voltages and currents all throughout a given circuit. In this lab, we studied both
methods to test their theories and see if their measurements matched up with our calculations.
The circuit consisted of five resistors and two voltage sources with three loops. All currents
were measured besides the two inner branches. We used nodal and mesh analysis to calculate
these currents and then checked the measurements.
Introduction
i: Purpose:
The purpose of this lab was to construct a planar circuit having two voltage sources and five
resistors, to study node voltages and mesh currents, and to compare calculated and measured
results using both nodal and mesh analysis. Some problems that we encountered were mainly
calculation issues and properly setting up the breadboard. For equipment, we used five (1K,
1.5k, 3.3k, 4.7k, and a 1.8k) resistors and two (a 6V and 12V) DC power sources along
with a digital multimeter and a breadboard.
ii: Scope:
The goal of this experiment is to verify and know how to use node analysis and mesh analysis.
iii: Apparatus:
Multimeter, DC Power Supply, Breadboard, Resistors 1K, 1.5K, 1.8K, 3.3K, and 4.7K.
Procedure:
In order to begin our lab, we had to first familiarize ourselves with the Node Voltage Method and
the Mesh Current Method. Once we understood the two techniques, the lab was underway. First
we had to construct the circuit shown in Figure 1 of our lab worksheets using the available power
supply, resistors, breadboard, and connection wires provided and set V
s1
and V
s2
equal to 6V and
12V respectively. Next, we measured all the node voltages, mesh currents, and resistors.
For the next part, we had to calculate the value of the branch currents i
a
and i
b
shown in
Figure 1 of our lab worksheets using our measured mesh currents.
Part three was the nodal equation. We had to set up both nodal equations and then solve
for V
2
and V
3
using the nominal values for resistance and the nominal values for the voltage
sources. After that, we compared all of our measured node voltages with our calculated values.
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Part four was the mesh equations. We set up the three mesh equations for the circuit and
solved for the three mesh currents using nominal values of resistances and the nominal voltage
sources. When we were done with our calculations, we then compared our calculated values
with our measured values.
For the last part of the lab, we were to calculate the power absorbed by resistors R
2
and
R
4
. For both, we were to calculate the power using three different methods (P=VI, P=I
2
R, and
V
2
/R) and using our measured resistances, measured node voltages, and branch currents
calculated from the measured mesh currents.

Calcluations:
Calculation through mesh
2.5 I
1
I
2
= 6 eq 1
- I
1
+ 9 I
2
4.7 I
3
= 0 eq 2
-4.7 I
2
+ 6.5 I
3
= -12 eq 3

Mesh Analysis:
Equation 1 2.5 I
1
I
2
= 6
Equation 2 - I
1
+ 9 I
2
4.7 I
3
= 0
Equation 3 -4.7 I
2
+ 6.5 I
3
= -12



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From this we found out
I
1
= 1.91732 mA
I
2
= 1.2067 mA
I
3
= 2.71869 mA
I
1
I
2
I
3

1.917mA 1.206mA 2.718mA


V
1
= 6.023V
V
2
= 1.2067V
V
3
= 7.1064V
V
4
= 11.98 V
Calculated Voltage (V) Measured Voltage (V)
V
S
6 V 6.023 V
V
1
6 V 6.023 V
V
2
1.19V 1.2067 V
V
3
7.15V 7.1064 V
V4 12.0 V 11.98 V

III Discussion
The results relate to the experiment objective by having to calculate the voltage at the node, and
mesh current. We did not expect to have the precise digit that we calculated, but at least have it
in a close range of the number. In using Multisim it was easy to find the values that were needed
from the circuit. The strengths of the experimental design were being able to calculate data with
basic formulas. The limitations of the experimental design were not having understanding which
application to pull up in Multisim. This was one of the main problems that occurred during the
experiment, but also making sure that certain resistors were parallel and from each other and not
in series. This can be avoided next time since we have figured out the actual pattern.


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The results were very similar to the calculations that we did in our pre lab. We had a couple of
difficulties while doing this lab, it was really hard for us in the lab to find the current because we
were taking the reading from the multi-meter and the fuse was not working so the current kept on
showing 0. But we finally figured out a solution for the problem and measured it using the NI
Elvis software on the computer. I learned a lot of new things about Nodal and Mesh analysis.
This lab is the foundation of electrical engineering and helped me learn a lot of new things and
will help me become a successful engineer.
In our experiment we found that our results from our experiment were very similar to our
calculations. There were a few errors we encountered when trying find the currents through our
experiment when using the multimeters and differences in our measurements. Some of the
multimeters were not working properly and we had to improvise by using NI Elvis. After we
found the reasonable values using this program tool we calculated the proper values from our
results using Nodal and Mesh analysis. I found that these methods of circuit analysis are very
practical in calculating the results. I found this especially when I used KCL to find the voltages
across our corresponding Nodes. Using these methods is most useful and are practical
applications.

While we were doing the lab we came across a couple of problems while trying to find the mesh
current through the 2 loops. But to solve this problem me reevaluated the way we had the
resistors connected to the NI Elvis board. So we tried to read them again and we trying to figure
out where we had to break the circuit to read the mesh current using the Multimeter, but there
was still an issue. As we went on through the lab we came to the realization that Multimeter
wasnt reading the currents so we had the currents read through the computer from the NI Elvis
to get our results and they came out close to the predicted values that we calculated.
IV Results
Using mesh analysis for the current we found the first loop to be 1.91 mA. For the second loop
we found the current to be 1.206 mA. And for the third loop we found the current to be 2.718
mA. When finding V1 we found 6 volts, V2 was 1.2.07 volts, V3 we found to be 7.1064 volts
,and V4 was 12 volts.


V Conclusion
The experiment was a success and showed how calculations will not be precise, but be in the
range of the data. The mesh and nodal analysis solved for the voltages and currents that we
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needed for the data sheet. In all the experiment was a success and enhances the understanding of
applying basic laws to get the outcome values of different variables.
VI References
Lab Report 5 Manual
VII Appendix
Description of procedure and apparatus: Multimeter Measurement on DC Resistive Circuits.
The DC power supple was used for measurements of current, voltage, and resistance.














Table of Contents
I Abstract
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II Introduction
i Purpose
ii Scope
iii Apparatus
iv Procedure
III Discussion
IV Results
V Conclusion
VI References
VII Appendix











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ELEG 2011
ELECTIRCAL CUIRCIT LABORATORY
FALL 2010

LABORATORY REPORT ON
Lab 5
Nodal and Mesh Analysis
Conducted On
March 7, 2011
Submitted By:
James Jones, Terrance Tutt, Jasmine Smith, Christen
Roberts
On
March 14, 2011
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To
Dr. C. L. Tolliver