PSG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY COIMBATORE – 641004

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

CIRCUITS AND DEVICES LABORATORY (19E211)
POST-LAB REPORT ON
VERIFICATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 22.05.2022

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME : S.SHIBIN
ROLL NO: 21E146
CLASS : B.E EEE (1 st year)
SEMESTER: 2
SUBMITTED TO :
Dr. GOPAL RAM S D
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PSG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
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 CONTENTS

1.1. AIM…………………………………………………………………………………1

1.2. APPARATUS REQUIRED……………………………………………………….1

1.3. SUPERPOSITION THEOREM…………………………………………………..1

1.4. PROCEDURE …………………………………………………………………….5

1.6. Theoretical Calculation 1…………………………………………………………6

1.61. TABLE-1 …………………………………………………………………………8

1.7. Theoretical Calculation 2…………………………………………………………9

1.71. TABLE-2 …………………………………………………………………………11

1.8. PRE LAB QUESTION……………………………………………………………12

1.9. POST-LAB QUESTIONS ………………………………………………………..14

Result…………………………………………………………………………………..15

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 VERIFICATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
1.1.AIM:

To verify Superposition Theorem for the given DC circuits.

1.2.APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S.NO COMPONENT RANGE QUANTITY

1 Regulated Power 0-30 V , 1 A 2

Supply

2 DC Ammeter (0-20) mA 1

Digital
3 1
Voltmeter

4 68 Ω 2

Resistor 47 Ω 2

330 Ω 1

5 Bread board 1

6 Connecting wires

1.3SUPERPOSITION THEOREM:

Superposition theorem states that in any linear network containing two or more sources, the
response in any element is equal to the algebraic sum of the responses caused by the
individual sources acting alone, while the other sources are non-operative.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

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 Fig.1 Measuring current flowing through 330 Ω resistance.

Fig.2 Measuring current through 68 Ω resistance.

1.4.PROCEDURE :

STEP 1: Give connections to verify the superposition theorem.

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STEP 2: Switch ON the DC regulated power supplies V1 and V2 and set the required
voltage.

STEP 3: Measure the ammeter reading /voltmeter readings and note down the values in
Table.

STEP 4: Now remove the connection from V1 source and short-circuit the terminals. Set the
required voltage in V2 voltage source. Note down the current through and voltage across the
load resistance in table.

STEP 5: Similarly, remove the connection from V2 source and short circuit the terminals.
Set the required voltage in V1 voltage source. Note down the current through and voltage
across the load resistance in table.

STEP 6: Repeat the steps 1 to 5 for the second circuit diagram and note down the readings in
table.

STEP 7: Verify the superposition theorem by comparing the meter readings and the
theoretical calculations.

Fig.1(a) Measuring current flow through 330 Ω resistance with both supply on.

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 Fig.1(b) Measuring current flow through 330 Ω resistance with only 4V supply on.

Fig.1(c) Measuring current flow through 330 Ω resistance with only 5V supply on.

1.6.Theoretical Calculation-1:

For fig 1(a)

Mesh – 1

-4 + 68I1 + (I1-I2) 330 = 0

398I1 – 330I2 = 4

Mesh – 2

5 + (I2-I1) 330 + 47I2 = 0

-330I1 + 377I2 = -5

I1 = -3.45 mA

I2 = -16 mA

I1-I2 = -3.45 + 16 = 12.55mA (Current through 330 Ω and the current

direction is from A to B)

For fig 1(b)

Mesh – 1

-4 + 68I1 + (I1-I2) 330 = 0

398I1 – 330I2 = 4

Mesh – 2

47I2 + (I2-I1) 330 = 0

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 -330I1+ 377I2 = 0

I1= 0.036 A

I2= 0.032 A

I1-I2 = 0.036 – 0.032=> 4mA

(Current through 330 Ω and the direction is
from A to B)

For fig 1(c)

Mesh – 1

68I1 + (I1-I2) 330 = 0

398I1 – 330I2 = 0

Mesh – 2

5 + (I2-I1) 330+47I2 = 0

-330I1+ 377I2 = -5

I1 = -0.0040 A

I2 = -0.0043 A

I1-I2 = 0.0040 + 0.00430 => 8.3mA (Current through 330 Ω and the current
direction is from A to B)

Current flowing through I330 Ω = 8.3 + 4 = 12.3 mA

Superposition Theorem is verified.

