Topic 1. Basic Concepts & Laws (CH)

UEEA 1243 Circuit Theory
1
Chapter 1: Basic Concepts and Laws
1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

1.2 Circuit Elements
1.3 Circuit Notation
1.4 Kirchhoff’s Law
1.5 Voltage & Current Divider Rules
1.6 Delta-Wye Transformations
1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
2
1.1 Basic Concept & Definitions
DC (Direct current) Thomas Edison
-- current flows in uni-directional
AC (Alternating current)
- current flows in bi-directional
Nikola Tesla
3
Conductance (G)
- Conductance is the tendency to conduct current.
- It is the reciprocal of resistance, measured in siemens (S),
G = 1/R; [S] = [Ω]-1
- Electronic engineers also use Mho (℧).
Question: Beside metals, can water or other fluids conduct

electricity?
4
• Voltage vs Current
Which one is more dangerous?
5
Ohm’s Law: The current flowing across a resistor is

proportional to the voltage across the resistor
6
Chassis ground vs common ground
- The chassis ground is the connector that is connected to
the real earth for the safety precaution.
- The earth is a neutral body with huge electric capacity
(electrons and protons). It can accept or release electrons
and is always 0 V.
- Common ground is the point in the circuit where the
voltage is designated to be 0 V.
7
Why birds don’t get electrocuted
when sitting on the power line?
8
Review Question:
1. Can we lay the wires to the

ground to make the LED lit?
2. Can we connect the chassis
ground with the common
ground?
3. Why do we need a common
ground?
4. What is the consequence if I
didn’t connect the common
ground? Can the circuit
function?
9
• Can we get a negative voltage supply?
• Can we use dry cells to supply a negative

voltage?
• Positive voltage is more dangerous than

the negative voltage, is it correct?
10
Measurement of Voltages
a) Grounded b) Grounded c) Grounded
at the bottom in the middle at the top
a + a
+ a +
10V 10V
_ 10V
_
_
b
b
b
+ +
+
10V 10V
_ _ 10V
_
c c
c
11
Open circuit (OC)
- Two terminals (A & B) are not connected.
- No current flows due to ∞ resistance, air is an A 
R=∞
insulator.
B 
- If the potential difference, V is too high, air
may breakdown, and current would flow.
Short circuit (SC)

- Two terminals (A & B) are connected with
good conductor such as copper wire, assume to
A 
be zero resistance. R=0
- The assumption of negligible resistance no B 
longer holds for transmission lines that extend
over longer distance, when dealing in power
l
system. R 12
A
Electric Shock
Human body has a resistance of, R = 10 ~ 50 kΩ
- Sweat can reduce body resistance up to 10 times.
- It is possible to reduce this resistance down to 1 kΩ by
sweaty hands or holding a conductor tightly.
-The electrocution effect on a human body depends on
the current level:
1 mA Feeling sensation
10 mA Immobilizing
20 mA Breathing difficulty
100 mA Fatal
- Dangerous voltage level is about 30 V and above. We are safe

as long as insulated from the ground, preventing current to flow
across the heart (wear rubber glove, use wooden stick). 13
~ 50V
~ 100V
~ 500V
14
Power – rate of change of energy, either supplying or
absorbing energy, measured in Watts (W)
dW dQ dW
P    VI
dQ dt dt
•if current enters through +ve terminal of an element

Element absorbs Power
•if current enters through -ve terminal of an element
Element supplies Power
From P = V I (power equation) and V = I R (Ohm's law),

V2
P  I R 
2
15

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
16
2 types of elements:
 Passive elements – absorbs energy
e.g. Resistor (R), Capacitor (C) & Inductor
(L), often acts as load that converts
electrical energy to mechanical or thermal
energy.
 Active elements – generates energy

e.g. Generator & Battery (voltage source),
operating amplifier (current source)
17
(i) Ideal independent sources
- completely independent of other circuit elements
time-varying voltage source

(ii) Ideal dependent sources
- controlled by another voltage / current source
18

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
19
• Branch a single two-terminal element in an
electric circuit
• Node a junction point connecting two or more
branches
• Loop a closed path in the circuit
• Mesh a loop which does not contain any other
loops
• Ground at zero potential (0 V), where voltage of
any node in the circuit is expressed
with reference to the ground (or in the
absence of ground, one of the nodes is
taken as the reference node)
20
21
• Essential a node joining three or more branches.

