Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 2a

VERIFICATION OF SUPER POSITION THEOREM

2.1 Objective 2.2 Theory 2.3 Procedure 2.4 Apparatus required 2.5 Connection diagram
2.6 Observation table 2.7 Calculations 2.8 Result 2.9 Precautions 2.10 Pre-Requisite Questions
2.11 Post- Requisite Questions

2.1 OBJECTIVE: Verification of Super Position Theorem

2.2 APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S. No. Name of the Apparatus Range Quantity

1. Trainer kit for KVL and KCL - 01

2. D.C. Power Supply 0-30V, 2 A 01
3. Multimeter 01
4. Connecting Wires 1.5 mm As required

2.3 THEORY: The superposition theorem for electrical circuits states that for a linear system
the response (voltage or current) in any branch of a bilateral linear circuit having more than one
independent source equals the algebraic sum of the responses caused by each independent source
acting alone, where all the other independent sources are replaced by their internal impedances.
To ascertain the contribution of each individual source, all of the other sources first must be
"turned off" (set to zero) by:
1. Replacing all other independent voltage sources with a short circuit (internal resistance of
ideal voltage source is zero (short circuit)).
2. Replacing all other independent current sources with an open circuit (internal resistance
of ideal current source is infinite (open circuit)).
This procedure is followed for each source in turn, and then the resultant responses are added to
determine the true operation of the circuit. The resultant circuit operation is the superposition of
the various voltage and current sources.
The theorem is applicable to linear circuits consisting of independent sources, linear dependent
sources, linear passive elements (resistors, inductors, capacitors) and linear transformers.

2.4 PROCEDURE: Steps involved are enlisted below:

Step 1: Connect the circuit as given in Figure 2.1.

Step 2: Set V1=12V. For this, connect fixed 12V supply.
Step 3: Set V2=5V. For this, adjust the variable supply to 5V.
Step 4: Measure IL.
Step 5: Now connect the circuit as shown in Figure 2.2 (a). For this, remove voltage
source V2 & short the points 3& 4.

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Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 2a
Step 6: Note the current I1 through A & B, other circuit being the same i.e. only V1 is
applied.
Step 7: Now connect the circuit as shown in Figure 2.2 (b). For this, disconnect voltage
source V1, short circuit points 1 & 2 and connect voltage source V2=10V between 3 & 4.
Step 8: Note the current I2 through A & B i.e. when only V2 is applied.
Step 9: Observe the current IL when both V1 & V2 are applied and this current must be
equal to the algebraic sum of currents I1 & I2 (i.e. IL = I1 + I2)

2.5 CONNECTION DIAGRAM:

Circuit Diagram for Super Position Theorem:

Figure 2.1 Overall circuit diagram

Figure 2.2 (a) Circuit diagram with voltage source V2 (5V) short circuited

Figure 2.2 (b) Circuit diagram with voltage source V1 (12V) short circuited

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Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 2a

2.6 OBSERVATION TABLE:

Source voltage Source voltage Load

I1 (mA) I2 (mA)
V1 (V) V2 (V) Current IL (mA)

2.7 CALCULATIONS:
Theoretical calculations (solve the circuit (Figure 2.1) using Super Position Theorem):

Practically, verify the current through the load resistance:

IL = I1 +I2

IL =
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 Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 2a

2.8 RESULT:

After comparison of the results calculated theoretically and practically, it is found that measured
value of the current flowing through the load is approximately equal to the theoretically
calculated one and the same is also equal to the practically found current. Hence Superposition’s
Theorem is verified with______% error.

2.9 PRECAUTIONS:
1. All the connections should be tight.
2. Observe the readings carefully.
3. The direction of current and polarity of voltage should be taken properly.
4. Select the proper range of instruments.
2.10 PRE-REQUISITE QUESTIONS:
1. What do you mean by linear and non-linear network?
2. What do you mean by unilateral and bilateral network?
3. What are the conditions in application of Super position Theorem?

2.11 POST-REQUISITE QUESTIONS:

1. Discuss about the limitations of super position Theorem.
2. Is superposition theorem valid voltage and power? Justify your answer.
3. Is superposition theorem applicable to circuits containing diodes and BJTs? Justify your
answer
4. What are the applications of superposition theorem and for which circuits this theorem is
used?

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