A

EME3421 - LAB INVESTIGATION 3

REPORT

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

Name (as in SEGi ID): Elbashir Mohamed Elamin Elshikh Mohamed

SEGi ID: SUKD1702916

UCLan ID: _________________________________________

Group ID: A

Course Code: EME3421_________________________________

Course Name: Lab Investigation 3_________________________

Submission Date: 5/03/2021

1. Abstract

The strategy used in the Superposition Theorem is to eliminate all but

one source of power within a network at a time, using series/parallel
analysis to determine voltage drops (and/or currents) within the
modified network for each power source separately. Then, once
voltage drops and/or currents have been determined for each power
source working separately, the values are all “superimposed” on top
of each other (added algebraically) to find the actual voltage
drops/currents with all sources active. 

In this report we will take a closer look on how to verify superposition

theorem experimentally by constructing a circuit and comparing the
theoretical values with the ones measured using multiameter.

2. Objective(s)
To verify superposition theorem.
3. Introduction/ Theoretical Background
If a number of voltage or current source are acting simultaneously in a
linear network, the resultant current in any branch is the algebraic sum
of the currents that would be produced in it, when each source acts
alone replacing all other independent sources by their internal
resistances.

Steps for Solving network by Superposition Theorem:

 Turn off all independent sources except one source.

Find the output(voltage or current) due to that active
source using nodal or mesh analysis.
 Repeat step 1 for each of the other independent
sources.
 Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all
the contributions due to the independent sources.
 Remember:
Independent voltage sources are replaced by
0V(short circuit).
Independent current sources are replaced by
0A(open circuit).

4. Apparatus

i. Dual power supply

ii. Resistors

iii. Breadboard
 iv. Connecting wires

v. Digital multimeter

5. Experimental Method

 Connect the digital multimeter to measure resistor values.

 Construct the circuit as shown
 2.951+1.
972

 Connect the resistors using connecting wires on breadboard

using the above scheme as a guide.
 Connect the digital multimeter in series with RL to measure
current IL.
 Connect the digital multimeter in parallel with RL to measure
voltage VL.
 Remove 10 V source from the circuit.
 Switch on the power supply for 12 V.
 Observe and record the value for IL and VL.
 Remove the 12V source form the circuit, and reconnect 10V
source.
 Switch on the power supply for 10 V.
 Observe and record the value for IL and VL.

6. Results and Analysis

7. Tables:
Experimental result
Resistors k ohm 10V source is 12V source is
removed removed
 Current Voltage Current Voltage
R1 R2 R3 R4 RL
IL mA VL V IL mA VL V
1.00 1.97
1.183 2.148 2.951 0.89 2.648 1.21 3.593
7 2

Theoretical result

Resistors k ohm 10V source is 12V source is

removed removed
Current Voltage Current Voltage
R1 R2 R3 R4 RL
IL mA VL4 V IL mA VL4 V
1.00 1.97
1.183 2.148 2.951 1.008 4.923 0.8240 4.0569
7 2

Calculation:
First we remove 10 volt source
Rt = (R1+R2) // (RL + R4) = 1515 OHM
VL4 = (RT/(RT+R3))*12V = 1515/(1515+2148)*12V = 4.9644 V
I/ = VL4/RL4 = 1.008 mA

Second we remove 12 volt source

RT = (RL+R4) // R3 = 1495 OHM
VL4 = (RT/(RT+R12)) * 10V = 4.0569 V
I|| = VL4/RL4 = 0.8240 mA

I = I| + I|| = 1.008+0.8240 = 1.832 Ma

Current error percentage = ((theoretical current – measured current) /

theoretical current) * 100
= (1.832-2.1)/1.832 * 100 = 14.6%

8. Discussion
We see there are 14.6% error percentage that is the measured current
is slightly more than the calculated one by few micro Ambers, this is
due to physical limitation of electric component whether its length of
the cable, increased heat or electromagnetic field interfering. This can
happen both on the constructed circuit as well as the measured device.
But the result is satisfying and tell us that our calculation will produce
close enough result in actual circuit.

9. Conclusion
In conclusion the experiment was carried successfully, even though
the measured results wasn’t 100% correct, but it was close to the
calculated values.
Our aim was to verify that superposition theorem can be used
correctly to calculate current and voltage in any valid circuit. We
couldn’t include schematic when calculating the values due to some
limitation in program, but hopefully the concept is illustrated using
equations and text.

10. References
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-
10/superposition-theorem/