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Comparison of Solutions in Electrical Circuits

Using Nodal and Mesh Analysis
Michael John Paul I. Salazar, Member, IIEE


Abstract—This paper presents solving electrical circuit
parameters using Nodal and Mesh analysis. It presents the
calculations of a given circuit using the conventional methods and
the methods by inspection. This will serve as a guide for the
students for their solutions in the given problem sets and
assignments and how to format their papers.
Keywords— circuits by inspection, nodal analysis, mesh analysis
III. NODAL ANALYSIS
To solve for the unknown current using nodal analysis, we
need to find the node voltages first by using independent KCL
equations. Then, apply Ohm’s law on the questioned branch to
determine its current. Figure 2 shows the assignment of node
voltages in the given circuit. The grounded node is set as the
reference.

I. INTRODUCTION

S TUDENTS learn to write Kirchhoff current law (KCL) and

Kirchhoff voltage law (KVL) mesh equations. These
methods of analysis are the first the students learn in solving
electrical circuits. The result is a streamlined analysis, a more
uniform level of complexity in our equations. [1] Many
introductory circuit theory textbooks show that the node (mesh)
analysis conductance (resistance) matrix of a circuit having no
dependent sources is symmetric, and inspection of the circuit
gives the matrix components directly. [2] In this paper, I will
Figure 2. Assigned currents and voltages for analysis
show you how to solve a single problem using nodal (mesh)
analysis by the traditional method and by inspection method. .

A. Conventional Method for Nodal Analysis

II. CIRCUIT PROBLEM
Consider the given circuit diagram in Fig. 1 with a voltage
source, a current source and six resistive elements. The goal of
this paper is to solve for the unknown current passing through
the 2-ohm resistor. I will then show you how to solve this
current using the different methods that will be discussed in this
paper.
In the conventional method, direction of currents is assigned
in the circuit branches to apply Kirchhoff’s current law. Figure
2 shows the assumed current directions used in this analysis.
The voltage source at Node 1 already determines the value of
its node voltage about the ground. Thus,
𝑣 = 100 V (1)

Applying KCL at Node 2 yields the sum of the branch currents

in the given node.

= + (2)

Substituting (1) to (2), and removing the fractions by

multiplying the whole equation by the LCM of its denominators
Figure 1. The diagram for the circuit problem yields

This manuscript is presented on February 6, 2021. the University Southeastern Philippines, Obrero, Davao City, 8000 (email:
The author is a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering mjpisalazar@usep.edu.ph).
Education, University of Mindanao, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, 8100(email:
michael_salazar@umindanao.edu.ph). He is currently continuing professional .
education with a Master’s Degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at
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100 − 𝑣 = 4𝑣 − 4𝑣 + 2𝑣 (3) − 0 0 ⎤
⎡
⎢− + + − 0 ⎥
7𝑣 − 4𝑣 = 100 (4)
𝐆=⎢ ⎥ (17)
⎢0 − + + − ⎥
Applying KCL at Node 3 and removing its denominators, ⎢ ⎥
⎣0 0 − + ⎦
( )
8 + = + (5) Using the concept of Ohm’s law and applying this to the
equivalent conductance matrices, and the matrix vector of
240 + 15𝑣 − 15𝑣 = 10𝑣 + 3𝑣 − 3𝑣 (6) voltages and currents,

𝐆𝐕 = 𝐈 (18)
−15𝑣 + 28𝑣 − 3𝑣 = 240 (7)
Assigning unknown current vectors on voltage sources to
Applying KCL at Node 4 and removing its denominators, complete the matrix.

= 8+ (8)
⎡ − 0 0 ⎤
100 I
⎢− − 0 ⎥
𝑣 − 3𝑣 = 80 (9) ⎢ ⎥ 𝑣 0
= (19)
⎢0 − − ⎥ 𝑣 8
⎢ ⎥ 𝑣 −8
The final equations to be used for analysis are (4), (7), and (9).
These equations can now be used using different ⎣0 0 − ⎦
mathematical approaches to solve the node voltages of the
The elements of this matrix represent the equivalent KCL
given circuit. To eliminate v4, we need to substitute (9) to (7).
equations of the node voltages,
Resulting to:
(100) − 𝑣 = 𝐼 (20)
( )
−15𝑣 + 28𝑣 − = 240 (10)
− (100) + 𝑣 − 𝑣 = 0 (21)
−15𝑣 + 27𝑣 = 320 (11)
− 𝑣 + 𝑣 − 𝑣 =8 (22)
Eliminating one of the variables in (11) and (4) yields the node
voltages in question. Thus, the values are: − 𝑣 + 𝑣 = −8 (23)
As you can see, there are similarities in the equations made
𝑣 = V (12) using the conventional method, but in this case, I have not
assigned branch currents and “inspected” the circuit on each
𝑣 = V (13) node connections. I can then proceed into different
mathematical methods to solve the given circuit, yielding

