IT1810

Nodal Circuit Analysis

Nodal analysis is used to find the unknown voltage drops in the circuit between different nodes that provide
a common connection for two (2) or more circuit components. The basic idea is that applying Kirchhoff's
Current Law (KCL) at the various nodes of the network yields a system of equations whose simultaneous
solution is the values of the node voltages. For nodal analysis, KCL states that “the total current entering into
the node is equal to the total current leaving from that node.”

A good representation of a
reference node.
(Ground)
 A node voltage is the voltage at a certain node relative to the voltage at a certain reference node
(also called the “ground”).
 The reference node usually has many circuit elements connected to it. The reference node that is
picked all the time is the one with the nearest ground. The value is usually zero potential or V = 0V.

Case 1 (Simple Currents)

1. Solve for 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴and 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 using the substitution method.

2. Solve for 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 and 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 using Cramer’s Rule.
3. Solve for 𝑖 1 , 𝑖 2 , and 𝑖 3 .

Step 1: Determine the flow of the current and Step 2: Use KCL to find the nodal equations.
identify the current equation for each resistor.
V − VB V −0 V −0 A: 𝑖 1 + 𝑖 2 = 5 𝐴𝐴
𝑖1 = A 𝑖2 = A 𝑖3 = B
4Ω 2Ω 6Ω B: 𝑖 1 + 10 𝐴𝐴 = 5 𝐴𝐴 + 𝑖 3
Note: The movement of the current from a
particular node to the reference node will set Note: Use particular nodes to find each equation.
the voltage values.
Step 3: Substitute resistor equations to KCL node equations.

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 1 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

New Node Eqn. A: New Node Eqn. B:

VA 𝑖 + 10𝐴𝐴 = 5𝐴𝐴 + 𝑖 3
𝑖1 + 𝑖2 = 5 A 𝑉𝐴𝐴1 − 𝑉𝐵𝐵 𝑉𝐵𝐵
− VB VA + 10𝐴𝐴 = 5𝐴𝐴 +
+ = 5A 4Ω 6Ω
4Ω 2Ω 0.25𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 0.25𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 + 10𝐴𝐴 = 5𝐴𝐴 + 0.17𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵
0.25VA − 0.25VB + 0.5VA = 5A
𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟐𝟐𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = −𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
Step 4A: Substitution method
Step A: Set each resistor equation for each current nodal equation.
For Node A: For Node B:

0.75 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 0.25 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 5 𝐴𝐴 0.25 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 0.42 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 = −5 𝐴𝐴

5 𝐴𝐴 + 0.25 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 −0.25𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 5𝐴𝐴
𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 =
0.75 −0.42
𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 = 𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝟕𝟕 𝑨𝑨 + 0.33 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟎𝟎𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟎𝟎 𝑨𝑨

Step B: Substitute equations from Node B to A to solve for VA and VB.

𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 6.67 𝐴𝐴 + 0.33 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 0.60𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 + 11.90𝐴𝐴
𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 6.67 𝐴𝐴 + 0.33 (0.60𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 + 11.90 𝐴𝐴) 𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 0.60(13.25𝑣𝑣 ) + 11.90𝐴𝐴
𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 6.67 𝐴𝐴 + 0.20𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 + 3.93𝐴𝐴 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟗. 𝟖𝟖𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 0.20𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 6.67𝐴𝐴 + 3.93𝐴𝐴 0.8𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴
= 10.6𝐴𝐴
0.8𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 10.6𝐴𝐴
0.8 = 0.8
𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐

Step 4B: Cramer’s Rule

Node A: 𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝐕𝐕𝐀𝐀 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝐕𝐕𝐁𝐁 = 𝟕𝟕𝐀𝐀
Node B: 𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝐕𝐕𝐀𝐀 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟐𝟐𝐕𝐕𝐁𝐁 = −𝟕𝟕𝐀𝐀
Step A: Set the equations into matrix form. Step B: Find the determinant ∆.

0.75 −0.25 𝑉𝐴𝐴 5 0.75 −0.25 �

�0.25 −0.42 �𝑉𝑉
� � = �−5 � ∆= �
𝐵𝐵 0.25 −0.42
∆= −0.325 − (−0.0625)
∆= −0.2525

Step C: Use Cramer’s Rule in solving for 𝑉𝐴𝐴 and 𝑉𝐵𝐵 .

