Nodal and Mesh Analysis - GATE Study

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Nodal and Mesh Analysis is an important topic from the point of view of Network
Elements and Network Theory. Once you have learnt the basics of Network Analysis by
Kirchhoffs Laws, we can use concepts like Nodal Analysis, Mesh Analysis, Super Nodes
and Super Mesh to further simplify our circuit analysis.
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Recommended Reading Material

Basic Network Theory Concepts

Source Transformation & Reciprocity Theorem
KCL & KVL in Electrical Networks
Nodal Analysis
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Nodal Analysis is used on circuits to obtain multiple KCL equations which are
used to solve for voltage and current in a circuit.
Also known as Node Voltage Method.
The number of KCL equations required is one less than the number of nodes that
a circuit has.
The extra node may be referred to as a reference node (or) ground node.

The Following steps to followed when we apply nodal analysis

Step 1: Identify independent nodes.
Step 2: The voltages at these nodes are the node voltages.
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Step 3: Use Ohms Law to write KCL at each independent node in terms of the node
voltages.
Step 4: Solve these equations to determine the node voltages.
Step 5: Any desired circuit parameter can be determined from the node voltages.

Super Node
A super node is formed by enclosing a dependent or independent voltage source
connected between two non-reference nodes and any elements connected in parallel
with it.
Properties of a Super Node
i.
ii.

A super node has no voltage of its own.

A super node requires the application of both KCL and KVL.

Note:
Nodal Analysis = KCL + Ohms Law
Example:
Determine the voltages V1 and V2 of the following network

Solution:
The circuit contains three essential nodes

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Apply KCL at node 1 we get

(V1 10) V1 V1 V2
+ +
=0
1
5
2
10V1 100 + 2V1 + 5V1 5V2 = 0
17V1 5V2 = 100 A)
Apply KCL at node 2, we get
V2 V1 V2
+
2=0
2
10
5(V2 V1 ) + V2 20 = 0
6V2 5V1 = 20 B)
Solve the equations A and B then we get
V1 = 0.09 V
V2 = 10.91 V

Mesh Analysis
Mesh Analysis is used on circuits to obtain multiple KVL equations which are used to
solve for voltage and current in a circuit.
Also known as Mesh Current Method.
The following steps to followed when we apply Mesh Analysis
Step 1: Identify mesh loops.
Step 2: The currents around these loops are the mesh currents.
Step 3: Use Ohms Law to write KVL around each loop in terms of the mesh currents.
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Step 4: Solve these equations to determine the mesh currents.

Step 5: Any desired circuit parameter can be determined from the mesh currents.

Super Mesh
A Super Mesh results when two meshes have a dependent or independent current
source in common.
Properties of a Super Mesh
i.
ii.

A Super Mesh has no current of its own.

A Super Mesh requires the application of both KVL and KCL.

Note:
Mess Analysis = KVL + Ohms Law
Example:
Find the mesh currents in the circuit diagram given below

Solution:
Redraw the given figure by indicating nodes and branches then we get

Number of branches = b = 6
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Number of nodes = 4
Number of mesh equations M = b n + 1 = 6 4 + 1 = 3
Apply KVL in the i1 loop,
50 = 5(i1 i2 ) + 20(i1 i3 )
25i1 5i2 20i3 = 50 A)
Apply KVL in the i2 loop,
0 = i2 + 4(i2 i3 ) + 5(i2 i1 )
5i1 10i2 + 4i3 = 0 B)
Apply KVL in the i3 loop,
0 = 20(i3 i1 ) + 4(i3 i2 ) 15ix
Also we know iX = i1 i3
35i1 + 4i2 9i3 = 0 C)
Solve the above three equations i.e. A), B) and C) then we get
i1 = 0.57 A
i2 = 1.43 A
i3 = 2.86 A
Note:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

In a Network let the number of nodes is n and number of branches is b then.

Number of nodal equations N = n 1
Number of Mesh Equations M = b n +1
Total number of equations need to obtain solution is = Minimum (N, M)

Liked this article on Nodal and Mesh Analysis? Let us know in the comments.
The next article will deal with Voltage Division, Current Division, Star to Delta
Conversion and vice versa.
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Voltage & Current Division, Star to Delta Conversion

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