Kirchhoff’s Current Law

•• Kirchhoff’s
  Current Law (KCL) is applicable to parallel
circuits.

• It states that the algebraic sum of all the currents

flowing into a junction (or node) is equal to the
algebraic sum of all the currents flowing out of that
junction.

• (Incoming Currents) = Σ (Outing Currents)

 Kirchhoff’s Current Law

A B

IT IT

In the Figure, at node A: IT = I1 + I2 + I3

At node B: I1 + I2 + I3 = IT
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
• Alternatively, Kirchhoff’s Current Law can be stated as
the algebraic sum of all the currents entering and
leaving a junction (or node) is equal to zero.

Σ (Incoming and outgoing currents) = 0

• In applying KCL this way, all currents entering a node

are normally taken to be positive and all currents
leaving that node are considered as negative.
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Consider the two nodes A and B of Figure.
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
At node A,

• IT is entering node A and therefore taken as

positive.
• And are all leaving node A and therefore taken
as negative.
• Therefore, IT + (-I1) + (-I2) + (-I3) = 0
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
At node B,

• IT is leaving node B and therefore taken as

negative.
• I1 ,I2 and I3 are all entering node B and therefore
taken as positive.
• Therefore, (-IT) + I1 + I2 + I3 = 0
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Example
Determine the current through shown in Figure.
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Solution

I T = I1 + I 2 + I3
100 mA = 30 mA + + 20mA
Therefore, I2 = 50 mA
 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) states that the
algebraic sum of all voltages in a closed circuit
is zero.

• Σ (all voltages in a closed circuit) = 0

• Σ ( voltage rises) + Σ (voltage drops) = 0

 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
•    + -  + -  + -

+ -

KVL expression for this circuit is

+ + =0
+ (- + (-) = 0
 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
• Alternatively,
  Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) can
be stated as follows:
• In a closed circuit, the sum of all voltage drops
is equal to the sum of all voltage rises.

Σ ( voltage rises) = Σ (voltage drops)

• + +
 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
Example
Determine the unknown voltage drop, V3, in the
circuit.
12 V

+ -

+
6V
-

- +
 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
•Solution
  – Method 1:
+ (- + (-) = 0
50V – 15v – 12v -6v - = 0

Solution – Method 1:
+ +
50V – 15v = 12v + 6v +
 Tutorial Questions
1. Find V1,V2 and V3 in the circuit from fig
 Tutorial Questions
2. Two batteries are connected in parallel each represented by an
emf along with its internal resistance. A load resistance of 6Ω is
connected across the ends of the batteries. Calculate the current
through each battery and the load.

R2
R1
4Ω
2Ω R3
6Ω
V1 V2
12V 44V
 Tutorial Questions
• Use Kirchhoff’s Laws to determine the current flowing
through each voltage source in the network shown in figure