Electric Circuit Analysis I

CPE121
Lab Manual

Name Malik Muhammad Hanzala

Registration number FA20-BCE-039

Class BCE-1A

Instructor’s Name Dr. Babar Mansoor

Lab 07: Validation of node voltage method

Pre Lab
Theory
The node-voltage method uses KCL equations that are written at all non-reference nodes. Recall
that KCL states that the sum of all the currents at a node is zero. The node-voltage method is
comprised of the following steps:
• Identify
all the nodes in a circuit.
• Choose one of the nodes as the reference node (usually a low potential node).
• Assign variable names to each of the essential (non-reference) nodes. Mark voltages as per
the variable names assigned to each node e.g. va, vb, vc, etc.
• Determine the direction of currents i.e. mark voltage polarities across each circuit element.
• Write a KCL equation in terms of node-voltages at each of the non-reference nodes. The
result will be (n-1) equations where n is the number of essential nodes plus a reference node.
• Solve the equations and calculate values of node voltages a, b and c. Also calculate voltages
and currents through resistances R1 through R4. Record the values in Table 7.1.

Pre-Lab Task
Students should solve the circuit shown in figure 7.1 using nodal analysis and calculate all the
node voltages. The values of currents through and voltages across all the resistances should also
be calculated.

In Lab
Objective
• To implement the Node Voltage method in lab
• To verify that measured values of branch voltages and currents are comparable to the values
obtained by solving the circuit using Node Voltage method

Equipment Required
Resistors, DMM, breadboard, DC power supply, and connecting wires.
Knowledge Level
• Before working on this lab, students should have good understanding of Node-Voltage
method.
• Students should be able to theoretically solve the circuit shown in circuit diagram.
• Students should know how to simulate the electric circuit using LTSPICE.

Task (1)
• Connect the components in figure 7.1 on breadboard. Measure node voltages and branch
voltages and currents. Record all these values in Table 7.1.

Measurement Table 1

Calculated Voltage Measured Voltage Simulated Voltage

Nodes
(V) (V) (V)

A 10
B 6.4377
C 5
Table 7.1 (a)

Calculation results Measurement results Simulation result

Resistanc
e values Voltage Current Voltage Current
Voltage (V) Current (mA)
(V) (A) (V) (A)

R1 = 3.5622 1.07

R2 = 6.44 0.64

1.44 0.44
R3 =

5 0.05

R4 = (OR 50 µA)

Table 7.1 (b)

Post Lab
Questions?
QUESTION NO1
What is the difference between Nodal Analysis and Mesh Analysis
methods?

Answer:

Difference between Nodal analysis and Mesh analysis methods:

 Nodal analysis applies KCL to find unknown voltages in a given circuit,

while mesh analysis applies KVL to find unknown currents.

 Mesh analysis is not quite as general as nodal analysis because it is only

applicable to a circuit that is planar. Mesh is a loop, which does not contain
any other loops.

QUESTION NO2

What is the difference between node and essential node?

Answer:

Node: A node is a point in a circuit where two or more circuit elements meet. The
number of nodes in a circuit is n.

Essential Node: A useful kind of node is the essential node, which is a node at
which at least three or more circuit elements meet. In the circuit above there are four
essential nodes named as a,b,c,d.

QUESTION NO3
What is the criterion for selecting reference node out of various essential
nodes?

Answer:

In circuits, we usually label a node as the reference node also called ground and define
the other node voltages with respect to this point. The reference node has a potential
of 0V by definition.

The selection of the reference node is arbitrary. However, a wise selection can make
the solving easier. As a general rule, it is usually chosen to be

 a node with largest number of elements connected to it, or

 a node which is connected to the maximum number of voltage sources, or
 a node of symmetry.

Critical Analysis / Conclusion

The Node Voltage Method is an organized methods of analyzing a circuit. The
Node Voltage Method is based on Kirchhoff's Current Law. This technique is
embedded inside the popular circuit simulator,SPICE

Lab Assessment

Pre Lab /5

Performance /5
 Results /5 /25

Viva /5

Critical Analysis /5

Instructor Signature and Comments