University of the East – Caloocan Campus

College of Engineering

MESH AND NODAL

ANALYSIS
Laboratory Work No. 6

Submitted by:
Aaron P. Rivera
20151118897
Group No. 3
NEE 312 – 2EC

Submitted to:
Engr. Antonio C. Rebong

Date Performed:
September 05, 2017
 Date Submitted:
October 19, 2017

Materials
And
Equipment

Equipment, Instruments, and Materials Needed

 Unitrain-1 Interface
Description:
It is the central unit of the UniTrain-1 system and provides the
inputs, outputs, relays and measuring equipment necessary for
experiments. It contains its own microprocessor and a memory chip
for measured data. The USB interface is for connecting the
experimenting hardware to the computer and transferring measured
data to the computer and adjustment data to the interface. It also
possible to update the firmware (interface operating system) at any
time via the USB port.

Manufacturer: Lucas-Nulle

Serial Number: SO4203-2A

Model: UniTrain-1 Interface

Type: Software
Range: 100-250 V, 50-60 Hz, Outputs 2x +/- 15 V/O, 4A; 2x5 V/1A
Other details:
 32-bit processor with storage memory for measurements
 USB interfaces, transfer rate 12 Mbits/s
 Simultaneous connection of any number of Experimenters via
serial bus system.
 Analog output, +/- 10V, 0.2 A, DC – 1 MHz, via BNC and 2-
mm sockets up to 100 V, sampling rate 40 megasamples, 9
measuring ranges, memory depth 2 x 16 k x 10 bit, inputs via
BNC or 2-mm socket.
  16-bit digital signal input, of which 8 bits are accessed via 2-
mm sockets, memory depth 16 bit x 2 k , TTL/CMOS,
sampling rate 0-100 kHz, electric strength +/- 15V
 8 Relays 24V DC / 1 A, of which 4 are accessed via 2-mm
sockets
 Dimensions: 28 x 19 x 9 cm
 Weight: 1.7 kg
 External power supply with wide range input 100-250 V, 50-60
Hz, outputs 2x +/- 15 V/ 0.4 A; 2 x 5 V/ 1 A

 UniTrain-1 Experimenter
Description:
The UniTrain-1 Experimenters supply more fixed or variable
experiment voltages and contain an infrared interface. The UniTrain-1
Interface, the UniTrain-1 Experimenters and the experiment cards are
connected to each other via a bus (96-pin connector). The
Experimenters serve three different functions.
 A holder for Eurocard-sized experiment cards. Unitrain
courses are available with experiment cards for a variety of different
experiments from Ohm’s Law, electrical engineering/electronics and
digital technology to power electronics, automatic control technology
and communications engineering using the Eurocard format.
 Breadboard experiment system (with an optional supplement:
SO4203-2C); an infinite number of different experiments on all topics
of electrical engineering and electronics is possible with wired
components and ICs.
 Docking Station for multimeters (e.g.: MetraHit One Plus or
LN Multi 135) for communication between real and virtual
multimeter.

Manufacturer: Lucas-Nulle

Serial Number: SOF203-2D

Model: UniTrain-1 Interface Experimenter

Type: Hardware

Range: UniTrain-1 Interface Experimenter

Weight: 0.5 kg

Dimensions: 28 x 19 x 9 cm

 Extension Cord
Description:
An extension cord, power extender, drop cord, or extension lead is
a length of flexible electrical power cable (flex) with a plug on one
end and one or more sockets on the other end (usually of the same
type as the plug).
The term usually refers to mains (household AC) extensions but is
also used to refer to extensions for other types of cabling.
 A length of flexible electrical power cable (flex) with a plug on one
end and one or more sockets on the other end (usually of the same
type as the plug).The term usually refers to mains (household AC)
extensions but is also used to refer to extensions for other types of
cabling. If the plug and power outlet are of different types, the term
“adapter cord” may be used.