5 −0.25 0.75 5
∆𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 � −5 −0.42 � ∆𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 �0.25 −5 �
𝑉𝑉
𝐴𝐴 =
∆ = −0.2525 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 =
∆ = −0.2525
−2.1 − 1.25 −3.75 − 1.25
𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 =
−0.2525 −0.2525
𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕 𝟐𝟐 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟗. 𝟖𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝟐𝟐

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 2 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step 5: Solve for Nodal Currents.

For Comparision:

𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩
Substitution 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐 𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟗. 𝟖𝟖𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
Cramer’s Rule 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐 𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟗. 𝟖𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐

EQUATIONS SUBSTITUTION METHOD CRAMER’S RULE

VA − VB 13.25v − 19.85𝑣𝑣 13.27v − 19.80𝑣𝑣
𝑖1 = 4 Ω 𝑖1 = 4Ω = −1.65𝐴𝐴 𝑖1 = 4Ω = −1.63𝐴𝐴
VA 13.25𝑣𝑣 13.27𝑣𝑣
𝑖2 = 𝑖 2 = 2 Ω = 6.63𝐴𝐴 𝑖 2 = 2 Ω = 6.44𝐴𝐴
2VΩB 19.85𝑣𝑣 19.80𝑣𝑣
𝑖3 = 𝑖3 = = 3.31𝐴𝐴 𝑖3 = = 3.3𝐴𝐴
6Ω 6Ω
6Ω
For Checking: Note: Values differ from each method
A: 𝑖 1 + 𝑖 2 = 5 𝐴𝐴 used due to the usage of rounding off
B: 𝑖 1 + 10 𝐴𝐴 = 5 𝐴𝐴 + 𝑖 3 values or estimation of values.

Case 2 (Three Nodes)

1. Solve for 𝑉𝐴𝐴 , 𝑉𝐵𝐵 , and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 using substitution method.

2. Solve for 𝑉𝐴𝐴 , 𝑉𝐵𝐵 , and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 using Cramer’s Rule.
3. Solve for 𝑖 1 , 𝑖 2 , 𝑖 3 , 𝑖 4 , and 𝑖 5 .

Step 1: Identify the current equation for each Step 2: Use KCL to find the equations.
resistor.
i 1 = VA−VB i 2 = VB−0 i 33 = VB−0 Node A: 𝑖 1 = 20 A
10 Ω 20 Ω 15 Ω
VB−VC VC−0
Node B: 𝑖 1 = 𝑖 2 + 𝑖 3 + 𝑖 4
4 𝑖𝑖 = 15 Ω 𝑖𝑖5= 40 Ω Node C: 𝑖 4 = 𝑖 5

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 3 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step 3: Substitute current eqn. to KCL equations Simplified via Least Common Multiple (LCM):
and simplify into standard form.
New Node A: 𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 − 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
VA−VB
Node A: = 20 A New Node B: 𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐 𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 − 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 + 𝟖𝟖 𝑽𝑽𝑪𝑪 = 𝟎𝟎
10 Ω
VA−VB VB VB VB−VC New Node C: 𝟖𝟖 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑽𝑽𝑪𝑪
Node B: = + +
10 Ω 20 Ω 15 Ω 15 Ω
VB−VC VC
Node C: =
15 Ω 40 Ω

Step 4A: Substitution method

Step A. Set Node Equations A and C to solve for 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵.
For Node A (𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 ): For Node C (𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 ):

𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 200 8 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 − 11 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 0

𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 = 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 −11 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 8 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵
−11 𝑉𝐶𝐶 8𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵
−11 = −11
𝑽𝑽 𝑪𝑪 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩

Step B. Substitute equations A and C to equations B Step C. Use the value of 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 for Node Equations A
to A to solve for 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵. and C to solve for 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 and 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵.

12 𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 − 34 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 + 8 𝑽𝑽𝑪𝑪 = 0 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 200 + 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵

12(𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 ) − 34 𝑉𝐵𝐵 + 8 (𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 ) = 0 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 200 + 147.78
2400 + 12𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 − 34𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 + 5.76𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 0 𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 = 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟕. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝟐𝟐
2400 − 16.24𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 0
2400 16.24𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 0.72𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵
=
18.4 16.24 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 0.72(147.78)
𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟕. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝟐𝟐 𝑽𝑽𝑪𝑪 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐

Step 4B: Cramer’s Rule

Step A: Set the equations into matrix form.
LCM Node A: 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 200
1 −1 0 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 200 LCM Node B: 12 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 − 34 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 + 8 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 =
�12 −34 8 � �𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 � = � 0 � 0
0 8 −11 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 0 LCM Node C: 8 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 − 11 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 0
Note: When dealing with matrix form, follow the
respective values of 𝑉𝐴𝐴 , 𝑉𝐵𝐵 , and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 . If there are no
values for that respective voltage, equate it to
zero.

