EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

Experiment 3:
Nodal Analysis

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS
MEASUREMENT LABORATORY

EEEB111

Exp. 3, Page 1/8

EXPERIMENT 3
Nodal Analysis
Assessed OBE Course Objectives: CO1, CO2, and CO3
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this laboratory experiment are to build a resistive circuit with DC sources and to
make node voltage measurements. The results have to be compared with the voltages obtained from a
computer simulation program, LTspice. Verify nodal analysis method.
INTRODUCTION
Nodal Analysis
A node is a point where two or more elements are connected. The voltage at each node is called node
voltages. Nodal analysis is an analysis on how to calculate the voltages at each node in the circuit.
The procedure can be divided into 3 basic steps.
1. Label each node (V1, V2 Vn) with respect to the ground node. These are the node
voltages.
2. Apply Kirchhoffs Current Law using node voltages at each node.
3. Determine the unknown node voltages (V1, V2 Vn) by solving the simultaneous
equations in step 2.
It is apparent that when there are more than two unknown node voltages, simultaneous solution of the
nodal analysis become difficult, and computer assistance become helpful. Thus, in this experiment,
we will learn to utilize LTspice for DC analysis of circuits containing resistors and independent
voltage sources.
PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT
1. Download and become familiar with the LTspice software available at
http://metalab.uniten.edu.my/~sulaiman/eeeb111.htm. The software is also available at the
labs computers.
2. Refer to Appendix 1 for instructions on how to do the computer analysis for Experiment 3
using LTspice.
3. Study on Nodal Analysis, pages 82 92 in Sadiku (4th Edition)

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

Exp. 3, Page 2/8

Part A: Computer Analysis

Refer to Appendix 1 for instructions on how to do the computer analysis for Experiment 3.
a.

Please refer to the lab instructor for the resistors value designated as R1, R2, R3 and R4.
Resistors: 1 k, 2.2 k, 3.3 k, 4.7k, 6.8 k and 10 k.

b.

Simulate circuit shown in Figure 3.1 using LTspice to determine all the node voltages and
branch current, IR4 for each value of R5: 0 (short circuit), 500 , 10 k and (open
circuit).

Figure 3.1: Circuit for Node Voltages and IR4 Measurements

Note:
1. Use theoretical resistor values in the computer analysis.
2. When R5 = 0 (short circuit), there will be no node 4 as the node 2 voltage would be
the same at node 4 voltage as well, since all the current will pass through R5. Refer
Circuits theory.
3. When R5 = (open circuit), you need to remove R5 from the circuit, since no
current will flow through R5. Refer circuits theory.
c.

Record the results obtained from LTspice in Table 3.1:

Table 3.1: Computer Analysis using LTspice Results
R5
()

Computational Node Voltages (V)

node 1

node 2

node 3

node 4

IR4
(mA)

0
500
10k

d.

Attach copies of the LTspice netlists and the results obtained for all four (4) different value
of R5, with this lab report.

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

Exp. 3, Page 3/8

UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
College of Engineering
Semester: I / II / Special
Academic Year: 20 .. / 20 ..
COURSE CODE:
EEEB111
LAB INSTRUCTOR:
TITLE:
Nodal Analysis

EXPERIMENT NO.:
DATE:

3
TIME:

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this laboratory experiment are to build a resistive circuit with DC sources and to
make node voltage measurements. The results have to be compared with the voltages obtained
from a computer simulation program, LTspice. Verify nodal analysis method.
PRE-LAB:
Part A : Computer Analysis
Marks will be given in LTspice assignments marks distribution below.

MARKS:

/12
/12
/6

4 correct Netlist
4 correct Simulation Results
Table 3.1
TOTAL:
INSTRUCTORS COMMENTS:

/30

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS:
Part B : Circuit Construction
Table 3.2
V1 measured
V2 measured
Table 3.3

/3
/1
/1
/12

POST-LAB:
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

/4
/2
/2
/3

CONCLUSIONS:

/2
TOTAL:

INSTRUCTORS COMMENTS:

/30

STUDENT NAME:

STUDENT ID:

GROUP MEMBER:

STUDENT ID:

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

SECTION:

Exp. 3, Page 4/8

EQUIPMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Resistors: 1 k, 2.2 k, 3.3 k, 4.7k, 6.8 k and 10 k

Decade Resistor Box
Digital Multimeter (DMM)
DC Power Supply
DMM Probes x 2nos.
Crocodile Clips Connectors x 4nos.
Protoboard
Wire 22 AWG x 4nos.

PROCEDURES
This laboratory experiment is to develop a familiarity with computer techniques as applied to DC
network configuration.
A circuit to be investigated needs to be constructed and examined in detail in the laboratory session.
The simulated values obtained earlier from LTspice simulation will be the reference to verify the
measured results obtained experimentally.
Part B: Circuit Construction

a. Measure resistances with the DMM and record the values in Table 3.2. Use the same resistor
values as in Part A: Computer Analysis.
Table 3.2: Measured Values of Resistors
Resistors

Nominal Value
(k)

Measured Value
(k)

Error
(%)

R1
R2
R3
R4

b. Build the circuit shown in Figure 3.1.

c. Set the voltage sources V1 = 15 V and V2 = 8 V, using the DMM for setting accuracy.
d. Measure the voltages at nodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (with respect to ground node 0) when the decade
resistor R5 is set to zero (0) ohms (short circuit), using the DMM.

e. Measure the current through R4, IR4 using the DMM. (Refer to current measurement procedure in
Lab 2, if you have forgotten).

f. Repeat all the node voltages and current measurements for the following values of R5: 500,
10k and (open circuit).

g. Record the measured values in Table 3.3:

V1 measured = ____________ V

V2 measured = ____________ V

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

Exp. 3, Page 5/8

Table 3.3: Laboratory Experimental Results

R5
()

Experimental Node Voltages (V)

node 1

node 2

node 3

node 4

IR4
(mA)

0
500
10k

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

Exp. 3, Page 6/8

POST LAB ASSIGNMENT:

Show workings of all calculations.
1. Calculate the theoretical values for the node voltages at node 1, 2, 3 and 4 when R5 = 0 (short
circuit) using nodal analysis. Record the answers in Table 3.4. Note: Use only DMM measured
values of the resistors and voltage sources in your calculations.

2. Calculate the theoretical value of current through R4, IR4 when R5 = 0 (short circuit). Note:
Use only DMM measured values of the resistors and voltage sources in your calculations. Record
the answer in Table 3.4.

Table 3.4: Calculated values of node voltages and IR4

Node Voltages Calculated (V)
node 1

node 2

node 3

node 4

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

IR4
(mA)

Exp. 3, Page 7/8

3. Provide a percentage error summary between experimental values (Table 3.3) and calculated
values (Table 3.4) values when R5 = 0 in Table 3.5. Note: The theoretical values should be
taken from the analysis.
Table 3.5: Summary of % Error
% Error
Node Voltages (V)
node 1

node 2

node 3

node 4

IR4
(mA)

4. What will happen on the voltage and current readings when we change the connecting wires
with a thicker ones, such as 18 AWG type (instead of 22 AWG).

CONCLUSIONS:
List TWO (2) main understandings that you have gained from this experiment.

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN

Exp. 3, Page 8/8