SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

CONTENT
SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
USAGE
STEPS
TURNING OFF SOURCES
A REQUIREMENT OF SUPERPOSITION
EXAMPLE
SUMMARY
 SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
The superposition theorem extends the use of Ohm's Law to circuits with multiple sources.
Definition - The current through, or voltage across, an element in a linear bilateral network equal
to the algebraic sum of the currents or voltages produced independently by each source.
The Superposition theorem is very helpful in determining the voltage across an element or current
through a branch when the circuit contains multiple number of voltage or current sources.
▸ In order to apply the superposition theorem to a network, certain conditions must be met :
All the components must be linear, for e.g.- the current is proportional to the applied voltage (for
resistors), flux linkage is proportional to current (in inductors), etc.
2. All the components must be bilateral, meaning that the current is the same amount for opposite
polarities of the source voltage.
3. Passive components may be used. These are components such as resistors, capacitors, and
inductors, that do not amplify or rectify.
4. Active components may not be used. Active components include transistors, semiconductor
diodes, and electron tubes. Such components are never bilateral and seldom linear
 USAGE
Separating the contributions of the DC and A independent sources.
Example:
To determine the performance of an amplifier, we calculate
the DC voltages and currents to establish the bias point.
The AC signal is usually what will be amplified. A generic
amplifier has a constant DC operating point, but the AC signal's
amplitude and frequency will vary depending on the application.
 STEPS
1. Turn off all independent sources except one.
2. Redraw circuit.
3. Solve for the voltages and currents in the new circuit.
4. Turn off the active independent source and turn on one of the other independent sources.
5. Repeat Steps 2 and 3.
6. Continue until you have turned on each of the independent sources in the original circuit.
7. To find the total voltage across each component and the total current flowing, add the
contributions from each of the voltages and currents found in Step 3.
 TURNING OFF SOURCES
● Voltage sources should be replaced with short circuits.
• A short circuit will allow current to
flow across it, but the voltage across a short circuit is equal to
0V.
● Current sources should be replaced with open circuits.
• An open circuit can have a non-zero
voltage across it, but the current is equal to 0A.
A REQUIREMENT FOR SUPERPOSITION
● Once you select a direction for current to
flowthrough a component and the direction of the
polarity (+/- signs) for the voltage across a component,
you must use the same directions when calculating
these values in all of the subsequent circuits.
 EXAMPLE
Find the current following through R.

ANS :-
Step 1:

Short Circuiting Voltage source V2 & finding the current l1

I1=V1/R
Step 2:

Short Circuiting Voltage source V1 & finding the current l2

The net current is :- I=I1+I2=V1/R-V2/R

 SUMMARY
● Superposition can be used to reduce the complexity of a circuit so
that the voltages and currents in the circuit can be determined easily.
● To turn off a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit. • To turn
off a current source, replace it with an open circuit.
● Polarity of voltage across components and direction of currents
through the components must be the same during each iteration
through the circuit.
● The total of the currents and voltages from each iteration is the
solution when all power sources are active in the circuit.
 REFERENCE
Circuits & Network Analysis & Synthesis By A Sudhakar Shyammohan S Palli
THANK YOU