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 4 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step B: Find the determinant ∆.

1 −1 0
∆= �12 −34 8 �
0 8 −11
−34 8 12 8 12 −34
∆= �1 × � �� − �−1 × � �� + �0 × � ��
8 −11 0 −11 0 8
∆= (1 × [374 − 64]) − (−1 × [−132 − 0]) + (0 × [96 − 0])
∆= 310 − 132 + 0
∆= 𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖

Step C: Use Cramer’s Rule in solving for 𝑉𝐴𝐴 , 𝑉𝐵𝐵 , and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 .
For 𝑉𝐴𝐴 :
200 −1 0
� 0 −34 8 � −34 8 0 8 0 −34
∆𝑽𝑽 �200 × � �� − �−1 × � �� + �0 × � ��
0 8 −11 8 −1 1 −1
0 1 0 8
𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴∆= 𝑨𝑨 = 178 = 178
(200 × [374 − 64]) − (−1 × [0 − 0]) + (0 × [0 − 0])
𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 =
178
200 × 310
𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴 =
178
𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 = 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟖𝟖. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟑

For 𝑉𝐵𝐵 :
1 200 0
�12 0 8 � 0 8 12 8 12 0
∆𝑽𝑽 �1 × � �� − �200 × � �� + �0 × � ��
𝑩𝑩 0 0 −11 0 −1 1 0 −1 1 0 0
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 =∆ = 178 = 178
(1 × [0 − 0]) − (200 × [−132 − 0]) + (0 × [0 − 0])
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 =
178
0 − (−26400) + 0
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵 =
178
𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 = 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟖𝟖. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟑

For 𝑉𝐶𝐶 :
1 −1 200
�12 −34 0 � −34 0 12 0 12 −34
∆𝑽𝑽 �1 × � �� − �−1 × � �� + �200 × � ��
𝑪𝑪 0 8 0 8 0 0 0 0 8
𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶∆= = 178 = 178
(1 × [0 − 0]) − (−1 × [0 − 0]) + (200 × [96 − 0])
𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 =
178
0 − 0 + 19200
𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶 =
178
𝑽𝑽𝑪𝑪 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟕. 𝟖𝟖𝟔𝟔𝟑𝟑

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 5 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step 5: Solve for Nodal Currents.

For Comparision:

𝑽𝑽𝑨𝑨 𝑽𝑽𝑩𝑩 𝑽𝑽𝐂𝐂

Substitution 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟕. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟕. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒𝟎𝟎
Cramer’s Rule 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟖𝟖. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟖𝟖. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟔. 𝟖𝟖𝟔𝟔

EQUATIONS SUBSTITUTION METHOD CRAMER’S RULE

VA − VB 347.78 − 147.78 348.31 − 148.31
𝑖1 =
10 Ω 𝑖1 = = 20 𝐴𝐴 𝑖1 = = 20 𝐴𝐴
10
147.78 Ω 10
148.31 Ω
VB
𝑖2 =
20 Ω 𝑖2 = = 7.39 𝐴𝐴 𝑖2 = = 7.42 𝐴𝐴
20 Ω
147.78 20 Ω
148.31
𝑖3 = VB
15 Ω 𝑖3 = = 9.85 𝐴𝐴 𝑖3 = = 9.89 𝐴𝐴
V − VC 15 Ω − 106.40
147.78 15 Ω − 106.86
148.31
𝑖4 = B
15 Ω 𝑖4 = = 2.76 𝐴𝐴 𝑖4 = = 2.76 𝐴𝐴
VC 106.4015 Ω 106.8615 Ω
𝑖5 =
40 Ω 𝑖5 = = 2.66 𝐴𝐴 𝑖5 = = 2.67 𝐴𝐴
40 Ω 40 Ω
For Checking:
Node A: 𝑖 1 = 20 A
Node B: 𝑖 1 = 𝑖 2 + 𝑖 3 + 𝑖 4
Node C: 𝑖 4 = 𝑖 5

Case 3 (Supernode)

Note: Whenever there is a

Supernode present (voltage
source), the two (2) non-
referenced node is short-
circuited.

