King Abdulaziz University – Faculty of Engineering

EE 251: Basic Electrical Engineering

Spring 2021 - Section: DA Week 4

Eng. Abdullah Alturki

Eng. Mohammed Alsulami

Class is conducted via blackboard if possible. If not, then is conducted via Zoom
Reference: Fundamentals of Electric Circuits by Charles K. Alexander and Matthew n. o. Sadiku
Chapter.3 Methods of Analysis

1
3.1 Introduction
• This chapter is based on applying the laws learned in previous chapter
(Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s laws) by developing two important
techniques for circuit analysis:
➢ Nodal analysis which is based on applying KCL.

➢ Mesh analysis which is based on applying KVL.

• The two techniques will enable us to analyze linear circuits by obtaining

a set of simultaneous equations that are then solved to obtain the required
values of current or voltage.

2
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Nodal analysis is a procedure for analyzing circuit using node voltages.
• In this section we’ll consider only current sources.
• In nodal analysis we are interested in finding node voltages, but how to
determine Node voltages ?
1. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , … , 𝑣𝑛−1 to
the remaining nodes 𝑛 − 1. The voltages are referenced with respect to
the reference node.
2. Apply KCL to each of the 𝑛 − 1 nonreference nodes. Use Ohm’s law to
express the branch currents in terms of node voltages.
3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node
voltages.

3
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• The reference node is selected to be the ground which has
zero potential (0V).
• Once the reference node is selected, we assign voltages to
nonreference nodes (with respect to reference node)
• Apply KCL to nonreference nodes.
➢ 𝐼1 =𝐼2 + 𝑖1 + 𝑖2 Node.1
➢ 𝐼2 + 𝑖2 = 𝑖3 Node.2
• The number of nonreference nodes is equal to the number
of the independent equations.
• Apply ohm’s law to the above equations to express them
in node voltages.

4
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Current flows from a higher potential to a lower potential
in a resistor. ✓ 𝐼1 =𝐼2 + 𝑖1 + 𝑖2
𝑣ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑟 −𝑣𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
• 𝑖= ✓ 𝐼2 + 𝑖2 = 𝑖3
𝑅
𝑣1 −0
➢ 𝑖1 = or 𝑖1 = 𝐺1 𝑣1
𝑅1
𝑣1 −𝑣2
➢ 𝑖2 = or 𝑖2 = 𝐺2 (𝑣1 − 𝑣2 )
𝑅2
𝑣2 −0
➢ 𝑖3 = or 𝑖3 = 𝐺3 𝑣2
𝑅3
𝑣1 −0 𝑣1 −𝑣2
• 𝐼1 =𝐼2 + ( )+( 𝑅 )
𝑅1 2
𝑣1 −𝑣2 𝑣2 −0
• 𝐼2 + ( )=
𝑅2 𝑅3
• Finally, solve the two equations

5
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Solving Nodal equations can be done in different ways.
➢ By substitution
➢ Using Cramer’s rule.
*Review Cramer’s rule in Appendix.A

6
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Example.1
• Calculate the node voltages in the circuit shown in the Figure.
➢ Step.1: select reference node and assign voltages for the remaining
nodes.
➢ Step.2: Apply KCL for the remaining nodes and the equations with
node voltages.
➢ Node.1: 𝑖1 = 𝑖2 + 𝑖3
𝑣1 −𝑣2 𝑣1 −0
➢ 5= + Multiply by 4
4 2
➢ 20 = 𝑣1 − 𝑣2 + 2𝑣1
➢ 3𝑣1 − 𝑣2 = 20 (1)

7
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Example.1
➢ Node.2: 𝑖2 + 𝑖4 = 𝑖1 + 𝑖5
𝑣1 −𝑣2 𝑣2 −0
➢ + 10 = 5 + Multiply by 12
4 6
➢ 3𝑣1 − 3𝑣2 + 120 = 60 + 2𝑣2
➢ −3𝑣1 + 5𝑣2 = 60 (2)
➢ Step.3: solve the simultaneous equations to obtain the node voltages.
➢ By substitution: From eq (1)
➢ 3𝑣1 − 𝑣2 = 20 𝑣2 = 3𝑣1 − 20, sub in eq (2)
➢ −3𝑣1 + 5(3𝑣1 − 20) = 60
➢ −3𝑣1 + 15𝑣1 = 100 + 60 𝑣1 = 13.333𝑉,
𝑣2 = 20𝑉
8
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Example.1
➢ Using Cramer’s rule:
➢ 3𝑣1 − 𝑣2 = 20 (1)
➢ −3𝑣1 + 5𝑣2 = 60 (2)
3 −1 𝑣1 20
𝑣 =
−3 5 2 60
3 −1
Δ= = 3 ∗ 5 − −3 ∗ −1 = 15 − 3 = 12
−3 5
20 −1
Δ1 60 5 100+60
𝑣1 = = = = 13.333𝑉
Δ 12 12
3 20
Δ2 −3 60 180+60
𝑣2 = = = = 20𝑉
Δ 12 12

