Course AC 6 – Basic Electrical Engineering

Sem/AY First Semester/2020-2021

Module No. 8
Lesson Title Laws, Theorem and Methods Used in Network Analysis: Kirchhoff’s Law
Week
9
Duration
Date
Description This topic introduces a network analysis called Kirchhoff’s Law. It will discuss Kirchhoff’s
of the Lesson current and voltage law and how to employ them in network analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Students should be able to meet the following intended learning outcomes:
Learning ● Explain how to apply Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law and Kirchhoff’s Current Law to electric
Outcomes circuits.
● Be able to determine the currents and voltages in a complex circuit using the
Kirchhoff’s Law

Targets/ At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Objectives ● Analyze a complex circuit using Kirchhoff’s Law
● Understand the application of the sign conventions in analyzing a complex circuit.

Student Learning Strategies

Online Activities A. Online Discussion via Google Meet

(Synchronous/ You will be directed to attend in a two-hour class discussion on Connection of
Asynchronous) Resistors. To have access to the online discussion, refer to this link:
____________________.

The online discussion will happen on , from (For further

instructions, refer to your Google Classroom and see the schedule of activities
for this module)

Some useful links for YouTube lectures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q39xQUlTGew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F_rmZ1nXFQ

B. Learning Guide Questions:

1. Can Kirchhoff’s rules be applied to simple series and parallel circuits, or are
they restricted for use in more complicated circuits that are not combinations
of series and parallel?

Note: The insight that you will post on online discussion forum using Learning
Management System (LMS) will receive additional scores in class participation.

Offline Activities Lecture Guide

(e-Learning/Self-
Paced) Many complex circuits cannot be analyzed with the series-parallel techniques
developed in Resistors in Series and Parallel and Electromotive Force: Terminal
Voltage. There are, however, two circuit analysis rules that can be used to analyze any
circuit, simple or complex. These rules are special cases of the laws of conservation of
charge and conservation of energy. The rules are known as Kirchhoff’s rules after their
inventor Gustav Kirchhoff (1824–1887). Kirchhoff's laws are used to help us
understand how current and voltage work within a circuit. They can also be used to
analyze complex circuits that can't be reduced to one equivalent
resistance using what you already know about series and parallel resistors.
Commonly, this Law is used if there are two (2) or more voltage or current sources in
a complex circuit.

In 1845, a German physicist, Gustav Kirchhoff developed a pair or set of rules or laws
which deal with the conservation of current and energy within electrical circuits.
These two rules are commonly known as: Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws with one of
Kirchhoff’s laws dealing with the current flowing around a closed circuit, Kirchhoff’s
Current Law, (KCL) while the other law deals with the voltage sources present in a
closed circuit, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law, (KVL).

Kirchhoff’s rules for circuit analysis are applications of conservation laws to circuits.
The first rule is the application of conservation of charge, while the second rule is the
application of conservation of energy. Conservation laws, even used in a specific
application, such as circuit analysis, are so basic as to form the foundation of that
application.

The First Law

Also known by other names such as Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL), it is the law of
conservation of charge. His current law states that for a parallel path, the total
current entering a circuits junction is exactly equal to the total current leaving the
same junction. As the current is conserved around the junction with no loss of current,
thus it is called the law of conservation of charge

The Second Law

This law deals with voltages instead of current unlike the first law and hence is also
known as Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL). Given that voltage is a measurement of
energy per unit charge, Kirchhoff's loop rule is based on the law of conservation of
energy, which states: the total energy gained per unit charge must equal the amount
of energy lost per unit of charge. In other words, it states that in a closed path or mesh,
the algebraic sum of the products of currents and resistances of all conductors plus the
algebraic sum of the emf’s is zero. Please note the word “algebraic” here, which simply
means that not only does the quantity of these currents and voltages matter, but their
direction as well. This leads us to the next question as to the determination of the sign
of voltages and current in the closed mesh which will be explain further.

Take note of the following terms:

1. Branch - A branch is a generic term that represents a single element in the circuit.
This could be a voltage source, resistor, capacitor, inductor, or more. It covers any two-
terminal element.
2. Node - This is the connection point between two or more branches. A good way to
think of it may be a junction where currents are flowing in and out depending on the
different branches.
3. Loop - A loop is a closed path in a circuit. Closed path means that it starts at a node,
passes through other nodes, and finishes at the same node without passing through
any other node twice.