Step 1: Identify the current equation Step 2: Use KVL to find the Step 3: Use KCL to find the
for each resistor. Supernode equation. Supernode equation.

V𝑎𝑎 −𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − 2𝑣𝑣 + 𝑉𝑏𝑏 = 0𝑉𝑉𝑏𝑏 2𝐴𝐴 − 𝒊 1 − 𝒊 2 − 7𝐴𝐴 = 0

𝑖1 = 𝑉𝑎𝑎 𝑉𝑏𝑏
2Ω = 2𝑣𝑣 + 𝑉𝑎𝑎 4 × �2𝐴𝐴 − − − 7𝐴𝐴 = 0�
V𝑏𝑏
𝑖 = 2Ω 4Ω
2
4Ω 8𝐴𝐴 − 2𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − 𝑉𝑏𝑏 − 28 = 0
−20𝑨𝑨 − 2𝑽𝑽𝒂𝒂 − 𝑽𝑽𝒃𝒃 = 0

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 6 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step 4A: Substitute the KVL equation Step 4B: Substitute Equations:
to the KCL equation to solve for 𝑉𝑎𝑎 . the KVL equation Supernode at KCL: −𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝑨𝑨 − 𝟐𝟐𝑽𝑽𝒂𝒂 − 𝑽𝑽𝒃𝒃 = 𝟎𝟎
with the value 𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 to Supernode at KVL: −𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − 2𝑣𝑣 + 𝑉𝑏𝑏 = 0
−20𝐴𝐴 − 2𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − 𝑽𝑽𝒃𝒃 = 0 solve for 𝑉𝑏𝑏 . 𝑽𝑽𝒃𝒃 = 𝑽𝑽𝒂𝒂 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
−20𝐴𝐴 − 2𝛺𝛺𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − (𝑽𝑽𝒂𝒂 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐) = 0
−20𝐴𝐴 − 2𝛺𝛺𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − 𝛺𝛺𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 − 2𝐴𝐴 = 0 𝑉𝑏𝑏 = 𝑽𝑽𝒂𝒂 + 2𝑣𝑣 Step 5: Use the voltage values 𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎and 𝑉𝑉𝑏𝑏to
−3𝛺𝛺𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 = 22𝐴𝐴 𝑉𝑏𝑏 = −𝟕𝟕. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐 + 2𝑣𝑣 solve for the currents 𝑖 1 and 𝑖 2 .
𝑽𝑽𝒂𝒂 = −𝟕𝟕. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐 𝑉𝑏𝑏 = −𝟕𝟕. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐
V𝑎𝑎 −7.33𝑣𝑣
𝑖1 = = = −3.67𝐴𝐴
2𝛺𝛺
V𝑏𝑏 2Ω
−5.33𝑣𝑣
𝑖2 = = = −1.33𝐴𝐴
4𝛺𝛺 4Ω

Mesh Circuit Analysis

Mesh analysis is used to find out the loop currents in the meshes, which is written
(Fig. 1) as voltages(R * I). This means that “the total voltage gain in the loop is
equal to the total voltage drop in that loop.”
 It uses circuit loops as references in calculating electrical parameters
(closed circuit and planar circuits).
 It creates equations based on a circuit loop via KVL.

Case 1 (Simple Mesh)

Step 1: Identify each loop in the circuit.
Mesh 1: 15𝛺𝛺(𝐼1 ) − 10𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) = 5𝑣𝑣
Mesh 2: −10𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) + 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) = 10𝑣𝑣
Step 2: Identify each eqn. using KVL & Ohm’s Law.
Mesh 1:
−15𝑣𝑣 + 5𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) + 10𝛺𝛺(𝐼1 − 𝐼 2 ) + 10𝑣𝑣 = 0
−15𝑣𝑣 + 5𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) + 10𝛺𝛺𝐼𝐼1 − 10𝛺𝛺𝐼𝐼2 + 10𝑣𝑣 = 0
𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) − 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) = 𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
Mesh 2:
−10𝑣𝑣 + 10Ω(𝐼 2 − 𝐼𝐼1 ) + 6Ω(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 4Ω(𝐼𝐼2 ) = 0
−10𝑣𝑣 + 10ΩI2 − 10ΩI1 + 6Ω(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 4Ω(𝐼𝐼2 ) = 0
−𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) + 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐

