EEE121: ELECTRIC CIRCUIT I

CHAPTER 2: CIRCUIT THEOREMS AND APPLICATION

TO DC CIRCUITS
CHAPTER 2: TOPICS
2.1 Basic Law
2.1.1 Ohm’s Law
2.1.2 Kirchoff’s Law
2.2 Voltage and current division
2.2.1 Voltage Divider Rule (CDR)
2.2.2 Current Divider Rule (VDR)
2.3 Nodal analysis
2.4 Mesh analysis
2.5 Source Transformation
2.6 Superposition Theorem
2.7 Thevenin’s theorem
2.8 Norton’s theorem
2.9 Maximum power transfer
LESSON OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Define Kirchhoff's Laws and analyze electric circuit using the laws.
• Define and apply the concept of Voltage and Current Division
• Determine electrical circuit parameter using nodal analysis technique
• Determine electrical circuit parameter using mesh analysis technique
• Determine electrical circuit parameter using source transformation
• Determine electrical circuit parameter using superposition theorem.
• Determine electrical circuit parameter using Thevenin’s Theorem
• Determine electrical circuit parameter using Norton’s Theorem
• Determine the maximm power of the circuit using Thevenin’s and Norton’s Theorem
2.1 BASIC LAW
 2.1.1 OHM’S LAW

• Ohm’s law states that the voltage across a resistor is directly proportional
to the current I flowing through the resistor.

• Two extreme possible values of R: 0 (zero) and ∞ (infinite) are related with
two basic circuit concepts: short circuit and open circuit.
2.1.1 OHM’S LAW

Relationship of voltage, current and resistance

The current (A) coming out from the source depends on the V and R of the circuit.
a) If you increase the V in a circuit while the resistance is the same, you get more
current.
b) If you increase the resistance in a circuit while the voltage stays same, you get less
current.
2.1.1 OHM’S LAW

• Conductance is the ability of an element to conduct electric current; it is the

reciprocal of resistance R and is measured in mhos or siemens.

𝟏𝟏 𝒊𝒊
𝑮𝑮 = =
𝑹𝑹 𝑽𝑽

• The power dissipated by a resistor

𝟐𝟐 𝒗𝒗𝟐𝟐
𝑷𝑷 = 𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗 = 𝒊𝒊 R=
𝑹𝑹
2.1.2 KIRCHOFF’S LAW

• Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)

• Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
 KIRCHOFF’S CURRENT LAW (KCL)

• Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of currents entering a node (or a closed
boundary) is zero. KCL may be expressed mathematically as;

𝑵𝑵

� 𝒊𝒊𝑵𝑵 = 𝟎𝟎
𝒏𝒏=𝟏𝟏

KCL at a closed boundary

• In other words, the sum of the currents entering an area, system, or junction must equal the
sum of the currents leaving the area, system, or junction.
𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊 𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞:
� 𝐼𝐼𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = � 𝐼𝐼𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 −𝒊𝒊𝟏𝟏 − 𝒊𝒊𝟐𝟐 + 𝒊𝒊𝟑𝟑 + 𝒊𝒊𝟒𝟒 − 𝒊𝒊𝟓𝟓 = 𝟎𝟎

𝒊𝒊𝟑𝟑 + 𝒊𝒊𝟒𝟒 = 𝒊𝒊𝟏𝟏 + 𝒊𝒊𝟐𝟐 + 𝒊𝒊𝟓𝟓

𝒊𝒊𝟑𝟑 = 𝒊𝒊𝟏𝟏 + 𝒊𝒊𝟐𝟐 + 𝒊𝒊𝟓𝟓 − 𝒊𝒊𝟒𝟒

Current at a node illustrating KCL
EXAMPLE 1

Determine the current I3 and I4 of Figure 1 by using KCL

Solution:

At point a:
I 1 = 2A I4
� 𝑰𝑰𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆 = � 𝑰𝑰𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍
I3
a b
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 + 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = 𝑰𝑰𝟑𝟑
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 = 𝑰𝑰𝟑𝟑
𝑰𝑰𝟑𝟑 = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓
I 2 = 3A I 5 = 1A

At point b:
Figure 1
� 𝑰𝑰𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆 = � 𝑰𝑰𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍

