Kirchhoff's Laws

Kirchhoff's circuit laws are two equalities that deal with

the conservation of charge and energy in electrical circuits.
There basically two Kirchhoff's law :-

1. Kirchhoff's current law (KCL) Based on principle of
conservation of electric charge.
2. Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) - Based on principle of
conservation of energy.



Kirchhoff's current law (KCL)

This law is also called Kirchhoff's first law, Kirchhoff's point
rule, Kirchhoff's junction rule (or nodal rule), and Kirchhoff's
first rule.
The principle of conservation of electric charge implies that:
At any node (junction) in an electrical circuit, the sum
of currents flowing into that node is equal to the sum of
currents flowing out of that node, or The algebraic sum of
currents in a network of conductors meeting at a point is zero.
Strictly speaking KCL only applies to circuits with steady
currents (DC).
However, for AC circuits having dimensions much smaller
than a wavelength, KCL is also approximately applicable.

The current entering any junction is equal to the
current leaving that junction. i
1
+ i
4
=i
2
+ i
3

Recalling that current is a signed (positive or negative)
quantity reflecting direction towards or away from a node,
this principle can be stated as:

= 0 I

Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL)

This law is also called Kirchhoff's second law, Kirchhoff's loop
(or mesh) rule, and Kirchhoff's second rule.
The principle of conservation of energy implies that
The directed sum of the electrical potential
differences (voltage) around any closed circuit is zero, or
More simply, the sum of the emfs in any closed loop is
equivalent to the sum of the potential drops in that loop
Strictly speaking KVL only applies to circuits with steady
currents (DC).
However, for AC circuits having dimensions much smaller than
a wavelength, KVL is also approximately applicable.

The algebraic sum of the products of the resistances of the
conductors and the currents in them in a closed loop is equal
to the total emf available in that loop. Similarly to KCL, it can
be stated as:

OR

= R I V
emf
V
n
loop
=

0
KVL:
The sum of all the voltages around the loop is equal to
zero. v
1
+ v
2
+ v
3
- v
4
= 0
Mesh Analysis
Mesh analysis (or the mesh current method) is a method that
is used to solve planar circuits for the currents (and indirectly
the voltages) at any place in the circuit. Planar circuits are
circuits that can be drawn on a plane surface with
no wires crossing each other.
Mesh analysis works by arbitrarily assigning mesh currents in
the essential meshes. An essential mesh is a loop in the circuit
that does not contain any other loop.

Steps to Determine Mesh Currents:
1. Assign mesh currents i
1
, i
2
, .., i
n
to the n meshes.
Current direction need to be same in all meshes
either clockwise or anticlockwise.
2. Apply KVL to each of the n meshes. Use Ohms
law to express the voltages in terms of the mesh
currents.
3. Solve the resulting n simultaneous equations to
get the mesh currents
Example
A circuit with two meshes.
Apply KVL to each mesh. For mesh 1,



For mesh 2,
1 2 3 1 3 1
2 1 3 1 1 1
) (
0 ) (
V i R i R R
i i R i R V
= +
= + +
2 2 3 2 1 3
1 2 3 2 2 2
) (
0 ) (
V i R R i R
i i R V i R
= + +
= + +
Solve for the mesh currents.



Use i for a mesh current and I for a branch
current. Its evident from Fig. 3.17 that
(

=
(

+
+
2
1
2
1
3 2 3
3 3 1
V
V
i
i
R R R
R R R
2 1 3 2 2 1 1
, , i i I i I i I = = =
Nodal Analysis
In electric circuits analysis, nodal analysis, node-voltage
analysis, or the branch current method is a method of
determining the voltage (potential difference) between
"nodes" (points where elements or branches connect) in
an electrical circuit in terms of the branch currents.
Nodal analysis is possible when all the circuit elements
branch constitutive relations have an admittance
representation.
Kirchhoffs current law is used to develop the method
referred to as nodal analysis

STEPS FOR NODAL ANALYSIS:-
Note all connected wire segments in the circuit. These are
the nodes of nodal analysis.
Select one node as the ground reference. The choice does not
affect the result and is just a matter of convention. Choosing
the node with most connections can simplify the analysis.
Assign a variable for each node whose voltage is unknown. If
the voltage is already known, it is not necessary to assign a
variable.
For each unknown voltage, form an equation based on
Kirchhoff's current law. Basically, add together all currents
leaving from the node and mark the sum equal to zero.

If there are voltage sources between two unknown
voltages, join the two nodes as a super node. The
currents of the two nodes are combined in a single
equation, and a new equation for the voltages is
formed.
Solve the system of simultaneous equations for each
unknown voltage.

