College of Engineering

Electrical Engineering Department

ELEC201: Kirchhoff’s Laws and Mesh and Nodal

Analysis
Group Number in the Blackboard: ____

SEMESTER
(Fall 2021/ Spring 2021)

Lab#: 03

Section : B51
Students : Noora Alkuwari 201508667
Asmaa Aslam 201705096
Fatma alsaeif 201702954

Instructor : Najla AL-Thani; Hasan Mehrjerdi

Date Performed: 13/9/2021

Date Submitted: 20/9/2021
Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

1. INTRODUCTION
The objective of performing this lab experiment is to understand the Kirchhoff’s current and
voltage laws. The uses of these two laws in nodal and mesh analysis techniques will also be
investigated.
Kirchhoff’s voltage law or KVL, as the name indicates, is used to obtain the voltages in a closed
loop. It says that the sum of voltages in a close loop will be equal to zero. This law was applied
on the circuit of Figure 3.1 as provided in the lab 3 handout and following KVL Equations were
obtained for the two loops [2].

𝑉1 + 𝑉2 − 𝐸1 = 0 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑝 − 1 (1)
𝑉2 − 𝑉3 − 𝐸2 = 0 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑝 − 2 (2)

Kirchhoff’s current law or KCL, as the name indicates, is used to obtain the currents flowing in
or out at a particular junction or node. It says that the sum of currents at a specific node will be
equal to zero. This law was applied on the circuit of Figure 3.1 as provided in the lab 3 handout
and following KCL equation was obtained for junction labeled as ′𝑉𝑏 ′:
𝐼2 − 𝐼1 − 𝐼3 = 0 (3)
Mesh Analysis: The KVL as explained above is applied on all the loops and resulting equations
are solved using algebraic methods. This method is known as Mesh analysis. The term ‘Mesh’
is equivalent to a loop but the difference is that a loop may contain further sub loops in it but a
mesh is the smallest loop which does not contain any further loops in it. The number of equations
will be equal to the number of unknown mesh currents.
Nodal Analysis: In this technique KCL is applied on all the nodes whose voltage is unknown.
The resulting equations are solved using any mathematical techniques. The number of
equations will be equal to the number of unknown voltages.

2. PRE-LAB

i. Mesh Analysis

Applying mesh analysis for Mesh 1 by using the KVL given by Eq. (1)

2.2𝐼1 + 1.5𝐼2 = 0.005 (4)

Applying mesh analysis for Mesh 2 by using the KVL given by Eq. (2)

1.5𝐼2 + 3.3𝐼3 = 0.012 (5)

There are only two equations with 3 unknowns. One variable can be removed to reduce the
equations (4) and (5) to only two variables.

ELEC201: KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS AND MESH AND NODAL ANALYSIS SEMESTER

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Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

From Eq. (3) -> 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 − 𝐼3 , putting this relationship in Eq. (4)

2.2𝐼2 − 2.2𝐼3 + 1.5𝐼2 = 0.005

3.7𝐼2 − 2.2𝐼3 = 0.005

0.005 + 2.2𝐼3
𝐼2 = (6)
3.7

Using Eq. (6) in Eq. (5)

0.005 + 2.2𝐼3
1.5 ( ) + 3.3𝐼3 = 0.012
3.7

𝐼3 (4.192) = 0.009972

𝐼3 = 2.3788 𝑚𝐴 ≅ 2.379 𝑚𝐴

Using value of I3 in Eq. 6)

2.379
0.005 + 2.2 ( 1000 )
𝐼2 =
3.7

𝐼2 = 2.7658 𝑚𝐴 ≅ 2.766 𝑚𝐴

The current I1 is given with the help of Eq. (3)

𝐼1 = 𝐼2 − 𝐼3 = 2.766 − 2.379

𝐼1 = 0.387 𝑚𝐴

Voltages across the resistors are computed as follows:

𝑉1 = 0.387 ∗ 2.2 = 0.851𝑉,

𝑉2 = 2.766 ∗ 1.5 = 4.149𝑉

𝑉3 = 2.379 ∗ 3.3 = 7.851𝑉

ii. Nodal Analysis

There is only one unknown node voltage, that is the node voltage vb. The KCL given by Eq. (3) can be
used to find this unknown node voltage.

𝐼2 − 𝐼1 − 𝐼3 = 0

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Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

𝑉𝑏 12 − 𝑉𝑏 5 − 𝑉𝑏
− − =0
1.5𝑘 3.3𝑘 2.2𝑘

Solving for vb:

(1.424)𝑉𝑏 = 5.909

𝑉𝑏 = 4.149𝑉

Voltages across the resistors can be computed as follows:

The voltages V1, V2 and V3 are calculated as follows:

𝑉1 = 5 − 4.149 = 0.851𝑉

𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑏 = 4.149𝑉

And,

𝑉3 = −𝑉𝑏 + 𝐸2 = 4.149 − 12

𝑉3 = 7.851 𝑉

The required currents are:

5 − 4.149
𝐼1 = 𝑚𝐴
2.2

I1 = 0.387mA ,

4.149
𝐼2 = 𝑚𝐴
1.5

𝐼2 = 2.766 𝑚𝐴

Seeking help from Eq. (3) to find I3:

𝐼3 = 𝐼2 − 𝐼1

𝐼3 = 2.766 − 0.387

𝑰𝟑 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟕𝟗𝒎𝑨

ELEC201: KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS AND MESH AND NODAL ANALYSIS SEMESTER

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Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

3. EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND MATERIALS

❖ Breadboard
❖ Variable DC Power Supply
❖ Digital Multimeter
❖ Resistors (1.5 k, 2.2 k, 3.3 k)

4. PROCEDURES
1. There was only one circuit involved to be analyzed in this lab. The measurements for
voltages and currents were carried out by implementing the circuit on bread board as well
as on Multisim. Multisim based and practical lab based circuit implementations are shown
in Figure 1 and 2 respectively.