𝑰𝑰𝟑𝟑 + 𝑰𝑰𝟓𝟓 = 𝑰𝑰𝟒𝟒

𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 = 𝑰𝑰𝟒𝟒
𝑰𝑰𝟒𝟒 = 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔
EXAMPLE 2
8A

i2
2A
12 A
10 A B
A i3
14 A
i1

C
4A

• At A, 2 + 12 i1
= 
→=i1 14 A

• At B, 12= i2 + 14 
→ i2= −2 A

• At C, 14
= 4 + i3 
→ i3 10 A
=
 KIRCHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW (KVL)

• Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL) states that the algebraic sum of all voltages
around a closed path (or loop) is zero.
• KVL may be expressed mathematically as;

𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊𝐊 𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞:
−
−10 + 𝑉𝑉1 + 𝑉𝑉2 + 5 + 𝑉𝑉3 = 0
𝑵𝑵

� 𝑽𝑽𝑵𝑵 = 𝟎𝟎
𝒏𝒏=𝟏𝟏
𝑉𝑉1 + 𝑉𝑉2 + 𝑉𝑉3 = 5𝑉𝑉

𝑉𝑉1 = 5𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉2 + 𝑉𝑉3

A single-loop illustrating KVL

EXAMPLE 3

Find V1 and V3 of the circuit shown in Figure 3 by using KVL

Solution:
30 Ω By assign flow of current in clockwise direction,
30 Ω
+ 8V -
+ 8V -
+ -
20V + V1 10 Ω V3 40 Ω + -
- - + 20V + V1 10 Ω V3 40 Ω
I
- - +

Figure 3 𝑉𝑉1 = 20𝑉𝑉

KVL onto the closed loop,

−20 + 8𝑉𝑉 − 𝑉𝑉3 = 0
𝑉𝑉3 = −12𝑉𝑉
SERIES & PARALLEL CONNECTIONS
2.2 VOLTAGE& CURRENT
DIVISION
2.2.1 VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE (VDR)

• When the voltage has to be divided among various resistors in series, the
voltage is divided as belows;

R1 R2

+ V1 - + V2 - 𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏
𝑽𝑽𝟏𝟏 = × 𝑽𝑽
𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏 + 𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐
+
V
- 𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐
𝑽𝑽𝟐𝟐 = × 𝑽𝑽
𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏 + 𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐

Resistor in series

To determine the voltage by using VDR, the resistors connection must be in

series.
CURRENT DIVIDER RULE (CDR)

• When a current has to divide among various resistors connected in parallel,

the current is divided as follows;

𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐
I1 I2 𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 = × 𝑰𝑰
𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏 + 𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐
I R1 R2
𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏
𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 = × 𝑰𝑰
𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏 + 𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐

Resistor in parallel
EXAMPLE 4

Find Vx and VY in the circuit shown on Figure 4 by using VDR

4Ω

+ VY -

+
+ Vx 6Ω 3Ω
12V
- -

Figure 4
Solution

Since the circuit is not in series connection, so their simplified

circuit as below:

6Ω×3Ω
6Ω//3Ω = = 2Ω
6Ω+3Ω

4Ω

+ VY - 2Ω
𝑉𝑉𝑋𝑋 = × 12𝑉𝑉 = 4𝑉𝑉
2Ω + 4Ω
+
+ Vx 2Ω
12V
- - 4Ω
𝑉𝑉𝑌𝑌 = × 12𝑉𝑉 = 8𝑉𝑉
2Ω + 4Ω
EXERCISE
Find the followings:
i. v1 and v2 (use voltage divider rule)

ii. i1 and i2 (use current divider rule)

iii. Power dissipated in12-Ω and 40-Ω

Figure 4
2.3 NODAL ANALYSIS
2.3 NODAL ANALYSIS
 EXAMPLE 1
(Circuit with independent source)
Find Va and Vb using Nodal Analysis.
Solution
EXAMPLE 2 (CIRCUIT WITH DEPENDENT SOURCE)
Find V1 , V2 and V3 using Nodal Analysis.

6V
2Ω
-

+
4Ω

+ Vo
-

2 Vo +
+ - 12 V
- 2Ω

6Ω

Ans: V1 = 25V , V2 = 12.5V

SUPERNODE
SUPERNODE
EXAMPLE 3
Find V1 and V2 using Nodal Analysis.
Solution
2.4 MESH ANALYSIS
2.4 MESH ANALYSIS
Solution
EXAMPLE 3
Find the value of I1, I2 and I3 by using Mesh Analysis

I1 I2
5Ω 6Ω

I3

10Ω
4Ω
+
15V
- +
10V
-
Solution

I1 I2
5Ω 6Ω

I3

10Ω
+ I1 I2 4Ω
15V - +
10V
-
EXAMPLE 4
Determine all unknown currents and the value of Va by using mesh analysis.