1.61.TABLE-1

CURRENT THROUGH 330 Ω RESISTOR

S.N I330Ω I330Ω V47 Ω V47 Ω
VOLTAGE VOLTAGE
O (Practical) (Theoretical)
V1 V2 (Practical) (Theoretical)

(V) (V) (mA) (mA) V V

1 4 5 12.8 12.8 0.76 0.766

2 4 0 4.8 4.6 1.4 1.537

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 3 0 5 8.0 8.2 -2.27 -2.303

Fig.2(a) Measuring current flow through 68 ohm resistance along AB with both supply on.

Fig.2(b) Measuring current flow through 68 ohm resistance along AB with only 4V supply on.

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 Fig.2(c)Measuring current flow through 68 ohm resistance along AB with only 5V supply on.

1.7.Theoretical Calculation-2:

For Fig.2(a)

Mesh – 1

-4 + 68I1 + (I1 – I2) 47 = 0

115I1 – 47I2 = 4

Mesh - 2

68I2 + 47 (I2 – I3) + 47 (I2 - I1) = 0

-47I1 + 162I2 – 47I3 = 0

Mesh – 3

330I3 + 5 + 47 (I3 – I2) = 0

-47I2 + 377I3 = -5

I1= 0.0378 A

I2= 0.0073 A => 7.3mA(Current through 68 ohm and

the
current direction is from A to B )
I3 = -0.0123 A => -12.3 mA

For Fig.2(b)

Mesh – 1

-4 + 68I1 + (I1 – I2) 47 = 0

115I1 – 47I2 = 4

Mesh - 2

68I2 + 47 (I2 – I3) + 47 (I2 - I1) = 0

-47I1 + 162I2 – 47I3 = 0

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Mesh – 3

330I3 + 47 (I3 – I2) = 0

-47I2 + 377I3 = 0

I1 = 0.0396 A

I2 = 0.0119 A => 11.9 mA (Current through 68 Ω and

current direction is from A to B)

I3 = 1.48 mA

For Fig.2(c)

Mesh – 1

68I1 + (I1 – I2) 47 = 0

115I1 – 47I2 = 0

Mesh -2

68I2 + 47 (I2 – I3) + 47 (I2 - I1) = 0

-47I1 + 162I2 – 47I3 = 0

Mesh – 3

330I3 + 5 + 47 (I3 – I2) = 0

-47I2 + 377I3 = -5

I1 = -1.86 mA

I2 = -0.00455 A => -4.55 mA (Current through 68 ohm and

the current direction if from B to A)

I3 = -0.0138 A => -13.8 mA

Current flowing through I68 Ω = 11.9 – 4.55 = 7.35 mA

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Superposition Theorem is verified .

1.71.TABLE-2

CURRENT THROUGH 66 Ω RESISTOR

S.NO VOLTAGE VOLTAGE I68Ω V330 Ω V330 Ω
I68Ω
V1(V) V2(V) (Theoretical (Practical) (Theoretical)

(Practical) ) V V

(mA) (mA)

1 4 5 7.2 7.77 -4 -3.96

2 4 0 12.3 12.4 0.5 0.508

3 0 5 -4.9 -4.63 -4.1 -4.29

1.8.PRE LAB QUESTION:

1.What are the active and passive elements in a circuit ?

Active Components:
Those devices or components which require an external source to operate in a circuit are
called Active Components.

