4.

8 KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS
.
.
Important Terminologies

Node –is the point of connection between two or more branches.

Path- if no node was encountered more than once, then the sets of nodes and elements that we
have passed through is defined as a path.

Closed Path or Loop- If the node at which we started is the same as the node on which we ended,
then the path, is by definition, a closed path or loop.

Branch - represents a single element such as a voltage source or a resistor.

R3
1kohm
R1 R2
I 1kohm 1kohm 2
1A
R4
1kohm

(a)

R3
1kohm
R1 R2
I 1kohm 1kohm 2
1A
R4
1kohm

(b)

(a) A circuit containing 3 nodes , 5 branches, and 3 loops. (b) Node 1 is redrawn to look like two
nodes; it is still 1 node.

Example. How many nodes, branches, and loops are there in this circuit?
 R1

100Ω

R2 R3

150Ω 200Ω

E R4 I
60V 300Ω 3A

Answer: 5 nodes, 7 branches, 3 loops.

R1

100Ω

R2 3 R3
2 4
150Ω 200Ω
R
50Ω I
R4
1 300Ω 3A
E
60V

4.8.1 Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

The algebraic sum of all currents entering and leaving a node is zero.

Convention: I2

I3

I1
I4

Current entering a node: + sign

Current leaving a node: -sign

I1 – I2 – I3 + I4 = 0
4.8.1 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

The algebraic sum of all voltages in a circuit taken around a closed path is zero.

Sign Convention

Path b – a : Potential Rise = + V

Path a – b: Potential Drop = -V

Path b – a: Potential Rise = +VR

Path a – b: Potential Drop = - VR

Example 4.7 Find V1

V2 14 V
- +
R
2V

V3
V1 30Ω
12V 24V

V4

4V

Solution:

Note: Always use KVL in clockwise direction.

V1 + V2 + VR – V3 – V4 = 0

V1 + 2 + 14 − 24 − 4 = 0

V1 = − 2 − 14 + 24 + 4
 V1 = 12 V

Example 4.8 Find V2

Note: This is a single-loop circuit. A voltmeter is just connected across 30 ohms.

Solution:
V1 + V2 + VR − V4 = 0

V2 = − V1 − VR + V4

V2 = − 12 − (−10) + 4
V2 = 2 V

Example 4.9 Find the current in the circuit. The dependent source in the circuit is voltage-
controlled voltage source (VCVS). Its value is 2vA which means it is dependent on the value of
voltage vA.

2VA

+ V30 - 𝑖
-
VA

Solution:

Let the current i be in the clockwise direction.

By applying KVL in a clockwise direction.

120 − V30 − 2 VA + VA = 0
By Ohm’s law
V30 = 30i
VA = −15i

so that 120 − 30i − 2(−15i) − 15i = 0

i=8A

Example 4.10 Find I3

R1
a

15ohm
R2
I1 36ohm I2

3A 5A
I3

Solution: At node a

I1 + I2 − I 3 = 0

I3 = I1 + I2
I3 = 3 + 5
I3 = 8 A

Example 4.11 Find i3 and i6. The dependent course in the circuit is current-controlled current
source because it value is 0.9i3 which means it is dependent on the value of i3.

i3 i6

0.9i3

Solution: By applying KCL at either node.

0.9i3 + 2 − i3 − i6 = 0

where 3 ohms and 6 ohms are connected in parallel, hence, they have the same voltage (v3 = v6).
The voltage across 3 ohms is v3 = 3i3 .

v6 3i3 1
so that i6 = = = 2 i3 . Substituting to the equation, then
6 6
 1
0.9i3 + 2 − i3 − i =0
2 3

i3 = 3.33 A

Example 4.12 Calculate the current flowing in each branch of the circuit shown

V1 3V R2 20Ω V3 6V

R1
10Ω V2 4.5V R3 20Ω

Solution:

Step 1. Count the number of nodes.