Applying Kirchhoff’s Rules

By applying Kirchhoff’s rules, we generate equations that allow us to find the

unknowns in circuits. The unknowns may be currents, emfs, or resistances. Each time
a rule is applied, an equation is produced. If there are as many independent equations
as unknowns, then the problem can be solved. There are two decisions you must make
when applying Kirchhoff’s rules. These decisions determine the signs of various
quantities in the equations you obtain from applying the rules.
1. When applying Kirchhoff’s first rule, the junction rule, you must label the
current in each branch and decide in what direction it is going. For example,
in Figure A, Figure B and Figure C, Figure D currents are labeled I1, I2, I3 and so
on, and arrows indicate their directions. There is no risk here, for if you choose
the wrong direction, the current will be of the correct magnitude but negative
in sign.
2. When applying Kirchhoff’s second rule, the loop rule, you must identify a
closed loop and decide in which direction to go around it, clockwise or
counterclockwise. For example, in Figure D, the loop was traversed in the same
direction as the current (clockwise). Again, there is no risk; going around the
circuit in the opposite direction reverses the sign of every term in the equation,
which is like multiplying both sides of the equation by –1.

Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

 What goes in must come out (Node rule).

Figure A. i2+i 3=i 1+ i4

https://practicalee.com/wp-
content/uploads/2019/04/kirchhoffs_circuit_law.png

Figure B.

@ node a
I1 = I2 + I3

@ node e
I2 + I3 = I1

https://s3-us-west-
2.amazonaws.com/courses-
images/wp-
@ node 3
I1 = I2 + I3

@ node 4
I2 = I4 + I5

@ node 5
I5 + I6 = I7

@ node 6
I3 + I4 = I6

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c30384f419d27133af2705a1d224dc5c
Figure C.

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

 Voltages around any closed-circuit path sum to zero (Loop rule).

Take a look at the Figure D and let’s evaluate it using KVL,

I1 Figure D.
Loop I
@Vs = loop I,
since resistors are connected in
series, current I is constant.

https://workforce.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/363/00110.png?revision=1

Kirchhoff’s second rule requires

Vs −IR1−IR2−IR3=0

Rearranged, this becomes

Vs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
Vs = I(R1+R2+R3)
which means that Voltage source
(Vs) equals the sum of the IR (voltage
drops) in the loop.

Now, we have a much complex

circuit in Figure E, let’s take this
another circuit to evaluate
 Figure E.
Loop I
@Loop I
−I2R2 + E1 − I2r1 −I1R1 = 0
−I2(R2+r1) + E1 − I1R1=0
E1 = I1R1 + I2(R2 + r1)

@Loop II Loop II
+I1R1 + I3R3 + I3r2 − E2 = 0
+I1R1 + I3(R3+r2) − E2 = 0
+I1R1 + I3(R3+r2) = E2

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/1989/2017/06/13230148/figure-22-03-05.jpeg

Figure F and the following points will help you get the plus or minus signs right when
applying the loop rule. Note that the resistors and source voltage (Vs) are traversed by
going from a to b. In many circuits, it will be necessary to construct more than one
loop. In traversing each loop, one needs to be consistent for the sign of the change in
potential.

I
V = Vb – Va = -IR V = Vb – Va = +IR
(a) (b)

I I
V = Vb – Va = +Vs V = Vb – Va = - Vs
(c) (d)
Figure F.
Each of these resistors and voltage sources is traversed from a to b. The potential
changes are shown beneath each element and will be explain further
Sign convention:
 When a resistor is traversed in the same direction as the current, the change in
potential is −IR (see Figure F.a).
 When a resistor is traversed in the direction opposite to the current, the
change in potential is +IR (see Figure F.b).
 When a voltage source is traversed from – to + (the same direction it moves
positive charge), the change in potential is +Vs (see Figure F.c).
 When a voltage source is traversed from + to – (opposite to the direction it
moves positive charge), the change in potential is −Vs(see Figure F.d).

Example:

1. Analyze the circuit given below and determine the voltage drops across individual
resistors using Kirchhoff’s Law.

Solution:

Solving for Current for each resistor using KCL,

Since the resistors are connected in series and the current I T is constant
throughout the circuit. IT = I1 = I2 = I3, hence we don’t need to apply the KCL. By any
means we can solve for the current using Ohm’s law

Vs 45 V
I T= = =2 A
Rt 22.5 Ω
Solving for Voltage drop for each resistor using KVL,
@Loop I
Vs – I1R1 – I2R2 – I3R3 = 0
Vs = I1R1 + I2R2 + I3R3
Vs = IT(R1 + R2 + R3)
From the equation above, you can see that I1R1 is the voltage drop at R 1 which is V1
similarly with the voltage drops at R2 and R3 which is V2 and V3 respectively. Therefore,
V 1=I 1 R 1=( 2 ) ( 5 )=10 V
V 2=I 2 R 2=( 2 ) ( 10 )=20V
V 3=I 3 R 3=( 2 ) (7.5 )=15 V
To check if the total energy gained per unit charge must equal the amount of energy
lost per unit of charge as stated by the law of conservation of energy

Vs = I1R1 + I2R2 + I3R3

Vs = V1 + V2 + V3
45 = 10 + 20 + 15
45V = 45V, which prove the law of conservation of energy

2. Find the current flowing in the 20Ω Resistor.

Solution:

Let’s us assume first the current direction for the circuit shown as well as the
assigning the loop direction.