Node
• Essential a path that connects two essential nodes
Branch without passing through an essential node
22
Review Question:
Determine the number of:
(a)Nodes (b) Essential nodes
(c) Branches (d) Essential Branches
(e) Loops (f) Mesh
23
Series & Parallel Circuit
• Elements in series – only share a single node & having
the same flow of current.
• Elements in parallel – share the same pair of terminals
/nodes & have same voltage drop across them. The
current have more alternate paths to flow.
• Series components can be called a string.
• Parallel components can be called a bank.
• Series-parallel circuit is the combination of strings and

banks
24
25
26
Bank
String
Another String
27
Bank
Another Bank
28
String
29
• Specify +ve and –ve polarity

• The entry point of current into the element is
defined as +ve. 30
Voltage measurement Current measurement
31

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
32
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)
i n 0
• States that the algebraic sum of all currents entering or leaving a
node (or a closed boundary) is zero.
• The polarity of currents entering a node (or a closed boundary) is
positive, while currents leaving a node are taken as negative.
i1 - i2 + i3 + i4 - i5 = 0
• Sum of current entering a node = Sum of current leaving the node
i1 + i 3 + i 4 = i 2 + i 5
i  i
in out
33
Example 1: Write a KCL equation at node P.
P Solution:
i n 0
At node p
- IT + I 1 - I 2 + I 3 = 0
IT = I1 - I2 + I3
34
Example 2: (KCL)
Determine currents I1, I3, I4 and I5 for the circuit
35
Solution:
Applying KCL:  Iin =  Iout

node a I = I1 + I2
5 = I 1 + 4  I1 = 1 A
node b I1 = I3 = 1 A
node c I2 = I4 = 4 A
node d I5 = I3 + I4
I5 = 1 + 4 = 5 A 36
I2
I1
I4
I3
Example 3: Determine I1, I2, I3, & I4,

37
At node A,
I in   I out
I2 I1  5  3  4
I1  2 A
I1
At node B,
B A
3  7  I1  I 2
I 2  4  I1  6 A
38
At closed boundry (CDEF),
I3  4  6  5
 I 3  5 A
F E
I 3 is leaving from node C IEF
I4
At node C, C
At node D, D
I   I out IDC
in
I 3  2  I DC  0
6  I 4  I DC I3
I DC  3 A
 I4  3A
39
Example 4: Determine I1, I2, I3, I4 & I5 when Vbd = 60 V
40
At node a,
I s  I1
 I1  50mA
At node b,
I1  I 2  I 3
 Vbd 60 
50mA  I 2  20mA  I3    20mA 
 RL1 3k 
41
 I 2  30mA
I1  50mA
I 2  30mA
I 3  20mA
At node c,
I 2  I 4  I5
30mA  I 4  I 5
By using Ohm's Law,
 I5  30mA  I 4  20mA
Vcd 20
I4   I4   10mA
RL 2 2000
Vbd  Vbc  Vcd
60  40  Vcd  Vbc  I 2 R2  0.03 1330  40V 
Vcd  20V
42
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
• States that the algebraic sum of all voltages around a loop
is zero
 v 0
n
Procedure:
1. Choose either a clockwise or counterclockwise trip around
a loop.
2. Assign polarity (+-) to the elements of the circuit
3. Apply KVL & write voltage equation for each loop
• Sum of voltage drop = sum of e.m.f. (electromotive force)

around the loop
v drop   43
Example 5: Write a voltage equation
1. Go clockwise around loop
2. Assign +ve & -ve signs to

each elements
3. Apply KVL & write voltage
equation
v n 0
Solution:
-v1 + v2 + v3 - v4 + v5 = 0 or
v1 - v2 - v3 + v4 - v5 = 0
v2 + v3 + v5 = v1 + v4 44
Example 6: (KVL)
Determine the unknown voltage Vx for the
circuit below using Kirchhoff’s voltage law.
B Vx  B-A-D OR
A C  B-C-D
Vx = -12+32 = 20 V
OR 6+14 = 20 V
Useful Link: http://everycircuit.com/ 45

Solution:
1. Go clockwise around loop a b c
2. Assign +ve & -ve signs to each elements
3. Apply KVL & write voltage equation
4. The sign on each voltage is the polarity of the
terminal encountered ﬁrst as we travel around the
loop. d
(1a) Apply KVL around a loop (abda) (that includes the

source in the clockwise direction),
– E + 12 + Vx = 0  Vx = E – 12 = 32 – 12 = 20 V
or
(1b) Alternatively, apply KVL around the clockwise loop
(bcdb), including resistor R3 gives
– Vx + 6 + 14 = 0  Vx = 20 V (same answer) 46
Example 7: Determine the unknown voltage Vab and
V4 for the circuit below using Kirchhoff’s voltage law.
I
Vab
V4
Should we assign a ground to the circuit?