9
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Example.1
• From the voltages we can find the currents in the circuit
• 𝑣1 = 13.33𝑉, 𝑣2 = 20𝑉
➢ 𝑖1 = 5𝐴
𝑣1 −𝑣2
➢ 𝑖2 = = −1.6668𝐴
4
𝑣1
➢ 𝑖3 = = 6.666𝐴
2
➢ 𝑖4 = 10𝐴
𝑣2
➢ 𝑖5 = = 3.333𝐴
6

10
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Example.2
• Obtain the node voltages in the circuit.

➢ Apply KCL for nodes 1 & 2.

➢ Node.1: 𝑖1 = 𝑖2 + 𝑖3
𝑣1 −0 𝑣1 −𝑣2
➢ 3= + Multiply by 6
2 6
➢ 18 = 3𝑣1 − 𝑣2 + 𝑣1
➢ 4𝑣1 − 𝑣2 = 18 (1)
➢ Node.2: 𝑖3 = 𝑖4 + 𝑖5
𝑣1 −𝑣2 𝑣2 −0
➢ = + 12 Multiply by 42 & rearrange
6 7
➢ 7𝑣1 − 13𝑣2 = 504 (2)

11
3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Example.2
• Using Cramer’s rule:
➢ 4𝑣1 − 𝑣2 = 18 (1)
➢ 7𝑣1 − 13𝑣2 = 504 (2)
4 −1 𝑣1 18 4 −1
𝑣 = , Δ= = −52 + 7 = −45
7 −13 2 504 7 −13
18 −1
Δ1 504 −13 −234+504
𝑣1 = = = = −6𝑉
Δ −45 −45
4 18
Δ2 7 504 2016−126
𝑣2 = = = = −42𝑉
Δ −45 −45

12
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• In the previous section we discussed only current source
but what about voltage source ?
• There are two cases for voltage source:
1. Voltage source between reference and nonreference nodes
2. Voltage source between two nonreference nodes
(Supernode)
• In the first case set the node voltage to the value of the
voltage source.
• In the second case we apply KVL and KCL to determine
the node voltage.

13
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Fo the supernode, KCL equation is:
• 𝑖1 + 𝑖4 = 𝑖2 + 𝑖3
• Substituting in terms of voltages
𝑣1 −𝑣2 𝑣1 −𝑣3 𝑣2 −0 𝑣3 −0
• + = +
2 4 8 6
• Redraw the circuit and apply KVL
• −𝑣2 + 5 + 𝑣3 = 0
• 𝑣2 − 𝑣3 = 5

14
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Example.3
• Find the node voltages for the shown circuit.
➢ Apply KCL for the supernode.
➢ Supernode: 2 = 𝑖1 + 𝑖2 + 7
𝑣1 −0 𝑣2 −0
➢ 2= + +7 Multiply by 4
2 4
➢ 8 = 2𝑣1 − 𝑣2 + 28
➢ 2𝑣1 + 𝑣2 = −20 (1)

15
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Example.3
➢ Redraw the circuit and apply KVL
➢ −𝑣1 − 2 + 𝑣2 = 0 (2)
➢ Two equations with two unknowns.
➢ 2𝑣1 + 𝑣2 = −20 (1)
➢ −𝑣1 − 2 + 𝑣2 = 0 (2)
➢ Or 𝑣2 = 2 + 𝑣1 sub in eq.1
➢ 2𝑣1 + (2 + 𝑣1 ) = −20
➢ 𝑣1 = −7.333𝑉, 𝑣2 = −5.333𝑉

