SUPERPOSITION

THEOREMS
 STATEMENT

“In any linear network containing more than one source

(current/voltage), the total current in any branch is the algebraic sum
of the individual currents produced by each source acting alone.”
 EXPLANATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

• If there are a various source whether current or voltage source in a linear circuit, the current
in any branch of circuit may be calculated by assuming one source at a time and replacing all
other sources by their internal resistance.

• This essentially means that, an ideal voltage source should be shorted while a current
source should be kept open circuit while solving problem related to superposition theorem.
 EXPLANATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
• In this circuit, there are two sources V1 and V2. Suppose, we want to find the current
through resistance R2 using superposition theorem.
• To apply the theorem, first of all, we replace any one source by its internal resistance. So for
case 1, let us replace V2 first. Since V2 is an ideal source, hence it will be replaced by a
short in between its terminal.
• And for case 2, let us replace V1. Since V1 is an ideal source, hence it will be replaced by a
short in between its terminal.

Case 1 Case 2
 EXPLANATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
• The current through resistance R2 is assumed to I2 and may be calculated as shown below:

Case 1 (V1 active V2 shorted)

Step 1:- Find Total resistance of circuit

Req1 = 𝑅1 + (𝑅2 || 𝑅3)

(𝑅2𝑅3)
= 𝑅1 + (𝑅2+𝑅3)

Step 2:- Find total current

𝑉
I1 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞1
Step 3:- Find current through R3

𝑅3
I′ = 𝐼1
𝑅2 + 𝑅3
 EXPLANATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
Case 2 (V2 active V1 shorted)
• The current through resistance R2 is assumed to I2 and may be calculated as shown below:
Step 1:- Find Total resistance of circuit
Req1 = 𝑅3 + (𝑅1 || 𝑅2)
(𝑅1𝑅2)
= 𝑅3 + (𝑅1+𝑅2)

Step 2:- Find total current

𝑉
I2 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞2
Step 3:- Find current through R3

𝑅1
I′′ = 𝐼2
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
As per superposition theorem,
𝐼 = 𝐼 ′ + 𝐼′′
 EXAMPLE 1
Find the current flowing through 2.2Ω using the superposition theorem.
1kΩ 2.2kΩ
Solution:- R1 R2
Case 1: Taking 9V Source and SC 5V
Step 1:- Find Total resistance of circuit R3 2.2kΩ
Req1 = 𝑅1 + (𝑅2 || 𝑅3) 9V 5V
= 1 + 1.1 ⇒ 𝟐. 𝟐𝒌Ω
Step 2:- Find total current
𝑉
I1 = 1kΩ 2.2kΩ
𝑅𝑒𝑞1
9 R1 R2
I1 = ⇒ 𝟒. 𝟐𝟖𝒎𝑨
2.2
Step 3:- Find current through R3 R3 2.2kΩ
𝑅2 9V
I ′ = 𝐼1
𝑅2 + 𝑅3
2.2
I ′ = 4.28 ∗ ⇒ 𝟐. 𝟏𝟒𝒎𝑨 Case 1
2.2 + 2.2
 EXAMPLE 1
Case 2: Taking 5V Source and SC 9V 1kΩ 2.2kΩ
Step 1:- Find Total resistance of circuit
R1 R2
Req2 = 𝑅2 + (𝑅1 || 𝑅3)
= 2.2 + 0.6 ⇒ 𝟐. 𝟖𝒌Ω R3 2.2kΩ
Step 2:- Find total current
𝑉
5V
I2 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞2
5 Case 2
I2 = 2.8 ⇒ 𝟏. 𝟕𝒎𝑨
Step 3:- Find current through R3
𝑅1
I′′ = 𝐼2
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
1
I ′′ = 1.7 ∗ 1+2.2 ⇒ 𝟎. 𝟓𝟑𝒎𝑨
As per superposition theorem,
𝐼 = 2.14 + 0.53 ⇒ 𝟐. 𝟔𝟕𝐦𝐀
 EXAMPLE 2
Find the current flowing through 5Ω using the superposition theorem.
6kΩ 8kΩ

R6 R2

10kΩ
48V R3 5kΩ R4
5A

Solution:-
Using source transformation convert 5A current source to its equivalent voltage source. After the source transformation,
the circuit can be redrawn as given below.
6kΩ
18kΩ

R1 R2

48V R3 5kΩ 50v

 EXAMPLE 2
Case 1: Taking 20V Source and OC 4A
6kΩ
18kΩ
Step 1:- Find Total resistance of circuit
Req1 = 𝑅1 + (𝑅2 || 𝑅3) R1 R2

= 6 + 3.91 ⇒ 𝟗. 𝟗𝟏𝒌Ω
Step 2:- Find total current
48V R3 5kΩ

𝑉
I1 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞1
48 Case 1
I1 = ⇒ 𝟒. 𝟖𝟒𝒎𝑨
9.91
Step 3:- Find current through R3
𝑅2
I′ = 𝐼1
𝑅2 + 𝑅3
18
I ′ = 4.84 ∗ ⇒ 𝟑. 𝟕𝟗𝒎𝑨
18 + 5
 EXAMPLE 2
Case 2: Taking 5V Source and SC 9V 6kΩ
18kΩ
Step 1:- Find Total resistance of circuit
R1 R2
Req2 = 𝑅2 + (𝑅1 || 𝑅3)
= 18 + 2.73 ⇒ 𝟐𝟎. 𝟕𝟑𝒌Ω
Step 2:- Find total current
R3 5kΩ 50v
𝑉
I2 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞2
50
I2 = 20.73 ⇒ 𝟐. 𝟒𝟏𝒎𝑨 Case 2
Step 3:- Find current through R3
𝑅1
I′′ = 𝐼2
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
6
I ′′ = 2.41 ∗ 6+5 ⇒ 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐𝒎𝑨
As per superposition theorem,
𝐼 = 𝐼 ′ − 𝐼′′
𝐼 = 3.79 + (−1.32) ⇒ 𝟐. 𝟒𝟕𝐦𝐀