1. Reference Node
The reference node is called the ground node
where V = 0
+

V 500O
500O
1kO
500O
500O
I
1

I
2

Example
V
1
, V
2
, and V
3
are unknowns for which we solve
using KCL
500O
500O
1kO
500O
500O
I
1

I
2

1 2 3
V
1
V
2
V
3

Steps of Nodal Analysis
1. Choose a reference (ground) node.
2. Assign node voltages to the other nodes.
3. Apply KCL to each node other than the reference
node; express currents in terms of node voltages.
4. Solve the resulting system of linear equations for
the nodal voltages.
Currents and Node Voltages
500O
V
1

500O
V
1
V
2

O

500
2 1
V V
O 500
1
V
3. KCL at Node 1
500O
500O
I
1

V
1
V
2

O
+
O

=
500 500
1 2 1
1
V V V
I
3. KCL at Node 2
500O
1kO
500O
V
2
V
3
V
1

0
500 k 1 500
3 2 2 1 2
=
O

+
O
+
O
V V V V V
3. KCL at Node 3
2
3 2 3
500 500
I
V V V
=
O
+
O

500O
500O
I
2

V
2
V
3

Superposition Theorem
It is used to find the solution to networks with two or more
sources that are not in series or parallel
The current through, or voltage across, an element in a linear
bilateral network is equal to the algebraic sum of the currents
or voltages produced independently by each source.
For a two-source network, if the current produced by one
source is in one direction, while that produced by the other is in
the opposite direction through the same resistor, the resulting
current is the difference of the two and has the direction of the
larger
If the individual currents are in the same direction, the
resulting current is the sum of two in the direction of either
current

Superposition Theorem
The total power delivered to a resistive element must be
determined using the total current through or the total voltage
across the element and cannot be determined by a simple sum
of the power levels established by each source
For applying Superposition theorem:-
Replace all other independent voltage sources with a short
circuit (thereby eliminating difference of potential. i.e. V=0,
internal impedance of ideal voltage source is ZERO (short
circuit)).
Replace all other independent current sources with an open
circuit (thereby eliminating current. i.e. I=0, internal impedance
of ideal current source is infinite (open circuit).

Example:- Determine the branches current
using Superposition theorem.
Solution:
The application of the superposition theorem is shown in
Figure 1, where it is used to calculate the branch current. We
begin by calculating the branch current caused by the voltage
source of 120 V. By substituting the ideal current with open
circuit, we deactivate the current source, as shown in Figure
2.
120 V
3 O
6 O
12 A
4 O
2 O
i
1
i
2
i
3
i
4
Figure 1
To calculate the branch current, the node voltage across
the 3 resistor must be known. Therefore
120 V
3 O
6 O
4 O
2 O
i
'
1
i
'
2
i
'
3
i
'
4
v
1
Figure 2
4 2
v
3
v
6
120 v
1 1 1
+
+ +

= 0
where v
1
= 30 V
The equations for the current in each branch,







6
30 120
= 15 A
i'
2
=
3
30
= 10 A
i
'
3
= i
'
4
=
6
30
= 5 A




In order to calculate the current cause by the current source, we
deactivate the ideal voltage source with a short circuit, as shown
3 O
6 O
12 A
4 O
2 O
i
1
"
i
2
"
i
3
"
i
4
"
i'
1
=
To determine the branch current, solve the node
voltages across the 3 dan 4 resistors as shown in
Figure 4







The two node voltages are
3 O
6 O
12 A
4 O
2 O
v
3
v
4
+
-
+
-
2 6 3
4 3 3 3
v v v v
+ +
12
4
v
2
v v
4 3 4
+ +

= 0
= 0
By solving these equations, we obtain
v
3
= -12 V
v
4
= -24 V
Now we can find the branches current,
To find the actual current of the circuit, add the currents due to
both the current and voltage source,

Thevenin's theorem

Thevenin's theorem for linear electrical networks states that
any combination of voltage sources, current sources,
and resistors with two terminals is electrically equivalent to a
single voltage source V and a single series resistor R.
Any two-terminal, linear bilateral dc network can be replaced
by an equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage source and a
series resistor

Thvenins Theorem
The Thvenin equivalent circuit provides an equivalence at
the terminals only the internal construction and
characteristics of the original network and the Thvenin
equivalent are usually quite different
This theorem achieves two important objectives:
Provides a way to find any particular voltage or current
in a linear network with one, two, or any other number
of sources
We can concentration on a specific portion of a network
by replacing the remaining network with an equivalent
circuit
Calculating the Thvenin equivalent
Sequence to proper value of R
Th
and E
Th

Preliminary
1. Remove that portion of the network across which
the Thvenin equation circuit is to be found. In the
figure below, this requires that the load resistor R
L
be
temporarily removed from the network.
2. Mark the terminals of the remaining two-
terminal network. (The importance of this step will
become obvious as we progress through some
complex networks)
R
Th
:
3. Calculate R
Th
by first setting all sources to zero
(voltage sources are replaced by short circuits, and
current sources by open circuits) and then finding
the resultant resistance between the two marked
terminals. (If the internal resistance of the voltage
and/or current sources is included in the original
network, it must remain when the sources are set to
zero)
E
Th
:
4. Calculate E
Th
by first returning all sources to their
original position and finding the open-circuit voltage
between the marked terminals. (This step is
invariably the one that will lead to the most
confusion and errors. In all cases, keep in mind that
it is the open-circuit potential between the two
terminals marked in step 2)


Conclusion:
5. Draw the Thvenin
equivalent circuit with
the portion of the circuit
previously removed
replaced between the
terminals of the
equivalent circuit. This
step is indicated by the
placement of the resistor
R
L
between the terminals
of the Thvenin
equivalent circuit
Insert Figure 9.26(b)

Another way of Calculating the Thvenin
equivalent

Measuring V
OC
and I
SC

The Thvenin voltage is again determined by
measuring the open-circuit voltage across the
terminals of interest; that is, E
Th
= V
OC
. To determine
R
Th
, a short-circuit condition is established across the
terminals of interest and the current through the
short circuit I
sc
is measured with an ammeter
Using Ohms law:
R
Th
= V
oc
/ I
sc
Example:- find the Thevenin equivalent
circuit.