47
I I
+ V1 
+
Vab

V4
I +  I
V1  Vab  10  V4  20  0 V1  I 1  I
Vab  30  V1  V4 V4   I  4  4I
48
I I
+ V1  + V2  + 
+ +
V3
 
V4
+ 
I +  I
V1  V2  25  V3  15  10  V4  20  0 V1  I  2V
V1  V2  V3  V4  20 V4  4 I  8V
I  2 I  3I  (4 I )  20
10I  20  I  2A Vab  30  V1  V4  20V 49

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
50
Series Resistors & Voltage Divider Rule
• The two resistors are in series, since the same current i
flows through them.
v1 = iR1 v2 = iR2
apply KVL:
-v + v1 + v2 = 0
v = v1 + v2 = i(R1+ R2 )
v = i(Req) where
Req = R1+ R2
51
Series Resistors
• The equivalent resistance of any number of resistors
connected in series is the sum of individual resistances.
N
 Rn
Req = R1+ R2 + R3+…+ RN = n=1
52
Voltage Divider Rules
• To determine the voltage across each resistor:
R1
v1 = iR1 v1  v
R1  R 2
R2
v2 = iR2 v2  v

R1 R 2
Rn
vn  v v
R1+ R2+ …+ RN i
R1  R2
• Principle of Voltage divider rule – the larger the
resistance, the larger the voltage drop
53
Parallel Resistors & Current Divider Rule
• The two resistors are connected in parallel and have the
same voltage v across them.
v = i1R1 = i2R2
apply KCL at node a:

i = i1 + i2
v  v 1  1 v
i  
R1 R2 R1 R2
v
i
R eq
54
Parallel Resistors
• The equivalent resistance of two parallel resistors is the
product of individual resistances divided by their sum, .
1 1
 1 
R eq R 1 R 2
R 1R 2
Req  R1 // R2
R1  R 2
• In the case of a circuit with N resistors in parallel
1 1 1
 1  …  or
R eq R 1 R 2 RN
55
Current Divider Rule
• Principle of current divider rule – total i current is shared
by the resistors in inverse proportion to their resistances
R2
i1  i v = i1R1 = i2R2
R1  R2
R1 v
i2 
R1  R2
i i
R eq
or
• If a current divider has N resistors (or conductors) in

parallel with the source current i
56
(a) Suppose R2 = 0  R2 is short circuit
R1 R2
Req  0
R1  R2
R2
i1  i0
R1  R2
R1
i2  ii
R1  R2
Entire current i flows through

the short circuit
57
(b) Suppose R2 =   R2 is open circuit
R1 R2
Req   R1
R1  R2
R2
i1  ii
R1  R2
R1
i2  i0
R1  R2
Entire current i flows through

the path of least resistance
58
Example 8(network reduction): Find Req for the circuit.
a Solution:
(1+5)=6
6//3=2
b
(2+2)//6=2.4
 Req  4  2.4  8  14.4 
59
Example 8 (network reduction): Find Rab for
the circuit.
6//3
Solution: 3//6=2 12//4=3 (1+5)=6
(3//6)+1=3  Rab  10  (2 // 3)  11.2  60

Example 9: Find i0 and v0 in the circuit shown in below.
3//6=2
By applying voltage divider rule,

2
v0  12  4V
42
By applying ohm’s law,
v0 4
i0   A
R 3
61
Example 10: For the circuit shown in below, determine: (a) the
voltage v0 (b) the power absorbed by each resistor.
6+12=18
By applying current divider rule, Power absorbed by

18k each resistor,
i1   30mA  20mA
18k  9k PI R 2
P1  (20mA) 2 (9k)  3.6W

vo  9k  20mA  180V P2  (10mA) 2 (6k)  0.6W
P3  (10mA) 2 (12k)  1.2W
62
Review question:
The figure below shows the circuitry of the voltage divider supply with
loads.
(i) Determine the voltage Vba, Vcb, and Vdc.
(ii) Determine the values of resistors R1, R2, R3, RL1 and RL2
IR1
IR2
IR3
Review question:
Consider the circuitry shown in Figure Q1 (b).
(i) Calculate the equivalent resistance Req across terminal a – b
(ii) Calculate the input power Pin supplied by the source.
(iii) Calculate the current I across resistor R4.
R1
R5 R4 R3
R2
Req
Req = 4 Ohm

