Electric Circuit Analysis

CPE121
Lab Manual

Name Malik Muhammad Hanzala

Registration No. FA20-BCE-039
Section BCE-1A
Instructor Name DR. BABAR MANSOR
 Opend Ended Lab2
Lab 12: Superposition Theorem
Pre-Lab Task
Students should solve the circuit shown in figure 9.1 using Superposition theorem. Students
should calculate currents and voltages for resistances R2 and R4and also power dissipated by
them.

In Lab

Objectives:
• To verify the superposition theorem experimentally for resistances
• To verify that superposition theorem does not apply to power (nonlinear quantity
Task 1:

Figure 9.1: Example circuit to test the validity of the superposition theorem
Measurement Tables 1
R2=10KΩ R4=100KΩ
Voltage /
Calculated Measured Simulation Calculated Measured Simulation
Current
results results results results results results

v1 = 4.291 4.291 10 10

v2 = 2.14 2.14 5 5

v= 6.437 6.437 5 5

i1 = 0.4291 0.4291 0.1 0.1

i2 = 0.214 0.214 0.05 0.05

i = 0.6437 0.6437 0.05 0.05

Post Lab
Questions:

The Superposition Theorem works nicely to calculate voltages and currents in

resistor circuits. But can it be used to calculate power dissipations as well?
Why or why not?
Answer:
Superposition is based on linearity. For this reason, it is not applicable to the
effect on power due to each source, because the power absorbed by a resistor
depends on the square of the voltage or current. If the power value is needed,
the current through (or voltage across) the element must be calculated first
using superposition.
What advantages and disadvantages are associated with Superposition
Theorem?
Answer:
Superposition theorem tells about the total current in a circuit.
Advantages:
1)This theorem provide basis for the analysis of circuit .
 2) Superposition theorem used for application of network sources element.
3)Any circuit can be converted into thevenin equivalent using this theorem.

Disadvantages:
1) As this theorem is based on the linearity so it is not possible to calc
the power using this theorem
2) in case of un-balanced bridge circuit this theorem can't be use 3) The one big
limitation is that this theorem only applied to the circuits with more than one source.

How are dependent voltage and current sources dealt with when using
Superposition Theorem?
Answer
To apply superposition to dependent sources, it must be done correctly. The
controlling variables of a source must not be set to zero when the source is
zeroed. This is illustrated in the following with several examples. In all cases,
it is assumed that the circuit is linear and that it contains no nodes at which the
voltage is indeterminate and no branches in which the current is indeterminate.
This specifically rules out cases where current sources are connected in series
or voltage sources are connected in parallel.
What is power rating of resistor? A resistor sometimes becomes hot while
connected in the circuit. What can be the reason for this?
Answer:
Power rating of resistor:
The power rating of a resistor is the specification given with a resistor
that serves to tell the maximum amount of power that the resistor can
withstand.
Thus, if a resistor has a power rating of 1/4 watts, 1/4 watts is the
maximum amount of power that should be fed into the resistor.
Overheating of Resistor
This is due to the voltage attempting to force more current (electrons)
through the resistor than it is designed to pass. The resistor will be hot
to touch and a faint whiff of burning may be detectable.
Critical Analysis / Conclusion
Superposition theorem is applicable to the elements of the network as well as to the
sources. This theorem is very useful for circuit analysis. It is utilized to convert any
circuit into its Thevenin equivalent or Norton equivalent. But this theorem has
somelimitations such as, it is applicable to current and voltage but not to power.This
theorem cannot be used to measure power.This theorem is not applicable to
unbalanced bridge circuits. Applicable only to linear circuits.Applicable only for the
circuits having more than one source.

Lab Assessment

Pre-Lab /5

Performance /5

Results /5 /25

Viva /5

Critical Analysis /5

Instructor Signature and Comments