Manufacturer: Locally Manufactured

Serial Number: Not Applicable

Model: Extension Cord

Type: Electrical Power Cable

Range: Not Applicable

 Experiment Card DCCL No. 3 (Mesh/Nodal)

Description:
Experiment cards are linked to the interface and the training
program via Experimenters. With the help of virtual instruments and
power sources included with the system, circuits can be analyzed and
results of measurements stored directly within the training program.
Experiment cards have specific circuits and components allowing the
measurements in the course to be made as well as permitting
unguided experimentation.
Manufacturer: University of the East
Serial Number: DCCL 3; S04203-2F
Model: Experiment Card DCCL No.3
Type: Circuit Cord
Range: Not Applicable

 Metrahit Multimeter ( by Gossen Metrawatt )

Description:

The Metrahit Multimeter is a command, single phase Power and

Power Quality meter/logger that includes multimeter functions. It is
intended for measuring AC and DC voltage, and current in single-
phase systems, with current being measured either directly, or via a
current transformer. The Metrahit Multimeter has a resolution of
60,000 digits and has more than 35 different measuring functions
including: active power, reactive power, apparent power, power
factor and energy.

Manufacturer: Gossen Metrawatt

Serial Number: M241A

Mode: MetraHit A Series

Type: Multimeter
Range: +/- 12000 digits, 4 ½ - place

Other Details:

 Resolution: 6000 digits ( 3 6/7 place) and analog bar graph

 TRMS measurements VAC and IAC
  Patented automatic blocking sockets (ABS)
 Voltage: VDS 100µ to 600V and VAC 100µ to 600 V
 Current: IDC 10µ to 10 A (16A 30 sec.) and IAC 10µ to 10 A (16
A 30 sec.)
 Resistance: 100 mΩ to 40 MΩ
 Temperature: -200.0 to +400.0° C, type K thermocouple
 Frequency measurement: 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz

 Leads and Connection Plugs

Description:

Connection plugs are pieces used to connect by setting two or

more conductors and unite circuits. Leads are used for physical
support, to transfer power and etc.

An extension cord, power extender, or extension lead is a length

of flexible power cable with a plug on one end and one or more
sockets on the other end usually at the same type as the plug.

Manufacturer: Locally Manufactured

Serial Number: Not Applicable

Model: Leads and Connection Plugs

Type: Wire Cables

Range: Not Applicable

 Data and
Informatio
ns

DATA AND INFORMATIONS

Resistance: R1 = 329 Ω, R2 = 3280 Ω, R3= 562 Ω
Table 6.1 Mesh Current
Trial EA (V) EB (V) IA (mA) IB (mA) I1 (mA) I2 (mA) I3 (mA)
1 14.61 14.61 20.70 6.83 20.70 -6.83 13.87
2 14.61 5.1 18.99 4.10 18.99 -4.10 14.89

Table 6.2 Nodal Analysis

Trial EA EB V1 I1 I2 (mA) I3 (mA)
1 14.61 14.61 7.798 20.71 -6.83 13.87
2 14.61 5.1 8.36 18.99 -4.10 14.88
Exercises
And
Computati
ons

EXERCISES - COMPUTATIONS
 Exercise 1:
Using the data in Table 6.1, calculate for each trial the branch currents I 1, I2,
and I3 in mA.

Trial 1:
( 14.61 = 891 IA – 562 IB ) 562
+ ( 14.61 = -562 IA + 3842 IB ) 891
21228.63 = 3107378 IB
3107378 3107378

IB = 0.006831685
14.61 V = IA (329 Ω + 562 Ω) – IB (562 Ω)
14.61 = 891 IA – 562 (0.006831685)
14.61 V = - IA (562 Ω) + IB (562 Ω + 3280 Ω) 18.4494 = 891 IA
891 891
IA = I1 = 20.71 mA
IA = 0.20706405
IB = I2 = 6.83 mA
I3 = IA – IB
= 20.71 – 6.83
= 13.87 mA