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
65
1.6 Delta-Wye Transformation
• Consider the bridge circuit in the following figure, where
resistors are neither in series nor in parallel
• These network are used in three-phase networks,

electrical filters and matching networks
• These are the Wye (Y) and delta () network
66
• (i) Wye (Y) or Tee (T) network
• (ii) Delta () or pi () network
67
Delta to Wye Conversion
• Superimpose a Wye network on the Delta network to
find Req in the Wye network – to simplify computation
R12 (Y )  R12 ( )
R12 (Y )  R1  R3
R12 ()  Rb //( Ra  Rc )
Rb ( Ra  Rc )
R12  R1  R3  .....(1.1a )
Ra  Rb  Rc
similarly ,
Rc ( Ra  Rb )
R13  R1  R2  .....(1.1b)
Ra  Rb  Rc
Ra ( Rb  Rc )
R34  R2  R3  .....(1.1c)
Ra  Rb  Rc 68
Subtract (1.1c) from (1.1a ),

Rc ( Rb  Ra ) Rb ( Ra  Rc )
R1  R2  .....(1.2) R1  R3  .....(1.1a )
Ra  Rb  Rc Ra  Rb  Rc
Add (1.2) to (1.1b), Rc ( Ra  Rb )
R1  R2  .....(1.1b)
Rb Rc Ra  Rb  Rc
R1  .....(1.3a )
Ra  Rb  Rc Ra ( Rb  Rc )
R2  R3  .....(1.1c)
Subtract (1.2) from (1.1b), Ra  Rb  Rc
R a Rc
R2  .....(1.3b) Each resistor in Y network is
Ra  Rb  Rc
the product of resistors in 2
Subtract (1.3a ) from (1.1a), adjacent  branches, and
Ra Rb divided by the sum of three
R3  .....(1.3b)  resistors
Ra  Rb  Rc 69
Wye to Delta Conversion
From Eq(1.1a ) to (1.1c),
Ra Rb Rc ( Ra  Rb  Rc )
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1  .
Ra  Rb  Rc  2 Rb ( Ra  Rc )
R1  R3  .....(1.1a )
Ra Rb Rc Ra  Rb  Rc
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1  . ...(1.4)
Ra  Rb  Rc Rc ( Ra  Rb )
R1  R2  .....(1.1b)
Divide Eq(1.4) by Eq(1.3a) to (1.3c), Ra  Rb  Rc
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1 Ra ( Rb  Rc )
Ra  .....(1.5a ) R2  R3  .....(1.1c)
R1 Ra  Rb  Rc
Subtract (1.2) from (1.1b),
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1 Each resistor in  network is
Rb  .....(1.5b)
R2 the sum of all possible
products of 2 resistors in Y
Subtract (1.3a ) from (1.1a),
network, and divided by the
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1 opposite Y resistor
Rc  .....(1.5c)
R3 70
Example 11: convert  network to an equivalent Y network
Solution:
Rb Rc 25 10
R1   5 
Ra  Rb  Rc 25  10  15
Ra Rc 25 15
R2    7.5 
Ra  Rb  Rc 25  10  15
Ra Rb 15 10
R3   3 
Ra  Rb  Rc 25  10  15 71
Example 12: Obtain Rab for the given circuit & find current i.
R1
R3
R2
Solution:
R1R2  R2 R3  R3 R1 (10  20)  (20  5)  (5 10)
Ra    35 
R1 10
R1R2  R2 R3  R3 R1 (10  20)  (20  5)  (5 10)
Rb    17.5 
R2 20
R1R2  R2 R3  R3 R1 (10  20)  (20  5)  (5 10)
Rc    70  72
R3 5
Solution(continue…):
70 // 30  21  Rab  (7.29  10.5) // 21  9.63 