Step 3A. Substitution Method

Step A: Set each mesh equation to Step B: Substitute equations from Mesh 1 to Mesh 2 to solve for 𝐼 2 .
solve for the unknown current. From Mesh 2:
10𝛺𝛺(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) + 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) − 10𝑣𝑣 = 0
For Mesh 1: −10𝛺𝛺[𝟎𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 𝟎𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐] + 20𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 ) − 10𝑣𝑣 = 0
15𝛺𝛺(𝐼1 ) − 10𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) = 5𝑣𝑣 −6.7𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) − 3.3𝑣𝑣 + 20𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 ) − 10𝑣𝑣 = 0
15𝛺𝛺 (𝐼1 ) 10𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) + 5𝑣𝑣 13.3𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) = 13.3𝑣𝑣
= 13.3𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) 13.3𝑣𝑣
15𝛺𝛺 15𝛺𝛺 =
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) 13.3𝛺𝛺 13.3𝛺𝛺
𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 7 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step C: Use the value of 𝐼 2 in Mesh 1 equation to solve for 𝐼1 .

𝐼1 = 0.67𝛺𝛺 (𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 5𝑣𝑣

𝐼1 = 0.67𝛺𝛺 (𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨) + 0.33𝑣𝑣
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨

Step 3B. Cramer’s Rule

Step A: Set the equations into matrix form. Step B: Find the determinant ∆.
15 −10 𝐼1 5 15 −10�
� � �=� � ∆= −10
� 20
�
−10 20 𝐼 2 10 ∆= 300 −
(100)
∆= 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎

Step C: Use Cramer’s Rule in solving for 𝑉𝐴𝐴 and 𝑉𝐵𝐵 .

5 −10 15 5
∆𝐼𝐼1 �10 20 � ∆ 𝐼𝐼2 �−10 10�
𝐼1 = ∆ = 200 𝐼2 = ∆ = 200
100 − (−100) 150 − (−50)
𝐼1 = 𝐼𝐼2 =
200 200
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨

Step 4. Substitute 𝐼1 and 𝐼𝐼2 to find the voltage of each resistor.

From Mesh 1: From Mesh 2: From 10V Branch:
𝑉5𝛺𝛺 = 5𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) = 5𝛺𝛺 (1𝐴𝐴) 𝑉6𝛺𝛺 = 6𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) = 6𝛺𝛺 (1𝐴𝐴) = 6𝑣𝑣 𝑉10𝛺𝛺 = 10𝑣𝑣
= 5𝑣𝑣 𝑉4𝛺𝛺 = 4𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 ) = 4𝛺𝛺 (1𝐴𝐴) = 4𝑣𝑣

Case 2 (With Current Source)

Step 1: Identify the mesh loops and their Step 2: Substitute equation 𝐼𝐼1 to 𝐼 2 and 𝐼 3 to simplify
equations. equations.
Mesh 1: 𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
Mesh 2:
20𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 − 𝐼 3 ) + 8𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 − 𝐼𝐼1 ) − 15𝑣𝑣 = 0
−8𝛺𝛺 (𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) + 28𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) − 20(𝐼 3 ) = 15𝑣𝑣
−8𝛺𝛺 (𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨) + 28𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) − 20(𝐼 3 ) = 15𝑣𝑣
−40𝑣𝑣 + 28𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 ) − 20(𝐼𝐼3 ) = 15𝑣𝑣28𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 )
− 20(𝐼 3 ) = 15𝑣𝑣 + 40𝑣𝑣
𝟐𝟐𝟖𝟖𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) − 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
Mesh 3:
12𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 − 𝐼𝐼1 ) + 20(𝐼 3 − 𝐼 2 ) − 30𝑣𝑣 = 0
−12𝛺𝛺 (𝑰𝑰1 ) − 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼3 ) = 30𝑣𝑣
−12𝛺𝛺 (5𝑨𝑨) − 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼3 ) = 30𝑣𝑣
−60𝑣𝑣 − 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼3 ) = 30𝑣𝑣
−20𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼3 ) = 30𝑣𝑣 + 60𝑣𝑣
−𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟗𝟗𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐
04 Handout 1 *Property of STI
 Page 8 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step 3A. Substitution Method

Step A: Equate Mesh 2 equation to be substituted
to Mesh 3 equation.
For Mesh 2:
28𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 ) − 20(𝐼 3 ) = 55𝑣𝑣 Mesh 1: 𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
28𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) = 55𝑣𝑣 + 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) Mesh 2: 𝟐𝟐𝟖𝟖𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) − 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
28𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) 55𝑣𝑣 + 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) Mesh 3: −𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟗𝟗𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐
=
28𝛺𝛺 28𝛺𝛺
𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟔𝟔𝑨𝑨 + 𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 )

For 𝐼 3 : Step B: Substitute 𝐼 3 to solve for 𝐼 2 .

