Mapúa University

School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering

EXPERIMENT 6
Mesh Analysis and Nodal Analysis

CLEMENTE, John Klein G.

EE21L-2/B17

Date Performed: September 12, 2019

Date Submitted: September 19, 2019

Grade

Engr. Ernesto M. Vergara Jr.

Instructor
Conclusion
After experimenting, the objectives were met. I was able to investigate the effects of
mesh analysis on multiple active linear source in a network, to verify whether the linear response
at any point in a mesh circuit is similar to Kirchhoff’s voltage law, to investigate the effects of
nodal analysis on the multiple active linear sources in a network, and to verify whether the linear
response at any point in a nodal circuit is similar to Kirchhoff’s current law.

Circuits that are too complex to be solved by series-parallel or series-parallel can be

solved using mesh and nodal analysis methods. Both methods were derived from Kirchhoff’s
Laws. The application of the techniques follows specific steps which allow to set up equations
for various parameters, like the voltage and currents.

Mesh analysis is only applicable for planar circuits, in a circuit where the branches don’t
go over or under another branch. It is recommended to use when there are current sources in the
circuit. Nodal analysis is germane when solving planar and non-planar circuits. It is ideally the
best option when there are voltage sources in the circuit. Though the approach of both methods is
different, their values of the unknown variables should be equal. Nodal analysis is considered a
better technique since it can be utilized in solving both planar and nonplanar circuits. Whenever
the given circuit is planar it is advisable to use the methods that give less number of equations.

Overall, the experiment is considered as a success since the values acquired from
experimentation is agreeing from the expected result, that the answers from the mesh and nodal
analysis are equal and should be equal to the results from the TinaPro simulation.
Interpretation of result
Experiment 6 uses three different methods in determining the unknown currents and
voltages in the circuit. First is by using the Mesh Analysis, then Nodal Analysis and lastly by
doing a simulation via the TinaPro software.

In solving using mesh analysis, the principles of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) are
applied. The first thing to be considered in mesh analysis is the number of mesh in the circuit
because this will determine how many equations are needed to solve the problem, and at the
same time identify the loop direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise). Afterward, formulate the
mesh equations, and then the unknowns can be unraveled by applying the techniques in solving
linear equations.

When using the nodal analysis, it utilizes the Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL). The most
important thing to identify is the number of nodes and where the nodes are located. The number
of nodes determines the number of equations to be formulated, when there is n-nodes, there
would be n-1 equations. The unknown parameters can be solved using the techniques in solving
linear equations.

The last part of the experiment is when the TinaPro software was used to recreate the
circuit for simulation, in order to find the unknown values in the diagram.

Comparing the data gathered from the mesh and nodal analysis and the simulation using
TinaPro it is noticed that the obtained values are almost the same. This is expected since the
answers from the two different analysis methods should be equal or close to the values from the
simulation.
Questions and Problems:
1. What is a mesh current?
A mesh current is a current that loops around the essential mesh and the equations are set
solved in terms of them.

2. What a does a negative mesh current imply?

If the assumed direction of a mesh current is wrong, the answer for that current will have
a negative value.

3. What technique is employed if (a) a current source appears on the periphery of the only one
mesh in a given circuit? (b) a current source is common to two meshes of a given mesh
circuit?
(a) The current of the mesh current is equal to the current of the current supply.

(b) For two meshes containing the same current source take a path around the outside of
the two meshes avoiding the current source - this is called a super mesh.

4. How many node equations are obtained from an N number of nodes in a given circuit?
For a circuit of N nodes the number of nodal equations is N-1

5. What technique is employed if (a) a voltage source appears connected to a given node and a
reference node (ground) in a given nodal circuit? (b) a voltage source lies between two given
nodes of a given nodal circuit?
(a) The technique used when a voltage source appears connected to a given node and a
reference node is Node Voltage Method. This method solves for the unknown voltages at
circuit nodes in terms of a system of KCL equations.

(b) Super Nodal Analysis is employed if the voltage source lies between two given nodes
of a given nodal circuit.

6. What basic laws are the underlying principles of Mesh Analysis and Nodal Analysis?
The basic laws that underlies the principles of Mesh analysis and Nodal analysis are
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law and Kirchhoff’s Current Law respectively.

7. Determine the mesh current Ix shown in the figure below.

Solution:
Mesh Equations:
MESH 1: −24 V +5 I 1+ 20 ( I 1−I 2 ) +40 V =0

−16 V =25 I 1−20 I 2 eq 1

MESH 2: −40V +10 I 2+ 20 ( I 1−I 2 ) +36 V =0

4 V =−20 I 1+ 30 I 2 eq 2

Solving Simultaneously:

I1 = -1.14 A and I2 = -0.63 A

But Ix = I1, thus:

Answer: Ix = -1.14

8. Determine the mesh currents in the figure below.

 Solution:

Solving for Vx:

Vx = 10V - 5V

Vx = 5V

Applying KVL at mesh 1;

10 - 5 = 4 I1 - 2 I2

5 = 4 I 1 – 2 I2 (a)

Applying KVL at mesh 2;

5 = -2 I1 + 16 I2 + 10 I3 (b)

Applying KVL at mesh 3;

6 I1 – 5 I2 – I3 = 0 (c)

Solving (a), (b) & (c)

I1 = 8A

I2 = 13.5A

I3 = -19.5A

9. Determine the node voltages in the circuit below.

Solution:

For node 1:
−8 A−3 A=3 ( V 1−V 2) + 4 (V 1−V 3 )=0

−11 A=7 V 1−3 V 2−4 V 3 eq 1

For node 2:
3 ( V 1−V 2 ) =−3 A +2 ( V 2−V 3 ) +V 2

3 A=−3V 1+6 V 2 −2V 3 eq 2

For node 3:
2 ( V 2−V 3 ) + 4 ( V 1−V 3 ) =−25 A+5 V 3

25 A=−4 V 1 −2V 2 +11 V 3 eq 3

Solving the equations simultaneously:

−11 A=7 V 1−3 V 2−4 V 3

3 A=−3V 1+6 V 2 −2V 3
25 A=−4 V 1 −2V 2 +11 V 3
V 1=1 V
V 2=2 V
V 3=3 V
10. Determine the node voltages in the circuit below.

Solution:

Applying KCL at node 1;

-8-3 = (3+4) Va – 3 Vb – 4 Vc = 0

-11 = 7 Va – 3 Vb – 4 Vc (a)

Applying KCL at node 2;

3+25 = (1+5+3 ) Vc +4 Vb –(3+4) Va

28 =- 7 Va + 4 Vb + 9 Vc (b)

Applying KCL at node 3;

2Va + Vb -3Vc = 0 (c)

Solving (a), (b) & (c);

Va = 1.705V

Vb = 4.24V

Vc = 2.55V
References
 http://www.ee.nmt.edu/~rison/ee211/98_09_25/mesh_anal/mesh_anal.html
 http://aries.ucsd.edu/najmabadi/CLASS/MAE140/NOTES/analysis-2.pdf
 (Alexander,2013) Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 5th Ed. Chapter 3.2 Nodal Analysis.
Chapter 3.5 Mesh Analysis. pp. 82-110.

Correspond