To find ix, that is

𝑣 = V (24)

𝑖 = (14)
𝑣 = V (25)

𝑖 = − A (15)
𝑣 = − V (26)
B. Nodal Analysis by Inspection 𝐼= A (27)
Using the inspection, first, find the number of KCL equations
using The values for (24) and (25) is the same as (12) and (13) and it
can be concluded that ix will still yield the same value since (14)
No. of KCL Equations = (n – 1) (16) is still used to find its value.

where n is the number of nodes. [2] Next, construct a

conductance matrix G which the diagonal shows the sum of all
the conductance connected to each node, and the other elements IV. MESH ANALYSIS
shows the negative sum of conductance common to them.
Applying this to the given circuit, In mesh analysis, the loop currents are solved using the
combination of KVL and Ohm’s law. The mesh equations are
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then used to calculate the required branch current. Figure 3

shows the assignment of loop currents. 𝑖 = A (38)

𝑖 =− A (39)

Looking at the loop assignments, the value of i2 is shown to be

opposite of ix. Thus,
𝑖 = −𝑖 (40)

𝑖 =− A (41)

Figure 3. The assigned loop currents for mesh analysis.

B. Mesh Analysis by Inspection
As for nodal analysis, identify the number of KVL equations
using
A. Conventional Approach to Mesh Analysis
In the direct method, each loop is analyzed using KVL, and No. of KVL equations = b – (n – 1) (42)
the voltage drop (or rise) in resistive branches with common
loops are solved as the product of the connected resistance and Here, b is the number of branches in the circuit. For
the difference between the loop currents passing through them, convenience, defining all mesh currents using clockwise
following the sign convention of the mesh in process. Applying direction of rotation. Representing the matrix equivalent
KVL at loop 1 shows resistance R by representing the diagonal by the sum of all
resistance branches connected on the loops and the other
−100 + 8𝑖 − 4(𝑖 − 𝑖 ) = 0 (28) elements as the negative sum of all resistance branches common
to the loops. Hence,
12𝑖 − 4𝑖 = 100 (29)
8+4 −4 0 0
Applying the same process to loops 2 and 3 yields −4 4+2+3 −3 0
𝐑= (43)
0 −3 3 + 10 + 5 −10
4(𝑖 − 𝑖 ) + 2𝑖 + 3(𝑖 − 𝑖 ) = 0 (30) 0 0 −10 10

−4𝑖 + 9𝑖 − 3𝑖 = 0 (31) Using the concept of Ohm’s law on the resistance matrix and
the matrix vector currents and voltages,
3(𝑖 − 𝑖 ) + 10(𝑖 − 𝑖 ) + 5𝑖 = 0 (32)
𝑹𝑰 = 𝑽 (44)
−3𝑖 + 18𝑖 − 10𝑖 = 0 (33)
Assigning an unknown voltage on the current source yields
Since i4 has a current source connected through it, its value is
already known. 12 −4 0 0 𝑖 100
−4 9 −3 0 𝑖 0
= (45)
𝑖 = −8 A (34) 0 −3 18 −10 𝑖 0
0 0 −10 10 −8 𝑉
Substituting (34) to (33) yields
These matrix elements can be shown to be the equivalent mesh
−3𝑖 + 18𝑖 = −80 (35) equations of the given circuit,

The three equations to be solved will be (29), (31), and (35). 12𝑖 − 4𝑖 = 100 (46)
Converting these equations to the equivalent augmented matrix
yields −4𝑖 + 9𝑖 − 3𝑖 = 0 (47)

12 −4 0 100 −3𝑖 + 18𝑖 − 10(−8) = 0 (48)

−4 9 −3 0 (36)
0 −3 18 −80 −3𝑖 + 18𝑖 = −80 (49)

Using Cramer’s rule to calculate the values for each loop −10𝑖 + 10(−8) = 𝑉 (50)
current yields,
−10𝑖 − 𝑉 = −80 (51)
𝑖 = A (37)
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(46), (47), and (49) are equal to (29), (31), and (35). This would
prove that the value that will be obtained for ix should be the
same.

V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

These different methods of analysis are presented to you for
you to choose which would be the most convenient method in
calculating required values in any given circuit. As our lecture
continues, there will be more methods that will be presented.
As for now, you can see that the mesh analysis is simpler to
represent a circuit even with a current source connected through
it. But for the students, unless stated by the given problems, you
are free to choose any circuit methods.
I, as your instructor, recommend studying these different
circuit analysis methods as this would help solve your machine
problems and other problem sets in the future.

VI. REFERENCES

[1] W. H. Hayt, Jr., J. E. Kemmerly and S. M. Durbin,

Engineering Circuit Analysis, New York: McGraw-Hill,
2012.
[2] J. G. Gottling, "Node and Mesh Analysis by Inspection,"
IEEE, vol. 38, no. 4, p. 312, 1995.