16
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Example.4
• Find the node voltages for the circuit.
➢ Apply KCL for the supernodes.
➢ Supernode1-2:
➢ 𝑖3 + 10 = 𝑖1 + 𝑖2
𝑣3 −𝑣2 𝑣1 −𝑣4 𝑣1
➢ + 10 = + Multiply by 6
6 3 2
➢ 5𝑣1 + 𝑣2 −𝑣3 −2𝑣4 = 60 (1)
➢ Supernode3-4:
➢ 𝑖1 = 𝑖3 + 𝑖4 + 𝑖5
𝑣1 −𝑣4 𝑣3 −𝑣2 𝑣4 𝑣3
➢ = + + Multiply by 24
3 6 1 4
➢ 4𝑣1 + 2𝑣2 −5𝑣3 −16𝑣4 = 0 (2)
17
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Example.4
➢ We have two equations and four unknowns.
➢ Apply KVL for loop.1
➢ −𝑣1 + 20 + 𝑣2 = 0 (3)
➢ Apply KVL for loop.2
➢ −𝑣3 + 3𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣4 = 0 (4)
➢ With 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣1 − 𝑣4
➢ Rearrange eq. (3) to be 𝑣2 = 𝑣1 − 20 and rewrite eq 1, 2 & 4
➢ 6𝑣1 −𝑣3 −2𝑣4 = 80
➢ 6𝑣1 −5𝑣3 −16𝑣4 = 40
➢ 3𝑣1 − 𝑣3 − 2𝑣4 = 0

18
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Example.4
➢ Using Cramer’s rule

19
3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
• Example.4
➢ Using Cramer’s rule

➢ And calculating 𝑣2 from 𝑣2 = 𝑣1 − 20 = 6.667𝑉

20
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Mesh analysis is a procedure for analyzing circuit using mesh
currents (Loop currents) which is found by applying KVL for loops.
➢ (A mesh is a loop that does not contain any other loop within it).

• In this section we’ll consider only voltage sources.

• Mesh analysis is only applicable for Planar circuit.
➢ planar circuit is one that can be drawn in a plane with no branches crossing one
another.

Nonplanar Circuit Planar Circuit

21
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• In Mesh analysis we are interested in finding mesh currents, but how to
determine Mesh currents ?
1. Assign mesh currents 𝑖1 , 𝑖2 , … , 𝑖𝑛 to the 𝑛 meshes.
2. Apply KVL to each of the 𝑛 meshes. Use Ohm’s law to express the
voltages in terms of the mesh currents.
3. Solve the resulting 𝑛 simultaneous equations to get the mesh currents.
• Paths abefa and bcdeb are meshes, but path abcdefa is not a mesh

22
3.4 Mesh Analysis
➢ Consider the circuit
➢ Step 1: Assign mesh currents 𝑖1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖2 .
➢ Step 2: Apply KVL for both loops.
➢ Loop 1:
➢ −𝑉1 + 𝑅1 𝑖1 + 𝑅3 (𝑖1 −𝑖2 ) = 0 Notice
➢ 𝑅1 + 𝑅3 𝑖1 − 𝑅3 𝑖2 = 𝑉1 • The sum of the
resistances with the
➢ Loop 2: mesh current
➢ 𝑅2 𝑖2 + 𝑉2 + 𝑅3 (𝑖2 −𝑖1 ) = 0 • The negative sign in
➢ −𝑅3 𝑖1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑖2 = −𝑉2 the two equations.

➢ Step 3: Solve either by substitution or use matrix (Cramer's rule)

𝑅1 + 𝑅3 −𝑅3 𝑖1 𝑉1
=
−𝑅3 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑖2 −𝑉2
• Note that: 𝐼1 = 𝑖1 , 𝐼2 = 𝑖2 , 𝐼3 = (𝑖1 − 𝑖2 )

23
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.5
• For the circuit shown, find the branch currents 𝐼1 , 𝐼2 and 𝐼3 using mesh analysis.
➢ Step.1: Assign mesh currents 𝑖1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖2 .
➢ Step.2: Apply KVL to each mesh. Use Ohm’s law to express the
mesh currents with voltages.
➢ Mesh 1: −15 + 5𝑖1 + 10 𝑖1 −𝑖2 + 10 = 0
➢ 15𝑖1 − 10𝑖2 = 5 divide by 5
➢ 3𝑖1 − 2𝑖2 = 1 (1)
➢ Mesh 2: −10 + 10 𝑖2 −𝑖1 + 6𝑖2 + 4𝑖2 = 0
➢ −10𝑖1 + 20𝑖2 = 10 divide by 10
➢ −𝑖1 + 2𝑖2 = 1 (2)

24
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.5
➢ Mesh 1: 3𝑖1 − 2𝑖2 = 1 (1)
➢ Mesh 2: −𝑖1 + 2𝑖2 = 1 (2)
➢ Step.3: Solve (two equations, two unknown)
➢ From eq (2): 𝑖1 = 2𝑖2 − 1
➢ Sub in eq (1): 3(2𝑖2 − 1) − 2𝑖2 = 1
➢ 4𝑖2 = 4
➢ 𝑖2 = 1A, 𝑖1 = 1𝐴, 𝐼1 = 1𝐴, 𝐼2 = 1𝐴
𝐼3 = 𝑖1 − 𝑖2 = 0𝐴