Trial 2: ( 14.61 = 891 IA – 562 IB ) 562

+ ( 5.1 = -562 IA + 3842 IB ) 891
12754.92 = 3107378 IB
3107378 3107378

IB = 0.004104721

14.61 = 891 IA – 562 (0.004104721)

14.61 V = IA (329 Ω + 562 Ω) – IB (562 Ω)
16.9169 = 891 IA
5.1 V = - IA (562 Ω) + IB (562 Ω + 3280 Ω) 891 891
IA = 0.018986367
IA = I1 = 18.99 mA
IB = I2 = 4.10 mA
I3 = IA – IB
= 18.99 – 4.10
= 14.89 mA

EXERCISES - COMPUTATIONS
 Exercise 2:
Using the data in Table 6.2, calculate for each trial the branch currents I 1, I2,
I3 in mA.
Trial 1: Trial 2:

Using node B as reference node, VB=0:

Using node B as reference node, At node A,
VB=0: 14.61 – 5.1 = VA ( 1 + 1 + 1 )
At node A, 329 3280 329 562 3280
14.61 – 14.61 = VA ( 1 + 1 + 1 ) VA = 8.36 V
329 3280 329 562 3280 I1 = VB + 14.61 – VA
VA = 7.7976 V 329
I1 = VB + 14.61 – VA = 0+ 14.61 – 8.36
329 329
= 0+ 14.61 – 7.7976 = 18.99 mA
329 I2 = VB – 5.1 - VA
= 20.71 mA 3280
I2 = VB – 14.61 - VA = 0 – 5.1 – 8.36
3280 3280
= 0 – 14.61 – 7.7946 = -4.10 mA
3280 I3 = VB – VA
= -6.83 mA 562
I3 = VB – VA = 0 – 8.36
562 562
= 0 – 7.7946 = 14.88 Ma
562
= 13.87 mA
 Questions
And
Problems

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. Through analytical method, compute for the branch currents in

the network using the Mesh equations Eq.3 and Eq.4. Compare
these computed values with the values obtained in Table 6.1.
What do the values imply?

TRIAL 1
EA -R3 IA = R1 + R3 -R3
-EB R2 + R3 -R3 R2 + R3
 = EA (R2 + R3) – (EB)(R3) IB = R1 + R3 -R3
(R1 + R3) (R2 + R3) – (R3)2 -R3 R2 + R3
= 14.61 (3280 + 562) – (14.61)(562) = -EB (R1 + R3) + (EA)(R3)
(329+562) (3280+562) – (562)2 (R1 + R3) (R2 + R3) – (R3)2
= -14.61 (3280 + 562) + (14.61)(562)
= 15.42 mA
(329+562) (3280+562) – (562)2
= -15.42 mA

R1 + R3 EA
-R3 -EB
TRIAL 2

EA -R3 R1 + R3 EA
-EB R2 + R3 -R3 -EB
IA = R1 + R3 -R3 IB = R1 + R3 -R3
-R3 R2 + R3 -R3 R2 + R3
= EA (R2 + R3) – (EB)(R3) = -EB (R1 + R3) + (EA)(R3)
(R1 + R3) (R2 + R3) – (R3)2 (R1 + R3) (R2 + R3) – (R3)2
= 14.61 (3280 + 562) – (5.1)(562) = -5.1 (329+562) + (14.61)(562)
(329+562) (3280+562) – (562)2 (329+562) (3280+562) – (562)2
= 17.14 mA = 1.18 mA

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

2. Compute for the node voltage of the network using the Nodal
equation given in Eq.5 and obtain the branch currents of the
network. Compare these computed values with the values
obtained in Table 6.2. What do the values imply?

