ECE 1131

Chapter 3 Methods of Analysis

Outlines

Nodal analysis without voltage sources

Nodal analysis with voltage sources

Mesh analysis without current sources Mesh analysis with current sources Nodal analysis by inspection Mesh analysis by inspection

Nodal Analysis without Voltage Sources

Nodal analysis is based on KCL. It makes use of node voltages as circuit variables. Steps to determine node voltages - assume a circuit with n nodes:
1.

Select a node as the reference node.

Reference node a node with 0 potential.

2.

Assign voltages v1, v2, , vn-1 to the remaining n-1 nodes.

The voltages are referenced with respect to the reference node.

3.

Apply KCL to each of the n-1 non-reference nodes.

Use Ohms law to express the branch currents in terms of node voltages.

4.

Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node voltages.

Example 1

Obtain node voltages for the circuit shown.

Answers: v1=-2V v2=-14V

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Example 2

Find the voltages at the three non-reference nodes.

Answers: v1=80V v2=-64V v3=156V

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Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources

Two cases to consider:

Case 1: A voltage source is connected between a reference node and a non-reference node.

Set the voltage at the non-reference node equal to the voltage of the voltage source.

Case 2: A voltage source is connected between two nonreference nodes.

The two non-reference nodes form a supernode. Apply both KCL and KVL to determine the node voltages.

Supernode it is formed by enclosing a (dependent/independent) voltage source connected between two non-reference nodes and any elements connected in parallel with it.

Example 3

Find v and i in the circuit below.

Answers: v=-600mV i=4.2A

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Example 4

Find v1, v2 and v3 in the circuit shown.

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Answers: v1=3.043V v2=-6.956V v3=652.2m V

Mesh Analysis

A mesh is a loop that does not contain any other loops within it.

Recap: a loop is any closed path with no node pass more than once.

Mesh analysis is only applicable to a circuit that is planar.

Planar circuit a circuit that can be drawn in a plane with no branches crossing one another; otherwise, it is nonplanar.

A Planar Circuit

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A Non-Planar Circuit

No way to redraw it and avoid the branches crossing. A non-planar circuit can be handled using nodal analysis.
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Mesh Analysis without Current Sources

Mesh analysis is based on KVL.

It makes use of mesh currents as circuit variables.

Steps to determine node voltages - assume a circuit with n meshes:
1.

Assign mesh currents i1, i2, , in to the n meshes.

Assume each mesh current flows clockwise.

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 simultaneous equations to get the mesh currents.

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Example 5

Calculate the mesh currents, i1 and i2.

Answers: i1=2A i2=0A

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Example 6

Find I0 in the circuit shown using mesh analysis.

Answers: I0=-5A
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Mesh Analysis with Current Sources

Two cases to consider:

Case 1: A current source exists in only one mesh.

Set the mesh current = current source.

Case 2: A current source exists between two meshes.

Create a supermesh by excluding the current source and any elements connected in series with it.

A supermesh results when two meshes have a (dependent or independent) current source in common.

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Example 7

Use mesh analysis to determine i1, i2 and i3 in the circuit shown.

Answers: i1=3.474A i2=473.7mA i3=1.1052A

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Nodal Analysis by Inspection

Implemented when all sources in the circuit are independent current sources. Convert resistors to conductors.

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Example 8

By inspection, obtain the node-voltage equations for the circuit below.

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Mesh Analysis by Inspection

Implemented when all sources are independent voltage sources.

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Example 9

By inspection, obtain the mesh-current equations for the circuit below.

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