Ia 7Ω
8Ω

2 Ia I1 I2
+ 12Ω 4A
-

10Ω 5Ω

- Va
+
I3

+
10V
Solution
SUPERMESH
2.5 SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
2.5 SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
EXAMPLE 2
Determine the current flow through the 6Ω resistor, Ia by using Source Transformation
Theorem.
18Ω

36V 28 V
10Ω 8Ω
- -

+
+
Ia

20Ω 5Ω 6Ω 7Ω
15 A
Solution
2.6 SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
2.6 SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

It states that the voltage across (or current

through) an element in a linear circuit is the
algebraic sum of the voltage across (or currents
through) that element due to EACH independent
source acting alone.

The principle of superposition helps us to analyze a

linear circuit with more than one independent
source by calculating the contribution of each
independent source separately.
• Used to find the solution to networks
with TWO or MORE sources.
• Consider only 1 independent source
turn ON at a time.
• Source need to be remove and replaced
without affecting the final result.
• Voltage source – short circuit
• Current source – open circuit
• Dependent source are left intact since
they are controlled by circuit variables.
Steps to apply Superposition Theorem

1. Turn OFF all independent sources except one source.

2. Find the output (voltage or current) due to that active source

using suitable circuit theorem analysis.

3. Repeat step 1 for each of the other independent sources.

4. Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all the

contributions due to the independent sources.
EXAMPLE 1
Use the superposition theorem to find v in the circuit shown below

6V is discarded by
short-circuit

3A is discarded by
open-circuit
 EXAMPLE 2
Use superposition to find vx in the circuit below

10V is discarded by
open-circuit

Dependant source
keep unchanged
2A is discarded by
open-circuit
 Exercise 2
Exercise 1
By using Superposition Theorem, find the current Io
Determine Vo by using Superposition Theorem
through 12Ω
2.7 THEVENIN THEOREM
2.7 THEVENIN THEOREM
STEPS TO APPLY THEVENIN THEOREM
 EXAMPLE 1 ( CIRCUIT WITH ONLY INDEPENDENT SOURCES)

Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown below to the left of the terminals a-b.

Finding RTH
Remove RL & OFF all source
Find the RTH the a-b terminal
Finding VTH
• Remove RL by open circuit at terminal cross
• Find voltage across terminal a-b

Thevenin equivalent circuit

Practice 1 ( circuit with only independent sources)

Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the equivalent circuit to the left of the terminals in
the circuit shown below. Hence find i.

answer VTH = 6V, RTH = 3Ω, i = 1.5A

 EXAMPLE 2 ( CIRCUIT WITH INDEPENDENT & DEPENDENT SOURCES)

Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown below to the left of the terminals a-b.
 Solution

Finding VTH
• Remove RL by open circuit at
terminal cross
• Find voltage across terminal a-b
Finding ISC
• Short circuit at terminal a-b
Practice 2 ( circuit with independent & dependent sources)

Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown below to the
left of the terminals

answer VTH = 5.33V, RTH = 0.44Ω

2.8 NORTON THEOREM
2.8 NORTON THEOREM
• Finding RN
RN is find in the same way as RTh. Thus, RN = RTh

• Finding IN
IN is the short circuit current flowing from terminal a-b
to be as shown in figure below. Hence, I N = iSC

since R N = R Th
VTh
hence, I N =
RTh
STEPS TO APPLY NORTON THEOREM
EXAMPLE 1 ( CIRCUIT WITH ONLY INDEPENDENT SOURCES)
Find Norton equivalent circuit at terminal

Finding RN
•Remove RL & OFF all source
•Find the RN the a-b terminal
Finding ISC = IN By using source transformation
• Short circuit at terminal a-b

Norton equivalent circuit

 EXAMPLE 2 ( CIRCUIT WITH INDEPENDENT & DEPENDENT SOURCES)
Find Norton equivalent circuit at terminal

Finding VTH
• Remove RL by open circuit at
terminal cross
• Find voltage across terminal a-b
Finding ISC = IN
• Short circuit at terminal a-b

Norton equivalent circuit

SOURCE TRANSFORMATION - THEVENIN AND
NORTON
2.9 MAXIMUM
POWER
TRANSFER
2.9 MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER
 EXAMPLE 1
Determine the value of RL that will draw the maximum power transfer. Hence,
calculate the maximum power transfer.