Experiment

Nodal Analysis

Objectives:
The activity aims to:
1. Test the theoretical analysis of Nodal theorem through direct measurements.
2. Know the essential of Kirchoff's Current Law when performing a laboratory
experiments in Nodal Analysis.
3. Measure the voltages and currents and total resistance present in the circuit
using Nodal analysis using measuring instrument to compare the computed
values to measured values.

Discussion

A node is defined as a junction of two or more branches. With one node

of any network as a reference (that is, a point of zero potential or ground), the
remaining nodes of the network will all have a fixed potential relative to this
reference. For network of N nodes, therefore, there will exist (N-1) nodes with a
fixed potential relative to the assigned reference node. Equations relating these
nodal voltages can be written by applying Kirchhoff's current law at each of the
(N-1) nodes. To obtain complete solution of a network, these nodal voltages are
then evaluated in the same manner in which loop currents are found in loop
analysis.

The nodal analysis method is applied as follows:

1. Determine the number of nodes within the network.

2. Pick a reference node, and label each remaining node with a subscript value
of voltage: V1, V2, and so on.
3. Apply Kirchhoff's current law at each node except the reference. Assume all
the unknown currents leave the node for each application of Kirchhoff's current
law. In other words, for each node, don’t be influenced by the direction that an
unknown current for another be may have had. Each node is to be treated as a
separate entity, independent of the application of Kirchhoff's current law to the
other nodes.
4. Solve the resulting equations for the nodal voltages.
Materials
12v DC Supply 62Ω Resistor
10Ω Resistor DC Ohmmeter
20Ω Resistor DC Voltmeter
30Ω Resistor DC Ammeter
40Ω Resistor 50Ω Resistor

Procedure
a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 3.21

Figure 3.21

To connect the circuit, first connect the terminal (black) of 500 to the terminal
(red) of DC source. Connect the 40Ω terminal (black) and 62Ω terminal (black)
to the terminal (black) of DC source. Then, connect the terminal (red) of 20Ω
and terminal (black) of 30Ω to the terminal (red) of 50Ω. Connect the terminal
(black) of 20Ω and terminal (black) of 10Ω to the terminal (red) of 62Ω. Lastly,
connect the terminal (red) of 30Ω and the terminal (red) of 10Ω to the terminal
(red) of 40Ω.

b) Measure the current of each resistor. To measure the current across R1.
transfer the all the connections from the (black) of 100 terminal to the terminal
(red) of the DC Ammeter, and connect the terminal (black) of 100 to the
terminal (black) of the DC Ammeter. Turn on the circuit breaker then turn on the
DC Source. Measure and record the current reading. Turn off the DC Source
then the circuit breaker and return to original connection. Repeat the step on
R3 and R5.

Measure the current of each resistor. To measure the current across R2

transfer the all the connections from the (black) of 20Ω terminal to the terminal
(black) of the DC Ammeter, and connect the terminal (black) of 10Ω the
terminal (red) of the DC Ammeter. Turn on the circuit breaker then turn on DC
Source. Measure and record the current reading, Turn off the DC Source then
the circuit breaker and return to original connection. Repeat the step on R4 and
R6.

c) Measure the voltages VAB, VCD and VAD, To measure the voltage or each
component, connect the terminal (red) of the voltmeter to the terminal (red) of
the component and the terminal (black) of the voltmeter to the terminal (red) of
the component. Turn on the circuit breaker then turn on the DC Source.
Measure and record the voltage reading. Turn off the DC Source then the circuit
breaker and return to original connection. Repeat the step for the next
component to be measured.

To measure the voltage VAC, VBC and VBD ,connect the terminal (red) of
the voltmeter to the terminal (black) of the component, and the terminal
(black) of the voltmeter to the terminal (red) of the component. Turn on the
circuit breaker then turn on the DC Source. Measure and record the voltage
reading. Turn off the DC Source then the circuit breaker and return to original
connection. Solve for the voltage and current through each resistor. Compute
the % difference of the measured and calculated values.

Data and Analysis

 IR1 IR2 IR3 IR4 IR5 IR6
Calculated
Measured
%
Difference
 VAB VAC VCD VAC VAD VBD
Calculated
Measured
%
Difference

Circuit Design
Design a circuit with the given parameters below using 20Ω, 30Ω, 40Ω and 50Ω
resistors to be connected to a 12v DC supply.

At node 1, At node 2,

V  V V
1 1 2
0 V V  V 12  V
2 1 2 2
0
R 1 R 2 R 2 R R 3 4

 16  24
V 1
 V V 2
 V IR2=0.0571A IR4=-0.1143A
7 7

Problems
1. Determine the current in the circuit shown in Figure 3.22.
 Figure 3.22

2. Determine the voltage Vi, V2 and Va in the circuit shown in Figure 3.23.
Figure 3.23