Using Kirchhoff’s Current Law, KCL the equations are given as:

At node a:    I1 + I2 = I3 … eq. 1

I1 I2

1 I3 2
At node b:    I3 = I1 + I2 … eq. 1a
Using Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law, KVL the equations are given as:
Loop 1 is given as:    V1 - R1 I1 - R3 I3 = 0
V1 = R1 I1 + R3 I3 
10 = 5I1 + 20I3 … eq. 2
Loop 2 is given as:    -V2 + R2 I2 + R3 I3 = 0
V2 = R2 I2 + R3 I3 
20 = 10I2 + 20I3 … eq. 3
Loop 3 is given as:    V1– V2 – R1I1 + R2I2 = 0
(Outside loop) V1– V2 = R1I1 - R2I2
10 – 20 = 5I1 - 10I2

From eq. 1a, I3 = I1 + I2, substitute it to eq. 2 and eq.3 will result to;
From eq. 2,
10 = 5I1 + 20(I1 + I2)
10 =  5I1 + 20 I1 + 20I2
10 =  25I1 + 20I2
10 – 20I2 = 25I1
10−20 I 2
=I 1
25

10 20 I 2
− =I 1
25 25

0.4−0.8 I 2=I 1

From eq. 3,
20 = 10I2 + 20(I1 + I2)
20 = 20I1 + 30I2
20 - 20I1 = 30I2
20−20 I 1
=I 2
30

0.67−0.67 I 1=I 2

We now have two “Simultaneous Equations” that can be reduced to give us the
values of I1 and I2 

0.4−0.8(0.67−0.67 I 1 )=I 1
0.4−0.54 +0.54 I 1=I 1
0.4−0.54=I 1−0. 54 I 1
−0.14=0.46 I 1

−0.14
=I 1
0.46

−0.30 A=I 1

Substitute I 1 to get I2
0.67−0.67(−0.30)=I 2
0.67+ 0.20=I 2
0.87 A=I 2
Therefore, the current I3 and Voltage drop V3 can now be computed as follows

I3 = I1 + I2
I3 = -0.30 A + 0.87 A
I3 = 0.57 A

V3 = I3R3
V3 = (0.57 A)(20Ω) = 11.4 V

Good to know!
The negative sign for I1 means that the direction of current flow initially chosen was
wrong, but nevertheless still valid. In fact, the 20V battery is charging the 10V battery.

3. In the circuit shown below, find the value of the current that passing through in each
resistor.

Let’s us assume first the current direction for the circuit shown, then simplify the
circuit as possible.

I3

I1

I4

I2 IT
IT I5

R1 and R2 is connected parallel, let’s call it Rp1

1 1 1
Rp 1= = = =0.67 Ω
1 1 1 1 1.5
+ +
R1 R2 1 2

and R3, R4 and R5 is also connected parallel, let’s call it Rp2

 1 1 1
Rp 2= = = =1.28 Ω
1 1 1 1 1 1 0.78
+ + + +
R3 R 4 R5 3 4 5

Rp1 and Rp2 is connected in series, therefore RT is given by

RT =Rp 1+ Rp 2=0.67+1.28=1.95 Ω

IT

by Ohm’s Law,
Vs 6V
IT = = =3.08 A
RT 1.95Ω

The simplified circuit produce a single loop as shown, hence instead of applying the
KCL, we apply other circuit analysis to compute for the current and voltage in each
resistor such as current divider and voltage divider principle respectively. But let’s
show how the KCL and KVL be apply

By KCL
@ node a: IT = I1 + I2
@ node c: I1 + I2 = IT
By extending the node c: IT = I3 + I4 + I5
Hence; I1 + I2 = I3 + I4 + I5 = IT = 3.08A

By KVL
@ node abc: Vabc = ITRp1 = 3.08A x 0.67Ω = 2.06V
Vabc = V1 = V2 = 2.06V
@ node cdef: Vcdef = ITRp2 = 3.08A x 1.28Ω = 3.94V
Vcdef = V3 = V4 = V5 = 3.94V
@ node ace: Vace = VT = Vabc + Vcdef
6 = 2.06 + 3.94 = 6
Now, Solving for the individual current for each resistor
V 1 2.06
I 1= = =2.06 A
R1 1

V 2 2.06
I 2= = =1.03 A
R2 2

V 3 3.94
I 3= = =1.31 A
R3 3

V 4 3.94
I 4= = =0.99 A
R4 4
 V 5 3.94
I 5= = =0.79 A
R5 5

To check

I1 + I2 = I3 + I4 + I5 = IT
2.06 + 1.03 = 1.31 + 0.99 + 0.79 = 3.08A
3.09 = 3.09 ≅ 3.08A (the slight difference is due to some rounding of numbers.)