−20𝛺𝛺(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼3 ) = 90𝑣𝑣
−20[𝟏𝟏. 𝟗𝟗𝟔𝟔𝑨𝑨 + 𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 )] + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 90𝑣𝑣 𝐼 2 = 1.96𝐴𝐴 + 0.71𝛺𝛺 (𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 )
−39.2𝑣𝑣 − 14.2(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 90𝑣𝑣 𝐼𝐼2 = 1.96𝐴𝐴 + 0.71𝛺𝛺(𝟕𝟕. 𝟐𝟐𝟔𝟔 𝑨𝑨)
−14.2(𝐼3 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 90𝑣𝑣 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝟕𝟕. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨
+39.2𝑣𝑣17.8𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 129.2𝑣
17.8𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) 129.2𝑣𝑣
=
17.8𝛺𝛺 17.8𝛺𝛺
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟕𝟕. 𝟐𝟐𝟔𝟔 𝑨𝑨

Step 4: Substitute the values 𝐼 2 and 𝐼 3 to solve for voltages of each resistor.

𝑉5𝛺𝛺 = 5𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) 𝑉8𝛺𝛺 = 8𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 − 𝐼𝐼2 ) 𝑉12𝛺𝛺 = 12𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼1 − 𝐼𝐼3 ) 𝑉20𝛺𝛺 = 20𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 − 𝐼𝐼3 )
= 5𝛺𝛺 (1𝐴𝐴) = 8𝛺𝛺 (5𝐴𝐴 − 7.11𝐴𝐴) = 12𝛺𝛺 (5𝐴𝐴 − 7.26𝐴𝐴) = 20𝛺𝛺 (7.11𝐴𝐴
= 5𝑣𝑣 = 16.88𝑣𝑣 = −27.12𝑣𝑣 − 7.26𝐴𝐴)
= −3𝑣𝑣

Case 3 (Supermesh)
Step 1: Identify the loops in the circuit. Step 2: Identify the supermesh equation via the two
(2) meshes avoiding the current source using KVL.

5Ω(𝐼1 ) + 3Ω(𝐼1 ) + 7Ω(𝐼 2 ) − 50𝑣𝑣 + 25Ω(𝐼𝐼2 − 𝐼 3 )

+ 12Ω(𝐼1 − 𝐼 3 ) = 0
Simplified form:
𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) + 𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) − 𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟕𝟕𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐

Step 3: Identify the other meshes that do not belong

to the supermesh using KVL.
−10𝑣𝑣 + 12Ω(𝐼𝐼3 − 𝐼1 ) + 25Ω(𝐼𝐼3 − 𝐼 2 ) + 5Ω(𝐼 3 )
=0
Note: Supermesh is formed Simplified form:
whenever there are two (2) meshes
that have common current source. −𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) − 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 𝟒𝟒𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 9 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

Step 4: Identify the affected meshes of the supermesh and identify its equation.
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 − 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝟗𝟗𝑨𝑨

Step 5: Using the equation Supermesh KCL, substitute the values to both Supermesh KVL and 𝐼 3 .
Supermesh KVL: 𝐼 3 Loop KVL:
20𝛺𝛺(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) + 32𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) − 37𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 50𝑣𝑣 −12𝛺𝛺(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) − 25𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼2 ) + 42𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 3 ) = 10𝑣𝑣
20𝛺𝛺(𝟗𝟗𝑨𝑨 + 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 32𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) − 37𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 50𝑣𝑣 −12𝛺𝛺(𝟗𝟗𝑨𝑨 + 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) − 25𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) + 42𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 3 ) = 10𝑣𝑣
180𝑣𝑣 + 20𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) + 32𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) − 37𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 3 ) = 50𝑣𝑣 −108𝑣𝑣 − 12Ω(𝐼𝐼2 ) − 25𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) + 42𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼3 ) = 10𝑣𝑣
52𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) − 37𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼3 ) −37Ω(𝐼𝐼2 ) + 42𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼3 )
= 50𝑣𝑣 − 180𝑣𝑣 = 10𝑣𝑣 + 108𝑣𝑣
𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) − 𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) −𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 𝟒𝟒𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟖𝟖𝟐𝟐
= −𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐

Step 6A: Substitution Method

Step A: Equate Supermesh KVL equation to be Step B: Substitute the current 𝐼 3 to solve for 𝐼 2 ;
substituted to 𝐼 3 loop equation. the same goes for 𝐼1 .

Supermesh KVL: Supermesh KVL:

52𝛺𝛺(𝐼 2 ) − 37𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 3 ) = −130𝑣𝑣 𝐼𝐼2 = 0.71Ω(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) − 2.5𝐴𝐴
52𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 2 ) 37𝛺𝛺 (𝐼 3 ) − 130𝑣𝑣 𝐼𝐼2 = 0.71Ω(𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟐𝟐𝑨𝑨 ) − 2.5𝐴𝐴
=
52𝛺𝛺 52𝛺𝛺 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = −𝟏𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) − 𝟐𝟐. 𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
𝐼 3 Loop KVL: Supermesh KCL:
−37𝛺𝛺(𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 ) + 42𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 118𝑣𝑣 𝐼𝐼1 = 9𝐴𝐴 + 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐
−37𝛺𝛺[𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏(𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 ) − 𝟐𝟐. 𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨] + 42𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 118𝑣𝑣 𝐼1 = 9𝐴𝐴 − 𝟏𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
−26.27𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼3 ) + 92.5𝑣𝑣 + 42𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 ) = 118𝑣𝑣 𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟕 𝟕 . 𝟔𝟔𝟕𝟕𝑨𝑨
15.73𝛺𝛺(𝐼 3 )
15.73𝛺𝛺
(118𝑣𝑣 − 92.5𝑣𝑣 )
=
15.73𝛺𝛺
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟐𝟐𝑨𝑨

Step 7: Substitute the values 𝐼1 , 𝐼 2 , and 𝐼 3 to solve for voltages of each resistor:

𝑽𝑽𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏 = 5𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) = 5𝛺𝛺 (7.65𝐴𝐴) = 𝟏𝟏𝟖𝟖. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐

𝑽𝑽𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 = 3𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼1 ) = 3𝛺𝛺 (7.65𝐴𝐴) = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟗𝟗𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
𝑽𝑽𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏 = 12𝛺𝛺(𝐼1 − 𝐼 3 )
= 12𝛺𝛺(7.65𝐴𝐴 − 1.62𝐴𝐴 ) = 𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐. 𝟔𝟔𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐
𝑽𝑽𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏 = 7𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 ) = 7𝛺𝛺 (−1.35𝐴𝐴) = −𝟗𝟗. 𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
𝑽𝑽𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏 = 25𝛺𝛺(𝐼𝐼2 − 𝐼𝐼3 )
= 25𝛺𝛺(−1.35𝐴𝐴 − 1.62𝐴𝐴 ) = −𝟕𝟕𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟐
𝑽𝑽𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟏 = 5𝛺𝛺 (𝐼𝐼3 ) = 5𝛺𝛺 (1.62𝐴𝐴 ) = 𝟖𝟖. 𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 10 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu
 IT1810

References:
Alexander, C. & Sadiku, M. (2017). Fundamentals of electric circuits (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Bird, J. (2017). Electrical circuit theory and technology (6th ed.). New York: Routledge.
Boylestad, R. & Nashelsky, L. (2013). Electronic devices and circuit theory (11th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
Ergül, Özgür (2017). Introduction to electrical circuit analysis (1st ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.
Gopal, N. (2018). What is mesh analysis and node analysis? [Online forum comment]. Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/What-is-mesh-analysis-and-node-analysis on May 28, 2019
Hayt, W. Jr. & Kemmerly, J. (2012). Engineering circuit analysis (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Salam, Md. & Rahman, Q. (2018). Fundamentals of electrical circuit analysis. Singapore: Springer Nature.
Tutorials (Electronic and Circuit). (2003). In SparkFun Electronics. Retrievedfrom
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ on May 28, 2019

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 Page 11 of 11
student.feedback@sti.edu