V1 3V R2 20Ω V3 6V

1 3 4
R1
10Ω V2 4.5V R3 20Ω

5
Step 2. Assign a current in each branch or group of branches that are connected in series. The
current in two or more branches connected in series is the same. . (NOTE: Do not be over-
conscious about the direction. If you wrongly assigned it, it will just yield negative answer but the
magnitude will be the same.)
 2

V1 R2 V3
3V 6V
20Ω I3

1 3 4
R1 V2 R3
10Ω
4.5V 20Ω
I1 I2

Step 3. Apply KVL in each loop. For uniformity always apply KVL in clockwise direction, but you
may actually apply KVL in any direction.

V1 R2 V3
3V 6V
20Ω

1 loop 1 3 loop 2 4
R1 V2 R3
10Ω
4.5V 20Ω
I1 I2 I3

KVL around loop 1:

10I1 + 3 − 20I2 + 4.5 = 0

10I1 − 20I2 = − 7.5 equation 1

KVL around loop 2:

−4.5 + 20I2 − 6 + 20I3 = 0

20I2 + 20I3 = 10.5 equation 2

Step 4. Apply KCL at node 2.

− I1 − I2 + I3 = 0 equation 3
Step 5: Solve for the magnitude of the branch currents (I1, I2 and I3) using any method or using
scientific calculator directly. If you are using CASIO fx 991ES PLUS or any calculator with similar
function, press ALPHA, then, MODE and select 5 (press 5) for equation. Then select 2 (press 2) for
3 equation 3 unknown. Input the numerical value: a for the coefficients of I1; b for the coefficients
of I2; c for I3; and d for the constant then press the equal function.

10I1 − 20I2 = − 7.5

20I2 + 20I3 = 10.5
− I1 − I2 + I3 = 0

The answers are: I1 = −0.1125 A

I2 = 0.31875 A

I3 = 0.20625 A
.

Example 4.13 Calculate the current flowing through each branch.

Step 1. Count and label the number of nodes.

Step 2. Assign branch currents except in the voltage sources since there are no resistors in series
with them.

R3
100Ω

I3

R1 R4
50Ω 2 75Ω 3
1
I1 I4

E1 R2 E2
90V 200Ω 120V

I2

Step 3. Apply KVL in each loop.

 R3
100Ω
I3

R1 loop 1 R4
50Ω 2 75Ω 3
1
I1 I4

E1 R2 E2
90V 200Ω 120V
loop 2 loop 3
I2

KVL around loop1

50I1 − 100I3 − 75I4 = 0 equation 1

KVL around loop 2

90 − 50I1 − 200I2 =0

−50I1 − 200I2 = −90 equation 2

KVL around loop 3

200I2 + 75I4 − 120 = 0

200I2 + 75I4 = 120 equation 3

Step 4. Apply KCL at node 2. Node 2 is the only node with the highest number of branch currents.

I1 − I2 + I4 = 0 equation 4

Step 5. Solve the magnitudes of the 4 currents.

50I1 − 100I3 − 75I4 = 0

−50I1 − 200I2 = −90
200I2 + 75I4 = 120
I1 − I2 + I4 = 0
Since there are 4 equations we can use elimination to make it 3 equations. But no problem if your
calculator can compute 4 unknowns.

The answers are I1 = 0.026 A

I2 = 0.443 A

I3 = 0.3 A

I4 = 0.417 A

Example 4.14 Calculate the current flowing through each branch.

R1

100Ω

E R2 I
60V 300Ω 5A

Step 1. Count and label the number of nodes.

R1
1 100Ω 2 3

E R2 I
60V 5A
300Ω

Step 2. Except in the current source, assign a current in each branch or group of branches that are
connected in series.
 R1
1 100Ω 2 3

I1
E R2 I
60V 5A
300Ω
loop 2
loop 1 I2

Step 3. Apply KVL in each

In loop 1

60 – 100I1 − 300I2 = 0

−100I1 − 300I2 = −60 equation 1

In loop 2, we cannot apply KVL because there a current source. KVL is for voltages.