Solution
In order to find the Thevenin equivalent circuit for the circuit
shown in Figure1 , calculate the open circuit voltage, Vab. Note
that when the a, b terminals are open, there is no current flow
to 4 resistor. Therefore, the voltage vab is the same as the
voltage across the 3A current source, labeled v
1
.
To find the voltage v
1
, solve the equations for the singular node
voltage. By choosing the bottom right node as the reference
node,
25 V
20 O
+
-
v
1
3 A
5 O
4 O
+
-
v
ab
a
b
By solving the equation, v1 = 32 V. Therefore, the Thevenin
voltage Vth for the circuit is 32 V.
The next step is to short circuit the terminals and find the
short circuit current for the circuit shown in Figure 2. Note
that the current is in the same direction as the falling voltage
at the terminal.
0 3
20
v
5
25 v
1 1
= +

25 V
20 O
+
-
v
2
3 A
5 O
4 O
+
-
v
ab
a
b
i
sc
Figure 2
0
4
v
3
20
v
5
25 v
2 2 2
= + +

Current i
sc
can be found if v
2
is known. By using the bottom
right node as the reference node, the equationfor v
2
becomes

By solving the above equation, v
2
= 16 V. Therefore, the short
circuit
current i
sc
is




The Thevenin resistance R
Th
is


Figure 3 shows the Thevenin equivalent circuit for the Figure 1.
Figure 3

Norton theorem

Norton's theorem for linear electrical networks states that
any collection of voltage sources, current sources,
and resistors with two terminals is electrically equivalent to an
ideal current source, I, in parallel with a single resistor.
Any two linear bilateral dc network can be replaced by an
equivalent circuit consisting of a current and a parallel
resistor.

Calculating the Norton equivalent
The steps leading to the proper values of I
N

and R
N

Preliminary
1. Remove that portion of the network across
which the Norton equivalent circuit is found
2. Mark the terminals of the remaining two-
terminal network

R
N
:
3. Calculate R
N
by first setting all sources to zero
(voltage sources are replaced with short circuits, and
current sources with open circuits) and then finding
the resultant resistance between the two marked
terminals. (If the internal resistance of the voltage
and/or current sources is included in the original
network, it must remain when the sources are set to
zero.) Since R
N
= R
Th
the procedure and value
obtained using the approach described for Thvenins
theorem will determine the proper value of R
N

Nortons Theorem
I
N
:
4. Calculate I
N
by first returning all the sources to
their original position and then finding the short-
circuit current between the marked terminals. It is
the same current that would be measured by an
ammeter placed between the marked terminals.
Conclusion:
5. Draw the Norton equivalent circuit with the
portion of the circuit previously removed replaced
between the terminals of the equivalent circuit

Example
Derive the Norton equivalent circuit

Solution
Step 1: Source transformation (The 25V voltage source
is converted to a 5 A current source.)
25 V
20 O
3 A
5 O
4 O
a
b
20 O
3 A
5 O
4 O
a
b
5 A
4 O
8 A
4 O
a
b
Step 3: Source transformation (combined serial resistance to
produce the Thevenin equivalent circuit.)
8 O
32 V
a
b
Step 2: Combination of parallel source and parallel resistance
Step 4: Source transformation (To produce the Norton
equivalent circuit. The current source is 4A (I = V/R = 32
V/8 O))
Norton equivalent circuit.
8

a
b
4 A

Maximum power transfer theorem

The maximum power transfer theorem states that, to
obtain maximum external power from a source with a finite
internal resistance, the resistance of the load must be equal
to the resistance of the source as viewed from the output
terminals.
A load will receive maximum power from a linear bilateral
dc network when its total resistive value is exactly equal to
the Thvenin resistance of the network as seen by the
load
R
L
= R
Th


Resistance network
which contains
dependent and
independent sources

L
2
Th
R 4
V
( )
2
L
L
2
Th
R 2
R V
p
max
= =
Maximum power transfer happens when the load
resistance R
L
is equal to the Thevenin equivalent
resistance, R
Th
. To find the maximum power delivered to
R
L
,
Application of Network Theorems
Network theorems are useful in simplifying analysis of some
circuits. But the more useful aspect of network theorems is
the insight it provides into the properties and behaviour of
circuits
Network theorem also help in visualizing the response of
complex network.
The Superposition Theorem finds use in the
study of alternating current (AC) circuits, and semiconductor
(amplifier) circuits, where sometimes AC is often mixed
(superimposed) with DC