Chapter 3 a

Nodal Analysis

Introduction
■ Techniques for circuit analysis:

❑ Nodal Analysis
🡪 Based on KCL

❑ Mesh Analysis
🡪 Based on KVL

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Nodal Analysis without Voltage
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■ Make use of node voltages as circuit
 variables.
■ Given a circuit with n nodes:
1. Select a node as the reference node.
❑ Reference node 🡪 Node with 0 potential.
2. Assign voltages v1, v2,… vn-1to the remaining n-1
nodes. The voltages are referenced with respect to the
reference node.
3. Apply KCL to each of the n-1 non-reference
nodes. Use Ohm’s Law to express the branch currents in
terms of node voltages.
4. Solve to determine the unknown node
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Nodal Analysis without Voltage

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Nodal Analysis without Voltage
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■ Example 2:
❑ Find the voltages at the three non-reference nodes.
 Answer
v1 = 80v
v2 = -64v
v3 = 156v

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Objectives
1. Review the steps involved in determining
nodal voltages using nodal analysis. 2.
Define supernode as used in circuit
analysis.
3. Examine the process of generating

equations in circuits with voltage sources. 4.

Derive a system of linear equations using
the nodal analysis technique.
5. Determine nodal voltages in circuits
involving voltage sources.

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Nodal Analysis without Voltage
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Nodal Analysis with Voltage

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Nodal Analysis with Voltage
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■ Two cases to consider:
❑ Case 1: A voltage source is connected between
reference node and non-reference node.
■ Set
the voltage at the non-reference node equal to the
voltage source.
 ❑ Case 2: A voltage source connected between two
non-reference node
■ Thetwo non-reference nodes form a super node. ■ Apply
both KCL and KVL to determine the node voltages.

#Super node is formed by enclosing a (dependent or independent)

voltage source connected between two non-reference nodes and any
elements connected in parallel with it.

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SUPERNODE Case 2
Case 1

123

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Nodal Analysis with Voltage
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■ Properties of super A limitation or restriction
node:
 ❑ The voltage source inside the super node provides
constraint equation needed to solve for the
node voltages.
❑ A super node has no voltage of its own. ❑ A

super node requires the application of both KCL

and KVL.

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Nodal Analysis with Voltage

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■ Example 1: Find v and i

V1 V2 V3

I1

2
I I3
V=0
v=-0.2v, i = 1.4A
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Nodal Analysis with Voltage
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 ■ Example 2: Find v1, v2 and v3 using nodal analysis

v1 =-3.043 V, v2 =-6.956 V, v3 = 0.6522 V

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