Nodal Analysis

Example 2.8.1. For the circuit below calculate the currents using the nodal analysis.
I1 2Ω 1 4Ω I2
I3
8Ω
5V 3V

0
Example 2.8.1.
Solution:
As any of the nodes could be considered as a reference node, we will take node 0 as a reference node
(of zero potential). The nodal equation for node 1 is:
1 1 1 1 1
𝑉1 ∙ ( + + ) = 5 ∙ − 3 ∙ ,
2 8 4 2 4
from where V1=2V. Next, from 𝑉1 − 𝑉0 = −2 ∙ 𝐼1 + 5, we get I1=1.5A. In the same way, from 𝑉1 − 𝑉0 =
4 ∙ 𝐼2 − 3, I2=0.25A. The current I3 could be calculated using the KCL or from 𝑉1 − 𝑉0 = 8 ∙ 𝐼3 ,
I3=1.25A. As a verification, 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 .

Example 2.8.2. Find the node voltages for the circuit below. Calculate the currents through the circuit.
I4 2Ω

I1 4Ω 2 1Ω I3
1 3
I2 I5
2Ω
2A 12A 4V

0
Example 2.8.2.

Solution:
Because the branch between nodes 3 and 0 has no resistance (only voltage source), we have a
supernode. We set one of these two nodes as a reference node. We will take node 0 as a reference node,
V0=0. Due to restriction between nodes 0 and 3, 𝑉3 − 𝑉0 = 4𝑉, we have V3=4V. The nodal equations
for the nodes 1 and 2, are:
1 1 1 1
𝑉1 ∙ ( + ) − 𝑉2 ∙ − 𝑉3 ∙ = 2,
2 4 4 2
1 1 1 1 1
𝑉2 ∙ ( + + ) − 𝑉1 ∙ − 𝑉3 ∙ = −12.
2 4 1 4 1
Solving the system for V1 and V2, we get V1=4V, V2=-4V. using the value of the node potentials, the
𝑉 −𝑉 𝑉 −𝑉 𝑉 −𝑉 𝑉 −𝑉
currents will be: 𝐼1 = 1 4 2 = 2𝐴, 𝐼2 = 2 2 0 = −2𝐴, 𝐼3 = 2 1 3 = −8𝐴, 𝐼4 = 1 2 3 = 0𝐴. For the
current I5 we have to use the KCL in node 3: −𝐼3 − 𝐼4 − 𝐼5 = 0, and I5=8A.
Example 2.8.3. For the circuit below write the nodal equations for the calculation of the node
voltages.
2
R1 R2
I5 I2
I1 0
1 I3 I4
E5

R3 R4
3
I6 E6
Example 2.8.3.
Solution:
We have two supernodes, one formed by nodes 1 and 0, and another one formed by nodes 2 and 3. Let’s
consider the reference node the node 0, V0=0V. Having the restriction 𝑉1 − 𝑉0 = 𝐸6, the potential of
the node 1 is V1=E6. For the second supernode, we have the restriction 𝑉2 − 𝑉3 = 𝐸5 and the
corresponding nodal equation:
1 1 1 1 1 1
𝑉2 ∙ ( + ) + 𝑉3 ∙ ( + ) − 𝑉1 ∙ ( + ) = 0.
𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅4 𝑅1 𝑅3
The last two equations should be solved for the unknowns V2 and V3.