CIRCUIT

ANALYSIS

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. KENNETH B. DE TORRES REE,RME

OVERVIEW AND CONTENTS

✓ MESH ANALYSIS
✓ NODAL ANALYSIS
✓ THEVENIN’S THEOREM
✓ NORTON’S THEOREM
✓ SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
✓ SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE
✓ MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER
INTRODUCTION

Having the knowledge and understanding of the

fundamental laws of electric circuits (the combination of the
Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws), it is now time to apply
these laws to a more structurally complicated circuits which
involves more and more elements wherein direct methods
are not enough. Here, we will be introducing two powerful
techniques which can be used in the analysis of a more
complex circuit: the nodal analysis and Mesh analysis.
MESH ANALYSIS
MESH ANALYSIS
The solution of complex networks are frequently be simplified by
using a system of loop or mesh current instead of branch
currents of the frequently (Kirchhoff’s Law) procedure. First
proposed by James Clerk Maxwell. This method involves a set of
independent loop or mesh currents assigned to as many meshes
as exists in the circuit. The magnitude of the current passing
through in each resistor is the algebraic sum of the mesh
currents passing through it. This method is only applicable to a
circuit that is planar.

A mesh is a loop which does not contain any other loops within
it.

A super mesh results when two meshes have a (dependent or

independent) current source in common.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
NODAL ANALYSIS
NODAL ANALYSIS
Nodal analysis provides a general procedure for analyzing circuits
using node voltages as the circuit variables. Choosing node
voltages instead of element voltages as circuit variables is
convenient and reduces the number of equations one must solve
simultaneously.

Steps to Determine Node Voltages:

1. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages v1, v2 . . .
vn-1 to the remaining n-1 nodes. The voltages are referenced with
respect to the reference node.
2. Apply KCL to each of the n-1 non reference nodes. Use Ohm’s
law to express the branch currents in terms of node voltages.
3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the
unknown node voltages.
NODAL ANALYSIS
The first step in nodal analysis is selecting a node as the reference
or datum node. The reference node is commonly called the
ground since it is assumed to have zero potential. A reference
node is indicated by any of the three symbols in the figure below.
The type of ground in (c) is called a chassis ground and is used
in devices where the case, enclosure, or chassis acts as a
reference point for all circuits. When the potential of the earth is
used as reference, we use the earth ground in (a) or (b). We shall
always use the symbol in (b).

As the second step, we apply KCL to each

non reference node in the circuit.

The third step in nodal analysis is to solve

for the node voltages.
NODAL ANALYSIS
Current flows from a higher potential to a lower potential in a
resistor.
NODAL ANALYSIS

KCL at node b:
I1 = I2 + I3
NODAL ANALYSIS WITH
VOLTAGE SOURCE
Consider how voltage sources
affect nodal analysis.

CASE 1: If a voltage source is

connected between the reference
node and a non reference node.

CASE 2: If the voltage source

(dependent or independent) is
connected between two
nonreference nodes, the two
nonreference nodes form a
generalized node or supernode;
we apply both KCL and KVL to
determine the node voltages.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
For the circuit shown. Find V1 and V2 using Nodal Analysis.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
 When practical circuits are more and more complex, the
applications of the previously used methods for solving currents
and voltages become complicated. Scientists working in the field of
electrical engineering have developed more simplified theorems to
analyze these kinds of complex circuits (Wang, 2019). This chapter
presents several theorems useful for analyzing such complex
circuits or networks. These theorems include superposition
theorem, source transformation, Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorem.
In addition, circuit analysis involving controlled circuits and ideal op
amp will also be discussed.
THEVENIN’S THEOREM
THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Thevenin’s theorem provides a technique by which the fixed
part of the circuit is replaced by an equivalent circuit. Thevenin’s
theorem (Alexander, 2017) states that “a linear two-terminal circuit
can be replaced by an equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage
source Vth in series with a resistor Rth where Vth is the open-circuit
voltage at the terminals and Rth is the input or equivalent resistance
at the terminals when the independent sources are turned off.” This
theorem states that if any network is examined, we know that with
respect to those terminals, the entire network is equivalent to a
simple circuit consisting of an independent voltage source in series
with a resistor (Irwin, 2019). Any combination of power supplies and
resistors with two terminals can be replaced by a single voltage
source and a single series resistor for Thevenin’s theorem. The key
to applying Thevenin’s theorem is to determine the equivalent
resistance Rth and the equivalent voltage Vth (Wang, 2019).
THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Thevenin’s theorem tells us that we can replace the entire
network, exclusive of the load, by an equivalent circuit that contains
only an independent voltage source in series with a resistor in such
a way that the current-voltage relationship at the load is unchanged
(Irwin, 2015). Figure below shows how the original circuit is replaced
by its equivalent circuit.
THEVENIN’S THEOREM
As mentioned earlier, a linear circuit with a variable load can be
replaced by the Thevenin equivalent, exclusive of the load. The
equivalent network behaves the same way externally as the
original circuit. The current IL through the load and the voltage
VL across the load are easily determined once the Thevenin
equivalent of the circuit at the load’s terminals is obtained, as
shown in Figure.