VT = Vabc + Vcdef
6 = 2.06 + 3.94
6V = 6V, which translate to Kirchhoff’s second law or the law of conservation of
energy.

4. In the circuit shown below, the voltmeter gives a reading of +0.435V placed in the
middle of branch 1 and branch 2 of the circuit. What is the value of resistance R?

By placing voltmeter in between the resistances in branch 1 and branch 2 and since
the voltmeter has a very high resistance by built compared to the resistances in the
circuit, the current flow towards the voltmeter is negligible.

IT
Loop I

I1 I2
+ -
Loop II

By KCL @ node a:
IT = I1 + I2
Since branch 1 and branch 2 is connected parallel, VT = V1 = V2
V 1=I 1 R12
V 2=I 2 R 34
 V1 6
I 1= =
R 12 R1+ 10

6 6
I 2= = =0.2 A
R 3+ R 4 5+25
Applying the KVL on Loop 1,
V + I1R1 – I2R3 = 0
Substituting the values
6
0.435 + ( )
R – (0.2)(5) = 0
R1 +10 1
6 R1
( R1 +10)=1−0.435

6 R1=(R¿¿ 1+10)(0.565)¿
6 R1−0.565 R1 =5.65
5.435 R1=5.65
5.65
R 1= =1.04 Ω
5.435

Let us consider the Loop II

- V + I1R2 – I2R4 = 0
-0.435 + I1R2 – I2R4 = 0
6
−0.435+ ( R +10
1
) R −( 0.2)(25)=0
2

60
( R1 +10)=5+ 0.435

60 R1=(R¿¿ 1+10)( 5.435) ¿

60 R1−5.435 R1=54.35
54.565 R1=54.35
54.35
R 1= =0.99 Ω
54.565
Again, the slight difference is due to some rounding of numbers. Let’s assume R1 = 1Ω

5. Find the value of v in the circuit shown below, if v 1 = 20V and value of current source
is 6A.

+ + +
_
_ _

Solution:

IS I1 I2
 V5 = 12V

The current through the 10Ω resistor is given by

V 1 20
I 1= = =2 A
10 10
Applying KCL at node a:
I S=I 1 + I 2
Since Is is given and I1 is already calculated,
I 2=I S−I 1=6−2=4 A

Thus, the voltage drop in the 2Ω resistor is

V 2=I 2 ( 2 ) =( 4 )( 2 ) =8 V
By KVL, we can compute for the voltage drop of 5Ω resistor, taking the closed loop of
node abcda:
V 1−I 2 ( 2 ) −V 5=0
V 1−I 2 ( 2 ) =V 5
20−8=V 5
12 V =V 5
V5 = V since they are connected in parallel, therefore V=12V.

Performance Tasks
PT 8
Check Your Understanding. Analyze the following given problem statement. Show your solution.
Encircle your final answer. Maximum of ten (10) points will be given for every given problem. Reduce
your answer to two (2) decimal places.

1. Find the current the pass through R1 and R2. 2. Calculate the current that passes to each resistor.

3. Using Kirchhoff’s Law, determine the electric current (I) flows in the circuit below.
4. Determine the current that passes to each resistor 5. Determine the value of R 2 and R3. Determine also
The voltage drops across all resistances.

I = 1A

Learning Resources

References
Boylestad, R. (2015). Introductory Circuit Analysis, 13th Edition. Pearson.
Hayt, J. e. (n.d.). Engineering circuit Analysis, 7th Edition. 2007: McGraw-Hill Education.
Romeo A. Rojas, J. (n.d.). 1001 Solved Problems in Electrical Engineering.
Sadiku. (2007). Fundamentals of Electric Circuit, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
Theraja, B. L. (2005). A textbook of Electrical Technology Volume 1. S. Chand and Co. Ltd.
V. K. Mehta, R. M. (2008). Basic Electrical Engineering, Revised Edition. S. Chand and Co. Pvt. Ltd.

https://www.electrical4u.com/kirchhoff-current-law-and-kirchhoff-voltage-law/
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-6/kirchhoffs-voltage-law-kvl/
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-6/kirchhoffs-current-law-kcl/
https://physics.gurumuda.net/kirchhoff-law-problems-and-solutions.htm
https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_4.html

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