TRIAL 1:
 TRIAL 2:
EA EB
+
R 1 R2
V1 = 1 1 1 EA EB
+ + +
R1 R 2 R 3 R 1 R2
V1 = 1 1 1
14.61 14.61 + +
+ R1 R 2 R 3
329 3280
= 1 1 1 14.61 5.1
+ + +
329 3280 562 329 3280
= 1 1 1
= 9.54 V + +
329 3280 562

= 8.97 V

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

3. In the network shown in Figure 6.5 below, the circuit

parameters are given as follows: EA = 24 V, EB = 23.5 V, R1 = 2.5
Ω, R2 = 3.5 Ω and R3 = 4.5 Ω. Determine the currents in each
branch of the circuit using (a) Maxwell’s Mesh method; (b) Nodal
Method.
By using MMCM: ( 24 = 7 IA – 4.5 IB ) 4.5
24V = IA (2.5 + 4.5) – IB (4.5) + ( 23.5 = -4.5 IA + 8 IB ) 7
23.5 = -IA (4.5) + IB (4.5+3.5) 272.5 = 35.75 IB
35.75 35.75
IA = I1 = 8.33 A
IB = I2 = 7.62 A IB = 7.62 A
I3 = IA – IB 24 = 7 IA – 4.5 (7.62)
= 8.33 A – 7.62 A 58.29 = 7 IA
= 704.77 mA 7 7
IA = 8.33 A
By using Nodal Analysis:
Using node B as reference node, VB=0: I2 = VB – 23.5 - VA
At node A, 3.5
24 - 23.5 = VA ( 1 + 1 + 1 ) = 0 – 23.5 – 3.178
2.5 3.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 3.5
VA = 3.178 V = -7.62
I1 = VB + 24– VA I3 = VB – VA
2.5 4.5
= 0+ 24 – 3.178 = 0 – 3.178
2.5 4.5
= 8.33 = -706.22 mA
 Discussion

DISCUSSION

The Mesh Current Method, also known as the Loop

Current Method, is quite similar to the Branch Current method
in that it uses simultaneous equations, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law,
and Ohm’s Law to determine unknown currents in a network.
It differs from the Branch Current method in that it
does not use Kirchhoff’s Current Law, and it is usually able to
solve a circuit with less unknown variables and less simultaneous
equations, which is especially nice if you’re forced to solve
without a calculator.
 The first step in the Mesh Current method is to identify
“loops” within the circuit encompassing all components. In our
example circuit, the loop formed by B1, R1, and R2 will be the
first while the loop formed by B2, R2, and R3 will be the
second. The strangest part of the Mesh Current method is
envisioning circulating currents in each of the loops. In fact, this
method gets its name from the idea of these currents meshing
together between loops like sets of spinning gears:
The choice of each current’s direction is entirely arbitrary,
just as in the Branch Current method, but the resulting
equations are easier to solve if the currents are going the same
direction through intersecting components (note how currents
I1 and I2 are both going “up” through resistor R2, where they
“mesh,” or intersect). If the assumed direction of a mesh
current is wrong, the answer for that current will have a
negative value.
The next step is to label all voltage drop polarities across
resistors according to the assumed directions of the mesh
currents. Remember that the “upstream” end of a resistor will
always be negative, and the “downstream” end of a resistor

positive with respect to each other, since electrons are

negatively charged. The battery polarities, of course, are
dictated by their symbol orientations in the diagram, and may
or may not “agree” with the resistor polarities (assumed
current directions):
Using Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law, we can now step around
each of these loops, generating equations representative of the
component voltage drops and polarities. As with the Branch
Current method, we will denote a resistor’s voltage drop as
the product of the resistance (in ohms) and its respective mesh
current (that quantity being unknown at this point). Where
two currents mesh together, we will write that term in the
equation with resistor current being the sum of the two
meshing currents.
The node voltage method of analysis solves for unknown
voltages at circuit nodes in terms of a system of KCL
equations. This analysis looks strange because it involves
replacing voltage sources with equivalent current sources.
Also, resistor values in ohms are replaced by equivalent
conductances in siemens, G = 1/R. The siemens (S) is the unit
of conductance, having replaced the mho unit. In any event S
= Ω-1. And S = mho (obsolete).
Conclusion