For Example: Diode, Transistor, SCR etc…

Explanation: As we know that Diode is an active component. Therefore, it requires an

external source to work and operate in a circuit.
This is because if we connect a Diode in a circuit which is further connected to the supply
voltage, the diode will not conduct the current (either in forward or reverse bias) until the
level of voltage reaches to 0.3V (In case of Germanium) or 0.7V (In case of Silicon).

Passive Components:
Those devices or components which do not require an external source to operate in a
circuit are called Passive Components.

For Example: Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor etc…

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Explanation: Passive Components (such as resistors. capacitors, inductors etc.) do not
require an external source to their operation.
Like a Diode, Resistor does not require 0.3V or 0.7 V. i.e., when we connect a resistor to the
supply voltage, it starts work and responds instantly in the circuit without using additional
and conditional specific voltage like in case of diodes etc. Same is the case for inductors and
capacitors etc.

2.What is the difference between a node and a junction in circuits?

A point at which two or more elements joint together is called a node. While a point where
three or more branches meet together is called a junction.

3. What is the principle of superposition theorem. What are the key steps in
experimental verification of superposition theorem.

The superposition theorem states that a circuit with multiple voltage and current
sources is equal to the sum of simplified circuits using just one of the sources.

To neglect all but one power source for analysis, replace any source of voltage by
wire; replace any current source with an open (break).

In this, key steps in experimental verifications are:

All components must be linear to use the superposition theorem with circuit current
and voltages.

It should be noted that the superposition theorem does not apply to power, as power is
not a linear quantity.

4.State Kirchoff’s voltage law.

Kirchoffs voltage law or KVL, states that “In any closed loop network, the total
voltage around the loop is equal to the sum of all the voltage drops within the same loop”
which is also equal to zero. In other words the algebraic sum of all voltages within the loop
must be equal to zero.

5.What are the key points in solving using Maxwell’s mesh current method?

We can use this method only when the circuit is planar, otherwise this method is not
useful.

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 If the network is large then the number of meshes will be large. Hence, the total
number of equation will be more so it becomes inconvenient to use in that case.

Check whether there is a possibility to transform all current sources in the given
circuits to voltage sources. The theorem does not apply to non-linear circuits. The requisite
of linearity indicates the superposition theorem is only applicable to determine voltage and
current , but not power. Power dissipation is a non-linear function that does not algebraically
add to an accurate total when only one source is considered at a time. The application of
superposition theorem requires two or more sources in the circuit.

6.Mention the steps used in solving using Maxwell’s mesh current method.

The first step is to select one among the multiple sources present in the bilateral
network. Among the various sources in the circuit, any one of the sources can be considered
first.

Except for the selected source, all the sources must be replaced by their internal
impedence.

Using a network simplification approach, evaluate the current flowing through or the
voltage drop across a particular element in the circuit. Upon, the same considering a single is
repeated for all the other sources in the circuit. Upon obtaining the respective response for
individual source, perform the summation of all responses to get an overall voltage drop or
current through the circuit element.

1.9.POST-LAB QUESTIONS

1. Find the value of Vx due to the 10V source.

Explanation:

Due to the effect of the 10V source , we short the 16V source and open the 3A
and 15A source. From the resulting series circuit , we can use voltage divider rule to find the
value of Vx.

Vx = 10 * 20/(80+20)

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 Vx = 2V

2. Calculate the current I in the following circuit using Superposition Theorem.

Explanation: Since it has dependent source, here we should short 24V voltage source,
kept the CCVS as it is, thereby we get current I1 due to 7A source, while in another
case, we should open the 7A source, kept the CCVS as it is, thereby we get current I2
due to 24V source.

Now we short the 24V source,

Apply KVL to this circuit ;

3I1 + 2(7 + I2) + 3I2 = 0

14 + 8I2 = 0

I1 = -7/4 A

Apply KVL for this circuit ;

-24 + 3I2 +2I2 +3I2 = 0

8I2 = 24

I2 = 3A

From the superposition theorem,

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 I = I 1 + I2

I = -7/4 + 3

I = -5/4

I = -1.25A

Result:

Hence the superposition theorem is verified both theoretically and practically.

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