25
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.6
• Calculate the mesh currents 𝑖1 and 𝑖2 for the shown circuit.
➢ Apply KVL
➢ Mesh 1: −45 + 18𝑖1 − 12𝑖2 = 0
➢ 18𝑖1 − 12𝑖2 = 45 divide by 12
➢ 1.5𝑖1 − 𝑖2 =3.75 (1)
➢ Mesh 2: 30 + 24𝑖2 − 12𝑖1 = 0
➢ −12𝑖1 + 24𝑖2 = −30 divide by 12
➢ −𝑖1 + 2𝑖2 = −2.5 (2)

26
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.6
➢ Mesh 1: 1.5𝑖1 − 𝑖2 = 3.7.5 (1)
➢ Mesh 2: −𝑖1 + 2𝑖2 = −2.5 (2)
➢ Rearrange eq (2): 𝑖1 = 2𝑖2 + 2.5
➢ Sub in eq (1): 1.5(2𝑖2 + 2.5) − 𝑖2 = 3.7.5
➢ 2𝑖2 = 3.75 − 3.75
➢ 𝑖2 = 0𝐴, 𝑖1 = 2.5𝐴

27
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.7
• Use mesh analysis to find the current 𝐼0 in the circuit.
➢ Mesh 1: −24 + 22𝑖1 − 10𝑖2 − 12𝑖3 = 0 rearranging and dividing by 10
➢ 2.2𝑖1 − 𝑖2 − 1.2𝑖3 = 2.4 (1)
➢ Mesh 2: −10𝑖1 + 38𝑖2 − 4𝑖3 = 0 divide by 4
➢ −2.5𝑖1 + 9.5𝑖2 − 𝑖3 = 0 (2)
➢ Mesh 3: 4𝐼0 − 12𝑖1 − 4𝑖2 + 16𝑖3 = 0 divide by 4
➢ 𝐼0 − 3𝑖1 − 𝑖2 + 4𝑖3 = 0
➢ Knowing that 𝐼0 = 𝑖1 − 𝑖2 , eq (3) becomes
➢ −2𝑖1 − 2𝑖2 + 4𝑖3 = 0 (3)

28
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.7
➢ Mesh 1: 2.2𝑖1 − 𝑖2 − 1.2𝑖3 = 2.4 (1)
➢ Mesh 2: −2.5𝑖1 + 9.5𝑖2 − 𝑖3 = 0 (2)
➢ Mesh 3: −2𝑖1 − 2𝑖2 + 4𝑖3 = 0 (3)
➢ Using Cramer’s rule to solve

2.2 −1 −1.2 𝑖1 2.4

−2.5 9.5 −1 𝑖2 = 0 ,
−2 −2 4 𝑖3 0
2.2 −1 −1.2
Δ = −2.5 9.5 −1 = 2.2 ∗ 9.5 ∗ 4 − −1 ∗ −2 − −1 ∗ −2.5 ∗ 4 − −1 ∗ −2 +
−2 −2 4
−1.2 ∗ ( −2 ∗ −2.5 − 9.5 ∗ −2 ) = 38.4

29
3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Example.7
2.2 −1 −1.2 𝑖1 2.4
−2.5 9.5 −1 𝑖2 = 0 ,
−2 −2 4 𝑖3 0
2.2 −1 −1.2 2.4 −1 −1.2
Δ = −2.5 9.5 −1 = 38.4, Δ1 = 0 9.5 −1 = 86.4
−2 −2 4 0 −2 4
2.2 2.4 −1.2 2.2 −1 2.4
Δ2 = −2.5 0 −1 = 28.8, Δ3 = −2.5 9.5 0 = 57.6
−2 0 4 −2 −2 0

Δ1 86.4 Δ2 28.8
➢ 𝑖1 = = = 2.25𝐴, 𝑖2 = = = 0.75𝐴
Δ 38.4 Δ 38.4
➢ 𝐼0 = 𝑖1 − 𝑖2 = 2.25 − 0.75 = 1.5A

30
3.7 Nodal or Mesh Analysis
• For any given circuit, would you choose nodal or mesh to analyze
the circuit ?
• If the circuit has more nodes than loops, then mesh analysis is
preferred. And if the circuit has more loops than nodes, then nodal
analysis is preferred.
• If node voltages are asked to be found, then nodal analysis is
preferred. If mesh or branch currents are required, then mesh
analysis is preferred.

31
Review Example Questions

32
Review Example Questions

33
End of Chapter.3

34