Nodes, Branches, and Loops

A branch represents a single element such as a voltage source or a resistor

A node is the point of connection between two or more branches. Every node has same
voltage
A loop is any closed path in a circuit

5 branches, 3 nodes, 3 loops

Five branches and three nodes

 Planar / Non-planar circuits
Mesh and Nodal analysis applicable only to planar circuit. A circuit is said to be planar if it
can be drawn on a 2D-plane surface.
Can be redrawn in 2D

Cannot be redrawn in
2D.Requires 3D

Can be redrawn in 2D

Planar circuits Non-Planar circuit

 Mesh Analysis
If a network has a large number of
voltage sources, it is useful to use
mesh analysis.
If there are any current sources in a circuit
they are to be converted into equivalent
voltage sources.
 Current sources
can be converted
to voltage sources

Current source
cannot be
converted to
voltage source
 Procedure to solve loop current using Mesh Analysis
1. Identify the loops and assume the loop current direction (cw/ccw)
2. Mark the polarity of the voltage sources in the circuit

3. Write the matrix format: [R] [I] = [V]

Size of [R] : N x N where N is no.of loops identified

Size of [I] : N x 1 Unknown loop currents
Size of [V] : N x 1 : Sum of Voltage value in each loop
For example : If no.of loops is 2, then Where Re1 &Re2: sum of all resistors in loop 1 &2
respectively, Rc : sum of resistors in common branch
𝑅𝑒1 𝑅𝑐 𝐼1 𝑉1
= of two loops.
𝑅𝑐 𝑅𝑒2 𝐼2 𝑉2 Also, if the current direction in two loops is in same
direction through common branch +Rc otherwise -RC
Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown loop currents.
 10 + 5 + 3 5 −3 𝐼1 50
5 2+5+1 1 𝐼2 = 10
−3 1 3+1 𝐼3 −5

Ans: I1 = 3.3 A, I2= – 0.997 A, I3=5 1.47 A

A supermesh is constituted by two adjacent loops that common current source.
Need not consider the branch while writing voltage eqn

Write only two voltage loop equations

combination of loops 1 and 2 : R1 I1 + R3(I2 – I3) = V
From loop 3: R3 (I3 – I2) + R4 I3 = 0
Current source : I1 – I2 = I
Ex.1 Ex.2

20 = 6 I1+10 I2 + 4 I2
I2 - I1 =6
I1= -3.2 A , I2 = 2.8 A
8 = 2 (I1-I3)+4 (I2-I3)+8 I2
0 = 2(I3- I1)+2 I3+ 4 (I3-I2)
I1 – I2 =4
I1= 4.632 A , I2 = 0.631, I3 = 1.47A
 Procedure to solve node voltage using Nodal Analysis

The reference node is commonly called the ground since it is

assumed to have zero potential.

Current flows from a higher potential to a lower potential in a

resistor
Steps to Determine Node Voltages:

1.Convert the practical voltage source to practical current source

2. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages to the remaining

nodes. The voltages are referenced with respect to the reference node.

3. Mark the polarity of the current sources in the circuit

4. Write the matrix format: [G] [V] = [I]

Size of [G] : N x N where N is no.of non-reference nodes

Size of [V] : N x 1 Unknown node voltages
Size of [I] : N x 1 : Sum of current at a each nodes

For example : If no.of non-reference nodes is 2, then

𝐺𝑒1 −𝐺𝑐 𝑉1 𝐼1
=
−𝐺𝑐 𝐺𝑒2 𝑉2 𝐼2

Where Ge1 & Ge2: sum of all Conductance (reciprocal of resistance)

connected to node 1 & 2 respectively. Gc : sum of all conductance
between node 1 and node 2.
Convert voltage source to current source
 SUPER NODAL ANALYSIS
Supernode: two adjacent nodes are connected by a voltage source
A supernode may be regarded as a closed surface
enclosing the voltage source and its two nodes.

A supernode requires the application of both

KCL and KVL.
Step -1 -KCL Step -2 -KVL

V2- V3 = 5
EX.1 Super node analysis
Step -1

2=i1 +i2+7
2=v1/2 +v2/4+7

8=2v1+v2+28
Step -2

v2-v1=2
V1=-7.33V
V2=-5.33V
 𝑗4 + 6 −6 𝐼1 50
=
−6 2 + 6 + 𝑗3 𝐼2 0

6 + 𝑗4 −6 𝐼1 50
=
−6 8 + 𝑗3 𝐼2 0

5<0 −6
0 8+𝑗3 40+15𝑗
𝐼1 = 6+𝑗4 −6 = = 0.3 − 0.8𝑗 = 0.854 < −69°
50𝑗
−6 8+𝑗3

6+𝑗4 5<0
−6 0 −30
𝐼2 = 6+𝑗4 −6 = 50𝑗 = -0.6 j = 0.6< −90°
−6 8+𝑗3
 Write the mesh equations

8 − 𝑗4 −5 0 𝐼1 0
−5 5 − 𝑗1 𝑗6 𝐼2 = 10 < 30
0 𝑗6 4 − 𝑗6 𝐼3 20 < 50