Method of Branch

Currents
 Now we can use Kirchhoff’s laws
Method of to analyze the circuit in the given
Figure. The problem is to find the
Branch currents and voltages for the
three resistors.
Currents First, indicate current directions
and mark the voltage polarity
across each resistor consistent
with the assumed current.
Remember that electron flow in a
resistor produces negative
polarity where the current enters.
 In the given figure, we assume
Method of that the source V1 produces
electron flow from left to right
Branch through R1, and V2 produces
electron flow from right to left
Currents through R2.

The three different currents in

R1, R2, and R3 are indicated as
I1, I2, and I3. However, three
unknowns would require three
equations for the solution.
 From Kirchhoff’s current law, I3 =
Method of I1 + I2, as the current out of
point C must equal the current in.
Branch The current through R3, therefore,
can be specified as I1 + I2.
Currents
 With two unknowns, two
Method of independent equations are
needed to solve for I1 and I2.
Branch These equations are obtained by
writing two Kirchhoff’s voltage
Currents law equations around two
loops.

There are three loops in the

given figure, the outside loop
and two inside loops, but we
need only two. The inside loops
are used for the solution here.
Writing the Loop Equations
 For the loop with V1, start at
Writing the Loop point B, at the bottom left, and
Equations go clockwise through V1, V R1 ,
and V R3. This equation for loop 1
is
 For the loop with V2, start at
Writing the Loop point F, at the lower right, and
Equations go counterclockwise through V2,
V R2 and V R3 . This equation for
loop 2 is
 Using the known values of R1, R2,
Writing the Loop and R3 to specify the IR voltage
Equations drops,

Substituting these values in the

voltage equation for loop 1,

Multiplying (I1 + I2) by 6 and

combining terms and transposing,
 Divide the loop 1 equation by -6
Writing the Loop to reduce the equation to the
Equations simplest terms and to have all
positive terms.
 Also, in loop 2,
Writing the Loop
Equations

Divide the loop 2 equation by -3

to reduce the equation to the
simplest terms and to have all
positive terms.
Solving for the Currents
 These two equations with the two
Solving for the unknowns I1 and I2 contain the
Currents solution of the network.

Note that the equations include

every resistance in the circuit.
Currents I1 and I2 can be
calculated by any of the methods
for the solution of simultaneous
equations.
 Using the method of elimination,
Solving for the multiply the top equation by 3
Currents to make the I2 terms the same in
both equations. Then
 Subtract the bottom equation
Solving for the from the top equation, term by
Currents term, to eliminate I2. Then, since
the I2 term becomes zero,
 The 5-A I1 is the current through
Solving for the R1. Its direction is from A to C, as
Currents assumed, because the answer for
I1 is positive.
 To calculate I2, substitute 5 for I1
Solving for the in either of the two loop
Currents equations. Using the bottom
equation for the substitution,

The negative sign for I2 means

that this current is opposite to
the assumed direction.