12.5 // 17.5  7.29  vs 120
i    12.46 A
15 // 35  10.5  Rab 9.63
73

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
74
1.7 Sources
Ideal Voltage Source
• Its voltage is independent from the magnitude &
direction of its current
• When the current leaves +ve terminal, it delivers power
to external circuit – acts as an e.m.f (electromotive
force) source
• When the current enters to +ve terminal, it acts as a
load
Vi
i
+
External v
Vi
circuit
_
i
75
1.7 Sources
Ideal Current Source
• Its current is constant irrespective of magnitude &
direction of the voltage across its terminals
• The voltage across the terminal depends on the
elements that connected at the external circuit
i
i
+
External i
Vi circuit
_
Vi
76
1.7 Sources
Practical Voltage Source
• Voltage terminal of a practical source usually
decreases as current drawn from it increases. This is
due to the ‘voltage drop’ across internal resistor RS of
the voltage source
VL = VS - ILRS
77
1.7 Sources
Practical Current Source
• Practical current source has an internal resistance RS.
Hence the supplied current varies.
• To compute the Load current & Load voltage:
RS R SR L
IL   IS VL  I L R L   IS
RS  R L RS  R L
78
1.7 Sources
Source Conversion
• Voltage source, VS with a series resistance RS
may be converted to current source, IS with a parallel
resistance, RS without effecting the rest of the circuit &
vice versa.
• To convert: voltage source current source
IS = VS /RS
• To convert: current source voltage source
VS = ISRS
79
1.7 Sources
Example 13:
(a) Determine the current IL
(b) Convert the voltage
source to a current source
(c) Use the resulting current
source of part (b),
calculate the current
through the load resistor
and compare your answer
to the result of part (a).
80
1.7 Sources
Solution:
(a) applying Ohm’s law
E 6
I    1A
L R R 24
S L
(b) IS = E / RS = 6 / 2 =3 A
 the equivalent source with load is as follows:
(c) Checking:
RS 2
IL  IS  ( )3  1A
RS  R L 24
(Current divider rule)
81
Example
• Find Is using source conversion method
82
Solution
• KVL
• -5-12+1+4I=0
• I = 4A
83
Example
• Find I
84
Solution
• I = 6/8*(-1) = -0.75A
85
Example
• Find Is
86
2.63 A
Example
• Find Is.
• Can Is be calculated using source 87
conversion?

1.7 Sources
1.8 Application
88
1.8 Application
• Resistors are often used to model devices that
convert electrical energy into heat or other forms of
energy.
• Such devices include conducting wire, light bulbs,
electric heaters, stoves, ovens, and loudspeakers.
89
Example 14:
Three light bulbs are connected to a 9-V battery as shown in
Figure (a). Calculate:
(a) the total current supplied by the battery
(b) the current through each bulb
(c) the resistance of each bulb.
90
Solution
(a) The total power supplied by the battery
is equal to the total power absorbed by
the bulbs; that is,
P = 15 + 10 + 20 = 45W
Since P = VI, then the total current
supplied by the battery is
P 45
I   5A
V 9
(b) The bulbs can be modeled as resistors as shown in
Figure (b). Since R1 (20-W bulb) is in parallel with the battery
as well as the series combination of R2 and R3
V1 = V2 + V3 = 9 V
91
Solution
The current through R1 is
P 20
I1    2.222 A
V 9
By KCL, the current through the series
combination of R2 and R3 is
I 2  I  I1  5  2.222  2.778 A
(c) Since P  I 2 R
P1 20
R1  2  2
 4.05
I1 2.222 P3 10
R3  2  2
 1.279
P2 15 I 2 2.778
R2  2  2
 1.945
I 2 2.778
92
Q&A
93

Topic 1. Basic Concepts & Laws (CH)

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UEEA 1243 Circuit Theory

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

Question: Beside metals, can water or other fluids conduct

Which one is more dangerous?

Ohm’s Law: The current flowing across a resistor is

1. Can we lay the wires to the

• Can we use dry cells to supply a negative

• Positive voltage is more dangerous than

Short circuit (SC)

- Dangerous voltage level is about 30 V and above. We are safe

•if current enters through +ve terminal of an element

From P = V I (power equation) and V = I R (Ohm's law),

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

 Active elements – generates energy

time-varying voltage source

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

• Essential a node joining three or more branches.

• Parallel components can be called a bank.

• Series-parallel circuit is the combination of strings and

• Specify +ve and –ve polarity

Voltage measurement Current measurement

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

Applying KCL:  Iin =  Iout

Example 3: Determine I1, I2, I3, & I4,

• Sum of voltage drop = sum of e.m.f. (electromotive force)

2. Assign +ve & -ve signs to

Useful Link: http://everycircuit.com/ 45

(1a) Apply KVL around a loop (abda) (that includes the

Should we assign a ground to the circuit?

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

apply KCL at node a:

• If a current divider has N resistors (or conductors) in

Entire current i flows through

Entire current i flows through

 Req  4  2.4  8  14.4 

Solution: 3//6=2 12//4=3 (1+5)=6

(3//6)+1=3  Rab  10  (2 // 3)  11.2  60

By applying voltage divider rule,

By applying current divider rule, Power absorbed by

P1  (20mA) 2 (9k)  3.6W

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

• These network are used in three-phase networks,

• (ii) Delta () or pi () network

Subtract (1.1c) from (1.1a ),

70 // 30  21  Rab  (7.29  10.5) // 21  9.63 

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

• Can Is be calculated using source 87

1.1 Basic Concepts & Definitions

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