Methods of Analysis

Chapter 3
 3.2 Nodal Analysis
• Nodal analysis provides the nodal voltages of a network
•  – Developed through the use of KCL
• Ground the reference node and assign it a potential level of zero volts.
– All the other voltage levels are then found with respect to this
reference level.
• The number of nodes for which the voltage must be determined using
nodal analysis is 1 less than the total number of nodes.
  𝒗𝟐 − 𝒗 𝟏
𝒊=
𝑹

 𝒗 𝟏 𝒗𝟏 − 𝒗 𝟐  𝒗 𝟐  𝒗 𝟏
 
𝒊=  𝒗 𝟐
𝑹

• Current enters & leaves

• Current enters & leaves
 3.2 Nodal Analysis Steps

•1.  Determine/Mark the number of nodes within the

network.
2. Pick a reference/ground node, and label each remaining
node with a subscripted value of voltage: V1, V2, and so
on.
3. Apply Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) at each node except
the reference.
– Assume that all unknown currents leave the node for each
application of Kirchhoff’s current law.
– Current flows from a higher potential to a lower potential in a
resistor.

4. Solve the resulting equations for the nodal voltages.

 3.2 Nodal Analysis Example

Figure 3.2
Example 3.1: Calculate the node voltages in the
circuit.
Three Nodes: Node 1, Node 2, and Reference/Ground
Node

Node 1 KCL:

Node 2 KCL:
Example 3.1: Solve the simultaneous equations.
Example 3.2: Calculate the node voltages in the
circuit.
Four Nodes: Node 1, Node 2, Node 3, and Reference/
Ground Node
 3.3 Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
•Case
  1: Voltage source connected between the
reference node and a nonreference node: we simply
set the voltage at the non-reference node equal to the
voltage of the voltage source.
 3.3 Supernode
•Case
  2: Voltage source (dependent or independent)
connected between two nonreference nodes:
Supernode.
• 5V connected between nodes: supernode
• Apply COMBINED KCL for

• KVL @ supernode:

• Supernode requires
both KCL and KVL
Example 3.3: Calculate the node voltages in the
circuit.
Two Nodes: Node 1, Node 2, and Reference/Ground
Node
Node 1 and Node 2: Supernode
Example 3.4: Calculate the node voltages in the
circuit.
 Five
Nodes: , , , and
Reference/Ground Node
and : Supernode
and : Supernode
 Example 3.4: Calculate the node voltages in the
circuit.

 Five unknowns: , , , and

Need 5 Equations
1. and : Supernode KCL
2. and : Supernode KCL
3. and : Supernode KVL
4. and : Supernode KVL
5. : Dependent source equation
 3.4 Mesh Analysis
• Mesh: a loop which does not contain any other
loops within it.
• Mesh/ Loop analysis or the mesh-current method
• Mesh analysis provides the mesh/loop currents of a
network
– Developed through the use of KVL
Opposite to nodal analysis
 3.4 Mesh/Loop Analysis Steps

•   Assign a distinct current to each independent, closed loop

1.
of the network.
2. Indicate the polarities within each loop for each resistor.
3. Apply KVL around each closed loop.
4. Solve the resulting simultaneous linear equations.
• 2 loops. and : Loop Currents
• , & : Branch/element Currents
1. Loop 1:
2. Loop 2:
Example 3.5: Find the branch currents using mesh
analysis.
Example 3.6: Use mesh analysis to find the current
 .
3.4 Mesh Analysis with Current Sources
•Case
  1: Current source exists only in one mesh:
Mesh equation for the other mesh in the usual way.
 3.4 Supermesh
•Case
  2: Two meshes have a (dependent or
independent) current source in common: Supermesh.
• Current source exists between two meshes
• COMBINED KVL for supermesh and

• KCL @ node 0:

• Supermesh requires
both KCL and KVL
Example 3.7: Calculate the node voltages in the circuit.

 
Four Meshes: , , ,
, ,and : Supermesh
Example 3.7: Calculate the node voltages in the circuit.
 FIG. 8.31 Example
8.14.

Solution:

FIG. 8.32 Defining the mesh

currents for the network in Fig. FIG. 8.33 Defining the supermesh
8.31. current.
FIG. 8.33 Defining the
supermesh current.