Step 4. Apply KCL at node 2.

I1 − I2 + 5 = 0

I1 − I2 = −5 equation 2

Step 5. Solve the magnitudes of I1 and I2

The 2 equations are enough since there are only 2 unknowns in the circuit.

−100I1 − 300I2 = −60

I1 − I2 = −5

The answers are I1 = −3.6 A

I2 = 1.4 A
Example 4.15 Find the current through each resistor. The dependent source in the circuit is
voltage controlled voltage source (VCVS). It value is 3vo, which means it is dependent on the value
of vo.

R1
4kΩ

V={1}
E
R2

2kΩ
3vo

I +
3mA R3
1kΩ vo

Step 1. Count and label the number of nodes.

R1
4kΩ

V={1}
E
R2 2 3
1
2kΩ
3vo

I +
3mA R3
1kΩ vo

Step 2. Assign a current in each branch or branches connected that are connected in series except
in the components R3 and 3 mA current source. R3 connected in series to the current source so
that its value is automatically 3 mA and its direction is in the direction of the current source.
 R1
4kΩ
I1

V={1}
loop 1
E
R2 2 3
1
2kΩ I2
3vo

I +
3mA R3
1kΩ vo

loop 2 -

3mA

Step 3. Apply KVL in each loop.

KVL around loop 1

−4000I1 − 3vo + 2000I2 = 0

In which vo = (1k)(3 mA) = +3 V

Things to consider

In this case vo = +3V because the current goes from positive to negative.

+
R3
1kΩ vo

3mA

Now, in this case the current goes from negative to positive so vo = - 3V

and so,
−4000I1 − 3(3) + 2000I2 = 0

−4000I1 + 2000I2 = 9 equation 1

We cannot apply KVL in loop 1 because there is a current source around it.

Step 4. Apply KCL at either node 1 or node 3.

Choosing node 1

−I1 − I2 + 0.003 = 0

−I1 − I2 = − 0.003 equation 2

Step 5. Solve I1 and I2.

−4000I1 + 2000I2 = 9
−I1 − I2 = − 0.003

The answers are, I1 = −0.5 mA

I2 = 3.5 mA

Example 4.16 Find the current in each resistor. The dependent current source in the circuit is
voltage –controlled current source (VCCS) because its value is 0.2Vx which means it is dependent
on the voltage Vx as shown in the circuit.

I1 + I2
R1 R2
2A 10Ω 20Ω
Vx
0.2 Vx
-
I={1}

Step 1. Count and label the number of nodes. The circuit consists of 2 nodes only.
 1

I1 + I2
R1 R2
2A 10Ω 20Ω
Vx
0.2 Vx
-
I={1}

Step 2. Assign a current in each branch (or resistor) except current source.

I1 + I2
R1 R2
2A 10Ω 20Ω
Vx
0.2 Vx
-
I={1}
I1 I2

Step 3. Apply KVL in each loop.

I1 + I2
R1 R2
2A 10Ω 20Ω
Vx
0.2 Vx
loop 1 loop 2 - loop 3
I={1}
I1 I2

In loop there is a current source so we cannot apply KVL.

KVL around loop 1

 10I1 − 20I2 = 0 equation 1

The loop 3 there is a dependent current so we cannot apply KVL.

Step 4. Apply KCL in either node 1 or node 2.

Selecting node 1

2 − I1 − I2 − 0.2 𝑉𝑥 = 0

where Vx = +20I2 . Positive, because the assigned current goes from positive to negative.

Hence,
2 − I1 − I2 − 0.2 (20I2 ) = 0

2 − I1 − I2 − 4I2 = 0

2 − I1 − 5I2 = 0

− I1 − 5I2 = −2 equation 2

Step 5. Solving for the unknowns.

10I1 − 20I2 = 0
− I1 − 5I2 = −2

The answers are I1 = 0.5714 A

I2 = 0.2857 A