CONCLUSION

While Kirchhoff´s Laws give us the basic method for

analysing any complex electrical circuit, there are different
ways of improving upon this method by using Mesh Current
Analysis or Nodal Voltage Analysis that results in a lessening
of the math’s involved and when large networks are involved
this reduction in maths can be a big advantage.
 An easier method of solving the above circuit is by
using Mesh Current Analysis or Loop Analysis which is also
sometimes called Maxwell´s Circulating Currents method.
Instead of labelling the branch currents we need to label each
“closed loop” with a circulating current.
As a general rule of thumb, only label inside loops in a
clockwise direction with circulating currents as the aim is to
cover all the elements of the circuit at least once. Any
required branch current may be found from the appropriate
loop or mesh currents as before using Kirchhoff´s method.
For example:    i1 = I1, i2 = -I2 and I3 = I1 – I2
We now write Kirchhoff’s voltage law equation in the same
way as before to solve them but the advantage of this method
is that it ensures that the information obtained from the circuit
equations is the minimum required to solve the circuit as the
information is more general and can easily be put into a matrix
form.
Nodal Voltage Analysis complements the previous mesh
analysis in that it is equally powerful and based on the same
concepts of matrix analysis. As its name implies, Nodal
Voltage

Analysis uses the “Nodal” equations of Kirchhoff’s first law

to find the voltage potentials around the circuit.
So by adding together all these nodal voltages the net result
will be equal to zero. Then, if there are “n” nodes in the
circuit there will be “n-1” independent nodal equations and
 these alone are sufficient to describe and hence solve the
circuit.
At each node point write down Kirchhoff’s first law
equation, that is: “the currents entering a node are exactly
equal in value to the currents leaving the node” then express
each current in terms of the voltage across the branch. For
“n” nodes, one node will be used as the reference node and all
the other voltages will be referenced or measured with respect
to this common node.

This “look-see” method of circuit analysis is probably the

best of all the circuit analysis methods
with the basic procedure for solving Mesh Current
Analysis equations is as follows:
1. Label all the internal loops with circulating currents. (I1, I2,
…IL etc.)
2. Write the [ L x 1 ] column matrix [ V ] giving the sum of all
voltage sources in each loop.
3. Write the [ L x L ] matrix, [ R ] for all the resistances in the
circuit as follows;

   R11 = the total resistance in the first loop.

   Rnn = the total resistance in the Nth loop.
   RJK = the resistance which directly joins loop J to Loop
K.
4. Write the matrix or vector equation [V]  =  [R] x
[I] where [I] is the list of currents to be found.

As well as using Mesh Current Analysis, we can also use

node analysis to calculate the voltages around the loops, again
reducing the amount of mathematics required using just
Kirchoff’s laws.
The basic procedure for solving Nodal Analysis equations is as
follows:
1. Write down the current vectors, assuming currents into a
node are positive. i.e., a (N x 1)
  matrices for “N” independent nodes.
2. Write the admittance matrix [Y] of the network where:
 Y11 = the total admittance of the first node.
Y22 = the total admittance of the second node.
 RJK = the total admittance joining node J to node K.
3. For a network with “N” independent nodes, [Y] will be an
(N x N) matrix and that Ynn will be positive and Yjk will be
negative or zero value.
4. The voltage vector will be (N x L) and will list the “N”
voltages to be found.

The modified mesh-current method avoids having to

determine the signs of the equation coefficients by drawing all
mesh currents counterclockwise for electron current flow.
However, we do need to determine the sign of any voltage
sources in the loop. The voltage source is positive if the
assumed ccw current flows with the battery (source). The sign
is negative if the assumed ccw current flows against the
battery.
]
References

REFERENCES
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-
current/chpt-10/node-voltage-method/

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-
current/chpt-10/mesh-current-method/

http://www.electronics-
tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_6.html

http://www.electronics-
tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_5.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_analysis

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/electrical-
engineering/ee-circuit-analysis-topic/ee-dc-circuit-
analysis/a/ee-mesh-current-method