Figure 1: Circuit Implementation in Multisim

ELEC201: KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS AND MESH AND NODAL ANALYSIS SEMESTER

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Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

Figure 2: Circuit Implementation on Bread board

2. The values of the power supplies and resistors were used as given in the manual.
3. Measured as well as simulated voltages and currents were recorded in the Table 3.1.
4. The calculated values were obtained from Pre-Lab results.
5. The comparison between the calculated values with the simulated values and measured
values was also included in the Table 3.1

5. RESULTS
The calculated values from Pre-Lab, simulated values from Multisim and measured values from
the Lab have been recorded in the Table 3.1 as follows:

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 Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

Table 3.1. Data and Calculations for given circuit

Calculated % Error
(between (between
Quantity Practical Simulation measured simulated
Nodal Mesh Mean and and
calculated calculated
mean) mean)

V1 0.870 0.851 0.851 0.851 0.851 2.23 0.0

V2 4.2 4.149 4.149 4.149 4.149 1.23 0.0

V3 7.82 7.851 7.851 7.851 7.851 0.39 0.0

Va (E1) 5.07 5 5 5 5 1.40 0.0

Vb (V2) 4.20 4.149 4.149 4.149 4.149 1.23 0.0
Vc (E2) 12.02 12 12 12 12 0.17 0.0

I1 0.41 0.387 0.387 0.387 0.387 5.94 0.0

I2 2.89 2.766 2.766 2.766 2.766 4.48 0.0

I3 2.47 2.379 2.379 2.379 2.379 3.83 0.0

The practical measured resistances are enlisted in Table 3.2:

Table 3.2. Practical values of resistors

R1 R2 R3

1.496 3.27
2.17

The Breadboard-measured values were recorded in the column labeled as ‘Practical’. The
Multisim-measured values were recorded in the column labeled as ‘Simulation’. Similarly, the
calculated values were obtained from Pre-Lab section and they were noted here in the column
labeled as ‘Calculations’. The calculations for nodal and mesh methods have been noted in
separate sub-columns and their mean is also given in the separate columns. The comparison
between the calculated and Breadboard-measured values is given in the second last column of
the Table. Similarly, the comparison between the calculated and Multisim-measured values is
given in the last column.

Verification of KVL given by Eq. (1) and (2) can be done as follows:

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Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

Using Bread-board measured values:

−5.07 + 0.87 + 4.2 = 0 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑝 − 1

−12.02 + 4.2 + 7.82 = 0 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑝 − 2

Using Multisim measured values:
−5 + 0.851 + 4.149 = 0 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑝 − 1
4.149 + 7.851 − 12 = 0 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑝 − 2

Verification of KCL given by Eq. (3) can be done as follows:

Using Bread-board measured values:
−2.89 + 2.47 + 0.41 = −0.01
Using Multisim-measured values:
−2.766 + 2.379 + 0.387 = 0

6. POST LAB TASKS.

N/A.

7. DISCUSSION
Kirchhoff's voltage law suggested that the sum of the voltages in the both loops of the circuit
would be zero. Kirchhoff's current law suggested that the sum of the currents entering or leaving
the node 'Vb' would be equal to zero. Nodal and Mesh analysis techniques were used to
calculate the currents and voltages in the circuit employing the KCL and KVL principles. The
columns 4, 5 and 6 of the Table 3.1 showed that all the calculations using nodal and mesh
analysis techniques were exactly same. This shoes that both techniques can be used to solve
for circuit parameters. However, the choice of the technique being used depends upon different
factors which are not part of this lab. But, basic rule of thumb is that apply the nodal analysis
method if the circuit contains a smaller number of nodes as compared to the number of meshes
with unknown currents.
The KCL and KVL principles were to be proved using the Bread board measurements and
Multisim measurements. The results section proved that the sum of voltages in both loops was
equal to or approximately equal zero. Similarly, the sum of the currents at node 'Vb' was proved
to be zero. In this way results fulfilled the expectations of the lab objectives.
Calculated values were the reference values with which Multisim measured and Breadboard
measured values were to be compared. The percentage error method was used for the
comparison. The last two columns of the Table 3.1 provided the required %age errors. The %age
errors were in considerable range of 0 to 5%. Hence, the validity of the measurements was also
proved.

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Lab #3: KVL, KCL and Mesh and Nodal Analysis [QU-EED V.28-4-20]

8. CONCLUSION
KCL and KVL are the basic laws behind almost all circuit solving techniques. In this lab the KCL
and KVL principles were to be analyzed and how they are used in nodal and mesh analysis
methods. It was expected that the measured values of voltage and currents obtained from Bread
board and Multisim circuits. The data and results showed that all the measurements were within
required accuracy of i.e., < 5% errors. The KCL and KVL principles were also satisfied by the
bread board and Multisim measurements. The stated objectives have be accomplished
successfully. There were no discrepancies present in the measurements. Therefore, the lab
proved to be a success.

9. REFERENCES

[1] E. E. Department, "ELEC201 Lab Manual," Qatar University, 2021.

[2] https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_4.html

APPENDICES
The mean of the nodal and mesh analysis values was calculated as:
𝑁𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 + 𝑀𝑒𝑠ℎ 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 =
2
e.g.,
4.149 + 4.149
𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = = 4.149
2

The percentage errors between two quantities are calculated according to:

𝑋𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 − 𝑋𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | ∗ 100
𝑋𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑

e.g.,

2.379 − 2.47
%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | ∗ 100 = 3.83%
2.379

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