Therefore, we obtain:
 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown in the figure below
to the left of the terminals a-b. Then find the current through RL = 6, 16,
and 36 ohms.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
NORTON’S THEOREM
NORTON’S THEOREM
In 1926, about 43 years after Thevenin published his theorem, E.L.
Norton, an American engineer at Bell Telephone Laboratories,
proposed a similar theorem. Norton’s theorem states that a linear
two-terminal circuit can be replaced by an equivalent circuit
consisting of a current source IN in parallel with a resistor RN
(Alexander, 2017).
NORTON’S THEOREM
This is essentially source transformation. For this reason, source
transformation is often called Thevenin-Norton transformation.
Since VTh, IN , and RTh are related, to determine the Thevenin or
Norton equivalent circuit requires that we find:
• The open-circuit voltage voc across terminals a and b.
• The short-circuit current isc at terminals a and b.
• The equivalent or input resistance Rin at terminals a and b when
all independent sources are turned off.

We can calculate any two of the

three using the method that takes
the least effort and use them to get
the third using Ohm’s Law.
 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the Norton equivalent circuit of the circuit in figure below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the Norton equivalent circuit of the circuit in figure below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the Norton equivalent circuit of the circuit in figure below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the Norton equivalent circuit of the circuit in figure below.

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 SOURCE
TRANSFORMATION
SOURCE
TRANSFORMATION
Although mesh analysis and nodal
analysis are powerful tools for solving
circuits, there are other techniques
that can be used to simplify circuits. In
the previous discussions, we have
already noticed that wye-delta
transformation and series-parallel
combination help simplify a circuit.
Source transformation is another tool
for simplifying circuits. The source
transformation allow a voltage source
in series with a resistor to be replaced
by a current source in parallel with a
resistor, or vice versa.
 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the power associated with the 6-V source for the circuit given
below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the power associated with the 6-V source for the circuit given
below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the power associated with the 6-V source for the circuit given
below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the power associated with the 6-V source for the circuit given
below.

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SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE
SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE
If a circuit contains two or more independent sources, nodal and
mesh analysis are some of the methods to determine the values
of specific variables (current or voltage). Another method is by
determining the contribution of the individual independent source
to the v variable and then add them up. This method is known as
the superposition principle.

As defined, superposition principle states that the voltage across

(or current through) an element in a linear circuit is the algebraic
sum of the voltage across (or current through) that element due
to each independent source acting alone.
 SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE
In applying the superposition principle, we must take in mind the
following things:

1. We consider one independent source at a time while all the other

sources are turned off. This implies that we are replacing every
voltage source by 0 V (or a short circuit) and every current
source 0 A (or an open circuit). By doing this, we are able to
obtain a simpler and manageable circuit.
2. Dependent sources are left intact because they are controlled by
circuit variables.
 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Use the superposition principle to find v in the given circuit below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Use the superposition principle to find v in the given circuit below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Use the superposition principle to find v in the given circuit below.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Use the superposition principle to find v in the given circuit below.

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MAXIMUM POWER
TRANSFER
MAXIMUM POWER
TRANSFER
Maximum power transfer can be best described with the aid
of the circuit shown in figure below. Suppose that a load resistance
RL is connected to a circuit between terminals a and b. We are
interested in finding the power PL delivered to the load and finding
the load resistance RL that maximizes the power delivered to the
load. We first find the Thevenin equivalent circuit with respect to the
terminals a and b. Let Vth be the Thevenin equivalent voltage and
Rth be the Thevenin equivalent resistance.
MAXIMUM POWER
TRANSFER
The current through the load resistor is given by

Thus, the power delivered to the load is

MAXIMUM POWER
TRANSFER
Thus the maximum power transfer occurs when the load resistance
RL equals the Thevenin resistance Rth

Thus, the maximum power delivered to RL is

 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the value of RL for maximum power transfer in the circuit of
figure below. Then find the maximum power transferred.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the value of RL for maximum power transfer in the circuit of
figure below. Then find the maximum power transferred.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the value of RL for maximum power transfer in the circuit of
figure below. Then find the maximum power transferred.

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 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Find the value of RL for maximum power transfer in the circuit of
figure below. Then find the maximum power transferred.

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THANK YOU!