DYSMEBee 212:

Basic Electrical Engineering

ENGR. ROBERTO I. BERNARDO

Instructor, School of Mechanical Engineering

Declaration:
This learning module is an exclusive property of Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc., as an essential part of the
REIMAGINED Learning Program for the Academic Year 2020-2021, and shall only be used by and for
DYCIans. No part of this learning module shall be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, and/or sold, without the
consent of DYCI.
 << Module No. 8 >>
<< MAXWELL’S LOOP CURRENT METHOD >>

This module is intended to have you learners of second year BSME to solve circuit
problems using Maxwell’s loop current method.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. solve circuit problems using Maxwell’s loop current method.

MAXWELL’S CURRENT LOOP METHOD

This method which is particularly well-suited to coupled circuit solutions employs

a system of loop or mesh currents instead of branch currents (as in Kirchhoff’s laws).

Illustration:

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 Applying KVL in the three given loops:

@ loop I1
E1 – I1R1 – R4(I1-I2) = 0

@ loop I2
– I2R2 – R5(I2-I3) – R4(I2-I1) = 0

@ loop I2
– E2 – R5(I3-I2) – I3 R3 = 0

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1. Find the value of I1, I2 and I3.

Solution:

Applying KVL in the three given loops:

@ loop I1
5 – 1I1 – 3(I1-I3) – 2(I1-I2) = 0
– 6I1 + 2I2 + 3I3 = -5 equation 1

@ loop I2
– 2(I2-I1) – 1(I2-I3) – 4I2 = 0
2I1 – 7I2 + I3 = 0
I2 = (2I1 + I3) / 7 equation 2

@ loop I3
– 3(I3-I1) – 2I3 – 1(I3 – I2) = 0
3I1 + I2 – 6I3 = 0 equation 3

Solving the three equations simultaneously by substitution, by elimination or

by determinants to find for the values of I1, I2 and I3.

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 Let us use by substitution:

substitute equation 2 to 1,

– 6I1 + 2I2 + 3I3 = -5

– 6I1 + 2((2I1 + I3)/7) + 3I3 = -5
– 6I1 + 0.5714I1 + 0.2857I3 + 3I3 = -5
– 5.4286I1 + 3.2857I3 = -5 equation 4

substitute equation 2 to 3,

3I1 + I2 – 6I3 = 0
3I1 + ((2I1 + I3)/7) – 6I3 = 0
3I1 + 0.2857I1 + 0.1429I3 – 6I3 = 0
I3 = 0.561I1 equation 5

substitute equation 5 to 4,

– 5.4286I1 + 3.2857I3 = -5
– 5.4286I1 + 3.2857(0.561I1)= -5
I1 = 1.3946 A
from equation 5
I3 = 0.561I1
= 0.561(1.3946)
I3 = 0.7824 A

from equation 2

I2 = (2I1 + I3) / 7
= (2(1.3946) + 0.7824) / 7
I2 = 0.5102 A

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 Name: _____________________________________________ Rating: ________________
Year and Section:_____________ Professor / Instructor:__________________________
Due of Submission: _____________________________

<< Module No. 8>>

<< MAXWELL’S LOO CURRENT METHOD >>

I. Problem solving. Solve the following problems.

1. Find the value of current I1, I2, I3 and the current supplied by battery B2.

2. Apply loop current method to find loop currents I1, I2 and I3.

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 Siskind, Charles S. Electrical Circuits. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1980

Fajardo, Max Jr., B. and Fajardo, Leo R. Electrical Layout and Estimate. 2nd ed. Manila:
5138 Merchandising, 2000

Gussow, Milton. Schaum’s outline of theory and problems of Basic Electricity.

New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1983

Theraja, B. L., et., al. A Textbook of Electrical Technology: Volume I Basic Electrical
Engineering in S.I., System of Units. First multicolor edition. New Delhi: S. Chand &
Company Ltd., 2005

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