EC2102 – Network Theory

3. Mesh Analysis and Sinusoidal Voltage

Introduction:

In this module you will be learning about mesh current analysis and also the
concepts of sinusoidal voltages.

Mesh Current Analysis:

To understand the concept of mesh current method let us consider a network

shown in fig.1.

Fig.1: Development of mesh current method

Let us consider the closed paths in the network in fig.1. One can identify 3
closed paths.

The closed paths containing the elements are:

1. V1, R1 and R3
2. R2, R3 and V2
3. V1, R1, R2 and V2
The first two closed paths are called either loops or meshes and the third is
called only a loop. The mesh is defined as a loop which does not contain any other
loop. The third closed path contains the first two loops and hence is not a mesh
thus we can say every mesh is a loop but every loop is not a mesh.
Mesh is a property of a set of networks which are known as planar networks.
Planar networks are those networks which can be drawn on paper without crossing
of lines. Some planar networks may appear to be non planar if they are not drawn
properly. Thus Fig. 2(a) is an example of a planar network, Fig. 2(b) is a non
planar network, Fig. 2(c) is a planar network drawn to appear as a non planar
network and Fig. 2 (d) is the network of Fig. 2 (c) drawn, avoiding the crossing of
lines.

Fig.2
The mesh current method, to be developed in this section is applicable only
to planar networks.
Returning to fig.1, redrawn in fig.3 for ready reference, let us identify the
branch currents I1, I2 and I3.

Fig.3
There are three branches and thus there are three unknown currents. But
applying Kirchhoff’s current law at node1, we observe that
I3 = I1 – I2
Hence if I1 and I2 are known, I3 could be easily found out.
Considering imaginary currents I1 and I2 circulating in meshes 1 and 2 as
shown in fig.4
 Fig.4 Network showing mesh currents
These currents are customarily taken to flow in the meshes in a clockwise
direction. If the branch currents are compared for the two networks in Fig. 3
and 4, they are exactly same in both the networks.
Branch current in R1 is same as mesh current I1
Branch current in R2 is same as mesh current I2
Branch current in R3 is the difference of mesh currents I1 and I2.
Applying KVL to the two loops
I1R1 + (I1-I2)R3 = V1 (1)
I2R2 + (I2-I1)R3 = -V2 (2)
Observe that the current in R3 in eq.2 is takes, as (I2 – I1) flowing from
bottom to top, so that in the direction of mesh current, voltage across R3 is a
drop and hence a positive sign can be taken in that equation for the term (I2-
Il)R3. if the current in R3 is taken as (I1 – I2) as in eq.1, the term (I1 – I2)R3
will be taken with a -ve sign and is same as (I2-I1)R3.
The two equations 1 and 2 are linearly independent and therefore they have a
unique solution.
Thus if we take mesh currents as unknown variables rather than branch
currents, we will have a set linearly independent equations and less number of
equations too.

Sinusoidal Voltage:

Sinusoidal voltages can be generated by rotating a conductor in a constant

magnetic field. If a conductor of length ‘l’ is rotated with an angular velocity ω in
a magnetic field of density B tesla, the voltage Induced in the conductor at
any instant 't' is given by

= ωt (3)

Where v is the linear velocity of the conductor. In general this can be written as
 = ωt (4)

Where Em is the maximum value in eq.3

Fig.5: Production of sinusoidal voltage

A more general form of the sinusoidal waveform is shown in fig.6 and is

represented mathematically as

= ( ωt )

Fig.6: more general sinusoidal functions

'θ' is called the phase angle of the waveform with respect to a reference
s
waveform = ( ωt . If θ is positive, e(t) has zero value, sec earlier
i
s
than e'(t) and is said to be leading e(t). If θ is negative, e(t) has zero value, sec
i
latter than e'(t) and is said to be lagging e(t).

Average value, R.M.S value, Form Factor:

Since the periodic functions are varying with respect to time, it is difficult to
specify its value as in the case of D.C. In the case of D.C we can specify the
voltage as ‘V’. But same is not the case with periodic functions, which are
changing with respect to time and may have both positive and negative values.
Hence, in order to specify a periodic function, it is compared with D.C in
producing the same effect in a particular device or circuit, For example let a
certain amount of charge be transferred to a circuit during a given time by a d.c
source of value 'V'. If a periodic voltage transfers the same charge to the circuit
during the same time, the value of the periodic voltage is said to be 'V' volts. This
is usually called as the average value of the periodic waveform. Similarly if a
periodic current produces the same heating in a given resistance 'R' in a given time
as a d.c current of I amperes in the same resistance R in the same time 't', the
periodic current is said to be of value I amperes. This value is usually known as
effective value or root mean square value or in short RMS value.

The ratio of RMS value to the average value of a periodic waveform is

defined as the form factor. This gives an indication to the shape of the waveform.
If the waveform is flat topped, the form factor approaches unity.